Spring 2016 -- MMA Eagle Newspaper

news.missourimilitaryacademy.org | Spring 2016

Colonels win 19 games, three tournament trophies and a district championship The MMA Fighting Colonels varsity soccer squad had a lot to brag about during the 2015 season: 19 wins with 8 shutout victories; three tournament trophies (Fort Zumwalt, Moberly and Mexico); and an MSHSAA Class 2, District 8 Championship. Here’s how they rose to success from start to finish.

FORT ZUMWALT TOURNAMENT After bad weather caused a late start, the Fighting Colonels varsity soccer team finally kicked off their 2015-16 season with an 8-2 victory over the Lutheran St. Charles Cougars on August 25.

MMA came out strong with a goal in the fourth minute courtesy of a 30-yard shot by senior Matheus Alexandre.

A second goal came from senior Jesus Gracia, who scored on a diving header eight minutes later. Strikers Mig Gisa ’17 and Donald Williams ’18 followed with a goal each to end the half with a 4-1 lead.

“The boys played with amazing confidence and believe in each other and themselves,” Head Coach MAJ Kevin Farley said. “The attitude and camaraderie of this team is special.”

The second half mirrored the first as Alexandre scored again, followed by Gracia, who scored two more goals to complete a hat-trick. Cadets took a total of 23 shots on goal.

“I can't tell you how impressive our boys played tonight,” Farley said. “The soccer was beautiful, the teamwork was amazing and the attitude was honorable. We received many compliments.”

Juan Perez ’17 scored his first goal as a Colonel while Alexandre, Alejandro Gastelum ’17, Jose Estrada ’16 and Rene Padilla ’16 each earned one assist; Arnoldo Aguirre ’17 earned two.

“He showed the best leadership I’ve ever seen by an athlete here,” Farley said of team captain Estrada.

Cadets triumphed 1-0 on August 27 versus Ritenour, the score tied at 0-0 until the 74th minute.

CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVEN

PEARL HARBOR In December 2016, the Fighting Colonels Marching Band will spend a week in Hawaii, where they will perform alongside young musicians from across the U.S. and Japan at the 75th anniversary Pearl Harbor Band Tour. But they need help from the MMA community in order to ensure every cadet can attend regardless of their financial situation.

Help send our boys to Hawaii by purchasing a limited edition Band of Brothers t-shirt, visit: tinyurl.com/zbdaytr.

BAND COMMANDER ACCEPTED TO NYU In December 2015, senior Yunil Jeon was accepted into New York University’s music business program. An aspiring jazz musician, Jeon’s journey began when he enrolled at MMA in his 8th grade year. Jeon earned the first chair thanks to his tenor saxophone skills, and was later appointed as drum major during his junior year and band commander during his senior year.

With the MMA band, Jeon has played in music festivals, competitions, parades and military exercises. In August 2015, he studied with a jazz saxophonist who worked with cadets to hone their improvisational skills.

“After I was in the band, I got deeply involved in music and I decided to pursue it in my life.”

Yunil dreams of making music a career and plans to major in the business aspect of music.

He credits many people at MMA for his success, especially MMA Director of Music Freddie Lomas.

“The person who has influenced me the most in this school would probably be WO2 Lomas.

As my band director he has helped me all the time. Whether a personal or school-related problem, he has always treated me like his son. He taught me when to relax, when to be strict, has taught me about positive thinking, and most important, how to ease my mind in the hardest times.”

NEW DRUMS In mid-January, the Drum Corps broke in seven custom, hand-painted drums featuring the crest and colors of Missouri Military Academy. The instruments were purchased

thanks to funds from the “Raise the Paddle” at the 2015 Maroon & Gold gala fundraiser.

MILITARY SCHOOL BAND FESTIVAL On February 24, MMA band members departed for the 40th annual Military School Band and Choir Festival at Valley Forge Military Academy in College. Representatives from ten military schools attended the event, which included speakers and coordinators such as Valley Forge Bandmaster WO2 Phil Evans, U.S. Navy Drum Major Senior Chief Bayes and COL John Burgeois, the director of the U.S. Marine Band.

Senior percussionist Robert Moore earned first chair in the percussion section.

“My favorite performance was the Military School Band Festival because I got to meet people from other military schools and was

awarded first chair,” percussionist Robert Moore said.

On February 27, MMA drum major Eisenmann placed second of 15 students in the drum major competition, trailing only 5 points behind 1SG Andrew Burrow from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.

“My favorite performance this year was competing in the MSBF,” he said. “I loved competing alongside other drum majors from other military schools that have the same challenges that I do.”

FALL 2015 SEMESTER BAND NEWS Though school didn’t start until August 24, the band season began August 21 as cadets, staffers and community members participated CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR

ABOVE Ethan Eisenmann ’16, Robert Shields ’17, Caleb Cloyde ’20, Jackson Ford ’18, Sky Thunderchild ’19, Robert Moore ’16 and Sean Fitzgerald ’17 pose with the MMA band’s new drums January 12.

On August 27, LTC Willis Kleinsorge’s sixth period students spent the hour shaking and sniffing film canisters, honing their observational skills as they tried to guess each tube’s contents.

In the “Black Box Paradox” lab, three groups of seventh graders received a handful of canisters — some made of black plastic and others of transparent white — and were challenged to match each black canister to the white tube containing the same object. Caps were labeled with the letters of the alphabet. White canisters could be opened and their contents studied, while black canisters remained sealed.

Objects contained in the canisters included: a cork, a large marble, dice, ten jumbo paper clips, four pennies, a private star, a wad of paper, a Sonic peppermint, rice, salt, six nails, BBs, a pencil eraser, four thumb tacks and a rubber band.

Some canisters proved especially tricky.

One canister contained three ball bearings while another housed only one. Cadets had to determine which tube held twelve 4mm plastic beads and which contained the same number of 7mm and 12mm beads. Three types of batteries produced three different sounds when their canisters were shaken — a rectangular 9-volt battery, a cylindrical AAA battery and a cylindrical AA battery.

Oscar Lopez Benavides ’21 shook a white canister labeled O. Hearing no object bounce against the plastic, he opened the tube and found nothing within. Puzzled, he told Kleinsorge the canister was empty. The instructor responded by telling him to check the list; Lopez soon realized the contents matched the first item on the list — air.

As students went about their classwork, three tadpoles with tiny legs and tails swam around a fishbowl full of pond water, its opening covered by mesh. Cadets studied the life cycle of both the frogs and the insects they feed on — hence the fishbowl topper designed to prevent full-grown mosquitoes from escaping. According to Kleinsorge, one lucky

13.8 BILLION YEARS AGO NATHAN NOLAN ’22 @ GOAL LINE

class watched as a pupa transformed into a full-grown mosquito on August 26 — thanks to middle school administrative assistant Penny Bealmer, who spotted, captured and donated the tadpoles.

LTC Willis Kleinsorge has been the Missouri Military Academy middle school science

instructor since the 1986-87 school year.

An MS basketball and track coach, he has received numerous honors including the Teacher of the Month title, the Heimos Faculty trophy and the Abbott-Albright Faculty plaque.

ABOVE Fernando Garcia ’21 completes the observation lab. PHOTO BY ERIN CHAMBERS

3.8 BILLION YEARS AGO

ALEXANDER SHELDON ’22 @ 28 YARD LINE

PRESSER PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION In late October, five students placed in the annual Presser Performing Arts Center Photography Competition.

(Bottom right: photo of award winners by Lucas Moore ’18.)

Weitao Cong ’16: Second Place, Black & White Miguel Gonzalez ’16: First Place, Black & White Lincoln Haynes ’22: Second Place, Youth Age 12 & Up Nathan Nolan ’22: Second Place, Weather Justin Touchette ’16: First Place, Sports/Action BALFOUR GREAT SHOT In late November, a winning Presser Hall photo won a second competition — The 2015 Balfour Great Shot Photo Contest: Assignment Action. Touchette’s photo — an image of the MMA obstacle course entitled “Determination” — took third place out of nearly 1,200 images submitted. The senior received a cash prize.

(Winning photo at top right, Touchette at top left.)

SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS On January 29, MMA received word that six cadets placed in the midwest region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Gold Keys are awarded to the top 5-7% of all entries; Silver Keys are awarded to the top 7-10% of all entries; and Honorable Mention is awarded to the top 10-15% of all entries. (Winners pictured at middle right, photo by Erin Chambers.)

Digital Art category: Brennan Morand ’16 – Honorable Mention, “Fractal” Photography category: Thomas Dean ’16 – Gold Key, “Braided Beard” Alexander Seibert ’18 – Silver Key, “Railsplitters” Trae Van Tasell ’16 – Silver Key, “First Sergeant” Weitao Cong ’16 – Honorable Mention, “Black & White” Miguel Gonzalez ’16 – Two Honorable Mentions, “Relaxing Cadet” and “Saxophone Shadow”

WHY ARE SO MANY CIVILIZATIONS SO SIMILAR? I think so many civilizations have so many similarities because they all took the experiences of the people before them. It was like a ladder. We will take the tools the Sumerians used and we will use them. Let’s take the chariot and use that. The longer we live, the more things get advanced. That is just how the ladder works.

This generation creates something, then another generation makes that same thing but with a few more gadgets or parts. It is like a competition between all of these generations and cultures. And that is why I think so many civilizations have so many similarities.

QUINTEN BOYD ’22 Did you know that Egyptians were not the only ones to mummify the dead? The Chinese and the Chinchorros in South America mummified their dead for some kind of religious purpose. Many cultures also had flood stories, like the Hebrews, the Mayans and the Babylonians. People think Mesopotamia’s Epic of Gilgamesh had traits that might make it the first flood story. That makes me think there must be a father religion witch started it all.

NATHAN NOLAN ’22 AT LEFT LT Kevin Bissmeyer lectures middle school November 17, 2014.

PHOTO BY KYLE SPRADLEY INFOGRAPHIC AND PANORAMIC PHOTO BY ERIN CHAMBERS

LT Kevin Bissmeyer’s sixth period middle school social studies students met September 1 on Colonels Field with a lofty goal: to create a scale visual timeline of our universe’s history.

“LT Bissmeyer’s is my favorite class.

I like the uniqueness of the class and the fun it creates. For me it is a stress reliever. It’s calm and fun,” Nathan Nolan ’22 said. “I enjoy his personality. He has a unique way of teaching.”

Q: WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE TIMELINE PROJECT? LT Bissmeyer: We are working on what I call the Big History Project.

ARTICLE BY MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR LTC WILLIS KLEINSORGE Five cadets gave up their free time September 26 to do valuable community service work in a very poor area of Jennings, Missouri.

Eighth grader Michael Naughton’s father is on the Jennings police force. His department was hosting a cleanup of an area of 5 or 6 blocks in the poorer part of his jurisdiction. Mr. Naughton asked his son to invite cadets to come help with this project.

Michael contacted his advisor — me — and MAJ Edsel Baker. MAJ Baker made the announcement and five cadets volunteered to help.

Dongyang Chen ’20, Joshua John ’17, Weitao Cong ’16, Michael Naughton ’20 and Hector Chapa ’16 made their way to Jennings, not sure what they would find when they arrived. What they found was a very poor neighborhood being assisted in a major cleanup.

Three huge demolition dumpsters were on the site to be filled. The area police academy had ten or so volunteers helping and a dozen college students were on hand.

Mr. Naughton greeted us, handed us gloves, loaded us up in a pickup with a trailer

This is a program that examines the history of mankind with a focus on attempting to answer big questions.

Why are we here? And why are things the way they are? By looking at how different cultures have attempted to answer these questions throughout time, we are able to learn a great deal about diversity, continuity, change over time and cause and effect relationships.

These and a plethora of other ideas and movements link together throughout history to create a web of intersecting ideas.

200 YEARS AGO

SCOUT JONES ’22 @ HALF YARD LINE

200,000 YEARS AGO DONGYANG CHEN ’20 @ TWO YARD LINE

Q: HOW DID THE CLASS CREATE THE TIMELINE? A: The first step was constructing a rudimentary timeline of scientifically-accepted ideas about how and when the universe came into being. We then constructed a scaled-down version of this timeline on the football field using six separate points to represent what we have identified as six important points in the human timeline.

Afterwards, the class discussed how much has changed throughout the last 13 billion years, and how much things will probably change in the next 13 billion years.

hitched to it, and put us immediately to work.

The police force and academy had already spent several hours cleaning up 60 abandoned properties in this several block area. They had done a lot of the initial work in hauling tons of garbage and brush to the curb.

Our group did some initial cleanup, but mostly we loaded trailer after trailer of debris and then unloaded it into the three large dumpsters. We filled all three to the max, two with garbage and one with brush.

We then loaded up one more trailer and my pickup bed and headed to the city dump.

It was a day of hard labor, but our time and effort was worth it. The local residents were pleased to see the police force going to the trouble to help clean up their neighborhood. It was an eye-opening experience for the boys. Mr. Naughton said he would have to work during the following week to finish up.

After spending several hours cleaning the neighborhood, Mr. Naughton treated us to a meal at a Chinese restaurant.

He then took us to the Jennings Police Department and gave us a tour of the police headquarters and jail.

The group had a good day and all worked hard to help with this community service project.

It was a good way to introduce the overall scale of history while presenting a comparison to the scale of human history.

In addition to teaching, Bissmeyer, who began his second year at MMA this fall, coaches football, basketball and lacrosse. He received his Masters of Education from Xavier University and has taught and coached at the high school and college levels. He has also served as a guide at the Cincinnati History Museum.

PRESENT LT BISSMEYER @ GOAL LINE

11,000 YEARS AGO LINCOLN HAYNES-KECHIK ’22 @ ONE YARD LINE

A peek at how our 360° Education develops a cadet’s mind, body and spirit

CONTINUED FROM PAGE FOUR in a jazz workshop led by saxophonist and music educator Rob McGrath in the band room.

The 2015-16 MMA Fighting Colonels Marching Band performed for a crowd for the first time August 22 at the local Soybean Festival parade.

Cadets next joined the Marching Tigers and fellow high school bands for a halftime performance during a football game at Memorial Stadium on September 5.

Up next was the Family Day parade at the Mexico Veterans Home on September 18.

A journey which began in first grade ended in twelfth — at a review board meeting September 8, senior cadet James Lane of Wentzville, Missouri, was officially awarded his Eagle Scout rank. According to MMA scoutmaster MAJ Dennis Diederich, “less than three percent that start the program ever make it to the end.”

Lane’s Eagle Scout project, building a set of two benches for the MMA tennis court, was inspired by a meeting with his MMA advisor: science instructor and tennis coach MAJ Mike Pemberton. (Lane pictured at left.)

Following some Google searching and a bit of planning, Lane said he “built the benches” piece by piece “almost every day until they were complete.”

“The entire experience,” Lane said of Boy Scouts, “has taught me so many life lessons and leadership skills.”

GARRETT STAFFORD ’18 Following in the footsteps of Lane and his predecessors — MMA’s Troop 39 has produced 18 Eagle Scouts since 2000 — is sophomore Garrett Stafford of Collierville, Tennessee, whose Eagle Scout project is currently underway.

Stafford has so far constructed two of three 8-foot-long picnic tables made of treated lumber, which, unlike the school’s older tables, are designed with a center brace to avoid bench sagging.

Once complete, the trio will be used at MMA events throughout each school year — the two completed tables were broken in during summer 2015 and the 2015-16 opening picnic.

Stafford joined the Scouts as a Tiger Cub and has earned 28 merit badges

On September 21, several MMA musicians received a lesson from visiting educator CSGT Russell Piner, a percussion instructor at the Royal Marines School of Music.

Cadets next performed at the annual Hannibal Marching Band Parade on October 13.

A new month began with a performance at the annual marine Birthday Ball in Jefferson City on November 7.

The holiday season began early for cadet musicians on November 22, when the Jazz Band performed at the GFWC Christmas Concert. The Christmas celebrations continued with a December 12 performance

at the Mexico Holiday Parade; caroling outside Dr. Frank Giuseffi’s office between second and third periods and a holiday performance at the Mexico Veterans Home on December 17.

On January 28, band members performed Amazing Grace at the funeral of Air Force veteran Jeffrey Joseph Lopardo, who died in December with no family to claim his remains. In early February, senior saxophonist Yunil Jeon jammed onstage with professional jazz performers D’Sean Jones and KNOMADIK. AT LEFT The 2015-16 MMA Marching Band poses March 2.

and I both believe in and support the and traveled to Japan last summer Scouting program.” thanks to his involvement in the Boy Scouts. (Stafford pictured at top left.)

According to Diederich, Missouri native Hugh Carnahan began his Boy “My favorite Scout outing so far has Scout career at MMA in the fourth been the 23rd World Scout Jamboree grade and completed every step of the in Yamaguchi, Japan, representing process at MMA, the USA as part becoming an of Troop 201 of Eagle Scout in the Southern TROOP 39 EAGLE SCOUTS 2007.

Region,” Stafford said. “While in 2000 to present “We have new Japan I learned Scouts that 2000 Ted Esser, MO about the spirit of we’re teaching unity between the 2001 Chris Free, IL the basic skills,” World Scouting 2002 Chris Towers, TX Diederich said, Organization, and “but the majority 2003 Josh Grassl, KS made lots of new of our Troop is friends as well.”

2004 Nick Fenton, AR existing Scouts 2004 Srinivas Mantha, TX that can continue MAJ DENNIS their scouting DIEDERICH 2005 Erich Sullivan, VT careers here at the 2007 Hugh Carnahan, MO MMA Scoutmaster Academy.”

MAJ Dennis 2007 Dane Frederick, CA Famous Eagle Diederich, who 2008 Thomas Clubb, OR Scouts include joined Cub Scouts 2008 Nate Brand, IL Neil Armstrong, at 8 and became the first man on an Eagle Scout 2009 Mitchell Thomas, CA the moon; Michael ten years later, 2010 James Schwank, IL Bloomberg, has been a Boy 2011 Thomas Abraham, OK mayor of New Scout leader since York City; U. S. 1978. He earned 2012 Travis Skinner, IL President Gerald the Arrow of Light 2013 Jacob Beatty, NE Ford; filmmaker Award as a Cub 2014 Adam Schmitz, MO Michael Moore; Scout; the God 2015 James Lane, MO billionaire Ross and Country and Perot; movie Order of the Arrow producer Steven awards as an Eagle Spielberg; Scout; and the District Award of Merit and the Council Walmart founder Sam Walton and many other notable men.

Silver Beaver Award as a Scoutmaster.

MMA Boy Scout Charles Norman ’18 “I have two sons who are both Eagle pictured at top right. PHOTOS SHOT Scouts and a grandson that is currently SEPTEMBER 9 BY ERIN CHAMBERS a Tiger Cub,” Diederich said. “My wife

Cadets enrolled in the MMA equine program step into the world of veterinary science when they saddle up their horses.

During the fall session, cadets watched as a farrier demonstrated how to trim for a balanced foot. According to horseback instructor Julia Hunt, students also participated in “a Q&A session on why quality hoof care is a very important aspect of equine health.

No hoof, no horse!”

Cadets enrolled in the winter session visited the Mexico Animal Hospital to shadow Dr. Jessi Ross, DVM, and view microorganisms including round worms, tape worms and strongylidae.

“We observed live equine parasites under the microscope,” Hunt said.

“The next step is for the students to de-worm our horses for these parasites.”

During the spring session, students will help vaccinate the MMA horses for flu, tetanus, and diseases such as the West Nile Virus which are caused by biting insects.

Cadets in the MMA horseback program shadowed Mexico Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Jessi Ross DVM as she demonstrated how to sedate and care for equine patients January 7.

“Every horse has something to teach. Every human has something to learn,” Hunt said.

CADET Q&A: freshman Joseph Perry Palen of Cheyenne, Wyoming What is the best part about being in the MMA horseback program? Why? The best part about being in the horseback program is how patient the teachers are — because it has taken a while for the horse to get used to me and it was hard to make the horse listen to me at first.

On November 21, the MMA Fusiliers and Color Guard traveled more than four hours to compete against twelve Kansas and Missouri schools at Branson High.

Otto Albertsen ’18 of Florida proved victorious, earning the Individual Drill Down first place trophy. (Pictured above.

Photo by Justin Touchette ’16.)

“Otto showed great discipline as he beat out over 400 other cadets as last man standing,” Senior Army Instructor CPT Carl Estenik said. “Eight of the last 30 finalists in the Individual Drill Down were from MMA, showing our strength in discipline and attention to detail.”

AN EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT,

by OTTO ALBERTSEN ’18 Although this was the first time going to a competition for most of our new drill team members, it was not my first. Most of our routine for the weekend was the same as last year, aside from one thing: I was one of the commanders. This put a lot of new pressure on me.

We woke up incredibly early and drove straight to the competition. We went through the day executing our drill sequences and returned after lunch to go immediately to the Individualized Drill Down.

It was evident that we stood out in the crowd, walking in with all eyes on us and with our heads up high. We knew what we were doing, and we made it obvious. When the drill down began, it took a while for the flood gates to open, but in an instant it seemed that over half of the cadets had been taken out. The judges picked off people one by one. I stood side by side with Qiyu Liu, Lucas Moore and Ryan Pinks for almost the entire way. Then it was just Liu and I and about 10 other people.

Before I knew it, there were only two other people and myself remaining. Everyone’s eyes were on us, but for some reason it was so simple for me to cut them out from my mind. I silenced it all – the background noises, the army instructors attempting to break my bearing, my stress, the hundreds of eyes on me, all the pressure. All I heard was what mattered.

Suddenly, it was just me. At first I was confused, but then I saw Justin Touchette staring at me surprised and laughing.

I looked around and I saw my fellow brothers cheering, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I went up to the line to receive my trophy, but the physical award wasn’t what made me enthused. What exhilirated me was seeing all my friends happy and excited. It made me feel like we were together. You could almost feel the brotherhood more than you could feel the trophy.

How did you feel the first time you rode a horse? How do you feel now?

When I first rode the horse, I was nervous.

And I could tell that is was making the horse nervous too, so I tried to calm down.

Now I’m not as nervous anymore, and I can tell that the horse is getting used to me, too.

What is the hardest thing about horseback riding? What’s the best?

The hardest thing about riding is when you’re learning how to ride the horse. It takes a while, and even when you think you’re done with training, or your teacher tells you you’re done with training, you’re not really, in a way.

There are a lot of things to learn even years after the first time you ride a horse. The best thing about riding is discovering those things,

CADETS RAISE $36,955.50 FOR MAROON & GOLD GALA In early February, the MMA Development office kicked off a cadet fundraising challenge to raise sponsorships and donations for Maroon and Gold 2016. The program, which was led by Annual Fund Director Cassandra Brooks, offered a fun competition and incentives. Eleven teams of cadets vied to raise the most funds. On the final day of the competition, raffle winners were announced at noon mess. Bravo won the deluxe showerheads, which were installed March 16.

ABOVE Gabriel Perez ’18, Robert Moore ’16 and Hector Chapa’16 receive the competition’s top prizes: an Apple Watch, a $1000 Amazon Gift Card and a GoPro HER04. Not pictured: Russell Holman ’16, winner of an Alienware laptop. Photo shot March 2 by Erin Chambers.

OLIVE’S ONE-ACT PLAY PERFORMED IN ST. LOUIS English instructor and playwright Robert Olive’s one-act play entitled “Lizzie Borden took an Axe” was performed in St. Louis in late October by the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.

“I wrote this play when I lived in New York City,” Olive said of the script, which picks up after Borden’s acquittal and explores her dysfunctional relationship with her sister.

“It was performed twice in an off-Broadway theater.”

LIU EARNS HIGH HONORS IN MATH COMPETITION On November 7, sophomore Qiyu Liu scored in the top ten for seniors at the Excellence in Mathematics contest. Due to a clerical error, Liu was labeled as a 12th grader, but still managed to place at the top of the charts. (Above: Liu with his math instructor LT Sean Peters on November 20.

Photo by Erin Chambers.)

discovering the things that you never knew, or even expected.

What do you think horseback riding teaches you? Why? For one, it gives you more strength when you’re throwing the saddle onto the horse’s back. And you discover how [to] lead, even [if] you had never experienced leading

anything before — whether it be a platoon, company, battalion.

ABOVE Cadets watch as Dr. Jessi Ross demonstrates how to sedate and care for horses January 7.

Photo by Connor Pearson.

LEFT Joseph Palen ’19 prepares to saddle up for a horseback lesson October 5. Photo by Erin Chambers.

FBLA DISTRICT COMPETITORS Having scored well on their online tests, cadets competed in individual and team events at the FBLA District 6 Leadership Conference on February 19.

First Place at districts, all advancing to state: Aaron Thompson: Cybersecurity.

Francisco Fletes: Public Speaking I. John Curley: Public Speaking II. Nishan Khanal, Kyle Mertens, Jared Violette: Global Business.

(Pictured below, February 19.

Photo courtesy of CPT Greg Maximovitch.)

Oscar Cortada, Jose Estrada, Jared Violette: Marketing.

(Pictured above, February 19.

Photo courtesy of CPT Greg Maximovitch.)

Second Place at districts: Sean Fitzgerald, Photsavat Pongsuea, Robert Shields: Business Ethics.

Jared Violette: Economics.

(Advancing to state.)

John Curley: Future Business Leader. (Advancing to state.)

Nishan Khanal, Kyle Mertens, Kian Moriarty: Management Decision Making.

(Advancing to state.)

Bilguun Byambatsogt, Fahad Aliev, Oscar Cortada: Hospitality Management.

Gabriel Elizondo: Securities and Investments.

(Advancing to state.)

Third Place at districts: Gabriel Elizondo: Social Media Campaign and Client Service.

Alfonso Leon: Accounting II. (Advancing to state.)

Francisco Fletes: Introduction to Business. (Advancing to state.)

Jose Mejia Latofski: Securities and Investments.

(Advancing to state.)

Fourth Place at districts: Weitao Cong: Securities and Investments.

(Advancing to state.)

Chinguun Khatigin: Economics.

(Advancing to state.)

Jose Estrada: Impromptu Speaking.

Fifth Place at districts: Carlos Liriano, Aaron Thompson: Entrepreneurship.

Weitao Cong, Yinzhou Wang: Public Service Announcement.

Sixth Place: Juan Cepeda: Introduction to Business Procedures.

(Advancing to state.)

FBLA BAR RECIPIENTS On January 13 at morning mess, senior cadets received their FBLA bars for previous district-level and state-level wins. First Award presented for commitment and diligence.

Second Award presented for competing for a successive year or making top five at district or state.

First Award: Alfonso Leon, Jose Mejia First & Second Award Fahad Aliev, Oscar Cortada, John Curley, Mauro Garza, Miguel Gonzalez and Chinguun Khatigin First, Second & Third Award: Jose Estrada

VERSUS VAN-FAR The Fighting Colonels football team ultimately fell 40-0 to the VanFar Indians on August 27.

Sean Fitzgerald ’17 had 4-9 passing and an interception, carrying the ball 10 times for 93 yards. The QB had 10 tackles, including one for loss, and was named Offensive Player of the Game.

Cody Allen ’16 boasted two receptions for eight yards and picked up three yards on a single carry. Gabriel Elizondo ’17 ran the ball nine times for 27 yards while senior Trae Van Tasell caught two passes for 21 yards and had eight tackles on defense. Luis Merino ’18 had eight tackles, including two for loss. Jose Elizondo ’18 led the defense with 12 tackles including two for loss, earning the Defensive Player of the Game title.

VERSUS FULTON The Colonels lost three players to injury before the end of the first half September 4, falling 69-0 to Fulton High School.

FOOTBALL AWARDS Most Improved Player SEAN PATRICK HANNAGAN ’16 Senior Leadership Award ETHAN EISENMANN ’16 Best Lineman & Captain Award KENNETH WESTCOTT ’17

Archery added to Academy’s intramural program

Top rusher Emilio Camou ’19 picked up 15 yards on five carries.

Fitzgerald was 1-4 on the night for 15 yards and an interception, passing to Allen, who added a forced fumble & fumble recovery.

BEATING GRANDVIEW The Fighting Colonels football team defeated the Grandview Eagles in MMA’s home opener September 11 by a score of 38-24.

Off to a fast start, Gabriel Elizondo scored on MMA’s first possession thanks to a 70-yard gain by Offensive Player of the Game Fitzgerald. Cadets next snatched the ball after a Grandview fumble, Bayar-Erdene Oldokhbayar ’17 scoring off a pass from Fitzgerald for another MMA touchdown.

The defense held fast, with Jose Elizondo contributing a sack and fumble recovery. (Pictured above: Cody Allen ’16 versus Grandview.)

Up 21-8 at the half, MMA made a mark on the scoreboard to start the second thanks to Allen, who caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald. On the next Grandview possession, Fitzgerald intercepted a pass, returned it

Best Back and Senior Leadership Award: CODY CHASE ALLEN ’16 Most Outstanding Offensive Player, Best Back and Captain Award SEAN MICHAEL FITZGERALD ’17 Captain Award and Most Outstanding Defensive Player JOSE ELIZONDO VILLARREAL ’18

52 yards for the touchdown — then threw a two-point conversion to Allen. A 38-yard field goal from Special Teams Player of the Game Kyle Van Eekeren ’16 stretched MMA’s lead to 38-16.

"Our defense stepped up and got a lot of turnovers and we turned them into points,” head coach CPT John Noel said. “It was great to get a win in front of the home crowd, and it helps our boys’ confidence. ... I couldn't be prouder of my kids and team. We fought through and came out with a win! I'm ecstatic.”

PRINCIPIA (Pictured below.)

The Fighting Colonels traveled to St. Louis on September 19 for a matchup against Principia. MMA would drive deep into Panther territory multiple times but came up empty with a 28-2 loss.

"It was a back-and-forth affair in the first quarter with neither team able to do much," Noel said. "The Colonels got inside the 10-yard line but were unable to convert."

MVPs included: Fitzgerald, who made three interceptions and rushed for 127 yards (pictured below); Allen, who led the receivers with 63 yards on two catches; and junior Kenneth Westcott, who notched three sacks.

VERSUS HARRISBURG The Fighting Colonels football team fell 50-34 versus Harrisburg High School on September 25.

Fitzgerald went 24 yards on the ground on the Colonels’ first possession, while Allen went 22 yards on the next play. The Colonels closed the gap 28-12 at the end of the half with Fitzgerald’s 26-yard pass to Van Tasell.

The teams traded possessions in the second half, with Merino contributing a strip and fumble recovery to put the Colonels at Harrisburg’s 45 yard line. After two long drives by Harrisburg, the Colonels were down 42-20.

Fitzgerald led as cadets bounced back, rushing for a touchdown and throwing a 40-yard pass to Allen with a two-point conversion

by Styles Fountain ’19.

With the Colonels unable to score, the Bulldogs ran out the clock and proved victorious. The offense was led by Fitzgerald, whose 10 tackles and a 59-yard interception return on defense earned The Mexico Ledger Athlete of the Week title.

“My biggest personal accomplishment was against Harrisburg, where I passed for 227 yards and rushed for 197 yards,” he said. “But those stats aren’t possible without my teammates who helped me achieve that.”

Outstanding Sportsmanship Award CHARLES KEVIN NORMAN ’18 Best JV Player: STYLES FOUNTAIN ’19 JV Appreciation Award: JUAN ALVAREZ ’16 Manager Appreciation Award CHANDLER LOGAN BOLINGER ’19 Best New Boy: KYLE VAN EEKEREN ’16

Cadets channeled popular archers like Legolas, Robin Hood and Katniss Everdeen during CPT Robert Olive’s Olympic target shooting session September 14.

Armed with quivers and recurve bows ranging from 15 to 25 pounds, cadets received individual instruction on finger placement — index above the notched arrow, middle and ring fingers below, odd-colored feather facing away from the bow — and several other archery nuances.

“Cadets learn how to properly use arm guards and finger tabs,” Olive said. “Cadets learn to correctly draw

the string back and find a consistent anchor for their hand, and use their dominant eye when aiming. In addition, cadets learn how to correctly record and calculate their scores.”

Scoring, according to Olive, is trickier than one might think. Hits can often determine the winner of a contest — in the event of a point tie, the number of times the arrow successfully hit the target will break the tie. When an arrow touches the line between two areas, the shooter receives the higher section’s score — this is called a “split” and is recorded with an S. Adjusting the ring sight also proved challenging.

VERSUS NORTH SHELBY On October 3, MMA fell 13-93 to Father Tolton, followed by a narrow 34-33 defeat by North Shelby on October 9.

MMA made their mark on the board in just two plays when Fitzgerald connected with Van Eekeren on a 36-yard strike. With the score at 21-14, Fitzgerald made two rushing touchdowns to put the score within one point with 3 minutes left. MMA marched the length of field, stopping short at Shelby’s 8-yard line. Cadets were muscled out of field goal range by a sack and a personal foul call.

Fitzgerald completed 8 of 19 passes for 152 yards with 3 touchdowns.

Oldokhbayar made 4 receptions for 68 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN Following a 0-44 loss to St. Paul Lutheran on October 17, the team finished with a 1-8 record. MMA elected to forfeit its final game, a district matchup against Centralia.

“We have fought hard this year against many tough opponents,” Noel said. “They have weathered a very difficult season in which injury and other circumstances have whittled down our active roster from 35 to 19. ... We have a good nucleus of young players who need more time to develop their abilities and skills, as many of them are new to the game of football.”

PHOTOS BY ERIN CHAMBERS AND JUSTIN TOUCHETTE ’16

Bravo senior Jared Violette said the experience was his first archery lesson. On his first round, he scored a 10s, 9, 8, 8, 5s and 4s. With six hits, he calculated his end round score at 33.

“The experience was definitely a unique one, something that I look forward to doing again,” Violette said.

“The shooting was much harder than I thought when I first stepped up to the line. I thought I could get at least a few tens. Unfortunately, that was not the case!”

RIGHT Amateur archer Alexander Schaaf ’18 notches an arrow Sept. 14.

PHOTO BY ERIN CHAMBERS

"The cadets represented MMA very well and with true sportsmanship," Raider sponsor SFC John Biddle said.

"Out of six events, the Raider team did not place last in any event."

The MMA Raiders team faced 21 competitors in seven events October 10 during the 11th annual Smith-Cotton JROTC Raider Meet. Cadets placed tenth overall and earned a fourth-place trophy for the biathlon Our MMA Raider team made a fine showing. A lot of the events were decided event, missing third place within one second — that’s how tight the competition was this year. These results by only one second. do not even [begin to] show how hard the cadets work to complete seven difficult Cadets also placed 6th and physically demanding events in the span of 8 to 9 hours. SFC JOHN BIDDLE in the 10K road march; After only three weeks of training, ten members of the MMA Raiders embarked on their first meet of the season September 18, returning from Fort Riley, Kansas, with a third place trophy.

The only returning Raider was team captain Jason Russell ’16, who took third place while representing MMA in the Ultimate Raider competition.

The Colonels came in 10th in the Land Navigation event and took sixth in the Gauntlet and 10K (6.2 mile) Road March events. In the Gauntlet, each team races two miles — the first of which gradually slopes upward — while carrying four 45-lb rucksacks.

The MMA Raiders placed ninth overall out of 14 teams.

7th in the one-mile ruck run; 11th in the Raider Challenge Course; 13th in the PT test; 15th in the one-rope bridge; and 18th in the Leadership Reaction Course.

The next MMA Raider events will be held in April 2016.

The Raiders pose October 10 after the Smith-Cotton meet. PHOTO COURTESY OF SFC JOHN BIDDLE

GRACIA BREAKS ACADEMY’S SINGLE-SEASON SCORING RECORD

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE According to assistant coach LT Sean Peters, senior goalkeeper Justin Touchette started out nervous but “gained confidence as the match progressed and made some very important saves, at one point recovering a fumble that looked sure to go in. He certainly kept us in the game.” Touchette made 8 saves in the 80-minute match.

“Displaying excellent military bearing and good discipline at all times, they really shone far beyond anything I can put into words,” Peters said.

VERSUS WARRENTON On August 29, MMA faced Warrenton and won 8-3 to go 3-0-0 on the season. Cadets boasted six first-half goals against the Warriors — three of which were courtesy of Gracia, who picked up his second hat-trick of the season.

"We played a very good first half,” Farley said. “We are a fun team to watch and our possession is a sight to see. I think this team has a great deal of potential."

FIGHTING COLONELS FALTER The then-unbeaten Colonels faltered the following week, losing a home game 0-4 on September 1 against Southern Boone. Despite the loss against the Eagles, Farley congratulated Juan Diego Silva ’17 on his mature behavior.

“Juan really stepped up as a leader toward the end of the match and after the game,” Farley said. “It was very impressive to see him step up as a leader and work so hard.”

Cadets then fell 4-3 on September 3 versus the Father Tolton Trailblazers in a double overtime fight. MMA couldn’t find the net early in the game — six times during the first 10 minutes, MMA shots reflected off posts or went wide of the goal.

“This week was not as kind to us as last week,” Farley said. “We have a lot of starters recovering from injuries and not playing, so it is giving us a great opportunity for some younger players to get more playing time.

We are still far ahead of where we were last season, so we continue to anticipate a great season ahead.”

MOBERLY INVITATIONAL The MMA soccer team bounced back starting September 10, taking home the Moberly Invitational Soccer Tournament trophy.

Cadets defeated Canton 12-2 and two days later faced Father Tolton, defeating their semifinal rival by 5-1. The Colonels took home the

tournament trophy after defeating Fatima later that day with a 6-0 win.

During the three games, the team scored 23 goals and notched 19 total assists. Gracia made 11 goals and 2 assists; Alexandre and Williams both had three goals and three assists each. During the first 30 seconds of the Tolton game, Jensen intercepted a pass and scored, totaling three goals and two assists during the weekend.

VERSUS FATIMA Competing against the Fatima Comets on September 15, MMA was down by three points at halftime but pulled out a 4-3 win.

“Padilla passed a beautiful through ball to Jensen, who had been moved to forward for the final 10 minutes of the game and eased the ball into the lower left corner for the victory,” Farley said. “It was really great to see an MMA team not give up.”

The junior varsity team took the field following the varsity match, defeating the Fatima JV team 2-0.

According to Farley, Lazcano “ripped a couple of 20-20 yard bullets from outside the penalty box” within the first two minutes.

HOME WINS The varsity soccer Colonels won a home game 4-2 over Hannibal on September 22 and proved victorious again two days later with a 4-1 home win over Mexico High School.

Less than three minutes into the game, Gracia scored the first goal of the night — he scored twice more on the night, earning his sixth hat trick of the season.

DEFEATING ELSBERRY The team triumphed twice in a row over the Elsberry Hawks with an 11-1 home win September 28 and a 5-1 road win October 5.

Padilla added three points and two assists during MMA’s first match, which was called 17 minutes early due to the Colonels’ significant lead.

MEXICO INVITATIONAL Following a forfeit win over Barat Academy, MMA entered the Mexico Bulldog Soccer Invitational on October 10 at 12-2-0 on the season.

Entering the tournament, the MMA offense boasted 71 goals total, with 64 by assist. Gracia scored 33; Alexandre made 14 and Jensen contributed seven. Aguirre and Padilla led the team with 10 assists each; Jensen had seven; and Alexandre and Gracia had six each. Carter logged 443 minutes in the goal box, making 29 saves and allowing only 10 goals.

The Colonels first faced Chillicothe High School and triumphed 10-1.

Up next was a 3-0 shutout triumph over cross-town rivals Mexico High School. Gracia scored once in the first half and twice in the second against the Bulldogs, earning his ninth hat trick of the season and marking his 41st goal. With three tournament championships (Zumwalt, Moberly and Mexico) the Fighting Colonels were unanimously voted the No. 1 seed in the district tournament.

VERSUS SOLDAN & FULTON On October 15, MMA triumphed 5-1 over Soldan International Studies in St. Louis. Gracia led the team with two goals and provided two assists for his teammates.

The Colonels then faced Fulton on Colonels Field on October 17 during Fall Family Weekend — enjoying a rare opportunity to play in front of family and friends from across the globe, MMA triumphed 11-0.

Estrada scored two goals while Alexandre, Lazcano, Padilla and Fletes contributed one goal each.

VERSUS SMITHTON In their last regular season match, the Colonels triumphed 9-0 on October 20 over the Smithton Tigers.

Younger players left the bench and took the field in the home victory.

“It was nice to get another win to finish our regular season at 17-2-0,” Farley said. “We were able to bring up some JV players and play a lot of guys that normally don’t get to play.”

Gracia earned his eleventh hat trick of the season, scoring his 51st goal. Atkins scored twice; Estrada, Padilla, Perez and Lazcano scored a goal each. Gisa contributed three assists and keeper Carter made five saves in goal.

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT The following day, the No. 1 seed Colonels hit the road to play Kirksville in the opening round of the Class 2 District 8 Championship.

MMA defeated the Tigers 5-0 in their seventh shutout victory of the season. Gracia added four goals to his season total of 55 and earned his eleventh hat trick of the season.

Cadets then claimed the MSHSAA Class 2, District 8 Championship on October 24 with a 2-0 win over Mexico High School.

The score sat deadlocked at 0-0 until the 63rd minute, when Gracia delivered a goal off an assist by Gastelum. Gracia scored once more in the 74th minute thanks to an assist by Alexandre.

“I am so happy for these boys to experience being champions after all the hard work they have put in. I am happy for the entire MMA community, which is such a wonderful place for extraordinary boys,” Farley said. “This is a very special team and it has been simply amazing watching them mature and grow this season. ... Estrada's leadership has been very impressive this season in addition to Gracia's goal scoring.”

STATE COMPETITION Cadets fell to the Francis Borgia Knights 3-1 on the road in a sectional match October 27, bringing their season record to 19-3-0. With a little over five minutes left in the game, Gracia scored MMA’s lone goal off an assist from Fletes.

“We have nothing to hang our heads over,” Estrada said. "We won 19 games, several tournaments, a district championship and helped set Academy and state records.

That's nothing to be ashamed of."

POSTSEASON PLAY Following the end of the season, Padilla, Alexandre and Gracia SOCCER AWARDS were named to the 2015 Most Outstanding Offensive Player St. Louis and Southeast JESUS GRACIA VILLASENOR ’16 Missouri All-Region team for Class 2. Gracia Most Valuable Player also took the All-Region RENE PADILLA CINES ’16 Offensive Player of the Most Improved Player Year title.

DONALD BROWN WILLIAMS ’18 ABOVE First Team AllBest New Boy, Workhorse Award District seniors Matheus and Most Positive Attitude Alexandre, Jose Estrada, MATHEUS ALEXANDRE ’16 Jesus Gracia, Rene Padilla and junior Erik Jensen Most Outstanding Defensive Player pose October 10 following and Senior Leadership Award the Moberly Invitational.

JOSE ESTRADA PINON ’16 PHOTO BY TRISTAN First Team All-District HENDRIX ’16 ALEXANDRE, ESTRADA, GRACIA, PADILLA & ERIK JENSEN ’17

On September 15 — not counting the three goals he scored that night during MMA’s 4-3 defeat of Fatima High School — senior Jesus Gracia was named the highestscoring soccer player in Missouri’s Class 2A division.

Gracia topped the charts with 18 goals scored, 42 total points and three games won.

“When he goes into a game with confidence, he is the best player in the state of Missouri,” Head Coach MAJ Kevin Farley said. “He has a bright future.”

On October 17, Gracia rewrote the record books with a new MMA single-season scoring total.

With his parents and family on hand, a rarity for the Canada resident, Gracia tied the individual record only 32 seconds after the start of the game. The feat broke the previous MMA record of 47 goals in a single season set by Thomas Gonzalez in 1993.

Gracia’s 58th and final goal came October 27, earning third on the MSHSAA all-time leading goal scorers list with an average of 2.76 goals per game. Gracia scored at least one goal in every game he played this season.

MEET JESUS GRACIA Jesus Francisco Gracia Villasenor spent the first decade of his life in Monterrey, Mexico. Sick of frequent shootings — and after their home and car were broken into — 14-year-old Jesus and his family made the monumental move to Vancouver, Canada.

After being invited to summer camp at Culver Military Academy by his cousin, Gracia stumbled upon MMA, applied, and was accepted.

“I had really bad grades. I didn’t do my homework,” Gracia said. “When I came here, I said, ‘I can’t be doing this anymore.’ So I came here and the first month I got all A’s and one B.” Gracia also joined the soccer team and spent three years playing wing.

“Changing from not doing anything to suddenly ... doing your homework [and] paying attention in class,” Gracia said.

“It’s hard, but it’s worth it.”

Gracia is now an Honor Captain, his promise to never lie or cheat signified by a silver whistle hanging over his heart. His commitment to honor extends beyond the academic building and onto the soccer field.

During his time on the team, Gracia has witnessed a drastic change in how seniors treat underclassman.

During his freshman year, he felt uncomfortable with his teammates. Arguing and screaming were abundant, fostering division between cadets. Now a senior himself, Gracia has helped create a new culture of camaraderie between every player.

ARTICLE BY MARKETING INTERN CONNOR PEARSON

The following is a Q&A with Cheryl Morris, secondyear art teacher and organizer of MMA’s Painted Shoe Project.

Morris joined the Academy staff in 2013 and has more than 20 years of experience in graphic design, publishing and production. She has also owned her own design firm since 1996.

Morris is an accomplished professional photographer and involved in her own personal fine art production and sales. During her time at the Academy, she has earned the Teacher of the Month and Bravo Zulu awards.

Q: WHAT INSPIRED THE PROJECT? A: I want to teach our boys that it is important to give back and it can be done in creative ways. Art can cross borders and bridge people together.

I always like to do projects in my classroom that deal with real life

and real art. Last year the kids really enjoyed painting mess hall chairs for the spring Fine Arts show, so I wanted to do another 3D painting project. My mother’s church sends Christmas boxes to Haiti each year and we thought it would be a wonderful addition to their care packages. Each child receives a shoebox of goodies ranging from hair bows to toothpaste and toy cars to cotton dresses. After researching Haiti, I realized they still are struggling in so many areas. They are a colorful nation and I thought

A: Haozhang Li ’16 B: Eugenio Felix Scheleske ’17 C: Eduardo Gonzalez ’16 D: Rene Padilla Cines ’16

canvas shoes painted with bright happy colors would be a good addition to their care packages. This in return teaches our boys about the benefits of helping others.

Q: WHAT WERE THE GUIDELINES? A: We are using acrylic paints and Sharpies for the fine details. The shoes were sprayed at the end of the project with several layers of clear spray to help the longevity of the painted pieces. I approved each idea. I didn’t want words written on the shoes in case the language

E: Eric Juarez ’18 F: Lihan Zhang ’17 G: William Lewis Moore ’18 H: Joshua Ryan Campbell ’17

I: Jorge Villarreal Garza ’17 J: Evan B. Reynolds ’18 K: David Jose Garza ’16 L: Alejandro Gastelum ’17

barrier misconstrued the meaning.

I wanted the shoes to be colorful and for each cadet artist to take pride in what they were doing because the shoes were going to someone special. I took pictures of each boy and their pair of shoes.

This picture will travel with the shoes so the children down in Haiti can see their artist. My students come from many different countries so we will be covering many different nationalities. I am hoping with this gesture of care that we can give a child some hope.

M: Yuqi Chen ’17 N: Gabriel Vallejo ’18 O: Juan Cepeda Bremer ’18 P: Cesar Perera Pelayo ’18

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT ART CLASS? I like art class because whenever something creative comes to me I have the opportunity to put it on paper and show everyone.

JORDAN HORNICK ’20

I like everything in art because you get to express what you like and feel. ALFONSO LEON ’16 I feel relaxed in art class, and Mrs. Morris is very nice. Plus, it’s super chill to be in art class.

SUGAR DASHDAVAA ’17

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ART CLASS PROJECT SO FAR? My favorite project so far was the shoe project. I love being able to move my art as I paint it. It just seems to have a really cool effect as I paint. RYAN PINKS ’16 So far I have liked the oil pastels because not only did I like what I drew, but I came up with other ideas that I could do with the pastels. JORDAN HORNICK ’20 My favorite project so far are the shoes because they are for a good cause and the [Haitian] kids know people care even if they don’t know them. WILLIAM MOORE ’18

I like that you are able to just go and relax and focus on something other than school.

WILLIAM MOORE ’18 I like art class because I can create/make anything in there.

JOSHUA CAMPBELL ’17

ART CLASS FUNDRAISER On November 4, three seniors (Enkhbilegt Luvsandorj, Matheus Alexandre and Kian Moriarty) and three juniors (Oybek Kirkland, Aaron Thompson and Tuguldur Altangerel) raised several thousand dollars to boost the art supply budget by selling tickets for a morning lock-in. Instead of

WHAT SHOE DESIGN DID YOU CHOOSE? WHY? I designed a pretty basic style with gold and pink. I put two hearts on the back of the shoes because it’s for little girls. JOSHUA CAMPBELL ‘17

I love the atmosphere that class [has]. Mrs. Morris is such a great teacher and an inspiration in my life.

She is so nice and gives the best lessons. It’s a blast being in her class.

RYAN PINKS ’16

reporting for inspection, cadets received a sleep-in. For $10 each, they spent the morning playing basketball, chatting and working out in the weight room.

Alongside CPT Greg Maximovitch, the

Rainbow colors. It will look majestic. SUGAR DASHDAVAA ’17 I decided to do camouflage because these shoes are also going to some boys and I would like make them happy with a manly pair of shoes.

WILLIAM MOORE ’18

I like that you are able to just go and relax and focus on something other than school.

WILLIAM MOORE ’18

six Entrepreneurship students (pictured above Dec. 2) solicited approximately 205 individual donations.

I did a random pattern of my own with the shoes. It was a mixture of shapes and colors. [It] was just a fun project to do. RYAN PINKS ’16 My shoe design is the Minions because I think a lot of people like them. ALFONSO LEON ’16

A BEGINNER’S BRUSHES Morris began the second day of her second year teaching art at Missouri Military Academy with a discussion of the fundamentals of watercolor painting.

First up for Morris’ third period were the seven types of watercolor paintbrushes: round, flat, filbert, fan, angle, mop and rigger.

Using the example of a sailboat scene, Morris said the mop would be used to paint large areas, like the sky and the sea. The rigger brush, according to Morris, is better suited for long, crisp lines – like ropes or fenceposts.

Up next was a lesson on paper weights and “tooths” – hot press is smooth while cold press paper is textured. Sketchbook paper is generally 90 pound stock, which is cheap

but prone to warping when wet. According to Morris, 140lb is most commonly used and can be easily flattened out when warped — but paper can be as thick as 300lbs, which is sturdy and rarely buckles.

“As you become a more serious watercolorist, you may want that heavier paper,” Morris said. “I always use cold press because I like the tooth of it. I like how the water relates to it. You lay the water down and it kind of flows a little differently. It will catch that grit of the paper and make some really neat textures.”

Pulling up a diagram on the projector, Morris next transitioned to the anatomy of watercolor paint tubes; each color includes segments of pigment, brightener, vehicle, binder, plasticizer, humectant, dispersant, water and an extender.

Following Morris’ lecture, each cadet tested watercolor brushes and practiced brush techniques on cold press paper.

A VISIT FROM CHINA: DOUGH MOLDING On October 12, MMA and the Columbia Friends of China hosted painter and sculptor Dao Jiang Ji, who demonstrated dough molding techniques for Morris’ students.

Cadets then crafted their own creations: delicate pink roses. (Pictured in photo FOUR above. Photo by Christian Foster ’19.)

“My favorite project so far was making the flower out of the dough, because it is for my mother,” art student Joshua Campbell ’17 said.

Ji is an art teacher and studio director in the Shangdong province. While he is proficient in calligraphy and batik painting, his unique skill

is the ability to sculpt miniature figures from a special non-toxic soft molding compound he makes himself.

On October 20, Morris continued her study of China with a performance by The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China, attended by art students Clayton Ebert ’17, Jordan Hornick ’20, Gabriel Vallejo ’18, Yinzhou Wang ’17 and Zenghui Zhang ’17.

ONE Otto Albertsen ’18 adds gold to his “All About Me” art project on August 27.

TWO William Moore ’18 shows off his blank canvas shoes prior to painting October 5.

THREE Ebert paints his color theory tree September 1. FIVE Juan Cepeda Bremer ’18 adds a layer to his painted shoe October 6.

PHOTOS BY ERIN CHAMBERS AND CHERYL MORRIS

Q: Mauro Garza Valencia ’16 R: Enkhbilegt Luvsandorj ’16 S: Christian Ernesto Paz Valdez ’16 T: Alejandro Tovar Lopez ’17

U: Carlos Liriano ’18 V: Jiaxuan Zhou ’18 W: Clayton Ebert ’17 X: Alejandro Gastelum Reyes ’17

Y: Zenghui Zhang ’17 Z: Jordan Thomas Hornick ’20 ▲: Naranmandakh Ayulgui ’16 ▶: Alfonso Leon Aguilar ’16

▼: Ryan Pinks ’16 ◀: Victor Armando Leon Aguilar ’18 COMPOSITE PHOTO ABOVE

BY ERIN CHAMBERS

Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING CADETS DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? FRAN: I was a terrible reader when I was a kid! Seriously, if you think you are a terrible reader — you can’t begin to compare with how bad I was! I finally started getting the hang of it and I ended up teaching reading for 24 years.

Now, I have an opportunity to be a librarian and introduce more kids to books and reading! So please, come to the library and chat with me. I’ll try to help you find books you will like. I’ll be glad to work with you to help you become a more successful reader! Reading is such an important skill as we go through school and in our careers.

I’d like to help students realize what an enjoyable activity reading is!

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE LIBRARY? FRAN: I’m planning to do on-line book orders through Scholastic Books. Parents will be able to order books for their sons and the books will be delivered to school. I’ve also got plans for some published authors to visit MMA and I’m planning field trips for our boys.

Q: WHO INSPIRES YOU? FRAN: My mom, Betty Wilson. She taught kindergarten for most of her teaching career.

Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? FRAN: Read! Really! I read a lot!

I also enjoy spending time with my dogs, walking, shopping for antiques, remodeling my house, and visiting my 7 grandchildren in Rhode Island and Georgia.

MEET THE ACADEMY’S ‘LIBRARY LADY’ FRAN ROBLEY Fran Robley, who previously worked in the MMA Ekern Clinic, is now the Academy’s librarian. Robley is a retired reading teacher with more than twenty years of experience in education. Robley has a B.A. in psychology and a B.S. in education from William Woods University.

A MESSAGE FROM MS. ROBLEY Exciting things are happening in your MMA Library and I want to be sure everyone has the scoop.

First of all, I’ve rearranged the library! If you haven’t been to the library yet, please stop in and see me. Things look very different.

I’m also in the process of writing a grant to update our collection, both fiction and nonfiction, and add audio-books.

I hope students will enjoy coming to read and study here. If I can help anyone with their school work, just let me know!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR The MMA community raised a total of $1,508.74 in mid-October at the Scholastic Book Fair. Band/ Charlie Company won a sleep-in by

Selected titles recently added to the Academy library by Fran Robley:

collecting a total of $674.87 in Book Fair donations.

“Thank you to all the parents and cadets who supported the Scholastic Book Fair through their barrack collection boxes during Fall Family Weekend,” Robley said. “I’ll be going to a Scholastic warehouse sale in Columbia in December where I can spend these bonus dollars.”

LIBRARY PARTNERSHIPS Each cadet will soon receive a library card from the MexicoAudrain Public Library, allowing them to check out e-books and audiobooks via their one-to-one laptops.

Through a free inter-library exchange program with the University of Missouri, cadets and staffers can also borrow books from the college library on loan for up to eight weeks.

Books can be returned by mail or in person by faculty members.

NEW TITLES Cadets are invited to suggest new books to be added to the MMA collection. More than 100 new titles have been ordered since the beginning of the school year in genres ranging from classic novels to

Don Quijote de la Mancha, Spanish edition Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania

popular young adult books to historical fiction.

“I’m really surprised that my most popular books are a lot of nonfiction selections about soldiers and Navy Seals,” Robley said. “They love the new ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Old School’ and Rick Riordan’s first book in the ‘Sword of Summer’ series.”

AUDIO BOOKS In mid-December, the Academy received $2,500 thanks to a Miriam Arnold Edmonston Foundation grant proposal written by Robley.

The money will be used to purchase audio books to address the ISACS recommendation to “invest in audio books to assist students in reading.”

MOVIE SCREENINGS, ARTWORK, SEATING AND STUDY HALL Movies screened in the library this year include “Pirates on the Caribbean” on September 19 in honor of Talk Like A Pirate Day; and MAX, the story of a Marine service dog on November 14.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham Boy in the Striped Pajamas Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Genghis: Birth of an Empire

"We've rearranged to make our seating area even larger. I have great chairs just waiting for you to come sit comfortably and read or work on homework," Robley said. "Our art teacher has brought student work to the library to display. It looks great!"

Guided Study Hall sessions are also now held in the library, which is home to art and photograhy exhibitions and is open in the evenings for all students.

MAGAZINES The library now offers Flipster digital subscriptions to magazines for student and staff use.

Educational subscriptions include: American Poetry, Archaeology, Artists Drawing & Inspiration, The Atlantic, Cicada, Mental Floss, Popular Science, Sports Illustrated and True West.

The President Has Been Shot: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy Guts & Glory: The American Civil War Illustrated Classics: Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein and Tom Sawyer

Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series A Higher Call: Incredible True Stories of Combat & Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of WWII

NEWSPAPERS Same-day print copies of USA Today, the Wall Street Journal and the Mexico Ledger are available daily in the library.

“All students, teachers and faculty have digital access to USA Today and the Wall Street Journal,” Robley said. “I hope teachers will be able to utilize these newspapers for lessons and everyone on campus will enjoy reading them as well.”

BOTTOM RIGHT Robley and seniors Brennan Morand and Dion Nguyen set up the Scholastic Book Fair cash register October 14.

FAR LEFT Sky Thunderchild ’19, MIDDLE Nishan Khanal ’16 and TOP Robley spend third hour in the MMA Library on November 19.

PHOTOS BY ERIN CHAMBERS

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs

respect and teammates trust.

“I am very excited about this program,” Farley said. “I really feel that we can use athletics to build stronger leaders and this program,

Athletic Director MAJ Kevin Farley has launched the firstever MMA Athletic Leadership Council as of the start of the spring semester.

The MMA Athletic Leadership Council will work together through a Janssen Sports Leadership Center program under Jeff Janssen, M.S. The program will develop effective leaders whom their coaches

In January 2016, MMA launched enhancements to its approach to cadet health care, honing its focus to the promotion of overall cadet wellness.

The change begins under new management of the health center. Robert Calaluce, M.D., of Mexico, Missouri, has been named MMA’s Ekern Cadet Health Center Manager and began work on January 7.

The Ekern Cadet Health Center, previously known as the Ekern Cadet Clinic, has been renamed to reflect an increased focus on outreach and cadet health management.

In his new role, Dr. Calaluce will oversee all nursing and health-related processes, including the development of proactive programs that educate

cadets about their health.

As the Health Center Manager, he will work with Dr. Simon McKeown, MMA’s practicing physician, and will supervise the nursing staff.

“Dr. Calaluce’s significant expertise and management experience, his personal commitment to living a healthy lifestyle and his passion for health education are welcome additions to our Cadet Life program here at MMA,” President Charles McGeorge said. “Although he will not actively practice as a physician in this role, his vast knowledge will greatly enhance our ability to care for cadets.”

A researcher and educator with a focus on pathology, Dr. Calaluce has worked in the private

As Director of Cadet Life, WO2 Richard “Rik” Thornton oversees many departments: health service, residential life, transportation, food service and, perhaps most importantly, security.

“It’s something I take very seriously,” Thornton said. “Bad things happen everywhere. We need to be vigilant. We need to be prepared. We need to be trained and drilled.”

According to Thornton, parents’ primary concern when they consider sending their sons to boarding school is their safety and well-being.

A MESSAGE FROM WO2 THORNTON: MMA’S DIRECTOR OF CADET LIFE When I came here, I evaluated the security level.

I put together my security plan. I initiated a security and safety committee which meets regularly.

The initial concept was to deal with active shooter threats. I introduced the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training class to all cadets, faculty and staff. In my opinion, the automatic lockdown drills used in most schools are the worst thing you could possibly do during an active shooter situation. I looked at all the Academy’s existing safety drills such as tornado drills, bomb threats and flood evacuation and made sure they are being conducted on a regular basis.

Our security budget has thus far funded the hiring of an additional night barracks mentor, installation of security cameras in the academic building and a PA system upgrade.

We also plan to update the cameras

through Jeff Janssen Leadership, is a great start to that development.”

Though some members may not currently be an athletic team captain, they have been identified by a coach or faculty member as possessing the potential to be an outstanding leader.

“I feel it is very important to start with a cross section

sector and in higher education. His most recent appointment was at the University of Missouri, where he was a research assistant professor in the Division of Acute Care and Surgery. Prior to that, he held an appointment at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Calaluce earned his M.D. at the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his residency in General Surgery at the University of Missouri.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Queens College of the City University of New York, in Flushing, N.Y., and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Connecticut.

In his spare time, Dr. Calaluce is an avid runner who enjoys reading, hiking, writing, and baseball. He has coached youth sports for many years and has particular interest in the way proper nutrition can affect athletic performance.

in the residential barracks and install intruder alarms.

I recently invested in a security vehicle for use in campus patrolling.

It is also a high-profile visual deterrent which our night mentors use to conduct vehicle patrols.

of cadets for greater impact at MMA. This charter group is composed of cadets from all high school classes from freshmen to seniors,” Farley said.

“Some of the cadets are leaders and many are not. However, I either see leadership potential in them or see a way that they could benefit themselves and the corps of cadets by learning leadership.”

In mid-October, David “Terry” Logue of the MMA class of 1972 and Westminster class of 1976 was inducted into the Westminster College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Logue, who was affiliated with the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1992-2012, will also be inducted into the SLIAC Hall of Fame in May 2016.

Logue earned a degree in political science and psychology at Westminster in the 1970s and was a varsity letterman in tennis.

Logue joined the Westminster staff in 1995, working his way up to Director of Athletics. During Logue’s tenure, the sports facilities and fields were renovated, the booster club was established and the first Athletic Hall of Fame and athletic website were developed.

After leaving Westminster in 2012, Logue was not idle long. One week later, he returned to MMA and served as alumni relations/annual fund manager until his retirement in February 2015.

During events such as the Valentine Weekend and Spring Family Weekend, the cadet Military Policemen also serve as highvisibility guides, directing traffic and holding doors open for the public.

ARTICLE BY CONNOR PEARSON

Dan Erdel joins Board of Trustees R. Stribling Koster, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Missouri Military Academy, is announcing the election of Dan Erdel of Mexico, Missouri, to the MMA Board of Trustees. As an attorney, a civic leader and a veteran, Erdel brings a unique and valued combination of experience to lead MMA into the future.

“Dan has been a great friend to MMA for many years, and we are fortunate to have his leadership in an official capacity as a member of our Board of Trustees,” said MMA President Tony McGeorge.

Erdel is a founding partner of Brett, Erdel, Owings and Tanzey, P.C. in Mexico, where he consults on commercial and residential real estate, contracts, debtor and creditor rights, bankruptcy, business law, corporate and business formation and planning, taxation, wills, probate and trusts.

He graduated with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate.

Erdel also holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Missouri and is a graduate of Mexico High School.

Prior to the launch of his own firm, he practiced with Morris, Mitchell, Larson, King, Stamper and Bold, in Kansas City.

Erdel is an active civic leader who has served more than 20 community and nonprofit organizations. He co-founded three local organizations that have made a great impact on the community: The Mexico Community Foundation, the Mexico Community Service Agency and the East Central Missouri Behavioral Health Center, currently known as the Arthur Center.

Erdel has eight years of military service with the infantry of the United States Army Reserve, where he attained the rank of captain. He lives in Mexico with his wife, Cheri, with whom he was honored in 2014 with MMA’s Class of 1949 Saber, presented to members of the community who show great support for MMA programs.

ABOVE Sophomore MPs Juan Cepeda, Jose Elizondo, Victor Armando Leon, Luis Merino and Gabriel Vallejo and seniors Matheus Alexandre and Orlando Farias pose with the security vehicle February 2.

PHOTO BY ERIN CHAMBERS

RIGHT INSET Military Policemen Cepeda, Elizondo, Farias and Vallejo pose October 17.

LEFT INSET Vallejo shows off his uniform patch October 20.

PHOTOS BY ERIN CHAMBERS AND WEITAO CONG ’16

CONFERENCE PLAY 6-0 W vs MSD 26-12 W vs Grandview 17-0 W vs Vienna 12-6 W (OT) vs Iberia REGULAR SEASON 30-7 L vs Warrenton 36-0 L vs Van-Far 38-8 L vs Wentworth 7-0 W vs North Callaway 28-0 W vs Kemper

THE FARBER MILE

It was a glorious season. The MMA football team boasted a landmark 6-3 record in 1985, which included the Mid-Missouri Conference championship. And, 30 years later, that team was inducted into the MMA Athletic Hall of Fame as one of the school’s elite squads.

ABOVE The 1985 team is recognized at Homecoming on October 3. Also honored were members of MMA’s undefeated 1964-65 football team.

Present for the induction ceremony were alumni LTC Harry Hoyt ’65, Bill Battle ’86, Hank Maupin ’65, Steven Farber ’86, Jorge Infante ’87, Dave Arbogast ’65 & Joel Spurlock ’87.

PHOTO BY ERIN CHAMBERS

BELOW Members of the 1985-86 squad celebrate winning the conference title in overtime 12-6 against Iberia on October 19, 1985.

PHOTO FROM 1986 TAPS MMA VS THE MISSOURI SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF An omen of things to come was the season opener on September 13.

The Colonels defeated the Missouri School for the Deaf 6-0, marking the first time since 1980 that the Colonels won their opener.

The only score of the game came on a quarterback sneak by Gregory Steinmetz ’86 in the third quarter.

“The team is a young one, and it is still making mistakes,” head coach MAJ David Steinmetz told an Eagle reporter. “But the mistakes have been improved upon, and the Colonels have a chance.”

The defense cemented the win, blanking the Eagles.

The final stop came with 50 seconds to play on the MMA 29.

“One play, while on defense, Chad Gates ’87, myself, Phil Clayberg ’87 and Philip Middleton ’88 all converged on one receiver in a fourdirection simultaneous collision,” Joel Spurlock ’87 said. “The receiver fell just prior to all of us arriving.

We all helmet collided at the same time. Stars. My favorite single play memory. That guy never knew what didn’t hit him!”

Gates churned out 190 rushing yards in the game as the Colonels ran for 205 total yards. Steinmetz passed for 67 yards in the game and Felix Ware ’86 caught three passes for 53 yards.

“MSD played a lot harder than I thought they would," MAJ Steinmetz said. "But we overcame our errors, the fumbles and the penalties, and we deserved to win."

That win would have to satisfy the corps for three weeks. The Colonels hit their only losing streak of the season with losses to Warrenton and Van-Far. Gates led the MMA rushing attack with 94 of the team's 117 ground yards. Steinmetz completed three passes for 30 yards. Jorge Infante ’87 posted 12 tackles and a sack. Phil Clayberg ’87 boasted six stops and Gates made seven.

MMA VS GRANDVIEW The losing streak came to a halt on October 5, 1985. Traveling to Jefferson County, the Colonels brought home a 26-12 victory over the Eagles.

Grandview recovered a bad MMA snap and took the early lead on a two-yard score, but Gates blocked the extra point to keep it at 6-0.

David Jones ’86 put the Colonels on the board with a two-yard touchdown plunge. After the Eagles fumbled the kickoff, MMA scored on a one-yard carry by Steinmetz.

Late in the second quarter, Steinmetz hit Ware for a 25-yard touchdown. In the third quarter, Gates returned an interception 75 yards for a score and Steinmetz kicked the extra point.

Jones ran for 125 yards and Infante added 65. Infante recovered two fumbles while Mike Harmon ’87, Steinmetz and Clayberg each had one. Gates, Infante, Steve Butner ’87 and Doughty posted sacks.

MMA VS VIENNA & IBERIA The Colonels soon notched two wins in a row, shutting out Vienna in a conference game 17-0 on October 11.

ARTICLE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

It started as conditioning, but ended as a legend.

Senior lineman Steven Farber was the heaviest player on the team and hated running the mile, while Coach Steinmetz saw running a mile as a key conditioning element.

“The Farber Mile started in the beginning of the year because I hated to run the mile so much,” Farber said. “Coach Steinmetz made everyone run at my pace, and the last guy in the line had to run to the front of the line. Once that guy got to the front, the last guy in the line had to run to the front. We did this for the whole mile run. It allowed me to run at my pace for most of the run except for when I had to sprint to the front of the line. It sure got us in shape. I remember Bill Battle running with me on some laps to push me through. I was playing my whole senior year with a torn ligament in my knee and just fought through it.”

1940 to 1949 U. S. Army veteran and former Battalion Commander Ross Fernstrum ’47 lives in Sun City West, AZ. Contact him at JFerns5342@aol.com.

1950 to 1959

COL Keith Lowrey ’51 USAF (ret.) is a father of three and lives in Gilbert, Arizona.

Contact him at supnav@aol.com.

Army veteran Ronald Richardson ’53 lives in Apple Valley, MN. Contact him at rjrser@hotmail.com.

Robert Rudman ’56 and his wife Sandy attended Homecoming in 2015. He is looking forward to the 2016 event — his 60th reunion! Get in touch with him at RRudman@swbell.net.

1960 to 1969

Mark Hockenyos ’63 says he is “glad to see the school is still thriving. Go Colonels!”

Get in touch with him at GMH722@yahoo.com.

Robert Burch ’65 retired in 2014 after serving 35 years as a circuit court judge in Tennessee.

He is currently renovating a 160-year-old hotel as a personal residence. Contact him at JudgeSweetOlBob @gmail.com.

Dave Arbogast ’65 is working on a screenplay for a documentary film which will be shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016. Contact him at DArbo42@hotmail.com.

Roy Eberhart II ’66 says he owes his love of life and his children and grandchildren to his time at the Academy. “MMA was the best two years of my life,” he said. “It forged my character, to give 110 percent regarding my marriage, my success in business.” Get in touch with Roy, who lives in Eureka, Missouri, at RHEberhart@yahoo.com.

1970 to 1979

Eric Johnson ’70 attended MMA for three years, served in the U.S. Navy Reserves and lives in Baudette, MN. Contact him at EricR.Johnson@yahoo.com.

U. S. Coast Guard veteran John Reddick ’73 currently serves as a sergeant and patrol supervisor with the fourth precinct of the St. Louis County Police Department. Contact him at JFReddick13@yahoo.com.

BILL BATTLE ’86 After graduating from MMA, William Dan Battle ’86 attended Southeast Missouri State, graduating in 1990. He has spent the past 25 years working at the Washington Missourian. During his 19 years as the Missourian’s sports editor, the paper has earned first and second place prizes for best sports section from the Missouri Press Association.

Bill has placed first and/or second in the National Newspaper Association’s sports photography contest for the past ten years.

Throughout his carer, he has earned five NSSA Missouri Sportswriter of the Year awards; a Distinguished Service Award from MSHSAA; and the 2008 Excellence in Sports Medicine Reporting Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association.

For 21 seasons Bill has covered the St. Louis Rams, attending both the Super Bowl XXXVI and the 2012 International Game in London. Get in touch with Bill at BBattle45@prodigy.net.

Tim Adams ’75 recently visited the grave of Scott Huebner ’71 and has moved to Iowa. You can get in touch with Tim at TimothyQAdams@gmail.com.

Edward Coultas ’76 and his wife have two adult children and live in Illinois. Contact them at ECoultas528@yahoo.com.

Douglas Jones ’79 lives in Las Vegas. Contact him at JetMechDoug@ yahoo.com.

Dean Cary ’76 is a retired lieutenant commander with the United States Navy. He works as a CRNA at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and can be reached at DustyCary @DPCary.com.

1980 to 1989

Kurt Bilsel ’81, who lives in St. Louis, can be reached via e-mail at KABilsel@gmail.com.

Steven Huck ’81 says it’s “hard to believe it has been 34 years since I graduated.” He has two daughters with his wife of 22 years. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he began work with NYS-ITS in New York. E-mail him at SteveHuck@aol.com.

Jesus Soriano ’82 recently married Melissa L. Urban and received the LTC Paul Gillette ’70 Distinguished Alumni Award from Gillette and Jeff Kays ’84 at Homecoming on October 2.

(Pictured at top left.) Get in touch with Jesus, who lives in at Jesus.E.Soriano@efleets.com.

Lawrence Wylie ’88 lives in Delta duo Brian Stone and Illinois. Contact him at Brendan Shower of the Larry.Wylie@ gmail.com. class of 1983 work for a global financial services 1990 to PRESENT company. Brendan is Kyle Stark ’90 owns Stark stationed in Japan but will Imprints, a textile finishing soon move to Singapore. company. He, his wife and sons Reach out to Brian via live in St. Louis. Email Kyle at e-mail at Brian.Stone@ Stark164@yahoo.com. credit-suisse.com.

Seven-year cadet Christian Andy Hall ’85 is a branch Matteis ’90 of Boca Raton, manager for Orkin. He Florida, says, “My time at MMA oversees territory from made me the man I am today.

Malibu to CA. Contact him I was in Bravo Company at 10 at andyrotarysjnorth@ years old. Now I am the CEO gmail.com. of Universal Jet. I am listed on Steven Farber ’86 went Forbes and Inc. 500.” Matteis can on to play football at the be reached at CM@FlyUJet.com.

University of Louisiana in Chris Petersen ’91 lives in Lafayette. In his first year Aurora, CO, owns a trucking with the Ragin’ Cajuns, company and assists with his he suffered a careerfamily business. Contact Chris ending injury. Farber later at Chris@mymancave.me. graduated from LSU and the Southern University Marco Vega ’94 has three Law Center. Steve has children and lives in Leon in practiced law for 17 years Guanajuato, Mexico. Contact and spends his free time him at MVega@sanfandila.com. coaching youth football in SFC Joseph Layman ’97 has Denham Springs, LA. served in the military for 18 Kip Kimberley, a junior years. He works in Aurora, CO, school cadet from 1986-88, as a Lateral Police Recruit. He lives in Pecos, Texas — the and his wife Heather can be birthplace of rodeos. Kip reached at drillcop@gmail.com. has spent 14 years as a high John Dewald, an MMA cadet school volleyball official. from 2006-07, lives in Memphis, He has been ill recently but is Tennessee, and can be reached recovering and relies on his at JDewald@comcast.net.

Band of Brothers for support.

Alums young and old are Vlad Bondarenko, a 2011 cadet, welcome to get in touch with lives in St. Louis. Email him at him at naughts91@yahoo.com.

ContactVlad1K@gmail.com.

Joel Spurlock ’87 spent 12 years Vincent Burke ’15 has decided working for the Department of to follow his passion and has Defense after serving with the enlisted in the Marines.

U.S. Army. He now works with Veteran Affairs in patient care and benefits.

JORGE INFANTE ’87 Rafael Correa ’87 lives in Mexico and Jorge X. Infante ’87 (better known can be reached at as George) served as an MMA cadet RCorrea@ announcer and earned the George Conceptos.org.

Davison Award for Radio/TV. John Tredway ’87 The son of legendary broadcaster is a retired U.S. Jorge Infante Hernandez, who Navy veteran living founded WOJO Radio Ambiente in Yokosuka, Japan. in Chicago, George recorded his He serves as Japan’s first station ID at age 13. He has area leader for the been involved in the industry VA Benefits Advisor ever since, working with Nestle, program. Contact Church’s Chicken, Miller Brewing him at FastBoats69 Company, Bank of America and the @yahoo.com.

Dallas Cowboys’ Spanish-language network Cadena de Plata.

On June 10, 2015, U.S. Marine Corps While working with the Dallas veteran Steven Cowboys, George recorded voice Butner ’87 appearances still used around the married Jen globe by the Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Dressing Schwartz, George has also served as a senior a native of Mexico, producer and is a freelance director.

Missouri, in Contact George, an MMA Alumni Las Vegas, Nevada.

Association Board of Directors Get in touch with member, at JXInfante@yahoo.com.

Steve via e-mail at Butz68@ yahoo.com.

TOP RIGHT Earnest Robert ’77 drums at Homecoming on October 3 with the Fighting Colonels Marching Band. PHOTO BY ERIN CHAMBERS BOTTOM Alums of all ages compete in a drilldown October 3 on Colonels Field during Homecoming. PHOTO BY JUSTIN TOUCHETTE ’16

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Steinmetz hit Ware for the game’s opening score. Moving from the Vienna 20, the Colonels set up a one-yard score by Steinmetz, who also kicked the extra point. and gave MMA a 14-0 lead.

Brian Gallagher ’87 saved the shutout just before the half, stopping a Vienna runner at the one-foot line. In the fourth quarter, Ware recovered a fumble to set up a field goal for the game's final score.

Up next was Iberia for Dad’s Weekend on October 19. Iberia scored first, after MMA fumbled at its own two. Gallagher and Jim Feistner ’88 combined to block the extrapoint kick.

The Colonels found the end zone in the fourth quarter when Steinmetz passed to Doughty for the score. Regulation ended with the teams tied, 6-6.

By 1985 rules, each team got a series from the 10-yard line during overtime. The Colonels went first and Gates scored from two yards out on a fourth down.

Iberia's series ended on fourth down as Phil Masaoay ’88 intercepted an Iberia pass to seal the league title.

The Colonels ran for 151 rushing yards with Gates picking up 100. Jones also ran for 39 yards. Defensive leaders were Steinmetz, Spurlock, Feistner, Gates, Priestley, Ware and Steven Rohrer ’87.

Steinmetz and Masoay intercepted passes and Feistner recovered a fumble. According to Farber, the game was intense from the defensive line.

"I remember being on defense 1985-86 at nose guard LETTERMEN on certain series William Arbow ’87 during the game," William Dan Battle ’86 Farber said.

Barry Brackebusch ’87 "They attempted Steven Butner ’87 a halfback pass.

Rich Clark ’88 I read it and Phillip Clayberg ’87 ran towards the Arturo Delgado ’88 halfback who Matthew Dunhill ’87 was half my size.

Jim Feistner ’88 As he stopped Allan French ’86 to throw the Anthony Fruits ’88 ball, I crushed Brian Gallagher ’87 him, causing Chadwick Gates ’87 him to fumble.

Mitchel L. Gentry ’87 Someone from Thomas R. Goding ’86 our team picked Mike Harmon ’87 up the ball."

Kip C. Horstmann ’86 MMA VS Jorge X. Infante ’87 WENTWORTH Phillip Jimenez ’88 & NORTH Todd A. Johnson ’89 CALLAWAY Jarrod O. Lewis ’87 Gregory Lochridge ’87 The threeClaudio Lopez ’89 game winning Mark Magnon ’89 streak came to Philip Masaoay ’88 a crashing halt Michael Misemer ’89 on October 25, Antonio Palmeros ’86 in Lexington.

John M. Park ’86 Taking on Steven Rohrer ’87 Wentworth Harold Schafer ’89 Military D.J. Schoch ’89 Academy, the Kurt Siciliano ’87 Colonels helped Rich Smalligan ’89 the Red Dragons' Jorge J. Soriano ’89 cause with six Scott D. Southwick ’89 first-half fumbles Joel Spurlock ’87 in a 38-8 setback.

Carl Stuber ’86 That ended Wesley Terrill ’86 MMA's quest Felix Ware ’86 for the state Sean Welsh ’88 Military Schools Darius Wentz ’88 championship, the only major TEAM CAPTAINS title which Scott Doughty ’86 escaped the team Roger Priestley ’86 that season.

TEAM CAPTAINS & Steinmetz ALL-DISTRICT found Ware for Steven Farber ’86 the lone MMA Greg Steinmetz ’86 touchdown and the two combined for the two-point conversion.

Returning to action November 1, the Colonels shut out the Thunderbirds, 7-0.

Steinmetz scored the game's only touchdown, a one-yard run in the first quarter. Jones ran for 132 yards, a seasonbest for MMA running backs.

MMA VS KEMPER That brought the season down to the final game, the annual rivalry with Kemper — which turned out to be no contest as the weather nearly absconded with the gold football.

Feistner stepped in front of a Kemper punt and Arturo Delgado Guajardo ’88 recovered in the end zone for a touchdown to start the November 9 victory.

After another punt, the Colonels started the next drive at the Kemper 30 and set up a 25-yard strike from Steinmetz to Ware. Two extra-point kicks and a touchdown from Steinmetz made it 21-0 at the intermission.

As Colonels Field was hit by a downpour, the coaches agreed to cut the quarters from 12 to eight minutes in the second half. That didn't keep MMA from scoring again. Steinmetz found Feistner for the final touchdown and then kicked the extra point to make the final score 28-0.

ARTICLE BY WILLIAM DAN BATTLE ’86 Sports Editor, Washington Missourian BattleB@EMissourian.com Sources include the MMA Eagle newspaper, 1986 Taps yearbook and The Mexico Ledger

NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH On September 9, retired faculty members COL Dana Reynard and LTC Henry Matlosz climbed the 14,186-foot peak of Mount Democrat in Colorado.

The duo began teaching at MMA in the fall of 1989 and retired in May 2010.

“We have enjoyed traveling to Colorado to backpack, fish and climb,” Reynard said.

MAJ Joe Nunez, MMA’s Director of International Studies and International Student Admissions from August 1992 to May of 2001, joined them at the foot of the mountain.

MEREDITH MEETING

While vacationing in Delaware, former Delta cadet and current U.S. Diplomatic Security Service Supervisory Special Agent L.W. Kwakou Casselle ’93, his wife Tameka and their children Beni and Alyssa paid a surprise visit to former

Dolores Lowrey, formerly Dolores Davenport of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, passed away in July 2015.

The late wife of COL Keith Lowrey ’51 USAF (ret.) is survived by her husband and three children.

Salvador Arellano Buendia ’95 — the Confederación de Operadores Económicos Autorizados de Latinoamérica president — passed away in August.

Emery E. Payne, Jr. of the MMA class of 1949 died at 84 years old on August 20, 2015. He served from 19511970 in the Navy before receiving his Masters from Wichita State Univ. Payne was an elementary teacher and principal and is survived by his wife and son.

Ralph Riess Sr., a member of the Parents Committee from 1975-76 and the father of Ralph Riess Jr. ’76, passed away December 4 at the age of 89.

A brick will be added to senior walk in honor of Kenneth Wilson ’60, a Charlie staff sergeant. Wilson, a MN native and Navy veteran, died in October 2015 and was buried with military honors. A counselor, Ken spent his spare time bicycling and is survived by three children and eight grandchildren.

John F. “Jack” Hannemann ’71 died August 28 at 62.

After attending MMA, he graduated from Texas A&M before beginning a 40-year sales career with companies including Angelica Uniform, Medline Industries and Claflin Medical. A Salesman of the Year and President’s Award recipient, he is survived by his wife Kristine and sons Mark and John.

Academic Dean LTC Frank Meredith and his wife Ann. The get-together marked the 25th anniversary of Kwakou and Meredith’s first meeting at the Academy in 1990.

“LTC Meredith and Ann’s guidance and support during my time at Old MMA will never be forgotten,” Kwakou said.

Photo courtesy of L.W. Kwakou.

Get in touch with him at SonOfBeni@hotmail.com.

Carl Aubrey Ade ’52 suffered a stroke at his home in South Padre Island on February 1 and, after a second stroke, passed peacefully on February 19.

Ade was an airline pilot for 25 years and was buried with military honors at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Carl is survived by his daughters, grandchildren and wife of 58 years Bette. For many years, Carl and Bette acted as the Gabriel’s helpers at their local church, greeting worshipers at The Chapel by the Sea. A memorial service for Carl was held February 14 at The Chapel by the Sea. In lieu of flowers, Bette hopes to receive stories about Carl in order to publish a book for his family.

Get in touch with Bette at 956-238-7142.

John H. McHenry ’42 of Jefferson City, MO, died May 1, 2015. After leaving MMA, McHenry received a business degree from the University of Missouri and served in WWII and the Korean War. A member of the Rotary Club and president of the Jefferson City Country Club, he is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

A second cousin of U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, McHenry is the great-grandson of James E. McHenry, a Jefferson City founding father.

John Winger ’58 died November 6 after a battle with lung disease. John’s wife Mary has heard “countless stories” about his time at MMA. “He considered them to be experiences that shaped the person he grew to be.” MMA classmates are welcome to call Mary at 319-512-5578.

A message from MMA Alumni Association President Jeff Kays ’84 As an active member and president of the Alumni Association, I hear a common complaint from by brothers: the Academy has changed.

I graduated from MMA in 1984 after being a cadet for 9 years. (I know what you’re thinking, and I am ok — I didn’t even need therapy!) I spent my junior school years in Bravo Company and Headquarters Barracks, and went to class in the Junior School Academic Building. While in upper school, I lived in Alpha Company. I swam, wrestled and tried to dance in the gymnasium. I spit-shined my shoes with an old cotton t-shirt and a can of Kiwi. I removed the lacquer from my belt buckle and the buttons on my dress uniform, and shined them with Brasso.

Most faculty members wore Army uniforms.

One of the most disconcerting things an alumnus has to deal with is watching the school they love change. Everything I just mentioned is gone. They simply don’t exist at the Academy anymore.

In my day there were no locks on the barracks doors, no cell phones, no laptops and no ATM on campus. If I wanted money, I waited until Tuesday and stood in line at the Canteen for $7 a week. Have you seen the uniforms these days?

They are, well, different than what I wore. Mostly the same, but different in many subtle ways that your average civilian probably wouldn’t notice.

A friend recently corrected me when I talked about how MMA has changed.

He said MMA hasn’t changed — it has evolved.

I took a minute to consider that statement, and I realized he was right.

MMA still stands for excellence and expects excellence from cadets and the staff that serve them. Cadets are still expected to “Look like a soldier, act like a gentleman and study like a scholar.” Despite what you may have heard on Facebook, Missouri

Military Academy is still a military school. There are no plans to change that.

In fact, MMA is probably more of a military school than it was back in the 80’s. I am certain my class could whip the class of 2016 in a drilldown, but there are a lot of experiences and military requirements the cadets experience today, that we didn’t. Things are different today, just as things were different in 1984 as compared to 1954.

The traditions are still there. Some traditions fade out, while some new traditions are born. I will venture a guess that since the Academy was founded in 1889, the complaints from alumni about how the school has changed began in 1890.

The uniforms have evolved many times since 1889. Buildings age and become irreparable at some point and need to be replaced. Please don’t confuse uniforms and buildings with tradition.

It is a tradition that cadets wear uniforms. The style of the uniform is not a “tradition.” It periodically changes. It is a tradition that cadets reside in a barracks on campus. It is not a “tradition” for cadets to reside in a barracks that has outlived its usefulness.

One building that hasn’t been replaced is the Memorial Chapel and Assembly Hall. This is the next big project pegged for improvement by the Academy. The interior of the Chapel has recently been repainted and it looks spectacular. Plans also include outfitting the Assembly Hall into a stateof-the-art media center with theater seating.

Want to talk about tradition? The Chapel opened in 1961 as a memorial to the young cadets that went off to fight and die overseas during World War II. It was paid for entirely by funds raised from alumni, cadets and faculty. I don’t have to tell you about the Vespers services. It was how we ended the week with quiet contemplation.

The Evensong celebrations were joyous occasions with the promise of Christmas and furlough just around the corner.

And don’t forget about

Saturday night movies!

I saw “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” “1941” and “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.” The Chapel also held exams and SAT/ACT testing. I attended one wedding and two funerals at the Chapel, including COL C. R. Stribling’s. The Chapel was a big part of our lives and is still significant to the cadets of today.

The cost of theproject will be around $300,000.

Academy President Charles McGeorge has asked the Alumni Association to drive a campaign to raise money for this project. At the 2015 Homecoming Convocation, I announced the Association’s goal to raise $100,000.

Your Alumni Association Board of Directors donated $5,000 and presented a check to McGeorge at the convocation. (As pictured above. Photo by Justin Touchette ’16.) I think this is a worthy project and I hope you give it your consideration.

No donation is too big or small. Earmark your donation to the “Chapel and Assembly Hall Campaign” and let MMA know it is from an alum so we can track our progress.

Let me close by listing what I think are the best ways you can be active in your Alumni Association.

First, pay your dues: $25 a year or $250 for a lifetime membership. When I graduated MMA, I was never asked to pay dues unless I was registering for Homecoming. That is about to change. In the near future you will see requests to renew your membership in the association. By paying your dues you give us opportunities to help MMA and put on a great Homecoming.

Second: Come to Homecoming. If you haven’t been, you are really missing out on a good time. Live music, good food and drinks and, most importantly, fellowship.

Three: Get elected to the Association Board of Directors. Big changes are being proposed, and you could steer those changes — or, I should say, evolution. Get involved and feel good about it.

R C E A M M M P S U S CAMP CREDIT Boys grades 9-12 June 19 to July 15 Boarding: $3,750 Day: $2,500 Students earn makeup or enrichment high school credit while honing subject knowledge and study skills. Courses are small with guided study hall in the evenings to enable teachers to work closely with each student. Afternoons and weekends offer opportunities for students to relax and participate in activities that reinforce confidence and academic focus.

CAMP CORE SKILLS Boys grades 7-8 June 19 to July 15 Boarding: $3,750 Day: $2,500 This integrated course covers key academic skills and knowledge in math, science and reading. Middle school-aged students are engaged in in hands-on interactive projects throughout the day. After class and on weekends students are involved in fun activities that challenge their abilities.

LEADERSHIP CONFIDENCE CAMP 2015 CAMP 2015 Young men ages 12-17 July 10 to 23 Tuition: $2,000 Young men ages 12-17 will find new challenges at our two-week Leadership Camp. This program teaches boys to follow as well as lead, as it helps them to understand the benefits and responsibilities of being a leader. Physical training helps participants unlock their potential, and team-building courses help them to learn to work better alongside their peers. Activities will include daily physical training, paintball, rappelling and rock climbing, rifle marksmanship, pugil sticks, swimming, knot tying, leadership reaction course, first aid training with certification and map reading.

Boys ages 8-11 Session One: July 10 to 16 Session Two: July 17 to 23 Tuition: $960 per session May enroll for both sessions MMA’s Confidence Camp helps boys ages 8-11 develop a sense of pride in themselves and their accomplishments.

Focusing on good decision-making and teamwork exercises, the one-week program rewards young men for their progress. Boys leave with more than new friendships and memories of a great time – they take with them leadership experience and a new sense of selfconfidence. Confidence Camp activities include paintball, rappelling, rifle marksmanship, pugil sticks, swimming, knot tying, leadership reaction course, high ropes and map reading.

The MMA Alumni Association is working to increase the Alumni Scholarship Fund by $500,000. Purchasing a brick for Senior Walk is a great way to help young men receive the benefits of an MMA education — and leave a lasting legacy on campus.

In addition to helping expand the historic Senior Walk, those MMA community members who purchase bricks will be furthering the futures of our young men.

Each $250 brick is limited to three lines, with 20 characters per line including spaces and punctuation. The surplus after deducting the cost of engraving, shipping and installation will be invested into the endowed Alumni Scholarship Fund.

TO ORDER: Personalize your brick using the blanks above. Then send this ad with a check or money order (made payable to Missouri Military Academy) for $250 to: MMA Alumni Association, 204 North Grand Street, Mexico, Missouri 65265 You can also order online at: MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org/Support/Buy-A-Brick

MER CAMPS SUM Reach New Heights This Summer at Missouri Military Academy visit PAGE 15 for information about our four summer offerings

Reconnect with your Band of Brothers this fall

September 23 to 25