When Richerd Winton, reached the second grade after transferring from the Detroit Public Schools to Our Lady of Loretto in Redford, he couldn’t read.  Difficulty in school prompted daily tutoring at school, years of private tutoring, and extended testing time and homework assistance at University of Detroit’s High School and Academy’s learning center.  As a result, Richerd was diagnosed with attention deficiency disorder.  However, Richerd preserved and received a reading score of 30 on the ACT and a composite score of 25.  He has been accepted at Hampton, Howard, Western and Wayne State universities.  The ACT score is a feat with the average score of 16.9 in Detroit Public Schools.

Richerd, a June graduate of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy and a member of College Prep, was honored recently with 12 other high school area students at the third annual Promoting Excellence and Recognition Scholarship Luncheon at St. Stephan A.M.E. Church, 6000 John E. Hunter Dr., Detroit.  The guest speaker was Robert Thornton, program officer of The Skillman Foundation.

The graduates with an average ACT score of 20 were accepted to numerous colleges and universities. They include Alexandria Boswell, Detroit School of Arts; Breeanna Coe, Oak Park High School; Robert Friday, Renaissance High School; Jamilah George, Detroit School of Arts; Alexis Harris, Henry Ford Academy; Nichelle Parham, Oak Park High School; Kezia Russell, Cass Technical High School; Brandon Slater, Southfield-Lathrup High School; Brandon Spight, University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (posthumous); Rashad Stewart, Detroit Community High School; Jasmine Vickers, Birmingham Groves High School and William Webster, Advanced Technology Academy.
   
The students received awards recognizing their academic, community service achievements from the Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Wayne County, Commissioner Jewel Ware and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Spirit of Detroit Awards from City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson.  In addition, the students were awarded $500 scholarships or $250 book awards sponsored by Comerica and The Skillman Foundation.  Since 2005, College Prep has awarded $14,000 in scholarships and book awards.