Decatur, IL – Last night, Decatur Public Schools and Richland Community College celebrated the 34 high schoolers graduating with both their high school diplomas and associate’s degrees through the Prep Academy program.
The Prep Academy is a tuition-free, dual-enrollment program that allows high school students enrolled in Decatur Public Schools to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an associate’s degree over four years. The program began in 2021 with 25 students from the first cohort graduating last year. As of Monday, May 4, 59 Decatur Public Schools students were accepted into the latest group, Cohort 6, of the Prep Academy.
“To say that I am proud of these 34 students is an understatement,” said Ashley Grayned, Executive Director of Innovative Programs and Strategic Planning for Decatur Public Schools. “I am beyond moved by the perseverance and grit they’ve shown throughout this journey. Their success reinforces my belief that when we surround our students with intentional support and strong partnerships, there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
Richland’s President Cristobal Valdez, Ed.D., said, “When they were in eighth grade, each of these current graduates sat down and said, ‘I want to graduate high school with my college degree,’ and they stuck to it. Over the past four years, they have proved to themselves that they can do anything they set their mind to. That’s a powerful thing, and we are incredibly proud of all the work they have put in.”
This year’s graduates (Cohort 2) include:
· Allison Allgeier (MacArthur High School)
· Morriah Berglin (Eisenhower High School)
· Brielle Betts (MacArthur High School)
· Sharrif Bobbitt (MacArthur High School)
· Alivia Bray (MacArthur High School)
· Jack Bush IV (Eisenhower High School)
· Alexis Cammarano (Eisenhower High School)
· Malachi Chalmers (MacArthur High School)
· Sully Conn (MacArthur High School)
· Amarria Davis (Eisenhower High School)
· Kylie Dion (MacArthur High School)
· Kendyl Donnel (Eisenhower High School)
· Keena Franklin (Eisenhower High School)
· Jillian Garcia (Eisenhower High School)
· Monroe Gregurich (MacArthur High School)
· Kassandra Hernandez-Bruno (MacArthur High School)
· Kamryn Johnson (MacArthur High School)
· Kaelyn Krall (MacArthur High School)
· Desire Lee (Eisenhower High School)
· Cherish Lewis (Eisenhower High School)
· Amora Mallernee (Eisenhower High School)
· Kiajah Matthews (Eisenhower High School)
· Stasia Melhorn (Eisenhower High School)
· Sadie Rearden (MacArthur High School)
· Tahzia Rice (MacArthur High School)
· Ethan Richards (Eisenhower High School)
· Samuel Risby (MacArthur High School)
· Benjamin Ryan (Eisenhower High School)
· Rachel Sallie (Eisenhower High School)
· Ray Schilawski (MacArthur High School)
· Star Tarver (Eisenhower High School)
· Naomi Thomas (MacArthur High School)
· Jamison Uhll (Eisenhower High School)
· Jihad Young (MacArthur High School)
To make this year’s graduation special, the keynote speaker was a familiar face from the program, Rahged Qatoum. She is one of the 2025 graduates from MacArthur High School who participated in Cohort 1 of Prep Academy. Only one year later, she – at 18 years old – is finishing her junior year at Millikin as a Psychology major.
“Honestly, it didn’t feel real at first – getting accepted into Millikin and starting as a junior. I felt like I just entered high school,” she said. “Even my parents said, ‘I can’t even believe you’re graduating again in another year.’ It’s super crazy, but it’s also going to be so exciting. I’m looking at master’s programs right now.”
For her master’s degree program, Qatoum is looking into majoring in Administration and High School Counseling. She credits her ability to do this to Prep Academy.
“Prep Academy was a big jump,” she said. “It’s exciting to see the people from my cohort and these students getting out of high school with their associate’s degrees, transferring to a university and getting their bachelor’s degrees in under two years.”
Decatur Public Schools students interested in Prep Academy can learn more by going to dps61.org/prepacademy. To learn more about all the opportunities for high schoolers at Richland Community College, go to richland.edu/high-school-opportunities
About Richland Community College Richland Community College has proudly and successfully served the citizens of District 537 through a strong mix of workforce, technical, and transfer education for the past 51 years. Our dedicated staff provides diverse and meaningful support services to make every student’s experience both personal and rewarding. (www.richland.edu)
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