2012 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Michael Richardson, Jr. and Stephanie Ralston Khurana
Again this year, Rita Ralston and Stephanie Ralston Khurana attended the St. Mary´s annual award ceremony to present the Jeffrey Ralston Memorial Scholarship to a college-bound St. Mary´s senior, one who most exemplifies the scholarship criteria. After a dozen years attending the ceremony and presenting the scholarship, Rita and Stephanie know they will be impressed. The number of awards received and personal accomplishments of the exceptional St. Mary´s students seem to increase each year. This year, they were caught off guard; there was something unique about this particular class. Jeff´s classmates, those he spent his high school years with, now have children graduating and attending the St Mary´s awards ceremony. What a joy it was to reconnect with Jeff´s classmates again, confirming that pride and dedication to the St. Mary´s tradition and spirit carries on, building on the accomplishments of each graduate.

Each scholarship winner seems to have a unique quality, a defining attribute. With certainty, Michael Richardson, Jr., this year´s recipient of the Jeffrey Ralston Memorial Scholarship, will succeed in whatever he puts his mind to. With a sense of maturity and understanding unique for his years, he has determined a successful direction for his life and is working to implement that plan. Michael meets the criteria for the award, and then some. He excels in so many areas.

Starting in the fourth grade, Michael became the technical support "go-to" person for an elderly neighbor, helping with her computer problems when she was in a bind. Solving this immediate computer problem earned her trust, and Michael became her technical support person from that point on. This experience gave Mike an awareness of his skill in solving computer problems and the satisfaction of helping another. His reputation as a trusted source for computer related problems continued to develop. The pattern of helping others, mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow, developed into a lifestyle for Michael. He found he truly enjoyed helping people, caring for their concerns.

His interest in computers continued to develop. As a high school junior, intending to confirm that computer science was what he wanted to study in college, Mike began taking college level computer programming courses, earning a 4.0 GPA in this course work. During the summer of his junior year, he participated in two internships, working with those at graduate level, focusing on wireless applications for mobile devices. He was also the only high school student to complete a technical training boot camp course alongside DOD and NSA engineers. Noting his intellectual curiosity and perseverance, he received superlative recommendations from each of his advisors.

Taking a rigorous load of honors and AP courses at St. Mary´s, Mike continued to challenge himself to meet his personal goals, excelling and earning a very commendable 3.82 GPA. Mike was active in various sports, clubs and service activities; captain of the wrestling team, president of the computer club and a member of the National Honor Society.

The humanitarian aspect of Michael is especially noteworthy, demonstrating the values and personal integrity required of the Jeffrey Ralston scholarship. Michael is a grounded, mature individual with a subtle sense of humor, enabling him to connect on a personal level with a variety of people from different backgrounds. During two summers, he spent time with the Catholic Heart Work Camp. This work with the homeless had an impact on Mike. As he said in his application, "Getting to know them, hearing their stories, working alongside them opened my eyes. It got me thinking about how I could better apply my time, talents and treasure to help others. I love to help others and I am passionate about continuing to help others in the future." As noted in one of his recommendations, Mike is a well rounded, young man of integrity.

Stephanie Ralston Khurana and Rita Ralston were pleased to meet and compliment Michael´s parents, Martha and Michael Richardson, Sr., and to present the Jeffrey D. Ralston Scholarship Award of $1000 to Michael Richardson, Jr.


Rita Ralston, Stephanie Ralston Khurana, Michael, Jr., Martha and Michael Richardson, Sr.