The Sabre: The Magazine of Randolph-Macon Academy, Summer-Fall 2013

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a message from the president

The Sabre Dear Friends and Alumni/ae, ​ ince the January announcement of my S appointment, I have been amazed at the number of people from all around the United States who have told me not only that they have heard of Randolph-Macon Academy but moreover that they are aware of its outstanding reputation. That speaks volumes about the R-MA institution, its students, and the faculty and staff. It also speaks to the absolutely wonderful job my predecessor, Maj Gen Henry Hobgood, did to ensure R-MA alumni/ae and parents can be proud of their academy. It’s for those reasons and so many Maj Gen Maury Forsyth, USAF Retired, became the 10th president more that I want everyone to know how privileged of Randolph-Macon Academy on I feel to be named the 10th President of RandolphJuly 1, 2013. Here he is pictured Macon Academy. with his wife, Tamara.

​ y wife, Tamara, and I are honored and grateful M that you have allowed us to be part of the R-MA and Front Royal family. We are excited yet humbled by the challenge and responsibility we have to continue the incredible legacy of excellence.

For nearly all of my adult life, as a member of the United States Air Force, I was blessed to work alongside some of the most talented and remarkable people this country has to offer. With this new opportunity, I sense the same excitement of working with wonderful people who make a positive difference in the lives of young men and women for years to come.

With your help I will do everything I can to ensure that the institution, the students, and the people who take care of the students are all successful. I will remain mindful that we were established by the Methodist Church with Christian principles that should guide us in all our decisions and interactions. I will strive to maintain a place where people want to come to work and won’t want to leave--where everyone on this campus is proud of what we do and how we do it.

I​ look forward to meeting and working with all the parents, alumni/ae and supporters. Along with the outstanding faculty and staff, you are the foundational energy that sustains R-MA and ensures its success as a world-class leadership- and character-based educational institution committed to preparing young men and women for college and life success.

Most Sincerely,

Maurice H. Forsyth Major General, USAF, ret.

President

The Magazine of Randolph-Macon Academy Affiliated with the United Methodist Church Summer/Fall 2013 Volume 92  Number 2

Published by the Office of Public Relations Editor Celeste M. Brooks P’12 Copy Editors Amy M. Harriman Kittie Callaghan Abell P’13 Clare M. Dame

Photography Cindy Rodney P’97 Misti Walters Staff Maureen Sadler P’10 David Gillespie ’13

The Sabre is published twice a year for alumni/ae, parents, students, and friends of Randolph-Macon Academy 200 Academy Dr. Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 636-5200 Fax (540) 636-5419

www.rma.edu

 sabre@rma.edu

On Facebook: Facebook.com/Randolph.Macon.Academy.VA On Twitter: @RandolphMaconA @RMAAthletics On YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/RandolphMaconAcademy On LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/randolph-macon-academy On Pinterest: pinterest.com/randolphmacon/

Randolph-Macon Academy Board of Trustees Mr. Joseph F. Silek, Jr. ’77, P’03,’17 Chairman Mr. Henry D. Light ’58 Vice Chairman & Secretary Mr. Rodney Deane, Jr., P’95 Treasurer Mr. Eric Anderson ’88 Mr. Harry G. Austin III ’75 Ms. Donna J. Bogart P’03, ’07 Ms. Suzanne M. Broyhill Ms. Naomi Earp P’10 Mr. Conrad E. Koneczny ’51 Mr. George D. Mathias ’54, P’84,’96 Mr. David W. Moore, ’53, P’84 Mr. A.A. Neese, Jr., P’01 RAdm. John D. Stufflebeem, USN Retired ’70 Mr. William G. Thomas ’57 Ex-Officio Members Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer Rev. Larry Thompson Ms. Angie Williams P’11, ’13, ’16 H. Scarlett Kibler ’89

President

Major General Maurice H. Forsyth, USAF, Retired Randolph-Macon Academy admits persons of any race, gender, color, religion, nationality and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. R-MA does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

inside this issue campus news

faculty & staff

Off We Go: Falcon Scholars, High Flight Students See Success.......................................................................................2 Dennis Ponn ’17 Qualifies for State-Level Geographic Bee...2 Meet the President: Maj Gen Maury Forsyth, USAF Retired....3 R-MA Student Engineering Team Makes National Finals.......3 16 Years Later: The Hobgood Legacy......................................4 R-MA’s [Un]official Hugger........................................................5 Student Actors, Student Directors.............................................6 An R-MA Tradition: The Military Ball..........................................6 R-MA Musicians Make a Splash from VA to NY......................7 Graduation: Class of 2013 Breaks Records.............................8 Class of 2013 College Acceptances.....................................10 Upper School Awards..............................................................12 Middle School Awards.............................................................14 Class of 2017: Moving onto the Next Hill...............................15 Community Service Projects Help Those Near and Far.......16 Spring Semester Events Add More Fun to Student Life.........18 Spring 2013 Honor Society Inductions...................................18 Flight Students Go Airborne: Solos and Private Pilots...........19 Farewell to an R-MA Leader: Former President Col Arvin Williams.....................................................................................20 Beloved Teacher “D.P.” Passes Away....................................21 International Friendships Formed Through Exchange Program....................................................................................22 R-MA Parents’ Association: What’s It All About?...................22 The Truth I Learned About Military School.............................22 Spring Family Weekend...........................................................23 Jacket Jubilee..........................................................................24 Al Orgain’61 Donates Signal Cannon....................................25 Reaching Out a Hand in Friendship.......................................25

student features Talented Twins..........................................................................26 Grace Alexander ’14 Explores Ways to Serve Others..........27 Evan Anderton ’18: Happiness is Challenging Academics and Serving Others..................................................................27 A Natural Leader......................................................................28 Genuine Kindness....................................................................28

about the front cover A series of black-and-white photos from across the last 121 years adorns this issue’s cover. In color in the foreground are recently retired R-MA President Maj Gen Henry M. Hobgood , USAF Retired (left photo; see story on page 4) and current president, Maj Gen Maury Forsyth, USAF Retired (right photo; see story on page 3).

Online edition This issue of The Sabre was specifically revised for online publication. As a result, some student names and/or photos have been removed by parent request.

Barbour Named Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction..........29 Faculty & Staff Quarterly Awards............................................29 Faculty & Staff Notes................................................................29 R-MA Teacher Attends Nuclear Science and Engineering at University of Missouri................................................................30

alumni & development Silek Named Chairman of Valley Health System Board......30 Thank You: Annual Fund Giving Increase Makes a Difference!................................................................................30 Class Notes...............................................................................31 Tributes......................................................................................32 Are You Part of an R-MA Legacy Family?.............................33 Planned Giving is Not a New Idea.........................................34 Society of 1892.........................................................................35 Annual Giving 2012-13 Class Participation Rates.................36 Final Farewell............................................................................39 Honor Roll of Donors: Thank You!............................................40 The R-MA College Grad Project.............................................45

athletics R-MA Swim Team Fares Well in DAC, States..........................46 Freshman Runs Sub-5 at States...............................................46 Middle School Girls’ Basketball Claims Second in VMSC Championship..........................................................................47 2-Time DAC Swimmer of the Year: Tanner Blankenship ’13............................................................47 All-DAC Honors for Winter Sports............................................47 Winter Sports Award-Winners..................................................48 Girls’ Varsity Basketball Wins DAC Honors.............................49 Three Wrestlers Make All-State...............................................50 Soccer Refuses to Let History Repeat: Girls Reclaim DAC...51 McKenzie Marshall ’13 Named DAC Player of the Year......51 Jackets Claim LAX Runner-Up Honors...................................52 Brook Blair ’14 Named DAC Lacrosse Player of the Year....52 No More Runners-Up: Baseball Claims DAC Championship!.........................................................................53 Dutton Named DAC Baseball Player of the Year..................53 Spring Sports Award-Winners..................................................54 Eric Barr: 25 Years of Coaching at R-MA...............................56 All DAC Honors for Spring Sports.............................................56

corrections

The previous edition correctly identified Thomas Shea as the MVP of the cross-country team, but the wrong photo was printed with the announcement. The correct photo is at the right.

The Sabre staff congratulates Thomas on a job well done!

Major Everett E. Worrell, Jr. ’40 contacted us with a correction from the article “Calling All Pilots” article in the Spring-Winter 2013 issue of The Sabre.

He did not get out of the service after WWII; he went into the reserves. He was then called back to active duty during the Korean War.

campus news

Off We Go: Falcon Scholars, High Flight Students See Success Randolph-Macon Academy was founded as a collegeprep institution, a tradition that has continued and has met with unprecedented success this year. In 2010, the administration at Randolph-Macon recognized that the Academy is uniquely suited to assist students who desire to be military officers. To that end, the Academy began an internal program, called High Flight, that was created to guide and prepare students to succeed at any military service academy in the U.S. Then, last year, R-MA was honored to be designated as a Falcon Foundation School, a program that works with only seven schools in the U.S. to help fund a postgraduate year for students who have an excellent chance to earn an Air Force Academy appointment but need one more year to improve in certain academic areas. The success of both programs has been swift, gratifying, and a source of pride to all of the R-MA family.

Institute and Benjamin Pederson ’13 received an Air Force ROTC scholarship to attend Virginia Tech.

The juniors in High Flight also had a tremendously successful year. Grace Alexander ’14 was accepted to the Coast Guard Academy’s Academy Introduction Mission (AIM), the Air Force Academy Summer Seminar, the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, and Virginia Girls State. Madeline Chafin ’14 was accepted to the summer seminars at both West Point and the Naval Academy, as well as the Coast Guard’s AIM program. David Lee ’14 was accepted to the summer seminars at West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy. Emmanuel Arrellano ’14 was accepted to the West Point and Naval Academy summer seminars. In addition, he was one of only 30 students to attend the Air Force Academy’s Junior Diversity Visitation Program earlier this year.

High Flight

Falcon Foundation

Since its inception in 2010, the High Flight program at R-MA has attracted outstanding young men and women and has been successful in helping them reach their goals. At the end of the first year, two of the High Flight graduates were accepted to the Air Force Academy. Last year, one graduate went onto the Naval Academy Prep School and entered the Naval Academy this summer, while others received ROTC scholarships to prestigious military colleges such as Virginia Military Institute. Each year, several of the juniors in the program are accepted into the summer seminars at the various academies.

This year, High Flight student Peter Jin ’13 received appointments to both the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy.

In addition, Killian Hopcroft ’13 was accepted to Virginia Military

Carissa Vaccaro and George Beals took a chance last year when they were offered Falcon Foundation Scholarships. Vaccaro and Beals knew little of the program at that time, and even less about Randolph-Macon Academy, which was accepting its first class of Falcon Scholars in the fall of 2012. Still, the two of them elected to attend R-MA, and the decision paid off as both received appointments to the Air Force Academy.

Their success paved the way for future Falcon Foundation Scholars; next year’s student body will include six of these exceptional postgraduate students.

Lt Col Margaret Crowe, USAF, (center) presents certificates to Air Force ROTC scholarship recipient Benjamin Pederson ’13 (far left) as well as Air Force Academy appointees Carissa Vaccaro PG’13, Peter Jin ‘13, and George Beals PG’13.

Dennis Ponn ’17 Wins School-Level Geographic Bee, Qualifies for State Competition Dennis Ponn ’17 won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 29, 2013 and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. Dennis is the son of Lori and Ward Ponn of Marshall, VA. The schoollevel Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 25th Annual National Geographic Bee. In addition to Ponn, the finalists in Randolph-Macon Academy’s school-level Bee included John Backo of Warrenton, VA;

2 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

David Imansuangbon of Great Falls, VA; Ryan Latham of Amissville, VA; Angelique Murphy of Avenel, NJ; and Stanley Richards of Bowie, MD. Murphy claimed third place, with Latham taking the runner-up spot.

The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of November 12, 2012. The school winners, including Ponn, took a written test, and Ponn was one of 100 of the top scorers in Virginia. He went on to compete at the State Bee on April 5, 2013.

Meet the President: Maj Gen Maury Forsyth, USAF, Retired After serving 32 a great investment for any parent.” years in the Air Force, The emphasis on leadership and character Maj Gen Maury Forsyth development at the school were also an attraction to moved from the wideForsyth. “Character is such an important personal open plains of South attribute to have. I’m proud that we place an Dakota to the rolling emphasis on character growth. It complements so well mountains of Virginia to what we teach at R-MA, through Air Force JROTC, become Randolph-Macon through residential life programs, and through our Academy’s 10th president association with the United Methodist Church. We are on July 1, 2013. setting up these young men and women to be not just “When the position leaders, but leaders with integrity.” of president of RandolphForsyth has now been a part of the R-MA family Macon Academy came for several weeks and has been working hard to learn to my attention, I was everything he can by talking to various staff members, As the 10th president of R-MA, Maj Gen Maury Forsyth, parents, and alumni, and going through yearbooks, excited by the prospect,” USAF Retired, plans to honor the history and traditions of magazines, and other historical documents. “The he said. “I did some the Academy while ensuring that the students receive the Academy has a rich history of tradition and values, research on R-MA, best education possible. Photo by Misti Walters. watched what was going and I want to make sure we continue to honor that,” on through social media, he said. “At the same time, we live in the twenty-first and by the time they called me in for an interview, I couldn’t wait to century, and the way we educate our students—the future leaders of see what this school was like in person.” our world—has to reflect that. I like to think of it this way. The past is Forsyth visited the campus several times before he officially our foundation—the present is our future.” became president. “From the very beginning, I was impressed Speaking to the bottom line Forsyth said, “It’s clear to me that with the outstanding faculty and staff. It was very clear to me that Randolph-Macon Academy offers a world-class leadership- and everyone was committed to the ultimate success of our young men character-based education designed and proven to prepare young men and women.” Referring to the statistics for the 2013 graduation and women for college and life success.” class he said, “It was absolutely incredible to me that 100 percent of There are several opportunities to hear from Forsyth, including a the students were accepted to a four-year college or university. For podcast that will be available on TheRiver953online.com after August an institution like R-MA that measures its success by the success 15th, the formal inauguration on September 26th at 2:30 p.m., and of others, that is an extraordinary statistic. Moreover, 77 percent of Homecoming on October 11-12, 2013. For more information, watch those graduates received some sort of scholarship. That makes R-MA the web site at www.rma.edu.

R-MA Student Engineering Team Makes National Finals For the members of “The Greeners,” the Conrad Foundation’s Spirit of Innovation Challenge was a peek at a larger world, a few days in which their minds were opened to dreaming and endless possibilities. It was, as a few of the team members described it, “life-changing.”

This was the second consecutive year in which a team from Randolph-Macon Academy made it into the finals of the Spirit of Innovation Challenge Summit held in Houston, TX. From among approximately 250 initial competitors from around the globe, only 20 teams—five in each category— made it to the finals. The R-MA team competed in the Energy & Environment category against four other teams.

“The Greeners” members were Jon Moore ’14 of Glenwood, MD; Maddie Chafin ’14 of Wake Forest, NC; Grace Alexander ’14 of Front Royal, VA; Edwin Guyette ’14 of West Chesterfield, NH; and Benjamin Gillis ’14 of Front Royal, VA. Dave Gillis, the physics and engineering teacher at RandolphMacon Academy, was the team coach.

The annual competition, presented by Lockheed Martin and Battelle, challenges teams of students ages 13-18 from around the world to combine innovation and entrepreneurship along with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to create commerciallyviable products to benefit humanity.

Using pezioelectonic technology, The Greeners worked to create a bicycle that would generate electricity through day-to-day use. A small generator on the bike would collect the generated electricity, which could then be used to power the biker’s iPod, cell phone, or other mobile device. Alternately, the generator’s stored electricity

“The Greeners” met astronaut Alan Bean during their trip. At left: Ben Gillis ’14, R-MA Engineering Teacher David Gillis, Alan Bean, Edwin Guyette ’14, Maddie Chafin ’14, Grace Alexander ’14, and Jonathan Moore ’14.

Photo courtesy of Mindy Alexander P’14. could be transferred to “the grid,” potentially creating a significant source of electricity in a city where bikes are common. (Because the pezio strips are so sensitive, even simple vibrations would generate electricity, so bikes stored near streets or subways could continue to gather electricity even when stationary.)

While the group did not win the top place in their category, the experience of attending the Summit from April 10-13 was a reward in itself. The first evening there, one of their members had to give their “elevator speech,” and Guyette was selected to do the job. “By presentation day, he was right-on,” said Mr. Gillis. “They all nailed it.”

Once The Greeners got a feel for the competition, they realized

See “Greeners,” page 15 3 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

16 Years later: The hobgood legacy When Major General Henry M. a lot of leadership in the Air Force,” he said.

Hobgood, USAF Retired, and his wife “Something told me the principles I knew Carolyn came to Randolph-Macon would work, but the application would be Academy in 1997, the school was at a different. I would have to be more patient crossroads of sorts. Like nearly every than in the past. An institution like this has military academy in the U.S., R-MA a lot of institutional memory and pride. had been hit hard by the public backlash I tried to help it get better incrementally against the military in the Vietnam and instead of taking it by the roots and shaking post-Vietnam War era. Many military it.” In creating that vision, Hobgood said, schools closed, and others, including “I also realized that unless I practiced what R-MA, were in dire financial straits. The I preached and helped it come true, I would former president, Col Trevor Turner, USA never have credibility.”

Retired, had done what many thought was And lead by example he did. When impossible: he kept R-MA afloat and even he saw a piece of trash on the ground, he made some improvements to the campus. Even picked it up. When he saw the baseball coach so, the financial picture of R-MA upon Hobgood’s laying sod, he showed up to help. He visited the arrival was not pretty: the construction of the Middle School as a guest speaker and spoke not girls’ dorm and the Middle School campus, and on the military as one might expect, but about one the renovation of Sonner-Payne Hall after a fire of his favorite hobbies: gardening. He stopped in 1995, had left the school burdened with a students in the halls and on the sidewalk— heavy debt. Regular maintenance was delayed sometimes to correct them, sometimes to just find until repairs were absolutely necessary. The out how they were doing. endowment was less than $2 million.

“I have loved working for him and with him,” “I felt like R-MA was an institution that for said Director of Student Services, Karen Moxie. whatever reason had sort of lost its way,” said “He didn’t just treat it as a job to come to every Hobgood as he reflected back on his 16 years day. He knew the students, every staff and faculty as president of the Academy. “I felt like it had member. He was so involved personally. He made this enormous potential to be really the place like a family. He trusted people good, and if I could only influence who worked for him.” the culture of Randolph-Macon Eventually, the sense of ownership Academy, I could influence the that Hobgood was trying to build began to outcome. But I had to understand manifest. “There was a cultural awakening the culture in order to change it, to move from ‘I’m putting in time’ to so I spent several years trying to ‘This is mine and I want it to look good,’” understand the culture and the people he explained. of this institution.”

When asked about his greatest Hobgood approached R-MA accomplishments at the Academy, with the belief that the processes Hobgood was quick to deflect the credit. and procedures could be improved, “Whatever has been accomplished has and that the school could be a better everything to do with the people who institution. do the heavy lifting, not me,” he said.

“As a school community 16 With that in mind, he listed five of the years ago, I don’t believe we believed accomplishments that came during his we were a very good school,” said time at R-MA. “We became a legitimate Upper School Academic Dean prep school, capable of producing students Jonathan Ezell. “It is not that we ready for college and university,” he didn’t have here or there a great said. When Hobgood arrived at R-MA, teacher, an interesting program, or no one person or office was responsible an outstanding operation--we did. for the college counseling process. He However, we believed we were less hired a part-time college counselor, and than the sum of our parts. We were the position has evolved to the current very much like our adolescents at full-time, highly-engaged counselor. The times—we had low self-esteem.” results showed, as this year 100% of the With a focus on what Gen graduating students were accepted to a Hobgood called “institutional four-year college or university and 77% improvement,” he spent the first few were offered a merit college scholarship of Top to bottom: Gen and Mrs. Hobgood with a student at years laying the foundation, helping some kind. The scholarship total itself was Fall Family Weekend in 2001. Gen Hobgood speaks at the Board of Trustees, alumni, and a staggering $8.2 million for the class of the 2012 Homecoming events. Gen Hobgood and others even the faculty and staff envision 73 students. at the groundbreaking ceremony of Fulton Hall in the what Randolph-Macon Academy could “The second thing is that the people October 2007. Bottom photo, the faculty recognize and be: a top military college-prep school. who teach, coach, work on staff, and thank Gen and Mrs. Hobgood at Class Night 2013.

“I had the good fortune of having done mentor are legitimate professionals,” 4 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

said Hobgood. “They will do the best they can do all day, every day. That’s not an accomplishment, but it is an improvement.”

Ezell agreed. “Early on we suffered by not treating others with respect and dignity. We did not apply the maxim: Critique the process not the person. However, under General Hobgood’s leadership, we slowly but surely began to focus less on each other’s flaws and more on the flaws of our processes.

In a circular loop—we examined the processes, trusted each other and our people to perform well; and we held ourselves responsible for the outcomes. With pride, we saw our school develop into something to be proud of.”

His statement tied into what Hobgood thought of as the school’s third accomplishment. “I think we have restored the confidence, faith, and respect of all of the constituents of R-MA. They respect and admire this school.

They believe in it, support it, and they’re proud of it.”

The fourth accomplishment Hobgood listed is one that any CEO in America would be proud of: the financial posture of the Academy. In looking at a chart based on audited statements from 2002-2012, the numbers from 2002 seem daunting: with a debt over $5 million,

Summer 2013 Dear Randolph-Macon Academy Alumni, Friends and Supporters: In June 2012, when Maj General and Mrs. Hobgood announced his retirement from RandolphMacon Academy effective 1 July 2013, they quietly established an endowed scholarship fund at Randolph-Macon Academy to provide student scholarships in perpetuity. As we all know, Mack and Carolyn have given their lives to Randolph-Macon Academy for the past 16 years and their focus has always been on what is best for the students and for the school. We all know that R-MA is now an institution that we are very proud of and one that any child would be privileged to attend.

The power of assisting talented and needy students and their families cannot be overstated. Our view is the Hobgoods have been very insightful about what is best for the Academy and we are inspired by their example. Thus, we have each made our personal gifts and our pledges. Of course, you should not be surprised that the Hobgoods have done likewise.

We ask, please, that you join us in helping to build the Maj Gen Henry M. and Carolyn R. Hobgood Scholarship Fund. Our immediate goal is $350,000 in gifts and pledges. Right now, we have $277,775 in gifts and pledges. So, we are not that far away from our goal. Our vision is that this scholarship fund will grow to $500,000 in the next few years. This level of scholarship funding will assist five students with attending R-MA each year. What better way to help the school and recognize the Hobgoods than by helping students? Every gift regardless of size is welcome and makes a difference.

Donations may be sent directly to the R-MA Development Office at 200 Academy Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630. Please mark on the memo line that your gift is for the Hobgood Scholarship Fund. If you need any assistance in this matter, please contact Ms. Kittie Abell, VP of Development at Randolph-Macon Academy, kabell@rma.edu or (540) 636-5206. Ms. Abell is also happy to provide information about making gifts of securities or making a pledge payable over two to three years which gives you the opportunity to make a larger gift.

Thank you so much for your support in this endeavor. Let’s get together and make this scholarship one of the largest at Randolph-Macon Academy so it may help even more students attend this great school. All the best to you and your families and God’s blessings.

Most sincerely, Richard J. M. Poulson ’56 General Walter E. Boomer, USMC, Retired ’56 William G. Thomas ’57

See Hobgood, page 39

R-MA’s [Un]official Hugger

James Graves ’08 presents Mrs. Hobgood with a plaque dedicating the Boggs Chapel organ in her honor.

With the retirement of Maj Gen Henry Hobgood came an unofficial retirement--that of his wife, Carolyn Hobgood, who was known throughout campus as the Academy’s [un]official hugger. With a true Southern gentility, Mrs. Hobgood would make the rounds through offices and classrooms, at games and dinners, and talk with everyone she met. Her mannerisms inspired confidence and trust, and many students found they could tell her things that they did not feel they could tell teachers or official mentors. She kept their confidences, proving herself worthy of that trust.

Her impact on the Academy family was so great that in 2008, after the organ had been refurbished, it was dedicated in her honor. As he was preparing to retire, Gen Hobgood readily admitted that his wife was a source of patience and strength to him during his time as president of R-MA. For all of her years of behind-the-scenes care for hundreds of students, as well as faculty and staff, the R-MA family says, “Thank you, Mrs. Hobgood!”

5 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Student Actors, Student Directors

by Paige Hollis ’15 Spring Family Weekend was host to many events, including the double-feature by the R-MA Drama Department. Both one-acts were performed on Friday April 26th and Saturday April 27th. The first one-act was a spoof on the popular TV show Glee and featured caricaturized versions of the popular cast. In this play the members of the glee club are forced to manage without their backup musicians.

The second one-act was cleverly done to bring video games to life, using characters from the popular game Street Fighter. In this play Lupe, a girl who has never done anything extraordinary in her life, learns how to use her skills to defeat the infamous F-Train Monster.

Normally, Ms. Kim Cramer is the director for school plays, but what made these two one-acts especially significant is the fact that both plays were selected and directed by her students. Margot Cramer ’14 of Winchester, VA, and Rongsong Cai ’14 of Fairfax, VA, both tried their hands for the first time at directing, and Rongsong took on additional roles as actor and sound-effects person!

This reporter from The Sabre spoke with both students to learn more about the jump from actor to director and the challenges that came with it: TS: What was it like directing?

MC: It was frustrating, very stressful.

RC: It was easy in the beginning, but then you ran into little problems.

MC: Yeah, you had this image of what it would be like in your head…

RC: During the actual performance, though, the actors are different.

You have to predict the problems.

You get so worried as the director.

TS: You chose the plays yourself.

How did you decide which ones to use?

MC: Well, we Student actors dance about the stage knew it haphazardly in Gee! The play, which was had to be directed by Margot Cramer ’14, was a spoof on short. We the popular TV show Glee.

were going through these big books.

I had a hard time deciding which one I wanted to use.

RC: I’m a videogame person, so I liked Rongsong Cai ’14 and Savannah Rhodes ’14 [Lupe and duke it out in Lupe and the F-Train Monster, the F-Train which was directed by Cai. Monster]. I was very worried about the transition from video game to real life. It’s so hard to go from the screen to real life; I was trying to think of how to do the special effects. I thought about having firecrackers in my hands!

TS: What was it like being the director? What were some of the challenges?

MC: It felt weird directing our peers. Like, I thought it wasn’t my place to tell them to be quiet. The challenge was really trying to get them to see my vision of how the play should go. In the end, you have to give and take and reach a compromise.

RC: I would think about having to act as well. I was trying to force my idea on people. I wanted it to be like a utopia project, like the actors were robots [and you could just program them], but things happen that you can’t predict.

TS: What would you do differently in the future?

MC: At first things just weren’t clicking and a lot of the actors were having trouble. I tried to get everyone crazy, was just telling them to go all out, go for it! Once they stopped overthinking it, everything went wonderfully. If I had to do it again, I think I would try to get everyone crazy about it sooner.

RC: For me, I’d try to plan everything sooner. I could’ve made it better with more sound effects and props.

TS: What was the greatest reward for you as the directors?

MC: A week or two before the actual performance, everyone knew their lines, but it wasn’t really clicking. Then there was one rehearsal where everyone just got it! I was really proud.

RC: I made new friends from this. Hearing the positive feedback [was very rewarding]. I learned something impossible could be done.

An R-MA Tradition: The Military Ball The annual Military Ball was held March 1, 2013 at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. The band “Souled Out” performed for the students in attendance.

Far right, Robin Penn ‘14 and Felipe Angulo ‘13. Near right, Jonathan Moore ‘14 and Grace Alexander ‘14.

6 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

R-MA Musicians Make a Splash from Virginia to New York In a busy season for band and chorus, there were plenty of accomplishments to celebrate.

Military School Band Festival

Twenty-nine band and chorus students from RandolphMacon Academy attended the 37th Military School Band Festival (MSBF) February 22-24, 2013, at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, VA. Randolph-Macon Academy band students Doug Brennand ’15 and Lucy Dong ’16 earned first chair honors at the event.

Brennand earned first chair for the tuba section, while Dong earned first chair for mallet percussion. Both students received a silver MSBF medal. In addition, chorus participant Margot Cramer, a junior at the Academy, received the Outstanding Choral Musician Award.

Bringing together military colleges and schools from around the nation, the Festival provides students with the opportunity to learn from professional musicians, and also recognizes outstanding student performers. After a weekend of clinics, competition, and rehearsals, the student musicians perform a concert for the local area. The Festival rotates locations every year; in 2014 the clinics and competitions will take place at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA. The concluding concert will take place at the annual conference of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS), in recognition of the organization’s 100th anniversary.

District and State Chorus Honors

Three R-MA chorus students, Margot Cramer ’14, Rajib Hoq ’14, and Macaya Yao ’13 performed in the District XIV Chorus on Saturday, February 16th. While there, Cramer and Yao had the opportunity to audition for the All-State chorus, a group comprised of some of the best high school singers in the entire state of Virginia. Cramer was selected to the All-State Chorus, which rehearsed and performed in Mechanicsville, VA, April 25-27, 2013. Cramer is believed to be the first R-MA cadet ever to be selected for this honor.

NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, on March 16, 2013, the R-MA Band, Corps Staff, Color Guard, and Banner Carriers marched in the 252nd New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, where they had the honor of preceding the Republic of Ireland’s President, Michael D. Higgins. Although Higgins was only able to participate in the parade briefly, his presence made the traditional march down Fifth Avenue even more memorable.

“It was an honor for us to be chosen to march in front of President Higgins,” said R-MA Band Director Ed Richards. “The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of New York’s greatest traditions, marching for the first time on March 17, 1762 - fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Today, with an estimated 300,000 marchers and three million spectators lining Fifth Avenue, it is the largest parade in the world.”

Apple Blossom Parades

The Band and Parade Unit also participated in the Apple Blossom festivities in nearby Winchester, VA. In the Friday evening Firefighter’s Parade, Ming Gong ’14 took first place among all drum majors and the band took First Place Military School Band as well as the President’s Award, Second Place Band Overall.

In the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday afternoon, Ryan Seabright ’13 took First Place Drum Major, while the band won First Place for Military School Band and the Director’s Award, Third Place Band Overall.

Top photo: Margot Cramer ’14, who was named to both the All-District Chorus and the All-State Chorus. Just above, the band marches in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

At left is the band and parade unit, marching in the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, VA, the first weekend in May.

Find the band and chorus performance schedule for the 2013-14 school year online at http:// www.rma.edu/BandPerformance-Schedule.

Or, you can use your smart phone to scan this QR code: 7 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Class of 2013 Breaks Records On May 25, 2013, Randolph-Macon Academy’s graduating class of 71 seniors and two Falcon Foundation Scholars celebrated more than simply receiving their high school diplomas. They celebrated that they collectively earned entrance into 166 different colleges and universities. They also celebrated that the 71 graduating seniors were offered over $7.3 million in college scholarships, including six ROTC scholarships, the largest amount of scholarships ever earned by a graduating R-MA class.

The Academy celebrated the fact that 100 percent of the class was accepted to attend a fouryear college or university. In addition to the two postgraduate Air Force Academy appointments, Peter Jin of Utah received appointments to both the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy.

The graduates will attend a wide range of institutions including Baylor, Boston University, Clemson, Drexel, Fordham University, Indiana University, Michigan State, Rhode Island School of Design, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, and many others.

The celebration began with the Athletic Banquet in the afternoon of Thursday, May 23rd, and from there the students processed into Class Night, where the most prestigious awards of the year are given out. During that ceremony, the cadets heard from salutatorian Allyson McManus ’13 and Senior Class President McKenzie Marshall ’13.

McManus, who is headed to the College of William and Mary in the fall, gave credit to everyone who had helped a member of the Class of 2013 along the way. “Without you, none of this would be possible,” she pointed out, speaking to all those gathered to celebrate that evening. “You are what shaped and molded the senior class we have seated before us this evening. You have made us who we are today.” In concluding her speech she advised her classmates, “…as we approach graduation, remember to stop and appreciate everyone that has helped to get us this far. They have supported us through thick and thin and they have pushed us to be the best that we can be.

And with their support we will be able to take on college and then eventually the rest of the world.”

Marshall agreed. “The teachers here are not adults who stay for just the school day and then leave right as that last class is over,” she said. “They are your friends, and mentors. They stay after to help you.

The cadet officers stand in the middle of the parade field during a movement called “officers center.” This was the last time they would perform a parade as R-MA cadets.

8 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

With the traditional hat toss, the Class of 2013 celebrates their graduation and many accomplishments, including a 100% college acceptance rate and $8.2 million in college scholarships.

It is not just the teachers, it is the faculty and staff as a whole.”

Marshall, who will enroll at George Mason University this fall, also acknowledged that in addition to being overwhelmed with the sadness of good-byes to good friends, there was the fear that set in as people around began asking questions about the graduates’ future plans. “You must know that anyone who constantly asks you these types of questions believes that you are a smart, intelligent person who is going places,” she pointed out. “I want to address a different kind of fear: the kind you get when you look in the mirror and realize that you are older than when you first got here. That you have changed. That the process of becoming the future you, the adult you always imagined ever since [you were] a little kid…has already started without you noticing. But it’s time to let it go, to grow past it.”

The Senior Luncheon the next day provided the opportunity for six other students to speak about their time at R-MA and what it had meant to them.

Keijerian “KJ” Graham was one of those six student speakers.

He had attended R-MA for his freshmen and sophomore years, then returned to public school for his junior year. By the end of the year, he realized that in order to achieve his goals in life, he needed to go back to R-MA. “It felt good to be in a place where I knew I belonged,” he said of coming back his senior year, “because the people I’ve grown to love and care for were all here and these people are who I consider family.” Graham will attend Fairmont State University.

Van Nguyen had a touching story of his own—when he came to R-MA in the summer of 2010, he knew almost no English. “I feel like an outlier when I have no communications,” he said. “Day by day, however, with my little English of ‘hello’ and ‘thank you,’ I made friends here who are sitting in this room. They not only helped me but also asked me to hang around with them; they didn’t make fun of me but helped me to improve my English.” Nguyen will attend James Madison University in the fall.

The graduates, families and friends gathered for the senior luncheon also heard from Peter Jin, who has been at R-MA since Middle School. Jin drew a chuckle as he stated, “R-MA has made a huge impact on all of us; anyone who has reached for their hat when they were at home knows what I’m talking about.” On a more serious note, he continued, “As I sat down to write this speech I came to realize that R-MA didn’t just impact me, it made me. The person I am today is directly because of R-MA. I am so grateful to R-MA for our own little family we have here.” Jin is now at the Air Force Academy.

Juliet Arcila Rojas’ first statement showed how far she had come since arriving at R-MA. “You guys should consider yourselves lucky.

You did not have to call a search party to come find me. I say this because the first time I ever wrote a speech, was for the middle school

speech contest.

The funny thing is, I was so scared to stand up and talk about pizza that I asked to go to the bathroom and never came back. Two of the girls in my class checked on me after every other speech, trying to convince me to come back, but I Libby Doran ‘13 (on right) celebrates with her never left for fear sister Allyson, who graduated from R-MA in that they would 2011. Allyson is now at the Air Force Academy. force me to speak.

Libby will go on to the University of Pittsburg at Mr. [Bill] Curl, Greensburg. who was my English teacher at the time- well let’s just say he was not very pleased with me. Today however, I think it is safe to say that I have put that fear of speaking behind me.” Arcila Rojas will attend St. John’s University in the fall.

“What you see here today, what you see in the Class of 2013,” said Marcus Williams, who also spoke at the Senior Luncheon, “is more than just students. You see the dedication of the teachers, the love from the families, and the support of the administration.”

Williams concluded his speech by saying, “And now it’s over. In this very room we have politicians, generals, doctors, pilots, CEOs, and teachers…. Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” Williams will go on to Hampden-Sydney College.

The 2013 valedictorian was Ashley McManus, who will attend Virginia Military Institute on an Air Force ROTC scholarship in the fall. During graduation she had the opportunity to speak to her classmates, and she recalled how difficult it had been to move from Texas to Virginia. “All of the teachers were very friendly though, and all my classmates were a lot of fun to be around,” she said. “And before I knew it, this place was my second home and my friends had become my family.” She continued with the theme of family later in her speech, adding, “What truly made R-MA feel like home were the teachers and mentors that acted like parents to us.”

The Randolph-Macon Class of 2013 welcomed as its graduation speaker U.S. Air Force Retired General Gregory S. Martin. A 1970 graduate of the Air Force Academy, Martin was a fighter pilot and was selected to be a fighter wing commander on three successive assignments. He served in several senior level staff assignments on the Joint Staff, the Air Staff, and the Secretariat of the Air Force before being selected as the Commander of United States Air Forces Europe and Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Forces Northern Europe, commanding nearly 80,000 military and civilian personnel.

This year’s commencement speaker was Gen Gregory S. Martin, U.S. Air Force Retired.

While Martin’s service record is incredible, his presence was special to the Randolph-Macon Academy community for another reason, as he is currently the Chairman of the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation Board. Randolph-Macon Academy is one of seven Falcon Foundation Schools and the Academy’s first two Falcon Foundation Scholars, Carissa Vaccaro and George Beals, celebrated the completion of their postgraduate program during the graduation ceremony. Both received appointments to the Air Force Academy.

Martin had a few words of wisdom to share with the graduating class, words that had impacted him greatly during his career, and he hoped they would impact the students as deeply. “The first thing that I would ask you to consider is how do you treat one another? How do you treat those people that you interact with?” he asked. He told the graduates what it was like to be an F-15 instructor pilot and the three things he had learned. “You should never violate your student’s sense of trust. You should never violate your student’s sense of dignity. And you should never violate your student’s sense of hope.”

He expounded on each of those three points with a story and explained each concept. Regarding trust, he advised, “Don’t violate their sense of trust that you’ll do the right thing. That you know your business.” When explaining dignity, he stated, “How you handle it is very important. Don’t critique the individual, critique the performance.” Regarding a person’s sense of hope, he said, “Their hope is they can be successful. Their hope is they can get ahead. Their hope is they will do well. They know some of them aren’t going to make it. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be successful at something else. But if you’ve just ruined their sense of hope they may never make it.”

With the proud singing of the Alma Mater, the graduation ceremony comes to a close.

Martin went on to encourage the students to continuously learn throughout their lives, and shared a story of an epiphany in his life, when he fully understood that he was responsible for training young men and women for war. “I asked myself, ‘Am I worthy of the charge given to me to train, protect, and when necessary, order these incredible professionals into harm’s way?’” he recalled. “Am I worthy? It changed the way I looked at myself every morning.” He then turned the question to the graduates. “So ask yourself, are you worthy of the investment in your life? Are you worthy of this support and confidence and trust that your parents have? Every day you take yourself and ask what got you to this moment.”

Finally, Martin had one last piece of advice: “Take time to be friends with people. Take time to explore. Take time to enjoy this journey.”

9 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Congratulations Class of 2013:

71 graduates, 2 Falcon Foundation Scholars 100% accepted to a four-year college or university 288 college acceptances to 166 different colleges 77% of seniors received college scholarship offers, totaling over $7.3 million The colleges below each student’s name are the ones to which that student was accepted. The college in bold immediately below the student’s name is the college the student planned to attend this fall.

Thomas Abell

Elizabethtown College Lynchburg College McDaniel College Randolph-Macon College

Mansur Ahmed York University

Arizona State University University of Calgary Radford University University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Lauren Allen Virginia Tech

Georgia Southern University Georgia State University Mary Baldwin College

Fahad Alsuhaibani Drexel University

Florida Institute of Technology

Nicholas Anderson

Fairmont State University Lynn University

Felipe Angulo

Loyola University New Orleans

Florida International University University of North Florida Virginia Military Institute

Juliet C. Arcila Rojas St. John’s University Queens Campus Goucher College Marymount University Roanoke College Stevenson University

Eboni Banks

Guilford College

Mount Saint Mary’s University

George Beals

U.S. Air Force Academy

Christopher John Bell

Virginia Wesleyan College Ferrum College

Tanner Scott Blankenship

Quang Hien Dang

Griffin W. Duy

Eckerd College Florida Southern College Franklin and Marshall College Gettysburg College Hampden-Sydney College Lynchburg College University of Mary Washington Nova Southeastern University Randolph-Macon College

California College of the Arts (San Francisco) Maryland Institute College of Art Virginia Commonwealth University

Flagler College Washington College

College of William and Mary

Cozette Boakye

Xavier University of Louisiana

University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park University of Pittsburgh Spelman College Towson University

Sabrina Caballero

George Mason University University of San Francisco Virginia Commonwealth University West Virginia University

Ryan Chahal

Michigan State University

The University of Alabama Arizona State University Auburn University University of Colorado at Boulder Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide George Mason University University of Michigan, Flint University of Mississippi Northern Michigan University Pennsylvania State University, University Park Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at Camden University of South Florida, Tampa The University of Tampa Wayne State University West Virginia University University of Wisconsin, Madison

Bianca Clement

Mary Baldwin College

Andrew Criminski Clemson University Iowa State University The University of Iowa Purdue University

10 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Rhode Island School of Design

Li Deng

University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Yibo Feng

Southern California Institute of Architecture

Ave Maria University Lynn University

California College of the Arts (San Francisco) Illinois Institute of Technology University of Oregon Pratt Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Syracuse University Virginia Tech

Duane Doku

David Gillespie

Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta

Alaska Pacific University Ferrum College Juniata College Roanoke College Salisbury University

Boston University

Northeastern University

William Dennis

Stetson University

Virginia Commonwealth University (School of Arts)

Elizabeth Janine Doran

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Baldwin Wallace University Elizabethtown College Emory & Henry College Loyola University New Orleans Marymount University Mount Saint Mary’s University Nazareth College Ohio Wesleyan University Seton Hill University

Imran Doraney

The University of Georgia University of Miami The University of Tampa

P. Neil Dutton

Shenandoah University

Bridgewater College Concord University Ferrum College George Mason University Lynchburg College Potomac State College of West Virginia University St. John’s University - Manhattan Campus University of Virginia’s College at Wise York College of Pennsylvania

McDaniel College

Keijerian Graham

Fairmont State University

Averett University Dowling College Harrisburg University of Science & Technology Lynchburg College Lynn University Pennsylvania College of Technology Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

Killian Hopcroft

Virginia Military Institute

Yu Fan Huang

George Mason University

Cheyenne Jameson

University of North Carolina at Greensboro Lynchburg College Radford University Randolph-Macon College Salve Regina University

Huichuan Jin

California State University, Long Beach California Lutheran University California State University, Fullerton Concordia University - Irvine Virginia Wesleyan College

Peter Jin

U.S. Air Force Academy U.S. Naval Academy University of Utah

Brett Micheal Paul Johnson

The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina Liberty University Lynchburg College

Thandiwe N. Kapakasa

McKenzie Marshall

Enyonam Odoom

Bay State College Fisher College Florida Southern College Francis Marion University Greensboro College University of Hertfordshire Hollins University Johnson & Wales University Liberty University Regent University

Bridgewater College University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park University of Pittsburgh Virginia Wesleyan College Wake Forest University Washington College

George Mason University

Carissa Vacarro

Howard University

Kalin Olimpo

Jackson W. McGraw Ohio University

Florida Institute of Technology

Allyson W. McManus

Rabia Sara Otry

College of William and Mary

Iowa State University

Hunter J. Kaye

Ashley E. McManus

Benjamin Pederson

James Madison University

Virginia Military Institute

Samantha S. Kelley

Magdalena McNeill

University of Colorado at Boulder New Mexico State University University of New Mexico

Mary Baldwin College University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Arizona State University Eckerd College Florida Atlantic University Northern Michigan University Wayne State University University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

Old Dominion University

The Art Institute of Washington Lynchburg College St. John’s University - Queens Campus

Madison Area Technical College

Andre James Lake

Shenandoah University Chowan University Shepherd University

Phat Le

Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale Campus

Johnson & Wales University Virginia Commonwealth University

So Yun Lee

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Boston University Virginia Tech

Xiaorui Li

University of Oklahoma University of Houston West Virginia University

Yangboya Liu

Babson College

University of California at Santa Barbara The George Washington University

Shaomei Lu

Michigan State University

Indiana University at Bloomington Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Michigan State University

Sarah Meredith

Lynchburg College

James Madison University The University of Tampa

Justin Daniel Miernicki Salisbury University

Oluwamishanu Momoh Howard University

Drexel University Florida International University West Virginia University

Tung S. Nguyen

University of Houston

James Madison University University of Oregon Randolph College Southern Methodist University Texas A&M University Texas Christian University The University of Texas, Dallas Truman State University

Van Duc Nguyen

James Madison University (College of Business) Bridgewater College George Mason University Lynchburg College Marymount University Roanoke College St. John’s University - Queens Campus

U.S. Air Force Academy

Anastasia Voellm Baylor University

Boston College Clemson University College of William and Mary James Madison University University of Miami The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of San Diego Wake Forest University

Jitao Wang

Virginia Tech

University of California at Santa Barbara

Boston University University of California at Irvine University of Miami University of Rochester

Marcus Williams

Hampden-Sydney College University of Mary Washington

Caleb Phillips

Vanderbilt University King’s College London University of Manchester University of Miami Middlebury College Northeastern University

Ryan Pile

University of South Carolina University of California at Santa Cruz Florida State University James Madison University Radford University

Wencan Xu

Indiana University at Bloomington

University of Connecticut George Mason University Temple University Virginia Tech

Macaya Amenan Yao Westminster College Washington College

Wen Yin

Fordham University

Manuel Prado

Universidad Francisco Marroquin The University of Iowa

Boyu Qian

Stony Brook University

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

University of California at Santa Barbara

Wen Zeng

City College of San Francisco

University of Mary Washington San Francisco Art Institute

Yechi Zhang

HongBo Qiao

Illinois Institute of Technology

Western Kentucky University

Marion Military Institute

Drexel University Iowa State University University of Miami Michigan State University Northeastern University The Ohio State University

Thang Le Tran

Zhonghao Zhao

Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus Trinity University in Washington, DC

George Mason University University of Illinois at Chicago University of Massachusetts, Amherst Temple University

Barry University Bridgewater College

Ryan Seabright

Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale Campus

Indiana University at Bloomington

11 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Rising to the Top: Upper School Awards Valedictorian Ashley McManus ‘13

AFA AFJROTC Award Ashley McManus ‘13

Kemper History Medal Allyson McManus ‘13

Salutatorian Allyson McManus ‘13

James M. Mills Award Lauren Allen ‘13

U.S. Air Force ROTC Scholarships Ashley McManus ‘13 Benjamin Pederson ‘13

Commandant’s Award Killian Hopcroft ‘13

Jesse K. Brennan Religion Medal Natalie Pendie ‘15

U.S. Army ROTC Scholarships McKenzie Marshall ‘13 Anastasia Voellm ‘13 The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Emerging Leader Scholarships Lauren Allen ‘13 Benjamin Pederson ‘13 Baylor University Provost’s Gold Scholarship Anastasia Voellm ‘13 Scholastic Excellence Award Peter Jin ‘13 Distinguished Athlete Award Marcus Williams ‘13 Semper Fidelis Award Sabrina Caballero ‘13 Pat Spears Jr. Mile Benjamin Gillis ‘14 Pat Spears Sr. Mile Imran Doraney ‘13 David Gillespie ‘13 Pat Spears Most Improved Award Beatriz Angulo ‘16

Herbert Gray Wyatt Band Medal Andrew Criminski ‘13 The Outstanding Instrumental Musician Medal Doug Brennand ‘15 Ming Gong ‘14 John Philip Sousa Band Award Ryan Seabright ‘13 The Outstanding Choral Musician Medal Macaya Yao ‘13 Yearbook Editor Award Juliet Arcila Rojas ‘13 National Honor Society Scholarships Peter Jin ‘13 Boyu Qian ‘13 Anastasia Voellm ‘13 Marcus Williams ‘13 Wen Yin ‘13 German Medal Faith Funderberg ‘14 Spanish Medal Paige Hollis ‘15

Football Sportsman Award Duane Doku ‘13

Drama Medal Rongsong Cai ‘14

Outstanding Sportsman Award Carson Holder ‘14

Art Medal Eun Jung Lee ‘14

C. Lyle McFall Coach of the Year Frank Sullivan

English as a Second Language Medal Jingwen Gong ‘16

Randolph-Macon Academy Scholar/Athlete Award Grace Alexander ‘14 Jonathan Moore ‘14

English Medal Ashley McManus ‘13

Athletes of the Year Ryan Pile ‘13 Anastasia Voellm ‘13

Math Medal Siqi Xie ‘14

Cadet in the Arena Leadership Award Anastasia Voellm ‘13 Marcus Williams ‘13

Journalism Medal Louisa Stanwich ‘14

Science Medal Peter Jin ‘13 Social Studies Medal Ashley McManus ‘13

12 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Sewanee Award for Excellence in Writing Grace Alexander ‘14 The Daughters of American Colonists Award Caitlin Bunker ‘14 Shenandoah Valley Chapter United States Daughters of 1812 Award Madeline Chafin ‘14 The Academy President’s Leadership Award Peter Jin ‘13 Marcus Williams ‘13 The Athena Award Anastasia Voellm ‘13 The Lincoln Award Marcus Williams ‘13 Most Genteel Female Award McKenzie Marshall ‘13 Most Genteel Male Award Manuel Prado ‘13 George M. Wines Most Unselfish Service Award Juliet Arcila Rojas ‘13 Best All-Around Cadet Ashley McManus ‘13 American Citizenship Awards 9th Dabin Seong ‘16

Johnny Wong ‘16

William Wong ‘16 10th

Doug Brennand ‘15 Malik Cochran ‘15

11th

Grace Alexander ‘14 Deborah Kim ‘14

President’s Award for Academic Achievement Tanner Blankenship ‘13 Cozette Boakye ‘13 Li Deng ‘13 Elizabeth Doran ‘13 Yibo Feng ‘13 Hunter Kaye ‘13 Phat Le ‘13 So Yun Lee ‘13 Jackson McGraw ‘13 Tung Nguyen ‘13 Van Nguyen ‘13 Enyonam Odoom ‘13 Kalin Olimpo ‘13 Benjamin Pederson ‘13 Caleb Phillips ‘13 Manuel Prado ‘13 Anastasia Voellm ‘13 Jitao Wang ‘13 Marcus Williams ‘13 Presidential Academic Education Award for Academic Excellence Thomas Abell ‘13 Lauren Allen ‘13 George Beals PG‘13 Andrew Criminski ‘13 Quang Hien Dang ‘13 Imran Doraney ‘13 Peter Jin ‘13 Samantha Kelley ‘13 Shaomei Lu ‘13 Allyson McManus ‘13 Ashley McManus ‘13 Magdalena McNeill ‘13 Rabia Otry ‘13 Carissa Vaccaro PG‘13 Wen Yin ‘13 Thespian Award Samantha Kelley ‘13 Theatre Leadership Award Margot Cramer ‘14 Theatre Journey Award Dillon Marshall ‘14

12th Tanner Blankenship ‘13

Rabia Otry ‘13

Certificate for Art – 3D Uzoamaka Njoku ‘14

Outstanding Cadet Awards 9th Emma Bunker ‘16 10th Shelby Sebring ‘15 11th Caitlin Bunker ‘14 12th Allyson McManus ‘13

Certificate for Art – 2D Siqi Tang ‘14

Outstanding Performance In Ground School Grace Alexander ‘14 George Beals PG

Old Testament Carson Holder ‘14 New Testament Faith Funderberg ‘14 World Religion Ashley Grossman ‘16

World History II ZiYun Wang ‘16

AP Chemistry Ashley McManus ‘13

Spanish Honors III Jessica Neupane ‘15

Honors World History II Meghan Melberg ‘16

Honors Anatomy and Physiology Caitlin Bunker ‘14

Spanish College IV Caitlin Bunker ‘14

20th Century Warfare Madeline Chafin ‘14 AP Psychology Grace Alexander ‘14 U.S. History Jacob Dodson ‘15 AP U.S. History Debbie Kim ‘14 AP Art History Catey Borden ‘14 AP European History Grace Alexander ‘14 U.S. Government Benjamin Pederson ‘13 AP U.S. Government Jackson McGraw ‘13 Computer Literacy Madeline Chafin ‘14 Algebra I Peter Blair ‘16 Geometry Katelyn Shea ‘17 Honors Geometry Jingwen Gong ‘16 Algebra II/Trigonometry Ming-Yi Chu ‘15 Honors Algebra II/ Trigonometry Meghan Melberg ‘16 Pre-Calculus Ye Eun Jung ‘14 Honors Pre-Calculus ZiYun Wang ‘16 Statistics Siqi Xie ‘14 AP Calculus Andrew Criminski ‘13 Biology Shelby Sebring ‘15 AP Biology Peter Jin ‘13 Investigative Lab Science ZiYun Wang ‘16 Engineering Fundamentals Jonathan Moore ‘14 Chemistry Meghan Melberg ‘16

Physics Jiafeng Su ‘14 AP Physics Siqi Xie ‘14 Top Researcher (English 9) Meghan Melberg ‘16 Randolph College Book Award Kelli Hutcheson ‘14 English 9 ZiYun Wang ‘16 Honors English 9 Meghan Melberg ‘16 English 10 Chiwenitem Ndigwe ‘15 Honors English 10 Jacob Dodson ‘15 American Literature Fily Thiam ‘14 AP English 11 Grace Alexander ‘14 Honors The Arts in Society Caitlin Bunker ‘14 Honor Utopia/Dystopia Ashley McManus ‘13 British Literature Thomas Abell ‘13 AP English 12 Samantha Kelley ‘13 Community Service Award Caitlin Bunker ‘14 Jacob Dodson ‘15 Residential Life Awards Markeesha Gibson ‘14 Manuel Prado ‘13 English As A Second Language (ESL) II Qi Jiang ‘15 ESL III Haoran Zhang ‘15

Spanish Honors V Anastasia Voellm ‘13 German I Shelby Sebring ‘15 German II Siqi Xie ‘14 German III Li Deng ‘13 AP German IV Jonathan Pederson ‘15 AP German V Peter Jin ‘13 AP German VI Savannah Rhodes ‘14 German National Honor Society Award Savannah Rhodes ‘14 Foreign Language National Exam Awards German Gold Standard Li Deng ‘13 William Fausnaugh ‘15 Paige Hollis ‘15 Meghan Melberg ‘16 Daniel Nascimento ‘16 Natalie Pendie ‘15 Shelby Sebring ‘15 Silver Standard Jake Branham ‘16 Quang Hein Dang ‘13 Rebel Hafner ‘15 Bronze Standard Jacob Dodson ‘15 Peter Jin ‘13 Rabia Otry ‘13 Jonathan Pederson ‘15 Dennis Ponn ‘17 Savannah Rhodes ‘14 Honorable Mention Jasmine Bowers ‘17 Sabrina Ford ‘14 Siqi Xie ‘14

Mainstream English Jingwen Gong ‘16

Spanish Silver Standard Ethiene Mbakassy ‘16

Spanish I Taylor Jones ‘16

Bronze Standard Ming-Yi Chu ‘15

Spanish II Amy Gray ‘15

Honorable Mention Gabriel Barnaby ‘16 Michael Bond ‘16

Robert DeBerry ‘16 Amy Gray ‘15 Taylor Jones ‘16 Samantha Kelley ‘13 Mazrukh Khan ‘15 Herman Mangueira ‘14 Jessica Neupane ‘15 Katelyn Shea ‘17 Kyle Sim ‘15 Virginia Mathematics League Certificates of Merit Ming Gong ‘14 Tung Nguyen ‘13 Siqi Tang ‘14 Siqi Xie ‘14 Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Competition Algebra II 2nd Place – Paige Hollis ‘15 3rd Place – Johnny Wong ‘16 Pre-Calculus 2nd Place – Ming Gong ‘14 3rd Place – Bill Choi ‘14 Calculus 1st Place – Jitao Wang ‘13 3rd Place – Li Deng ’13 Rensselaer Medal for Science, Engineering, and Technology Benjamin Gillis ‘14 Literary Magazine Prizewinners Grand Prize Shelby Sebring ’15 Fiction Shelby Sebring ’15 Nonfiction Ixel Ochoa ’15 Poetry George Beals PG’13 Shelby Sebring ’15 Paige Hollis ’15 Art Duane Doku ’13 Na Hyun Han ’16 Photography James Christoph ’15 Read Letters, The Literary Magazine of Randolph-Macon Academy, online by scanning this QR code:

13 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Middle School Accolades

English 6 Composition Outstanding Mastery Carolyn Laourdakis ’19

Math Plus Outstanding Mastery Kimberly Pitts ’18

Beginning Percussion Outstanding Mastery Katelyn Ponn ’18

Most Improved Tatiana Mabry ’19

Most Improved Hunter Gillis ’19

Most Improved Bailey Sims ’18

English 6 Literature Outstanding Mastery Hunter Gillis ’19

Pre-Algebra Outstanding Mastery Samuel Beavers ’17 Katelyn Ponn ’18

Beginning Brass & Woodwinds Outstanding Mastery Dennis Ponn ’17

Most Improved Bradley Regeti ’19

English 7 Literature Outstanding Mastery Sarah Vaughan ’18 Most Improved John Backo ’18

English 7 Composition Outstanding Mastery Katelyn Ponn ’18 Most Improved Samuel Uzoma ’18

Most Improved Ezra Embrey ’17 Dylan Glascock ’18

Algebra 1 Outstanding Mastery Dong Eun Go ’17 Most Improved Angel Njoku ’18

Earth Science 6 Outstanding Mastery Jack Smith ’19 Most Improved Shawn Levitt ’19

English 8 Composition and Grammar Outstanding Mastery Dennis Ponn ’17 Katelyn Shea ’17

Life Science 7 Outstanding Mastery Ryan Latham ’18

Most Improved Thomas Minchew ’17

Most Improved Erik Wagner ’18

English 8 Literature Outstanding Mastery Katelyn Shea ’17

Physical Science 8 Outstanding Mastery Nkeng Morfaw ’17

Most Improved Samuel Beavers ’17

Most Improved Angelique Murphy ’17

U.S. History 6 Outstanding Mastery Jack Smith ’19

Physical Education 6 Outstanding Mastery Hunter Gillis ’19

Most Improved Joseany Mbakassy ’19

Most Improved Griffin Loper ’19

Civics 7 Outstanding Mastery Katelyn Ponn ’18 Nai Jie Tsai ’18

Physical Education 7 Outstanding Mastery Angel Njoku ’18

Most Improved Gabriel Dubin ’18

World History 8 Outstanding Mastery Katelyn Shea ’17 Remington Gillis ’17 Most Improved Ceara Richards ’17 Taylor Torrance ’17

General Math Outstanding Mastery Joseany Mbakassy ’19 Most Improved Stanley Richards ’19

Most Improved Naomi Eke-Spiff ’18

Physical Education 8 Outstanding Mastery Amy Go ’17 Most Improved Olivia Nganga ’17

Art Outstanding Mastery Angelique Murphy ’17 Erik Wagner ’18 Most Improved Ceara Richards ’17 Sarah Vaughan ’18

14 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Most Improved Angelique Murphy ’17

Middle School Band Outstanding Mastery Ryan Latham ’18 Most Improved David Imansuangbon ’17

60 Plus Hours AyebaSopreye Eke-Spiff ’17 Remington Gillis ’17 Benjamin Schoonover ’17 Jie Yi Xu ’17

Most Dedicated Member/Most Hours Served Thomas Minchew ’17

Chapel Assistants Lauren Anderson ’17 John Backo ’18 Jasmine Bowers ’17 Ceara Richards ’17 Stanley Richards ’19 Taylor Torrance ’18 Jordan Williams ’17

Upper School Band Participants AyebaSopreye Eke-Spiff ’17 Remington Gillis ’17 Olivia Katab ’17 Cole Pawlak ’17 Benjamin Schoonover ’17

Student Council Association President Dennis Ponn ’17

Digital Piano Outstanding Mastery Elizabeth Cochran ’18 Katelyn Shea ’17

Treasurer Jie Yi Xu ’17

Most Improved Carolyn Laourdakis ’19 Olivia Nganga ’17

Yearbook/Photography Outstanding Mastery Nai Jie Tsai ’18 Most Improved Naomi Eke-Spiff ’18 Angel Njoku ’18

National Geographic Bee John Backo ’19 Ken Gilland ’17 David Imansuangbon ’17 Olivia Katab ’17 Ryan Latham ’18 Angelique Murphy ’17 Dennis Ponn ’17 Stanley Richards ’19 Benjamin Schoonover ’17 Community Service Award 30 Plus Hours John Backo ’18 Samuel Beavers ’17 Michael Grossman ’18 Olivia Katab ’17 Alexander Ndongo-Seh ’17 Angel Njoku ’18 Kimberly Pitts ’18 Katelyn Ponn ’18 Katelyn Shea ’17 Harry Su ’18 Junchao Yin ’17

Vice President Nkeng Morfaw ’17 Secretary Katelyn Ponn ’18

Sergeant-at-Arms Joseph Silek ’17

Interact Club Awards Dylan Glascock ’18 Thomas Minchew ’17 Joseph Silek ’17 Outstanding Athletes Thomas Minchew ’17 Angelique Murphy ’17 Sportsmanship AyebaSopreye Eke-Spiff ’17 Most Improved Dorm Citizen Stanley Richards ’19 Dorm Outstanding Citizenship Tanyi Makia ’17 Angelique Murphy ’17 Most Genteel Male Ezra Embrey ’17 Most Genteel Female Dong Eun Go ’17 Lincoln Award Myra Brown ’17 Aim High Award Katelyn Shea ’17 Jie Yi Xu ’17

Class of 2017 Moves on to the Next Hill On May 30, 2013, the Randolph-Macon “Simply keep it simple. Don’t make such Academy Middle School eighth grade class a big deal out of nothing. Just like wearing gathered in Boggs Chapel, surrounded by their your [blazers] today, that’s not a big thing. families, friends, and teachers. It was a big day, What’s big is the education you receive, and the middle school equivalent of graduation, the your families, and your school, and your God,” day they would be officially promoted to their he said. McIntyre pointed out that at times, freshman year of high school. students may wonder why certain rules existed Middle School principal, Derrick Leasure or why they had to focus on their studies so started the promotion ceremony by giving some much. “The reason you have to do this, or why interesting and impressive statistics about the you do this is to bring yourself into a better eighth grade class: light, make yourself stronger.”

• The average eighth grader has a 3.5 GPA McIntyre also complimented the class any given quarter. on the hours they had served in the local • 65% of the eighth grade is on the community. “It’s hard for you to realize right Principal’s List or President’s List every quarter. now, but it means so much to this community, • Eighth grade composite scores on the to have you all go outside and do things,” he George McIntyre ’69, a local Explore standardized test placed them above said. businessman and an R-MA alumnus 75% of their peers nationally.

Written in part by Rebecca Stickley. and past parent, addresses the eighth • One-third of the eighth graders have graders. been inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

• 100% of the eighth graders participated in an interscholastic sport.

• The eighth grade class posted over 1,000 hours of community service this year.

• 80% of the eighth grade class takes high school classes at the R-MA Upper School; several of those are honors courses or sophomore level courses.

These statistics show just how dedicated and prepared the eighth grade class is for high school. Leasure closed with a quote from Nelson Mandela: “After climbing a great hill one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

He then encouraged the eighth graders to keep their eyes on the peak of the next hill as they begin their freshman year.

The guest speaker was George McIntyre, a long-time R-MA supporter. In addition to being a 1969 graduate of the Academy and a former member of the Board of Trustees, his three children are graduates of R-MA. McIntyre is a local business man as the owner of the Apple House of Linden, but has had far reaching impact on Warren County and the They don’t wear caps, so some of the graduating eighth graders did the next best Shenandoah Valley. He had just one philosophy to share thing to celebrate their promotion: they tossed their blazers in the air! with the students who were moving on: Keep it simple.

Greeners, continued from page 3

they had a lot of work to do. As a result, they worked on their project during every spare moment they had, up until 12:30 a.m. each night.

Their final presentation was Friday morning.

“There was a buzz of energy about what we were presenting, and it was all by word-of-mouth,” said Mr. Gillis. “We had judges and other people from other tables coming to give us ideas. We presented to five judges—they had different judges every day because they brought in judges who were experts in the subject matter each day.

When we finished our pitch, there was a long pause, because the judges had to think of questions. With the other presentations, they were quick with questions, but our presentation was so rock-solid they had to stop and think. That was a very confirming thing.”

In between their presentations and preparations, the students and Mr. Gillis were able to attend sessions presented by professionals and icons such as Alan Bean, the fourth person to walk on the moon. “He told us three things,” said Mr. Gillis. “First, be a good teammate. Find the positive in every teammate. Second, hold on to your dreams. No

one else will believe in your dream, because it’s your dream. And here’s what we learned about leadership—it’s when you trust your teammates.”

“It was a definite shift in how I think about things,” Edwin said of the five-day experience. “I thought [the people there] would be rich entrepreneurs, maybe stuck up, but they are down-to-earth people, aggressive but outgoing people who deserve to make a difference in the world.”

“It was life-changing,” said Ben. “Sitting in a seat in an eleventh grade classroom, I don’t see myself in college. I can’t make that transition. But when you go places like that, it helps you bridge that gap. If they’re that talented, then I am too. It makes you realize what’s possible and that it’s achievable.”

“I learned a lot,” said Mr. Gillis. “I learned a lot about technology, a lot about what’s possible. I learned to dream again and how important it is to dream. And now, my dream is for everyone [in my classes] to go to this event.”

15 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Community Service Projects Help Those Near and Far It was an incredible year for the community service programs at the Upper School and the Middle School as the students continued with on-campus projects such as assisting various offices and running the campus recycling program, and still found time and ways to reach out to the community and the world. Here are just a few of the projects that took place this spring!

Stuffed Animals for First Responders

For several weeks this spring the students of Randolph-Macon Academy held a stuffed animal drive, asking family, friends, staff, and faculty to bring in new or gently used stuffed animals. These toys were destined to be delivered to the local police departments and fire departments, so that when a child experiences a tragedy, the first responder is able to provide a small measure of comfort by giving that child a stuffed animal. The results were impressive: 595 stuffed animals were collected over the one-month period.

The idea for the collection came from Community Service Director Stephanie Portillo. Her niece had some stuffed animals to give away, and knew that Portillo would find just the right place.

Portillo recalled hearing that first responders often give stuffed animals to traumatized children, so she contacted Warren County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Eddie Long, who also works as a Night Cadet Life Supervisor at R-MA. On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, Bill Curl’s mentoring group (Curl is Middle School English teacher and mentor, as well as a member of the R-MA Class of 1966) and Portillo presented the “mountain” of stuffed animals to representatives from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Front Royal Police Department.

“I’ll tell you, what these kids did, I think is amazing,” said Long. “I had no idea when Stephanie came to me with this project that they would collect a mound of stuffed animals…almost 600, that’s amazing. We deal with a lot of kids that are traumatized every day through different aspects of life—court systems, fires, accidents, assaults.... A little stuffed animal like that can make a child smile and forget about some of their problems for a while.”

Above, Deputy Eddie Long from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Sam Beavers ’17, and Front Royal Police Chief Norman Shiflett begin packing up the stuffed animals. At right, Orion Piper ’17 carries bags out to the waiting DARE vehicle, which would distribute the stuffed animals to first responders throughout Warren County.

Photos by Misti Walters.

16 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

R-MA Middle School in particular took ownership of the stuffed animal drive, contributing 518 of the 595 animals. Portillo decided to create a small competition for the Middle School students to make it more fun: she offered to host a piñata party for the mentoring group that brought in the most stuffed animals. The “winner” was English teacher Bill Curl’s group, which brought in a total of 187 stuffed animals.

“It’s like helping out other people who aren’t very fortunate or who are just in traumatic experiences,” said Orion Piper ’17. He brought in approximately 100 stuffed animals.

The stuffed animals were split between the Front Royal Police Department, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and local fire and rescue units.

Wounded Warrior Collection

At the start of the Middle School Interact Club’s second year, the students told faculty advisor Michael Williams that they wanted more ownership of the program. He was only too happy to oblige the request. What came out of it was the continuation of projects started last year, such as the roadside clean-up, the coat drive for the Salvation Army, and Penny Wars for Rotarians Against Hunger, which raised over $300. At the same time, the students also developed a passion for a few new projects: gleaning (picking leftover crops for food pantries), volunteering at the local animal shelter, and perhaps the most moving of all, the Wounded Warrior Project.

The idea to raise funds for Wounded Warrior grew from Joseph Silek ’17, whose older brother, Ryan Lamke ’03, is a Purple Heart recipient and was assisted by the Wounded Warrior Project upon his return to the U.S. While Silek and the other students initially hoped to host a golf tournament to raise funds, they decided to challenge their fellow students to fill a five-gallon jug with coins instead.

“It was a daunting task,” said Williams. “We didn’t even fill it one-quarter of the way and there was over $300 in there.”

“To raise $300 in change in a school of 60 students is outstanding,” observed Thomas Minchew ’17.

The fundraising took place over the course of a month, but perhaps the most important part of the process was that the students came to understand exactly what the Wounded Warrior Project was.

Williams brought in a series of speakers, including occupational therapist Major Amy Gray (U.S. Army), Lamke, and Staff Sergeant “Bunky” Woods, who is a well-known wounded warrior in the local community.

“One of the things I struggle with as the Middle School Interact advisor is how chatty the kids are,” Williams stated bluntly. “When Bunky spoke, it was silent. Even kids not prone to show appreciation were openly and verbally appreciative to Bunky.”

“He made the difference,” agreed Minchew. “It made them [the students] realize what this fundraiser was going to help. I didn’t know much about the Wounded Warrior Project. I didn’t realize they provide clothes and other necessities.”

candy, Girl Scout cookies, and letters from the students.

Nkeng Morfaw, one of the students in Curl’s mentoring group, said that he participated in the letter-writing campaign because it was important “to show we appreciate what all the soldiers are doing for us.”

“Even if sometimes you do not hear it, I want you to know that we are grateful for everything we do for our country,” wrote one student.

“We are praying for you,” wrote another.

Upper School students fold letters, pack Easter eggs, and sort magazines. After everything--including calendars, Girl Scout cookies, comics, candy, and more--was sorted, the Middle School group packed the boxes to go to the military units overseas.

Letters to Soldiers

There’s something special about the flag that was presented to Randolph-Macon Academy President Maj Gen Henry M. Hobgood, USAF Retired, on Thursday, May 2, 2013: it was carried on patrol in Afghanistan by MSgt Paul Harrison, USAF, in honor of Randolph-Macon Academy Middle School students.

Sam Beavers ’17, Ben Schoonover ’17, and Joseph Silek ’17 fold the flag that For years, Community Service Director Stephanie Portillo MSgt Paul Harrison, USAF, carried on patrol in honor of the R-MA Middle has engaged R-MA students in campaigns to write letters School students. and send care packages to soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Members of the community can ask for letters to be sent to their deployed relatives and friends, but most of Student-Led Projects the letters go through a program called AnySoldier.com; therefore the At the end of the school year, two Upper School students were students do not even know to whom the letters are going. Military inspired to take on community service projects for two very different supervisors and other personnel typically hand the letters out to reasons. soldiers who are not receiving letters from home, or to those they Rongsong Cai ’14 heard about the earthquake in China and know just need an extra pick-me-up. learned that there were students at Randolph-Macon Academy who Harrison, who received the R-MA packages for his unit, wrote were from that area. “I was just looking on the internet one day and to Portillo in an e-mail, “I received the boxes and boxes of packages saw that 180 people died in the earthquake,” he said. “I saw a picture [and] messages and passed them out. There are a few people here that of children in ashes, crying. I was shocked.” don’t receive mail. So when I gave them the card and said it was for Cai wrote a speech about his plan to raise funds for those in need, them, their faces lit up. It made me feel like Santa’s helper.” and presented it to the cadet corps during chapel. His impassioned As a way of thanking the students, Harrison carried a flag out plea touched many hearts, and $348 was collected the first day. on patrol with him in Afghanistan, and sent it to Stephanie Portillo, The National Honor Society gave a $200 gift, and then Community along with a certificate of dedication, some Afghan money and the Service Director Stephanie Portillo suggested Cai put donation cans sincere appreciation of his entire unit. Although R-MA has received in the Chinese restaurants in the area, which he did. When it came such flags before, this is the first one to be specifically designated for time to count up the funds, Cai learned that the R-MA community had the R-MA Middle School. Sam Beavers ’17, Joseph Silek ’17, and donated $631.36 and the restaurant collections totaled $268.64, giving Ben Schoonover ’17, the three students who wrote the most letters him a total of $900 to donate to the American Red Cross to help the in the Middle School’s letter-writing campaign, folded the flag and victims of the earthquake in China. presented it to Hobgood.

During this same time period, David Lee ’14 had a project of his In addition to presenting the flag, the three students joined the own going on as he collected clothing for the Blue Ridge Hospice rest of Bill Curl’s mentoring group in Portillo’s classroom the next Thrift Store. He placed bins around campus and collected clothing for day to put together the next round of soldier care packages to be sent several weeks before donating the items. This was part of his Eagle out. These boxes were filled with newspaper comics, magazines, Scout project.

17 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Spring Semester Events Add More Fun to Student Life The spring semester was full of new events this year, offering plenty of excitement to students on campus and even around the community.

who attended was asking if we’d do it again the next month! The credit for that truly goes to Rebekah; she did most of the organizing for this event.”

Shenandoah Valley Chess Tournament

Table Tennis Tournament

With the success of fun activities added to the calendar during the first half When Public Relations Intern Rebekah of this year—such as Trunk-or-Treat and Secrist interviewed chess master Yangboya the Christmas Tree Illumination—Director Liu ’13 for an article in The Sabre Magazine, of Student Life Michael Williams and Director of Public Relations Celeste Brooks Commandant Gary Sadler decided to keep thought it might be a good time for the the momentum going.

Academy to host an interscholastic chess Li Deng ’13 studies the chess board as he During March, students were able tournament. considers his next move during the tournament. to compete in the Inaugural Table Tennis “I knew nothing about chess Championship, which culminated in the tournaments,” she admitted. “I just thought it championship games for males and females would be great for chess lovers in the area to play against a nationally on March 21, 2013. Scheduling conflicts did prevent a few students ranked person. We weren’t sure what type of response we would get, from participating, but that didn’t detract from the fun! McKenzie but Rebekah took charge and ran with the project anyway.”

Marshall ‘13 and Jingze Li ‘16 were the girls’ and boys’ champions, It didn’t take long for the two of them to learn that the idea respectively. The runners-up were Wen Zheng ‘13 and Travis Pullen sparked a great amount of interest among area schools. It turned ‘14. out that chess clubs had lost their funding and as a result, some had become disorganized. The faculty advisors and student leaders were Community Picnic eager to participate in the tournament. On the day of the tournament, On May 16, 2013, the R-MA family joined together in a 15 students arrived (the organizers pulled in an additional student to Community Picnic for which the weather turned out to be beautiful. fill in for the round-robin competition), with approximately half of Students, along with staff and faculty and their families, enjoyed BBQ them being from public schools in the area. chicken, a dunk tank, slip-and-slide, soccer, basketball, football, a “It was a great turnout for the first time,” said Brooks. “Everyone water balloon fight, and a bonfire.

Spring 2013 Honor Society Inductions Congratulations to the following students on being inducted into their respective honor societies this past spring:

National Honor Society George Beals PG Xin Ma ‘15 Hyungrag Choi ‘14 Madeleine Oram ‘15 Austin Lee ‘15 Jonathan Pederson ‘15 Kai Liang ‘14 Natalie Pendie ‘15 Shelby Sebring ‘15

National Junior Honor Society Dong Eun Go ‘17 Jake Branham ‘16 Jingwen Gong ‘16 Elizabeth Cochran ‘17 Kimberly Pitts ‘18 Robert DeBerry ‘16 Bailey Sims ‘18

National Spanish Honor Society D’Andre Allen ‘14 Gordon Anderson ‘15 Emmanuel Arellano ‘14 Quinn Blankenship ‘16 Cody Borden ‘16 Emma Bunker ‘16 Zachary Chin ‘15 Hyungrag Choi ‘14 Ming-Yi Chu ‘15 Robert DeBerry ‘16 Neil Dutton ‘13

Amy Gray ‘15 Sarah Hoeing ‘16 Paige Hollis ‘15 Austin Lee ‘15 Louis Lindsay ‘16 Victor Marshall ‘14 Jessica Neupane ‘15 Van Nguyen ‘13 Thomas Powars ‘16 Katelyn Shea ‘17 Thomas Shea ‘16 Siqi Tang ‘14

National German Honor Society

National English Honor Society

Jessica Neupane ‘15 Paige Hollis ‘15 Jonathan Pederson ‘15

18 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Rebel Hafner ‘15 Jake Branham ‘16 Raleigh Holmes ‘16 Andrew Criminski ‘13 Rabia Otry ‘13 Hien Quang Dang ‘13 Dennis Ponn ‘17 Li Deng ‘13 Benjamin Schoonover ‘17

Flight Students Go Airborne: Solos and Private Pilots George Beals ’13 (PG) Solo: May 14, 2013 Hometown: Centennial, CO

Killian Hopcroft ’13 Solo: October 25, 2012 Hometown: Arlington, VA

Ben Stolzer ’14 Solo: November 1, 2012 Hometown: Port Orange, FL

David Lee ’14 Solo: April 25, 2013 Hometown: Potomac, MD

Keijerian “KJ” Graham ’13 Solo: May 24, 2013 Hometown: Waynesboro, PA

C. Grace Alexander ’14 Solo: January 23, 2013 Hometown: Front Royal, VA

James Christoph ’15

Emmanuel Arellano ’14 Solo: March 27, 2013 Hometown: Chicago, IL

Solo: May 30, 2013 Hometown: Front Royal, VA

Thomas Abell ’13 Private Pilot Certification: August 2, 2013 Hometown: Front Royal, VA

Justin Miernicki ’13 Private Pilot Certification: May 26, 2013 Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Yun Tae Kim ’14 Solo: May 21, 2013 Hometown: Wonju City, South Korea

Manny Prado ’13 Private Pilot Certification: May 26, 2013 Hometown: Guatemala City, Guatemala 19 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

faculty & staff

Farewell to an R-MA Leader: Former President Col Arvin Williams Colonel Arvin Samuel Williams, USAF Retired, passed away April 10, 2013 at the age of 92. Col Williams dedicated over 30 years of his life to Randolph-Macon Academy’s students, serving as a teacher and coach and in other administrative roles from 1947-1968 and as the Academy’s president from 1969-1978. On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, the R-MA family gathered together in Boggs Chapel to remember the man who had been a friend to so many.

Williams was born and raised in Wise County in southwestern Virginia. He graduated in 1942 from Milligan College, in Tennessee, with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and mathematics.

While at Milligan, he played fullback and was co-captain of the football team. Upon graduation, he began teaching biology and chemistry and coached varsity football and basketball at Norton High School. In August of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve and was called to active duty in March 1943. Upon receiving his pilot’s wings in 1944, he piloted B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II. During his time in the military, he served throughout the U.S. and Europe, and eventually achieved the rank of Colonel in the USAF Reserves. He served as the liaison officer for the U.S. Air Force Academy for Virginia and West Virginia, and he also participated in two active duty tours at the Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Williams first came to R-MA in 1947 as a mathematics teacher and the line coach for the varsity football team. He served as the Academy’s Registrar from 1949 to 1955, Director of Development from 1955-1957 while Melton Memorial Gymnasium was under construction, and was Athletic Director from 1957-1964.

During those years, in addition to coaching varsity football, he coached the varsity swim team and the varsity wrestling team. He served as Executive Vice President, then Vice President, and finally became President of the Academy in 1969.

Williams’ time as President was a time at which the Academy truly needed a strong but empathetic leader as social changes were rushing in. He was President during the admission of the first African American in 1971 and the first female cadets in 1974. But perhaps the Academy’s greatest challenge during Williams’ presidency was the low enrollment: in his first year, enrollment was down to 274 students—44 under capacity. As the Vietnam War drew to a close, military schools across America were suffering from the backlash of the national negativity towards the military, and the social changes occurring were not making military schools a popular choice. Many military schools did not survive this era, including the Virginia military schools of Augusta Military Academy, Staunton Military Academy, and Frederick Military Academy.

At R-MA, the enrollment continued to decline as well. Williams and the Board struggled with what to do. “Although President Williams was seen as the person to restore the traditions at R-MA, established by Col [John C.] Boggs, Arvin had a way of making changes which kept the institution afloat,” said Dave Moore ‘53.

The enrollment issue certainly was a factor in the decisions to eliminate the barriers of race, ethnicity, and gender, and to welcome all to R-MA, but perhaps the biggest change was yet to come. R-MA had been part of the National Defense Cadet Corps under the U.S. Army since 1917. With enrollment declining, Williams and the Board of Trustees made the courageous move to an Air Force JROTC program in 1975. They also added seventh grade to the R-MA program.

20 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

“His recognition of the need for dramatic change, coupled with his devoted loyalty to the Academy, made these changes possible,” observed Moore. “Col Williams’ years of service, his dedication, his popularity with alumni, and his quiet reserve and determination that the Academy succeed helped to sustain the Academy through those trying times.”

Williams retired in 1978, totaling 31 years of service to R-MA. Of those years, it is not the sweeping social changes that the alumni remember. Instead, it is his deep level of love and empathy for his fellow man, and in particular for the cadets of R-MA. Moore recalled how when he first began attending R-MA in 1949, Williams was dating Emma Mauck, the secretary to then-president Col John Boggs. Throughout the years, Williams often sent Moore to see Mauck with a note in hand. Moore, believing them to be love notes, never opened them, but always Mauck would give him a hug after reading the note, and Moore left in better spirits than when he had arrived. Years later, Williams asked if he knew what the notes had said.

“I said, ‘Arvin, I don’t know, I never read the notes. I thought they were love letters to Emma,’” Moore recalled. “Arvin smiled, telling me that the notes said, “Emma, Davey needs a hug.”

Evidence of Williams’ love for the students abounds in stories such as these.

Ron Simar ’66 shared that because he failed room inspections and talked in study hall after being told not to, he was assigned to march five tours. At that time, three tours were held on Friday nights, and three on Saturday nights.

Assigned five tours, a student could not leave campus all day on Saturday, because they couldn’t leave until the tours were complete. The problem?

Simar was to pitch a baseball game that Saturday.

Simar went to meet with his coach, Lyle McFall, Commandant Col Robert Rives, Vice President Col George Riddick, and Williams, who was the athletic director. “You can imagine how scared I was,” Simar said. “I went in, they raked me over the coals. Col Rives and Col Riddick did a good job of making me realize the situation and feel very guilty for my indiscretion.”

Williams, however, didn’t say a word. Rives declared that because the team would return before tours and Simar would be able to walk off the tours, they were going to let him go to the game. “My knees were still shaking,” Simar recalled. “It was a tense moment.

He said ‘You’re dismissed.” Before I could do an about-face to leave the office, Arvin Williams said, ‘Just a minute. Simar, if you don’t win that game today, don’t come back.’ And he grinned that Arvin Williams grin. That was the first dealing, actually, after all these months at school, that I had had with Arvin. And he was sensitive enough, he was such a compassionate man…. He knew that I was a nervous wreck. He knew I needed a light moment, and he provided that. And I’ve always appreciated it.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Emma and Arvin Williams Scholarship Fund at Randolph-Macon Academy, 200 Academy Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630.

Hear more memories of Col Williams by scanning the QR code:

Beloved Teacher “D.P.” Passes Away J. Craig Porter Jr., beloved former teacher, “The depth with dean, and admissions director at RandolphMacon Academy, died on April 19, 2013 at which he touched the age of 65, following years of multiple our lives--often complications arising from his diabetic disease. through simple acts of Porter arrived at Randolph-Macon thoughtfulness, kindness, Academy in the summer of 1983. He began his career at R-MA as an English teacher. He prodding and griping— was named as the English department head, is a remarkable legacy then became the Director of Admissions of that will live on....” the Academy for five years. In 1994, he was promoted to Upper School Academic Dean.

Paul Lawrence ’87 Even after he left this post in 1999 to return to teaching, students referred to him as Dean “‘I love the smell of napalm in the Porter and eventually nicknamed him “D.P.” morning.’ ‘Charlie don’t surf.’ - I will never With a dry, quick sense of humor and a forget the first day of class sitting down in DP’s deep abiding love for the students he served, room and reading all the quotes he had on the “D.P.” was a favorite among the cadets, and board. I can admit I was intimidated sitting in alumni from across the years returned for his his classroom for the first time but little did Craig Porter, also known as “D.P.” to the I know how much he would help me in my memorial service, which was held on campus students, received an honorary diploma life. Unless you helped yourself and made an on May 10, 2013. when he retired in 2011.

“Craig Porter was remarkable,” said Paul effort in his class you would never understand Lawrence ’87, who spoke on behalf of the how much that man cared about his students. alumni at Porter’s memorial service. “His life was remarkable. The An investment of interest that made you try harder and the sense depth with which he touched our lives--often through simple acts of accomplishment when he would give you a compliment are the of thoughtfulness, kindness, prodding and griping—is a remarkable memories I will cherish and I thank him for pushing me to that level. legacy that will live on in the memories that each of us will cherish Outside of the classroom I was lucky enough to get to know Dean and in stories we will continue to tell.”

Porter on a more personal level and in the two years I spent at R-MA “What these stories share at their core is the great impact that he (and Barley) never missed a home baseball game. Although he one person can make on another’s life in the seemingly simple act of has left this world his legacy will live on in all the lives he touched. reaching out and making Thank you, DP, rest in paradise.” –Colin Skerl ’04 that human connection,” “DP was an exceptional person. He was a friend to everyone who Lawrence continued. needed one. Not only did he challenge his students to think outside “For many of us as the box and gain their own perspectives into literature, he never teenagers, his classroom criticized what they came up with. He made class fun and funny and was like nothing we yet so much was learned. Some of my favorite novels were first read had ever experienced in his class and they became my favorites because of the perspective before.” he shed on them. I will never look at goldfish without remembering Those stories you, DP. I am forever sorry that I did not get the chance to tell you are being told across how much you and your class meant to me. What ho, and thank alumni gatherings and you.”—Sydney Magar ’09 on social media. Here “Whether we are students for only twelve years or twenty, very are a few tributes from few teachers touch our hearts the way that Craig Porter did. Very few alumni, as posted on the teachers leave us, after a single lesson, looking forward to the next “Remembering Craig day; not only for the next class but for what possibilities that day may Porter” Facebook group: hold for us. The lessons I learned from Mr. Porter, about Shakespeare, “I had Mr. Porter Eminem, and about life, will be with me forever. Sweet dreams, DP. for 11th and 12th grade We will miss you.” ♥ Cari Robinson, Class of 2007 Honors English and was able to get to know him Memorials may be made to The Craig Porter, Jr., Scholarship even more when I was a Fund at Randolph-Macon Academy, 200 Academy Drive, Front Royal, Craig Porter congratulates Bryan Moore teacher at the academy.

Virginia 22630. ’84 on his graduation.

He was a great man who dedicated his life to the young men and women whom he taught. Even though we read and discussed the novels and books assigned to us and wrote many essays, In further recognition of how many lives it was life he taught us about. It was tolerance and perspective and understanding. Grendel, the book about the monster’s viewpoint from these two great men touched, a list of those Beowulf, is a great example of Mr. P’s wisdom. He made us figure who made memorial contributions to R-MA it out and tell him. Thinking is what he really taught, not reading in their honor is located on page 32. and writing, and for that I thank you Craig Porter. You made a huge difference in so many lives and you are well remembered my friend.”

–Michael Turner ’86 21 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

International Friendships Formed Through Exchange Program

by Brian C. Barbour, Social Studies Department Chair On June 13, 2013 twelve students embarked on an adventure that would forever change their lives. They traveled to a country filled with history and culture: the land of King Arthur, Sir Francis Drake, the Magna Carta, the Duke of Wellington, William Shakespeare, and the Beatles. That country is the United Kingdom. For more than a decade, over 200 students have participated in the British Exchange Program, which exists between Randolph-Macon Academy and the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School of Ashbourne in Derbyshire.

Students who attended the exchange participated in classes on British History and Literature, Dramatic Arts, Sculpture, Mathematics, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and Music.

I was honored that this year after three years, students were able to meet the Lord Mayor of Derby. The highlight of the visit was seeing the Sergeant-at-Arms actually knight one of our students in honor of her recent birthday. Going to Chatsworth, the home of the 12th Duke of Devonshire was also an experience that the students thoroughly enjoyed. Chatsworth is the official home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family. The architecture and art collection at Chatsworth has been evolving for the past five centuries.

The house has over 30 rooms open to the public to explore, from the magnificent Painted Hall to the regal State Rooms students were able to have an experience that could only happen in England.

The collection has continually grown with each generation and the Devonshire Collection contains Old Masters, contemporary ceramics, and artifacts from Ancient Egypt, to name but a few.

Students stayed in the area before going to London. Though we only spent three days there, we experienced and saw the best that London had to offer. The students saw the musical “Wicked,” toured parliament, went on the London Eye, saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Covent Garden to name a few places. Though we did much in that time, students were able to experience, live in, and see parts of what is often referred to as the most civilized city in the world. On June 23, 2013, the students of Randolph-Macon Academy boarded a plane and returned home to America, grateful for an experience that changed their lives. It made them look at themselves differently and above all, realize that the Anglo-American relationship that was fostered in the battle and hardship of World War II, is a relationship that is not only special but unique, and must never ever end or be forgotten.

R-MA Parents’ Association: What’s it all about?

A message from the Parents’ Association The Parents’ Association is a group of parents that volunteer their time to help make R-MA a better community. Throughout the summer, while most people take vacations, visit family, or go to work, the PA’s parents put aside their busy lives and volunteer three or four hours, sometimes more, to help new parents and students feel more comfortable within the R-MA community. The PA’s parents help at the used uniform sales during registrations for the summer programs, Summer Leadership School, and the beginning of the school year. The best part of these events is many new parents are encouraged to see an experienced parent’s smiling face, giving them tips for helping their children get the most out of their new school.

During the fall, winter, and spring the PA parents continue to volunteer their time for intramural activities, mandatory afterschool events, football games, basketball games, and so much more. Students enjoy the interaction with the parents of the PA, many believing that the presence of the parents makes R-MA a more comfortable environment and school activities more fun. Kenny Goodrich ’11 stated, “Looking back… the parents were always social and kind, and if there was ever an issue, like they ran out of pizza or another food, they would always take time to find other options available.” He added, “One thing that I feel is important about the PA is it creates a different way of fundraising for the benefit of the students while also allowing the parents to have an avid voice in the school and more contact with the students on a daily basis.”

The idea that many students walk away with a good feeling about the PA is an important aspect of what makes the R-MA community unique. Many PAs at other schools find themselves at odds with the politics of the school and their responsibility to the students; therefore, some PAs become wingmen to the community rather then active participants. The active participation of the PA can only continue if everyone takes a little time out of their day to volunteer or donate to the Parents’ Association.

One thing that should also be noted is at the end of the day, it is not only important to make sure that all the finances are in order, and everyone is doing their job, but it is extremely important what students take away from the R-MA community. When push comes to shove, it is the students that create the reputation for the school and put the good word out for other potential students. At the end of the day, though the parents pay the tuition, it is the students that become active alumni within the R-MA community.

The Truth I Learned About Military School

by Rebekah Secrist Most people can remember that high school foe who became a friend by the time graduation came around. I have a similar story.

I “met” Randolph-Macon Academy in eighth grade when someone from my church became an R-MA cadet. Having lived in the area all my life, I’d already developed my thoughts on R-MA. I never went to R-MA as a student. I went to a high school in a neighboring town close to Front Royal, and R-MA was actually one of my school’s rivals that we competed against in sports. If someone asked me what I thought about R-MA in those days, I would’ve said, “It’s a jail!

It’s sad; they make those kids march EVERYWHERE. It would be miserable to go there. They make you do push-ups, and the ‘bad’ kids go there . . . you know, the ones who did something.” That was my honest impression.

22 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Fast-forward eight years later. I’m a junior studying Mass Communications at Shenandoah University, and still live in the neighboring town. Michael Williams, the director of student life at R-MA, graciously helped me obtain an internship position as the Public Relations Assistant to Celeste Brooks, R-MA’s beautiful and talented PR director. Talk about a learning experience!

On my first day, R-MA junior Madeline Chafin showed me around campus. I was shocked at how ambitious she was and at such a young age. She said she’d begged for her parents to send her to R-MA. I thought for sure that all of the cadets were there at least originally against their will, but Maddie proved this wrong.

During my first lunch at R-MA, I noticed the cadets were running See “Truth,” page 24

Spring Family Weekend Spring Family Weekend took place on April 26th and 27th. Activities included: • The First Annual Spring One-Act Festival • The Spring Family Weekend Band & Chorus Concert • Parent-Teacher Conferences • A College Readiness Seminar with College Counselor CMSgt Mary Gamache • The National Honor Society Induction/ Foreign Language Inductions • The Cadet Corp Parade • A Parent/Student Picnic Lunch • An Academy Update with General Hobgood • The 10th Grade Speech Contest Presentations

23 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

campus news

Jacket Jubilee

The Middle School Student Council Association planned a carnival called the Jacket Jubilee for all Middle School students to enjoy! The carnival took place on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Students battled it out in competitions on inflatable courses, participated in a few games led by various mentoring groups, and were supposed to dunk teachers in the dunk tank--but the students wanted to be the ones to get dunked!

Top, Joseph Silek ’17 shivers as he waits for the next plunge into the dunk tank. Above, students enjoy rides and games.

Truth, continued from page 22 into the cafeteria while laughing with each other. I honestly thought, “They know how to smile? Smiling is allowed? Are they actually happy here?”

As I began to fulfill my duties as an intern, it was my job to interview countless faculty members and students to write community press releases and articles for the school magazine, The Sabre. What I learned was that R-MA is bursting with incredible teachers and faculty that are completely passionate about R-MA’s gifted and intellectual cadets, and these cadets aren’t just brilliant and talented: they are happy! They smile! And they each have a refreshing and pleasant personality that expresses thoughtfully developed core values.

I learned that the students from R-MA excel, and that they get accepted into incredible colleges like UVA, Dartmouth, MIT, and of course the Academies. I learned that R-MA cadets get scholarships and recognition. From this, I learned that R-MA students are assigned life training responsibilities that provide valuable experiences that can be put on a resume. I learned that R-MA students enjoy an incredible education with kind, qualified, and completely committed teachers who upon auditing some classes, had me so captivated that I wished to be in high school again – but this time as a junior cadet at R-MA. I learned that R-MA has a very specific “culture.” I learned that the students are proud of that military school culture. I learned that the experience of the family R-MA offers won’t be found anywhere else.

I learned about the Alumni Association, and I learned about the goals they strive for as they drive the mission of R-MA forward. I learned 24 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Top, Hunter Gillis ’19 does her best in the bungee run. Above, Erik Wagner ’18 works his way through a slice of watermelon during the watermelon-eating contest.

that I believed in R-MA’s mission too, and I learned that Middle School Admission Counselor Pam Cole was correct when she said that R-MA students are “capable, confident, and college-ready.”

My time spent at R-MA in the few short months I’ve been here has allowed me to completely amend my original perception. I may have thought R-MA was “that awful place parents threaten their kids with,” but now I see R-MA as a kindred spirit. I have grown to love the powerful symbol of The Sabre; I love the culture of R-MA; I love constantly being amazed at the accomplishments of the students; and I love learning about the passion and zeal that is honored in R-MA’s alma mater.

Above all the other things I’ve learned since being a part of R-MA, I learned to recognize the need in people that desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and I’ve learned how R-MA develops that need and cultivates that longing within its students to turn that need into a purpose. I love this perspective on R-MA so much better than my former one. For the past eight years I’ve grown up next to R-MA; I’m honored to finally, after all this time, be a part of Randolph-Macon Academy.

This was originally published as a blog on www.info.rma.edu on March 8, 2013. Rebekah Secrist worked as an intern in the Randolph-Macon Academy Office of Public Relations from December 2012-March 2013. She is now a senior at Shenandoah University, majoring in mass communications.

Al Orgain ’61 Donates Signal Cannon This past Homecoming, the points scored by the Yellow Jackets’ varsity football team against Massanutten had a little extra sting, as a signal cannon went off with every touchdown or field goal. The small but powerfully loud cannon was brought to campus by Albert Orgain IV, a 1961 graduate of Randolph-Macon Academy. On April 12, 2013, Orgain donated a new signal cannon to the Academy during the Friday afternoon retreat ceremony.

In his presentation speech, Orgain recalled the 2012 Homecoming game and the dominating win by the Yellow Jackets of 48-34. “The president of Massanutten—I knew him from VMI, as I found out— was in the end zone as I was firing many, many times. He was not amused,” Orgain said, causing more than a few chuckles.

“It was a joyous day and a sweet victory and a memorable day,” Orgain continued.” And memories are what you are making here at R-MA. Lessons for living. Accomplishments of a young lifetime.

Learning what to do, learning what not to do. Learning what works, and what doesn’t. You are making friends right now for a lifetime.”

Indicating the cannon, he called it a “small gift” and explained his purpose in donating it. “I hope it will come to punctuate those memories, emphasize those victories and echo across this campus and in the process inspire you and all your R-MA friends.” He paused slightly, then added, “Too bad about the opponents.”

In addition to the cannon itself, Orgain donated the funds for what he called “ten winning seasons of cannon fire.” Although former R-MA president Col Arvin Williams had passed away just two days before, and current R-MA Maj Gen

Henry M. “Mack” Hobgood was soon to retire, Orgain refrained from dictating a name for the cannon. While he suggested both “Arvin” and “Mack” as appropriate names, he left it for the students to decide.

As the finale of the ceremony, Cadet Corps Commander Killian Hopcroft ’13 and Orgain fired the cannon, the noise of which surprised most of the students gathered for formation.

The cannon will reside within the Air Force JROTC department, until needed for the fall football games. Perhaps it will once again spur the Jackets onto victory!

Don’t be deceived by the size--the loud blast from this signal cannon surprised many of the cadets! Photo by Derrick Leasure.

Scan the QR code at left to see the video of the dedication ceremony.

Reaching Out a Hand in Friendship While Stephanie Portillo was on “It’s nice to help people, but to see medical leave from Randolph-Macon the face of the person you’re helping, Academy in December, she saw an article that’s totally different,” said Moore. “With written by Kim Walter in the Northern all he’s been through, he’s still smiling.”

Virginia Daily. The article was about Ries led the stretches and ran through Stephen Reis, an 11-year-old boy who the drills with the team. When Head had been diagnosed with a reoccurrence Coach Blake Hollinger gathered the of astrocytoma--a cancer of the brain players together at the start of practice, he Stephen had successfully defeated when asked for a word to summarize the day, as he was younger. His mother had also just he usually did. This time, he asked Reis. successfully battled thyroid cancer at the “I don’t know,” a very nervous Reis time, and the family estimated they had replied. paid out about $1 million in medical bills “Okay, on three,” Hollinger replied over the years. without missing a beat. “One, two, three!”

Portillo contacted the National The entire team responded with a yell Stephen Ries (left) warms up with Ben Gillis ’14.

Honor Society faculty advisor, Stephen of “I don’t know!”

Latham P’18, and told him about Reis.

As the practice progressed, however, Latham in turn worked with the NHS and the group made a small Reis became more comfortable and began enjoying himself with a donation to the family—it was more of a gesture of goodwill and wide smile. caring than something that would help them financially, but it began “I do believe Stevie will remember yesterday for the rest of his a correspondence with Reis’ mother, Tracy. As the two exchanged life as one of the best days ever!” his mother Tracy wrote in an e-mail e-mails, Latham learned that young Reis was a lacrosse fan. The afterwards. “We both had such a great time. I LOVED watching it all NHS was able to help Reis get a pair of properly fitting cleats, and unfold. Stevie was so encouraged. He was honored to be cared about invited him to attend one of their meetings on Thursday, May 2, 2013. by the NHS, and feels like the lacrosse team are his ‘big brothers.’

For Reis, the visit became about more than just attending a What a beautiful example they all set for him!!!” meeting. He did indeed get to meet the members of the NHS, but at By the end of the day, when Hollinger gathered the team back the end of the meeting, the fun was just beginning. Jonathan Moore together and asked for a word again, Reis was no longer hesitant. ’14, a member of NHS and the varsity lacrosse team, escorted Reis This time, though his words were similar, his tone was different. Now to the lacrosse field to not only meet the varsity players, but practice he was among friends as he replied, “Let’s go with ‘I don’t know!’ with them. again!”

25 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

students

Talented Twins

“McMani” Achieve Valedictorian, Salutatorian Honors In 2008, a year after Ashley and to Virginia Military Institute to study Allyson McManus arrived at R-MA, electrical engineering. Allyson, whose R-MA Middle School teacher Bill Curl middle school dream was to be a judge, had this to say: “They look the same, but is now considering several different these two young ladies are very different. career fields and will explore them at the It is true that they both like to read, are College of William and Mary. Both young very curious, intelligent, caring, sportsladies were accepted as Early Decision minded, and very talkative. Where they candidates at their respective colleges. differ is in their bubbly personalities.

The twins denied that they vied Ashley, seventh grade Allyson, seventh grade They are two totally different people who for the top spots in cadre or academics, photo. photo. want to take advantage of their education insisting instead that they were simply here at R-MA to prepare them for their separate lives as careertrying to do their best. “My motivation was to get into William and minded adults.”

Mary, because I knew it was going to be a Time has proven him right. This year, hard school to get into, and I really wanted to these intelligent twins--affectionately go there,” said Allyson. called the “McMani” by friends and And while they might not want to brag faculty--graduated at the top of their about their own strengths, each sister is quick class: Ashley as valedictorian, Allyson as to sing the praises of the other. “She is just salutatorian. Both earned high ranks in totally awesome at getting all the parade stuff the Air Force JROTC program: Allyson as together,” Allyson said of her sister. “She’s a cadet colonel with the position of vice really good at organizing.” corps commander, and Ashley as a cadet “I think what’s helped Allyson be lieutenant colonel with the position of successful is she’s really assertive, and not support group commander. Both played afraid to take charge in any situation,” said soccer and basketball, and ran crossAshley. country. Both were in the National Honor Kerry Hurst, who was Allyson’s Society, the National English Honor chemistry teacher and assistant soccer coach Society, and the National German Honor this year, agreed with Ashley’s assessment.

Ashley (left) and Allyson (right) McManus in May Society. They were also both members of “Allyson is a leader both in the classroom 2009 at the Tulip Time Festival’s Muziekparade in the Honor Council and the drill team. and on the soccer field,” he said. “She is Holland, MI, during their freshman year at R-MA. As they came into their senior never satisfied with anything less than her year, their differences became more best and is very adept at bringing out the best obvious. Ashley received the General Willard Scott Award from the in others. She has an insatiable thirst for knowledge that will serve her Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States, well as she moves forward into college. She balances her drive with a an award she was selected for against 20 other entries from military sense of humor that is infectious to everyone around her. Allyson truly schools and colleges across the nation. Meanwhile, Allyson was approaches life with a ‘can asked to represent the Academy in the Apple Blossom festivities in do’ attitude.” nearby Winchester, VA. As for Ashley, it was The young ladies have close ties to R-MA—their father Lt Col her academic dedication that R.G. McManus, USAF retired, is the senior aerospace instructor and a impressed Math Teacher Eric 1980 graduate of R-MA, and their mother, Karen McManus, is a math Barr. “One of the best things teacher at R-MA Middle School. Their sister Katelyn graduated from about Ashley is her level of R-MA in 2008, and their grandparents also taught at R-MA for 21 interest and level of effort years. Having educators for parents and grandparents encouraged the are both very high. This is twins to work hard. On a typical night, they would get home around a great combination for true 6:30 pm from sports practice, shower, eat dinner, and hit the books learning to take place,” he around 7:30. From there, they said. “She wants to get a good could be up as late as midnight grade by actually learning working on homework the material to the best of her assignments or papers, or just abilities. She doesn’t make studying for exams. They excuses or look for shortcuts. sometimes passed up parties This work ethic has been in favor of their studies—all the key to her success in in pursuit of achieving their mathematics.” dreams.

These two amazing Over the years, those young women, raised in the Maj Gen Henry M Hobgood presents dreams have changed but same home and graduating the Valedictorian Award to Ashley the twins’ ambition has not. from the same school, are during graduation.

Ashley, who once wanted to now headed on very different Allyson gives the salutatorian be a writer, has accepted an paths in life. One thing is clear: they both have the talent, drive and address during Class Night.

Air Force ROTC scholarship education to be successful, regardless of where those paths lead them.

26 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Grace Alexander ’14 Explores Ways to Serve Others C. Grace Alexander had a busy summer—she attended the Air Meanwhile, at Girls’ State, no one enforced a lights-out time, Force Academy Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, CO, the Naval but there was still a bit of a military flavor, as the “sheriff” woke Academy Summer Seminar in Annapolis, MD, and Girls’ State in everyone, the girls marched in “twosies” from place to place, and the Farmville, VA. We caught up to her after those three seminars, and students took part in a POW/MIA ceremony. she wasn’t even finished yet. The following week, she would head The Coast Guard Academy’s AIM program promised to give her out to the Coast Guard Academy’s summer program, called Academy another viewpoint. “In the Air Force and Navy summer seminars, Introduction Mission (AIM). we were basically pretending to be freshmen for a day,” she said. In The daughter of Lyle and Melinda Alexander of Front Royal, contrast, at the Coast Guard, the students were with the freshmen for Grace is a rising senior at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front a week.

Royal. Her experience with Air Force JROTC (Junior Reserve Alexander’s obvious motivation behind attending all of these Officer Training Corps) at Randolph-Macon had given her an idea of summer sessions is to build up her resume for her applications to what to expect at the Air Force and Naval the service academies. In fact, after her academies, but she would be the first to experiences, she is more determined than admit that the Virginia Girls’ State program ever to attend one of them. The U.S. held at Longwood University was much Air Force Academy excited her with more of an unknown adventure. opportunities such as being on the flight “We talked about the issues facing team and parachuting on the jump team, America today,” she said. Those topics while the Naval Academy captured her included water, childhood cancer, human attention with a major in cyber operations, trafficking, and education. The session which is a combination of computer science overall was leadership-focused, but rather and international relations. However, her than having a military focus as the academy underlying motivation for all of what she seminars did, it had a government focus, does is to serve others.

Grace Alexander ’14 (right) poses with Carissa with the 600 girls in attendance hearing “I want to help people. I want to make Vaccaro PG’13. Both young women have from the governor, lieutenant governor, and a difference,” she said. “If I go into cyber aspirations to become military officers. attorney general of Virginia, among others. operations, I can help protect the whole It was an interesting set-up, Alexander country.” said. “Each hallway is a city. We decorated our halls and elected She is already serving her ambition to help others: Alexander mayors and sheriffs,” she said, adding that her hallway won the was elected to be the Community Service Officer for the National “Model City” honor for the best city.

Honor Society for the 2013-14 school year, and regularly volunteers Alexander indicated that attending the three different programs in the admission and development offices on campus. She does this in three weeks was exhausting but fascinating, and drove home the in between flying (she earned her solo wings this school year) and difference in the programs’ philosophies. The Air Force seminar wrestling, running cross-country, and playing soccer. She is a member focused on academics. Because the administration knows that most of the National English Honor Society and an honorary member of the of the visiting students are not acclimated to the elevation, there was German National Honor Society. She is also a member of cadre, the limited physical training. In contrast, during the Naval Academy cadet leadership in the Air Force JROTC program; this past year, she seminar, Alexander said they spent from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. was the Command Chief, the highest-ranking junior on campus. in physical training. At both academy seminars, there was a rigid “Coming to R-MA, I didn’t see the military in my future. I schedule and the student leaders in charge made it a point to yell loud wanted to do non-profit work,” she said. “But now I realize they both enough to be heard. emphasize the same thing: serving others.”

Evan Anderton ’18: Happiness is Challenging Academics and Serving Others When Evan Anderton’s parents felt he wasn’t being challenged enough at his former school, they didn’t hesitate to bring him to Randolph-Macon Academy for a visit, even though his sixth grade year had just begun. Shortly after the visit, in the fall of 2010, they enrolled him at R-MA as a day student—and Anderton, who is now a member of the R-MA Class of 2018, is thankful for that decision.

“My favorite part of being here is that it’s better than the other schools and it’s harder,” said Anderton, who lives in Stephens City, VA. “That’s why I like it, because it challenges me more. And I like the people because they’re nice to me.”

When he says he is more challenged, Anderton isn’t just talking about what takes place in the classroom. With a resume that includes Interact Club, soccer, flag football, and National Junior Honor Society, his days are full. While he loves “everything about” flag football and found that he’s “actually pretty good” at playing defense on soccer, it is his time with the Interact

Club that makes Anderton light up.

“My favorite project was My Brother’s Table,” he said. “The people that came there, they didn’t have enough money to get their own food, so I thought it might be nice to give them food because they probably need it.”

“Evan is one of those quiet, unsung heroes,” observed Michael Williams, the Interact Club faculty advisor. “He doesn’t want any credit, he just wants to help. He’s an incredible young man to be around.”

“Evan is a very thoughtful and caring student,” agreed Middle School Science Teacher Joshua Ilnicki. “He never settles for average and will seek out opportunities to improve. With that said, I believe R-MA is a great fit for Evan because the small class sizes and the well-structured environment provides him with the opportunity to learn at a higher level.”

27 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

students

A Natural Leader She may only be entering the eighth grade this fall, but Kate Ponn ’18 has already established herself as a leader among her peers at R-MA Middle School. The day student from Marshall, VA, has been elected as the president of the R-MA Middle School Interact Club as well as the Student Council Association (SCA).

“I wanted to be part of the decision-making for the student body,” Ponn explained. “I like having the power of making decisions and making other people happy.” Her reasons for becoming president of the Interact Club are similar. “I like helping people. It makes me feel glad,” she said.

Ponn also enjoys following in her brother Dennis’ footsteps. He was the SCA President during the 2012-13 school year—with his sister’s help. “I figured if I ran for secretary I could keep notes and help him and my mom and everything,” Ponn said.

It doesn’t surprise Ponn’s teachers that she has two major leadership roles for the 2013-14 school year. “Kate is a natural born leader and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in--even if it means standing alone,” observed Science Teacher Joshua Ilnicki. “Coupling that with a strong

Genuine Kindness

Like her brothers, Naomi Eke-Spiff ’18 came to RandolphMacon Academy from Nigeria. Her parents were looking for the structure a military school would provide for her brothers, and found a school they thought would be a good fit for all of their children.

That has certainly proven true for Naomi, who came as a sixth grader in the fall of 2010.

“There aren’t a lot of people here like in other schools, so it’s good because you know everybody and you just hang out and talk to friends,” she said. “I really like the female teachers because if one of us girls has a problem we can go talk to them in any situation.”

“Naomi is a terrific, bubbly, young lady,” said Math Teacher Karen McManus. “She always strives to do her best work while at the same time looks for ways to improve herself intellectually and socially.”

Eke-Spiff has been active since her arrival at R-MA: she has played volleyball for two years, been on the cheerleading team for two years, and tried both swimming and tennis. Next year she will be even busier, as the student body elected her treasurer of the Student Council Association and Middle School Interact Faculty Advisor Michael Williams selected her to be the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Middle School Interact Club.

“Asking Miss Kate and Miss Naomi to be [Interact Club] officers was easy, given their passion for helping others, and the genuine nature of their personalities,” Williams asserted.

“She is a good, kind friend, which makes her well-liked,” observed McManus. “She respects the rules and the adults in her life.”

“I want to see what ideas I can bring for the school to make it more fun,” Eke-Spiff said of the SCA officer position. As for the Interact Club, she looks forward to being more active. “As an officer, it is my responsibility to be there,” she said.

28 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

attitude for success and determination, Kate is not only a great leader, but an amazing student and person.”

That determination helped Ponn win the mock trial in civics class this past year, and solidified in her mind the goal of attending Harvard University and becoming an attorney. “I have always wanted to be someone important and help people,” she said.

In addition to her leadership roles, Ponn played volleyball (and was named the Most Improved Player) and flag football this past school year, and was also the MVP of the cheerleading team during the winter sports season. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and a Girl Scout as well. All of her activities make her days long, but she wouldn’t trade her R-MA education for anything.

“Other than the fact that all my friends are here, there’s a lot of one-on-one during tutorial,” she explained. “If you have trouble, the teachers will stop the lesson and help you understand what they’re talking about. My brother and I love it so much that my sister is coming here.”

Sophomore Speech Contest Prizewinners

Middle School Speech Contest

Persuasive Speech 1st Place: Natalie Pendie “Learning from Mistakes”

8th Grade 1st Place: David Imansuangbon “Extra Terrestrials”

2nd Place: Paige Hollis “Los Beneficios of Learning una Language Segunda”

2nd Place: Ben Schoonover “Grumpy Old Men”

3rd Place: Jessica Neupane “Is Abortion Taking a Life or Saving One?”

3rd Place: Katelyn Shea “Traditional vs. Year-Round School Year”

Humorous Speech 1st Place: Jonathan Pederson “Fear of Public Speaking”

Honorable Mention (HM): Angelique Murphy “Emotions”

2nd Place: Rebel Hafner “Front Royal”

HM: Remington Gillis “The Negatives of Working Out”

3rd Place: Ixel Ochoa “His Noodly Appendages”

7th Grade 1st Place: Bailey Sims “The World of Adoption”

Expository Speech 1st Place:Maddi Oram “Eating Disorders”

2nd Place: Ryan Latham “Kinder Conundrum”

2nd Place: Jacob Dodson “Does Sibling Rivalry Help or Hurt One’s Success in Life?”

3rd Place: Angel Njoku “Olympics”

3rd Place: Shelby Sebring “Bidwell’s Special Secrets”

6th Grade 1st Place: Jack Smith “Are Ghosts Real?”

2nd Place: Hunter Gillis “Should Middle Schools Have Uniforms?

Barbour Named Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction R-MA Social Studies Department Chairman Brian Barbour was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).

NSHSS is an international honor society dedicated to highlighting the accomplishments of high school students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment. A role model to students, Barbour was nominated by Benjamin Pederson ’13 for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the classroom.

“He is extremely dedicated as a teacher and he goes above and beyond what normal teachers do,” said Pederson. “He wears many hats and he is able to do it all while keeping his sense of humor. You can always look forward to going to his class.”

Student members of NSHSS have the opportunity to nominate the educator who made the most significant contribution to their academic career. The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award recognizes role models who have made a lasting difference in their classrooms by encouraging students to strive for excellence.

“Dedicated educators who exhibit a commitment to excellence deserve our highest praise and appreciation,” said NSHSS President James W. Lewis.

“We’re excited to provide an ongoing means to do so, and we encourage our members to nominate teachers who have contributed to their academic success.”

Staff & Faculty Quarterly Awards 2012-13

2012-13

Faculty of the Second Quarter: Kim Cramer P’12, ’14 (English and Drama Teacher)

Faculty of the Third Quarter: Jonathan Kuiper (Math Teacher)

Mentor of the Second Quarter: Christine Meyer (Director of Development)

Mentor of the Third Quarter: Celeste Brooks P’12 (Director of Public Relations)

Employee of the Second Quarter: Aaron Tweedie (Cadet Development)

Employee of the Third Quarter: Chad Speakman (Technology)

Team of the Second Quarter Admission Department (Clare Dame, Amy Harriman, Blake Hollinger, Pam Cole P’06,’10)

Team of the Third Quarter Science Department (Suzi Gillette P’00,’12, Dave Gillis P’14, Patrick Hawkins, Tamala Sebring P’15)

Coach of the Winter Season: Frank Sullivan (Wrestling)

Coach of the Spring Season: Brandy Hudson (Girls’ Varsity Soccer)

Faculty & Staff Notes In April 2013, Upper School Calculus and PreCalculus Teacher Eric Barr attended a Falcon Foundation conference at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. While there he toured the campus with Kalie Plasier ’11 and Allyson Doran ’11.

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, R-MA science teachers Susan Gillette P’00,’12, Dave Gillis P’14, Patrick Hawkins, and Tamala Sebring P’15 attended a Vernier Technology Workshop in Crystal City, VA. In preparation for teaching AP Computer Science this fall, Gillis attended a week-long graduate course at Goucher College on AP Computer Science.

Victoria Montgomery, Algebra II teacher, completed the AP Physics C Summer Institute, Fairfax, June 2428, 2013.

Lemuel Pearsall attended the 231st Annual Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church in June.

He also attended the United States Army Reserve Annual Training and the United States Army Chaplain Corps Annual Training.

Director of Student Life Michael Williams received the Linden Rotary “Youth Leadership” Award and Plaque for his work with the R-MA Middle School Interact Club the past two years.

Executive Assistant to the President Sandra Long was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, International Honor Society of the Two-Year Colleges at Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) on February 24, 2013.

On April 26, 2013, she received the LFCC Maurice J. Duffey Outstanding Achievement in Business Award.

Long received her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management from LFCC on May 11, 2013, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.959 GPA. MSgt Stephen Pederson, USAF Retired, P’13,’15, attended a teacher professional development conference at the National Aerospace Training and Research Center (NASTAR) in Southampton, PA, July 22-26, 2013. The five professional development courses he took were Acceleration, Exploring the Solar System, The Magic of Flight, Atmosphere and Weather, and Rocket Science. Scan the QR code to the right to learn more about his week.

On July 29th and 30th, Pederson participated in a space flight research study (University of Texas Medical Branch) to understand how particular ailments respond to accelerated forces.

29 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development

Silek Named Chairman of Valley Health System Board Joseph F. Silek, Jr., R-MA Class of 1977, P’03,’17 and Chairman of the R-MA Board of Trustees, has been selected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Valley Health System (VHS). He succeeds Chairman James T. Holland.

Silek has been involved in Valley Health governance since 1995, when he was named to the Board of Directors of Warren Memorial Hospital R-MA Board of Trustees (WMH) in Front Royal. In Chairman Joe Silek ’77 speaks 2004 he became Chairman of at R-MA’s 2013 graduation the WMH Board, a position he ceremony. Silek has been named held for six years, and also was the Chairman of the Board of See “Silek,” page 38 Valley Health System.

R-MA Teacher Attends Nuclear Science and Engineering at University of Missouri

by Shelby Sebring ’15 This past June, Tamala Sebring, a physics and chemistry teacher at R-MA, had the exciting opportunity to enhance her knowledge of nuclear science at the advanced facilities of the University of Missouri-Columbia. The one-week program for secondary science teachers, taught by Dr. William H. Miller for the past thirty-two years, focuses primarily on applications of nuclear science and nuclear power generation, but also examines types of radiation decay, radiation detection, and methods of radiation protection. The classes consisted of lectures from visiting professors as well as lab work and demonstrations.

Sebring, along with other science and math teachers, was treated to a lecture from Dr. Robert Duncan, who shared the same information about breaking research on cold fusion as he had recently presented to leading European scientists. They were also able to visit Linn State Technical College, where they were nuclear technicians for a day and performed experiments using impressive lab equipment, learning much about different aspects of radiation.

The program also highlighted the uses of nuclear energy and radiation in the medical field. Sebring listened to a lecture about breaking biomedical research and then toured the Ellis Nuclear Medicine Clinics. It was also important to learn about radiation protection, so the teachers were taught how to detect dangerous levels of radiation and what to do about it, as well as the dangerous effects it can have on humans if used incorrectly.

The last day of the program featured a highly coveted tour of Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, along with various talks about the advantages of nuclear energy and the future of nuclear power in Missouri and the rest of the US. This program provided the group of teachers with a deeper understanding of nuclear energy and the many applications of it. Sebring and the others are now able to use this information to enhance their classes and every aspect of their school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum.

30 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Thank You: Annual Fund Giving Increase Makes a Difference!

by Christine Meyer, Director of Development R-MA’s future success hinges on the broad and deep commitment of its alumni, parents and friends. Each year, we ask for and need your engagement to maintain R-MA’s quality prep-school education.

“Thank you to everyone who ‘answered that call’ and donated to the 2012-2013 Annual Fund,” said Kittie Callaghan Abell P’13, Vice President of Development. “We are happy to report that RandolphMacon Academy showed increases in both number of donors and funds raised in the last fiscal year. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated cadre of alumni, parent, faculty and staff volunteers. And a special thanks to the wonderful cadets who made thank you calls throughout the year.”

R-MA reached 81 percent of its $370,000 unrestricted Annual Fund goal, raising $299,542; and 20 percent of the $10,000 Yellow Jacket Fund goal, raising $2,920. The restricted Annual Fund, monies earmarked by the donor for a specific project, brought in $547,996, besting the goal of $265,000 by 207 percent.

Overall, R-MA reached 132 percent of its Annual Fund goal.

Here’s an analysis behind the numbers: • In terms of alumni giving, for the first time we topped 7 percent, ending up with 308 donors and a 7.2 percent alumni participation rate. Compare that to four years ago, when R-MA had 198 alumni donors to the Annual Fund for 4.7 percent participation.

• Two positive trends are emerging. The number of non-donor class years is falling, from 12 in 2011-2012 to 6 this year; and younger alumni from the 1990s and 2000s are beginning to give back to R-MA. On pages 35-36 of this issue, you will find the listings of donors by class year and the giving percentage for each graduation year. Once again, awards for the top classes will be handed out at Homecoming.

• The faculty and staff continue to invest in their workplace. In 2012-2013, 79.1 percent of faculty and staff donated to the Annual Fund. That is up from 71 percent the previous year and 16.1 in 2010-2011.

• Current parents also increased their giving to 20.9 percent participation from 20.4 percent last year.

And why is the Annual Fund so important? The Academy is one of the top college-prep military schools in the nation, and a robust Annual Fund is essential to R-MA’s financial security. Tuition and fees do not cover the true cost of an R-MA education. Annual Giving is vitally important as it helps close the gap between tuition and the real cost of educating our students.

Annual Fund donations improve the quality of education each student receives and help prepare the next generation of RandolphMacon Academy alumni. Annual Giving is applied across the budget; for example, it buys computers and equipment, and provides assistance to athletics, the band and drama departments and the flight program.

It helps maintain inviting and safe campus facilities, as well as funds continuing education for teachers.

Keeping an R-MA education accessible and affordable is a top priority for the school. In tough economic times, financial aid plays an even larger role in making this happen. The Annual Fund provides much of that financial aid.

“The values-based, academically-challenging and structured environment at R-MA helps each class of graduates enter the college or university of their choice,” Abell added. “This educational excellence cannot be sustained without Annual Fund support. The support of our R-MA family is critical.”

If you have any questions about the Annual Fund, please contact the R-MA Development Office at (800)272-1172 or kabell@rma.edu.

Class Notes

Have an update to share with us? Send it to abrander@rma.edu or go online to www.rma.edu/alumni-updates.

Please note all of these Class Notes apppeared first in the e-newsletter, the Dome Dispatch. If you are not receiving the Dome Dispatch and would like to be added to the distribution list, please e-mail abrander@rma.edu or sign up on the alumni section of the web site, www.rma.edu.

James Caskey ’55 (pictured at right) recently published a book entitled The Gentle War and Other Idle Thoughts.

It is a series of anecdotal and fictional stories all told in a humorous vein.

Al Orgain ’61 donated a signal cannon during the afternoon formation on April 12th. (See article on page 25 or use your smart phone to scan the QR code and see the video.) Al was also inducted into the Virginia Law Foundation Class of Fellows on January 24th during the Virginia Bar Association’s Annual Meeting. “Induction as a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation is a special honor conferred by the VLF Board on selected Virginia attorneys, law professors, and retired members of the judiciary who are deemed to be outstanding in their profession and in their community.” (Source: http://www.virginialawfoundation.org/news.htm) Jim Kernodle ’67 moved to South Africa in 2009. He has a BBQ and spice company but is retired and enjoys hunting and fishing.

One of his sons-in-law is a professional hunter and guide. Jim has completed two novels and is almost finished with a third. All are currently being edited and prepared for e-publishing. He has two daughters and three granddaughters, also living in South Africa.

D. Alan Christopher ’75 (pictured at left) graduated in May 2013 with an MS in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University.

He will be starting a second career teaching marketing at the college level via an online delivery platform.

Paul A. Zedalis ’81 is finishing another nine-month combat tour in Paktika Province, Afghanistan with the 4-1 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He is submitting his papers to retire on January 31, 2014, after 30 years of service.

David Link ’85 is currently living in Seoul, South Korea, with his wife and two children. He is the Managing Director of Accenture’s Financial Services South Korea business. For the last five years, they have been based in Melbourne, Australia, and prior to that they were in Paris and Amsterdam for 11 years. He keeps in touch with many of his classmates and most recently (last Christmas), Bill Bersing ’85 and his family visited Seoul from their home in Trieste, Italy.

Michael Turner ’86 shared a great story about the history of the R-MA Flight program with us after reading the ‘Calling All Pilots’

article in The Sabre Magazine Winter-Spring 2013 issue. Use your smart phone to scan the QR code on the left to read the story on the rma.edu web site: R. Paul Lawrence ’87 (pictured at right) and wife Kimberley are proud to announce the birth of Robert Jackson “Jack” Lawrence, born March 24th, 2013.

Michael C. Starling ’88 (photos below) retired on October 11, 2012, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA, after 20 years (and 27 days) in the Marine Corps, specializing in leadership and staff billets in the infantry, light armored reconnaissance, and intelligence fields. Starling spent just over 11 years in the operating forces, deploying five times including two tours in Iraq. During his most recent deployment he served as the Executive Officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit which was embarked on USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, providing humanitarian assistance in Pakistan, supporting nationally tasked missions, providing forces to train with foreign militaries as part of theater strategy engagement, conducting evacuation planning for several countries in the Middle East and North Africa during 2011 Arab Spring, recovering a downed US airman from Libyan soil, and supporting the Libyan opposition to regime hostilities. Currently, Starling has relocated to Virginia and is employed with a defense contractor providing support to Marine Corps Intelligence Training for the operating forces and spending more time with his wife, Jenny, and their four children.

John P. Williams ’89 retired from the U.S. Marine Corps on April 12, 2013, after 23 years and seven months of honorable and faithful service. He achieved the rank of E-8, Master Sergeant and the position of Operations Chief. He served in combat, peace, humanitarian, and training missions throughout his time as a Marine.

On April 15th he started his new career as a service manager for McGrath Corp.

Joshua Ryner ’93 has moved back to the U.S. after eight years stationed in Germany and is preparing for his transition into a second career and civilian life.

Samir Suleiman ’93 is now the Football Administration Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Keith B. Zawistowski, Jr. ’97 and wife Marie won the national Class Notes continued on page 34 31 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

development

Tributes

Honored friends of Randolph-Macon Academy are listed first in bold print followed by the names of those making gifts in their honor or memory. This list reflects gifts made to R-MA between January 9, 2013 and June 30, 2013. Look in future editions of The Sabre for additional listings.

In Honor of Thomas Abell ‘13 Lt Col Donald E. Callaghan, USAF, Retired In Memory of Richard C. Beall Mrs. Beverly J. Broadbent Casper In Honor of Mimi F. Boulden Mr. & Mrs. William R. Russell, Jr. In Memory of Aubrey J. Ellis ‘57 Mr. & Mrs. Rene C. Ellis ‘54 In Honor of Nicholas A. Finucan ‘06 Mr. & Mrs. John G. Finucan ‘76 In Memory of James H. Guy, Jr. ‘62 Col & Mrs. William G. Dennis, USAF, Retired ‘62 Mr. Norman I. Myers ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Troy F. Stallard ‘62 In Honor of Maj Gen & Mrs. Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Abell Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Alexander Mr. Naif M. Al-Obaid ‘98 Mr. & Mrs. John G. Alston ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Kevin J. Brooks First Sergeant & Mrs. Anthony E. Cerella, USA, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Harlan R. Crow ‘68 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Dame Mr. & Mrs. Rodney E. Dean, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. S. Boyd Eaton ‘56 Mr. Byron C. Gayle, Jr. ‘50 Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Harriman ‘82 Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Hooper Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Jennings ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. William R. Johnston Mr. & Mrs. Jon Kardashian Mr. & Mrs. David W. Kaufman Mr. & Mrs. Sean Knick Mr. & Mrs. Ryan P. Koch Mr. William G. Lawrence, Jr. Gen & Mrs. J. Michael Loh, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. John K. Marlow Ms. McKenzie M. Marshall ’13 Mr. & Mrs. George D. Mathias ‘54 Ms. Christine L. Meyer & Mr. Edwin Barron Mr. & Mrs. Alonzo A. Neese, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Albert M. Orgain, IV ‘61 Mr. G. Edwin Richards R-MA Alumni Association R-MA Parents’ Association Col & Mrs. Gary Sadler, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Harry F. Schoen, III ‘54 Ms. Susanne I. Shaw & Mr. Robert F. Hanson Rear Admiral & Mrs. John D. Stufflebeem, USN, Retired ‘70 In Honor of George D. Mathias ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Harry F. Schoen, III ‘54 In Memory of Betty McCormick Moore Mrs. Betty Forline Mr. & Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Mr. D. Enoch Moore, II ‘51 Mr. Munsey A. Moore Mrs. Patricia J. Moore Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Moore, Jr. ‘50 In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Hooper In Memory of Moira T. Nalls Dr. & Mrs. D. S. Dixon ‘56 In Memory of J. Craig Porter, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jack H. Albert, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Allen Anderson Ms. Ann L. Brander ‘02 Mr. Brandon C. Burger ‘00 Ms. Carolyn Cargile Ms. Clara W. Cargile First Sergeant & Mrs. Anthony E. Cerella, USA, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Murph M. Compton Mr. & Mrs. Clifton W. Coonrod Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Fulton ‘49 Mr. & Mrs. Don W. Griffis Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Harriman ‘82 Mr. John A. Hay & Ms. Marilyn Aboussie HC Cattle Company Mr. & Mrs. David K. Hills

32 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Maj Gen & Mrs. Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Chase Holland Mr. & Mrs. John S. Holtze Mr. J. Willis Johnson Mr. & Mrs. James D. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. David W. Kaufman Mr. & Mrs. Don B. Landers Dr. Kimberley Lawrence & Mr. R. Paul Lawrence ‘87 Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lewallen Mr. & Mrs. George D. Mathias ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Ralph McArthur Mrs. Madolyn P. Mertz Ms. Kayleen Peneda ‘01 Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pfluger Mr. J. Craig Porter, Sr. Ms. Myrta Rathborn Mr. G. Edwin Richards Mr. Christopher B. Ryder Dr. & Mrs. Carl Schlinke, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Oron L. Schuch Shannon Porter & Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Steve Stephens Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Strother, Jr. ‘58 Mr. Tom Porter & Ms. Anna M. Thomas Mr. Merrill S. Varien Ms. Joyce Weaver Mr. & Mrs. Mike A. Weaver Webb, Stokes & Sparks L.L.P. In Memory of Col Robert C. Rives Mr. Alvaro F. de Prat ‘61 In Memory of Virginia Smith Ms. Winifred O. Kelley In Memory of Col Arvin S. Williams, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Harry G. Austin, III ‘75 Anonymous Ms. Margaret F. Ball Mr. & Mrs. Robley D. Bates, III Mr. & Mrs. Robert Biggs, III Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Bowman Mr. John P. M. Boyd Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence W. Boyd Mr. & Mrs. George E. Calvert, Jr. Chief Petty Officer & Mrs. Frederick R. Clause, USN Ms. Susan C. Coogan Lt Col & Mrs. Denis Jerry Driscoll, USAF, Retired

Mr. Keith J. Evans Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Fulton ‘49 Ms. Cathy H. Greer Mrs. Joyce Hamer Mr. & Mrs. Edward M. Hawkins ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. R. K. Heskett ‘68 Maj Gen & Mrs. Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Jeb R. Hockman ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Hooper Mr. & Mrs. James S. Hunter ‘57 Col Douglas R. Huthwaite, USA, Retired ‘69 & Lt Col Patricia Huthwaite, USA, Retired Ms. Mary S. Johnson Mr. D. Watt Jones, Jr. ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. James J. Kelley ‘52 Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Lawton Mr. & Mrs. W. Revell Lewis, III ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Henry D. Light ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Henry A. Lingenfelder ‘52 Mr. & Mrs. C. Van Lloyd Mr. & Mrs. James F. Luck, Jr. ‘57 Mr. Frank F. Lusby, Jr. ‘50 Mr. & Mrs. Clyde W. Matthews ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. McLaughlin, Jr. ‘57 Mr. & Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Ms. Connie F. Morris Mr. & Mrs. Albert M. Orgain, IV ‘61 Ms. Michele Poirier Mr. & Mrs. Gregory B. Robertson Ms. Janet H. Rudacille Mr. & Mrs. William H. Sager ‘37 Mr. Gilbert E. Schill, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Silek, Jr. ‘77 Mrs. Jean McFall Simar Mr. & Mrs. John D. Simar ‘68 Mr. Edward C. Stevens ‘50 Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Strother, Jr. ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. J. Michael Surface Lt Col & Mrs. Donald A. Sutton, USAF, Retired ‘64 Ms. Lynn Thomas Mr. Edward F. J. Tolzman, Jr. ‘48 Mr. Coleman W. Wall ‘70 Mr. & Mrs. F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr. ‘62 Mrs. Joanne T. Wiley Ms. Christine G. Williamson

Are You Part of an R-MA

Legacy Family?

Below are the legacy families where two or more generations have attended R-MA. If you belong on this list, please contact us so we can update our records! E-mail alumni@rma.edu or call 540-636-5343. Families are listed in chronological order by class year of the first attendee.

• Edwin S. Martin (1897); Scott M. Harwood, Jr. (1987) • William A. Taylor (1904); Archer J. Taylor (1944); Robert J. Taylor (1970); Michael A. Taylor (1974) • Roscoe M. White (1906); C. Denny White, Sr. (1932); C. Denny White, Jr. (1965); Marvin W. Winfree (1967); Franklin S. White

(1973)

• Noland M. Canter (1906); N. Mackenzie Canter, III (1967) • Carroll H. Iden (1911); Thomas C. Iden (1937); Robert W. Iden (1946); John C. Iden (1969) • George R. Thompson (1915); Robert K. DeBerry (2016) • Herman E. Wornom (1919); Alexander H. Wornom, Sr. (1929); Alexander H. Wornom, Jr. (1958); Charles W. Wornom (1960) • Henry M. Hallatt (1920); Henry J. Hallatt (1950); Ramon Sanudo-Hallatt (1951); Manuel Sanudo (1951); Alberto C. Hallatt (1951); Bernardo R. Sanudo (1986); Ramon D. Sanudo (1986) • Harry H. Sager (1923); Benjamin J. Sager (1925); William H. Sager (1937); Marvin M. Sager (1947)

• Robert A. Moore, Jr. (1950); Drewry E. Moore, II (1951); David W. Moore, Sr. (1953); Thomas L. Moore (1953); Bryan V. Moore (1984) • A.B. Boulden, Jr. (1951); R. Brock Boulden (2002); Alexander W. Boulden (2006) • Douglas Blanton, Jr. (1953); A. Gray Blanton (1965); Alexander G. Blanton, Jr. (1994); Devin Blanton (2001) • George D. Mathias (1954); Michael B. Mathias (1984); Christine (Mathias) Hoffman (1996); Philip Hoffman (2003); Brook D. Blair (2014); Peter B. Blair (2016) • David L. Wines (1955); Ryan Otey (2015) • James F. Luck, Jr. (1957); Edward J. Luck (1960); J. Clay Stiles (1962); Edward G. Stiles (1972) • Frank R. McLaughlin, Jr. (1957); Frank McLaughlin, III (1985) • George B. Franklin (1958); Angus F. Franklin (2014); WillaClare Franklin (2015) • David F. Johnston, Sr. (1958); Daniel A. Rossi (1999)

• Byron C. Gayle, Sr. (1931); Byron C. Gayle, Jr. (1950)

• Walter M. Kahle (1959); H. Scott Kahle, Jr. (1964); Douglas R. Kahle (1965); W. Scott Kahle (1990)

• Frank J. Eichenlaub (1934); Frank J. Eichenlaub, III (1961)

• William G. Quinn (1959); Karen J. Wines (2011)

• Richard A. Bevan (1938); Richard A. Bevan, III (1963); Thomas H. Bevan (1963); William F. Bevan (1965)

• R. Tyler Bland, III (1962); Robert Bland, IV (1988)

• Wilfred E. Easton, Jr. (1939); Jack R. Easton (1967); Eric G. Easton (1982)

• Malcolm E. D. Brown (1965); Herbert O. Brown (1966); R. Neal Brown (1969); Stephanie A. Brown (2006) • Daniel L. Fines, Sr. (1967); Daniel L. Fines, Jr. (1995)

• Sam L. Norris (1941); Richard E. Norris (1962); R. Barrett Norris (1994)

• Lee H. Capps (1968); Washington Lee Capps, II (1995); Alfredo B. Milner Capps (1997)

• Hoyt A. Minges (1942); Hoyt A. Minges, Jr. (1969); Jeffrey M. Minges (1972); Tyrun W. Minges (1980)

• W. M. Tinder, Sr. (1968); W. Michael Tinder, Jr. (1998); Erin Tinder (2003)

• Jack M. Kump, Sr. (1943); Jack M. Kump, Jr. (1969); Frederick L. Kump (1977)

• George L. McIntyre, Jr. (1969); Kathryn (McIntyre) Tewell (1997); Courtney J. McIntyre (2004); George L. McIntyre, III (2007)

• John T. Austin (1944); James H. Austin (1945); Harry G. Austin, III (1975); James D. Austin (1979) • William R. Lewis, Jr. (1944); Richard A. Lewis (1955); W. Revell Lewis, III (1969) • Arthur N. Morris, Jr. (1945); Frank A. Pennington (1954); A. Newth Morris, III (1969); Michael N. Morris (1974); Arthur N. Morris, IV (1992); Edward N. Morris (1997); Andrea (Morris) Shea (1998) • Walter E. Werner, Jr. (1946); Walter E. Werner, III (1974); John K. Werner (1976); J. Kent Werner, Jr. (1997); Jessica (Werner) Morris (2000) • Glenn P. Kellam (1948); William B. Kellam (1972) • Stanley E. Fulton (1949); Stanley M. Fulton (1975); Michael B. Fulton (1976) • Allen K. Jennings (1949); Mark A. Jennings (1976)

• David A. Cartes (1974); Aron F. Cartes (2000) • John G. Finucan (1976); Nicholas A. Finucan (2006) • Joseph F. Silek, Jr. (1977); Samuel S. Silek (1978); Ryan J. Lamke (2003); Meredith A. Silek (2008); Joseph F. Silek, III (2017) • Ronald D. Spear (1977); David K. Spear (1986); Timothy W. Spear (2003) • Ronald G. McManus, Jr. (1980); Katelyn E. McManus (2008); Allyson W. McManus (2013); Ashley E. McManus (2013) • Anthony S. Wiley (1987); Collin T. McCabe (2012) • Kimberley (Bingman) Bensimon (1991); Brett Johnson (2013) • Robert W. Burton, III (1992); Dorian Burton (2013) • Kerri-Anne (Rodney) Salazar (1997); Michaela R. Rodney (2015)

33 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development

Class Notes Continued from page 31

Design Build Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. They are both professors at Virginia Tech.

Jeff Mayberry ’99 has been in the USAF for almost 11 years and achieved the rank of Technical Segeant. He is an Independent Duty Medical Technician-Paramedic (IDMT-P) at the USAF Survival School and serves as a helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) medic for the Pacific NW under the SAR plan. He will soon be stationed to Okuma, Japan.

Charlotte Crowley ’02 is engaged to Jere Junnila with a wedding date set for August 24th.

Ellen Cummings-Nasief ’02 and husband George welcomed daughter, Estelle Douglas, into their family with a beautiful home birth on their family farm in Crestwood, Kentucky, on April 14th, 2013. Everyone in the family is doing well and they are very excited about the new member of the family.

Kim Mewborn ’02 graduated with her AS in Nursing from East Carolina University on May 13, 2013.

Derek Liu ’05 (pictured at left) is engaged to Sarah Marie Webb with an evening wedding date set for August 16th.

Justin M. Shipp ’06 (pictured at right with his girlfriend) visited campus to see some of his former teachers and mentors on his birthday, January 29th.

After R-MA he graduated from Howard University with a degree in Political Science and went on to work for U.S. Congressman Cedric Richmond of Louisiana in his Washington, D.C. office. After his visit he headed back “home” to California.

Marguerite Cook ’07 graduated and received her BA from Marygrove College in Michigan on Dec. 15, 2012.

R. Kyle McDaniel ’07 is the Policy Director in the Office of Supervisor Pat Herrity, and is the local government official that will represent the interests of the Virginia Commonwealth’s local governments. He was appointed to the Cemetery Board which licenses and regulates all cemeteries across Virginia (sent via a press release dated July 19th from the office of Governor Bob McDonnell).

Kyle is pursuing a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, Alexandria campus.

Gabrielle “Gigi” Baughman ’08 – visited campus in January before her upcoming deployment overseas. She has enlisted in the Air Force, specializing in geospatial analysis, and will be stationed at RAF Molesworth, a Royal Air station located near Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.

34 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Martha Galewski ’08 graduated from Arizona State University, Magna Cum Laude, with a Major in Political Science, on May 11, 2013. She was also recently named All American by the American Forensics Association N.I.E.T. This award recognizes scholastic achievement, community service, participation with the forensics community, and leadership.

Emily Ezell ’08 (pictured at right with parents Jonathan and Lisa) graduated from St. John’s College with a BA Class Notes continued on page 38

Planned Giving Is Not a New Idea Do you think that the concept of a will is a modern idea?

Consider the example of King David. He made the first recorded planned gift. In the Bible the book of 1 Chronicles, chapters 28 and 29 tell the story of David’s desire to build a temple in which to house the Ark of the Covenant. God, however, told David that because he was “a man of war” who had “shed blood,” (28:3) he was not qualified to build the temple, but that David’s son Solomon would build it.

Verse eleven of chapter 28 says, “Then David gave his son Solomon the plans…”--in other words his will for the project--and then the chapter goes on to explain how David planned to finance it. He bequeathed his own savings and received offerings and contributions from other people as well.

Today David’s planned gift might be called, “The David and Solomon Temple Trust,” and it’s a great example of how to use your estate to benefit others. David never saw the completion of the temple. He was not present on the day it was dedicated, and yet because he had put what he wanted to see accomplished into a plan, his desire was carried out after his passing. The Temple was so glorious that none has been built since to compare to it.

Would you like to accomplish something of lasting value with your estate? The teachings of Jesus are very clear that we are to use our wealth for the benefit of others rather than ourselves. The only way you can have the assurance that your desires will be carried out after your passing (i.e. your “graduation”) is to have a written plan in place, either in a will or trust. In those documents you may designate your church, school, or favorite charity as the beneficiary of a specific amount or percentage or even just the residual of your assets.

Follow David’s example and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you will reap so much more than what you have given.

Rev. Jay G. Smith Director of Planned Giving,

Society of 1892

hg

The Society of 1892 is comprised of individuals - alumni, parents, friends - who have included a bequest provision for Randolph-Macon Academy in their estate plans and individuals who have arranged a gift to R-MA via a planned giving vehicle, such as trusts, annuities, and life insurance policies. The individuals who are listed in bold are new members to the Society of 1892.

Mr. & Mrs. Eric D. Anderson ‘88 Mr. & Mrs. James D. Austin ‘79 Mr. & Mrs. Harry G. Austin, III ‘75 Mr. Richard C. Beall ‘53* Mr. Dale W. Becker ‘47 Dr. Richard Belinic Mr. & Mrs. Dallas O. Berry ‘59 Mr. Harold L. Brubaker* Mr. & Mrs. James W. Burke ‘58 Lt Col & Mrs. Kevin J. Callanan Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Chaffiot, Sr. ‘51 Mr. Ray C. Coffman, Jr. ‘51 Dr. & Mrs. C. Barrie Cook ‘41 Mr. Lawrence H. Cook, Jr. ‘55* Col & Mrs. Charles V. Corder, Jr., USAF, Retired ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Cosby ‘21* Mr. & Mrs. Rodney E. Deane, Jr. Mr. Joseph M. Edge ‘41* Mr. & Mrs. Jay S. Fifer ‘58 Ms. Catherine Foard Fort* Petty Officer 1st Class Charles W. Fretwell ‘79 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Fulton ‘49 Anonymous Mrs. Ethel R. Garber* Mr. Charles P. Given ‘23* Mr. & Mrs. C. Spencer Godfrey ‘54 Mr. Edward R. Golob, Jr. ‘65 Mrs. Georgina J. Grant*

Mr. Boyd M. Guttery ‘45 Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hansen Dr. & Mrs. Timothy S. Harlan Mr. George W. Helfrich ‘54* Mrs. Ruby T. Hite* Maj Gen & Mrs. Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, Retired Col Arthur D. Johnson, USA, Retired ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. David F. Johnston, Sr. ‘58 Mr. D. Watt Jones, Jr. ‘61 Dr. Joseph H. Kite, Jr. Mr. Wendell H. Kline, Jr. ‘88 Mr. & Mrs. Conrad E. Koneczny ‘51 Dr. Kimberley Lawrence & Mr. R. Paul Lawrence ‘87 Dr. Walter E. Linaweaver, Jr. ‘46* Mr. Franklin P. Long, II ‘52* Dr. Frank F. Lusby ‘19* Mr. George S. Lux, Jr. ‘52 Mr. Joseph M. Mast ‘49 Mr. & Mrs. George D. Mathias ‘54 Mrs. Margaret H. Mathias* Mr. James H. McCormick ‘37* Mr. R. Kyle McDaniel ‘07 Mr. & Mrs. James S. Meatyard ‘55 Capt & Mrs. Richard I. Merrill, USA, Retired ‘39* Mr. & Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Moore, Jr. ‘50

Mr. Walter L. Nalls, Jr. ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. John A. Nicodemus ‘57 Lt Col David B. Novy ‘92 Mrs. Helen C. Payne* Mr. Stewart C. Payne ‘18* Mrs. Peggy L. Payne Rev George V. Puster, Sr.* Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Richardson ‘53 Mr. Forrest E. Ricketts, Jr. ‘46* Mr. Richard G. Sheltman ‘22* Mr. Fred W. Shertenlieb ‘29* Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Silek, Jr. ‘77 Mr. Elbert L. Smith ‘30* Mr. Bryant O. Smith, Jr. ‘49 Ms. Sara S. Stolzenberg* Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Strother, Jr. ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Stuart, III ‘64 Rear Admiral John D. Stufflebeem, USN, Retired ‘70 Dr. & Mrs. Charles B. Swaim ‘77 Mr. & Mrs. William G. Thomas ‘57 Col Trevor D. Turner, USA, Retired* & Mrs. Lois Turner Mrs. Elsie S. Upchurch Mr. & Mrs. John S. M. Wayland ‘48 Mr. Beverly B. Williams ‘53* Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Williams Col Arvin S. Williams, USAF, Retired* Mr. Thomas F. Williamson ‘58* * Assembled for the Final Roll Call.

Leave a Legacy.

Through gift planning you can leave a legacy at Randolph-Macon Academy so that the mission of educating future generations of students continues. Perhaps we can assist you and your advisors in developing a gift plan that meets your financial and philanthropic goals.

There are numerous ways to remember R-MA in your estate plans. Two very basic planned gifts are bequests, and insurance or retirement plan beneficiary designations. If you desire to make a gift and receive an income as well, then charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts are two ways to provide benefits for both you and R-MA. Alumni and friends who remember R-MA in their estate plans are invited to join the Society of 1892, R-MA’s planned giving recognition club.

To further explore the benefits of gift planning, or to answer any questions, please call Jay Smith, Director of Planned Giving, at (540)671-9462 or email him at jsmith@rma.edu.

35 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development

2012-2013 Class Participation

This list shows the class participation in the 2012-2013 Annual Fund Unrestricted Campaign, reaching a new record of 7.21% for all classes combined. (See story on page 36.) An asterick (*) indicates an alumnus who passed away between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Names in bold are the Class Agents.

Class of 1937 - 33.33% Henry C. Green Otis H. Johnson Class of 1938 - 25% David E. Eldredge Class of 1940 - 10% Frederick J. Williams * Class of 1941 - 7.69% C. B. Cook Class of 1942 - 8.33% Oliver L. Hitch Class of 1943 - 9.09% Baxter W. Simmons Class of 1944 - 14.29% Robert F. DeGise Archer J. Taylor Class of 1945 - 15.79% John C. Boggs Boyd M. Guttery John T. Rogers Class of 1946 - 21.43% John T. Cox H. M. Dixon Wilbert J. Robertson Paul A. Shrader David E. Webster Edward J. Wunder Class of 1947 - 19.23% Dale W. Becker Joseph W. Hutt James M. John Robert M. Pinkham William C. Wallace Class of 1948 - 26.47% John H. Harding David R. Hull Glenn P. Kellam Roger J. Perry George W. Seger James B. Tillett Edward F. Tolzman Marshall L. Waring John S. Wayland Class of 1949 - 12.50% Joseph M. Carson Robert T. Cashion

Wayland A. Doggett Henry G. Edwards Robert L. Morris Bryant O. Smith Class of 1950 - 18.75% Richard C. Chewning William K. Collins Webb R. Davis Byron C. Gayle Frank F. Lusby John M. Thompson

Class of 1956 - 6.67% Walter E. Boomer Dirk S. Dixon Charles E. Duke Stanley B. Eaton

Class of 1951 - 13.89% Robert R. Chaffiot Conrad E. Koneczny Parker A. Lee William C. Nelson Joel W. Shankle

Class of 1957 - 18.64% John F. Carroll S. R. Cotton L. W. Houston James S. Hunter Frank R. McLaughlin Glen A. Mente John A. Nicodemus Charles W. Paris Lennie L. Swanson William G. Thomas Harry I. Wilson

Class of 1952 - 22.22% Paul C. Buford William J. Bundick S. Sutton Flythe Robert P. Hunt James J. Kelley George S. Lux John P. Pittman Mory W. Ranck

Class of 1958 - 14.29% Richard B. Adams James W. Burke Ralph M. Faust Henry D. Light Brantley T. Onley Walter O. Smith Charles E. Strother Vance B. Taylor

Class of 1953 - 15% Anonymous Wylie W. Barrow Charles V. Corder Cornelius B. Courtney David W. Moore Earle R. Ware

Class of 1959 - 23.33% Dallas O. Berry Andrew D. Clore Philip A. Covell Thomas M. Dozier Sylvan G. Feldstein Samuel C. Harding Ralph W. Johnson John P. Johnson Irving L. Jones Don K. Miller George A. Pasquet James M. Pharr James W. Rockwell Robert P. Spivey

Class of 1954 - 18.60% Rene C. Ellis C. S. Godfrey Chowning R. Hall Lewis Holladay George D. Mathias William T. Moffett Clyde V. Nordstrom Harry F. Schoen Class of 1955 - 16.67% Gustave E. Chew John M. Cornwell Barry T. Fenn Lennart C. Koneczny George T. Peter John D. Rives Foy J. Shaw L. J. Turner

36 The Sabre ď ˇ Summer/Fall 2013

Class of 1960 - 12.68% Larry R. Collins William H. English Stanley O. Forbes John C. Hoppe Daniel L. Johnson Milton M. Reigelman Michael G. Waring David E. Wayson Charles W. Wornom

Class of 1961 - 16.67% John G. Alston Kent R. Blyler Alvaro F. de Prat Richard W. Dodd Paul C. Glick Edward M. Hawkins D. W. Jones Tom N. Kalogeras Frank O. Oakes Albert M. Orgain Richard W. Pancake Brinton Smith Wesley L. Truscott Class of 1962 - 10.45% Gary M. Ganson Preston C. Kellam Robert E. McCoy Robert Norfleet Francis C. Stark Stanley J. Vossler Thomas E. Waesche Class of 1963 - 10.84% Charles B. Arthur Richard J. Bischoff David L. Buell Norman A. Bunting David L. Cash Theodore B. McCord Paul H. Mylander Charles E. Tinsley William J. Vakos Class of 1964 - 11.11% Peter H. Conrad Thomas W. Fitch William B. Luckenbill Harvey S. McDannald Robert Orr Donald A. Sutton Charles E. Swink Class of 1965 - 13.92% Carl A. Balderson Alexander G. Blanton Malcolm E. Brown James A. Councilor Charles R. Edgren Rex A. Friedman Robert H. Herbert Edward S. Linsley George W. Lyles George D. Reynolds James R. Wentz

Class of 1997 - 2.86% Alfredo B. Capps Aaron N. Tweedie Class of 1998 - 4% Naif M. Al-Obaid Keith T. Cooley John W. Scaman

Students participated in teambuilding exercises like this one during the Air Force JROTC classes this year.

Class of 1999 - 1.75% Anonymous

Class of 1966 - 25% Stephen P. Austin Herbert O. Brown William J. Brown B. W. Crigler James W. Curl Robert H. Downer David C. Fussell Milton C. Gore Frank T. Humphrey David E. Isner Richard R. Lowman Mark M. Neale Robert P. Parker Mark L. Pellerin Gary Shertenlieb Ronald P. Simar William A. Tomlinson George E. Weeks William C. Wetsel Class of 1967 - 8.64% William T. Burch Jack R. Easton Albert N. Fritter William Nicolls George V. Puster Ernest M. Smith Thomas A. Webster Class of 1968 - 4.08% David B. Allen Lee H. Capps Benjamin M. Currin Roland P. Riddick Class of 1969 - 14.81% Samuel Q. Baker Rupert D. Barefoot John R. Gresham Gerald T. Hepner Jeb R. Hockman Douglas R. Huthwaite Thomas T. Johnson William R. Lewis George B. Ligon George L. McIntyre Paul T. Milburn Gale E. Swafford

Class of 1970 - 9.09% Eric W. Barker Warren D. Boyer Harold T. Brown Lee F. Cowper James F. Fort David W. Lawrence J. P. Severin John D. Stufflebeem Coleman W. Wall Class of 1972 - 7.46% Ralph B. Cooley Don G. Metz Cary L. Savage Walter J. Sellers Harry E. Squire Class of 1973 - 5.66% Eric C. Birckner Clifton P. Edwards Fred R. Greenwood Class of 1974 - 4.44% Parker A. Curlee Paul S. Rollison Class of 1975 - 7.89% Bill W. Antley Harry G. Austin David W. Puster Class of 1976 - 8.11% John G. Finucan Stephen L. Shankle John P. Wood Class of 1977 - 4.35% Joseph F. Silek Charles B. Swaim Class of 1978 - 3.28% Donn A. Frazier Samuel S. Silek Class of 1979 - 1.85% James D. Austin

Class of 2000 - 3.70% Nyamah E. Dunbar Larissa M. Hansen (Woloshyn) Cara E. Hobbs

Class of 1980 - 2.44% Ronald G. McManus

Class of 2001 - 3.95% Elisabeth C. Gnugnoli Carlos G. MacDonald Alonzo A. Neese

Class of 1982 - 6.06% Stephen C. Harriman Andrew C. Harriman Class of 1985 - 2.44% Skot Butler

Class of 2002 - 1.92% Robert B. Boulden Ann L. Brander

Class of 1986 - 4.17% Mary E. Butler (Stine) Stephen T. Miller Class of 1987 - 13.46% Trey Brouwer James C. Dillon Scott M. Harwood Amanda G. Kent (Garner) Robert P. Lawrence Christina K. Valentine (Kalassay) Anthony S. Wiley Class of 1988 - 6.15% Eric D. Anderson Peter G. Ashton Stephen N. Churchill Michael C. Starling

Class of 1991 - 2.90% Kimberley Bensimon (Bingman) Robert Hewett Class of 1992 - 1.15% David B. Novy Class of 1993 - 1.54% Jennifer Y. Mustain (Moreman)

Class of 1996 - 2.47% Jumanah E. Khader H. Omar Wooten

Class of 2006 - 6.35% Mark R. Baumgardner Nicholas A. Finucan Samantha A. Hurd Robert E. Snitchler Class of 2007 - 1.15% R. Kyle McDaniel

Class of 1989 - 2.44% H. Scarlett Kibler (Praml) Brian Kilday

Class of 1995 - 1.32% Washington L. Capps

Class of 2003 - 5.88% Anonymous Rachel A. Dodson Thomas A. Hoopes Robina Wahl (Simkol Kazer) Erik Yanagawa

Class of 2008 - 1.30% Andrew A. Pfister Class of 2009 - 1.14% Sara B. Dodson Class of 2010 - 3.53% Kurt C. Krenz Max D. Ramundo Mary K. Sadler Class of 2011 - 2.74% Douglas E. Driscoll Juliette N. Michael Class of 2012 - 6.52% William R. Camp Shengmin Huang Sean M. Knick Abraham Park Jared M. Purcell Sirui Zhang

37 The Sabre ď ˇ Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development

Class Notes

Continued from page 34 in Liberal Arts on May 11, 2013.

Katie Landry ’09 (pictured left and below left) spent last summer working in film and fell in love with it. She has worked on three feature films and was the art director for a short. One film she worked on, Poker Night, featuring Ron Perlman (Hell Boy and Sons of Anarchy), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Beau Mirchoff (MTV’s Awkward), Titus Welliver (Argo, Lost, and The Departed), Ron Eldard (Super 8), and Lochlyn Munro (White Chicks and Scary Movie), called on her R-MA experience when she

needed to drill actors portraying police officers on how to properly salute, stand at attention, and go to parade rest. Her imdb can be found by using your smart phone on the QR code to the right.

Benjamin Huang ’10 is currently attending Marymount University with plans to graduate in May 2014. He is a Volunteer at Visitor Services for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. His primary role is to educate visitors and children about Air and Space and he works closely with the education department promoting the Smithsonian Institution’s mission.

Juliette Michael ’11 returned to help the Admission Office during the summer for the second year in a row. She is in her third year at Sweet Briar College and will be spending the next semester abroad with the University of Reading in Reading, Berkshire, England.

Sami Rechache ’11 visited campus on May 7th on break from High Point University in North Carolina. He’s planning to graduate in two years with a major in Accounting and has aspirations of going into business for himself.

Jared Purcell ’12 was invited to join the English honors fraternity, Sigma Tau Delta, in his first month at Emory & Henry University. He has declared a double major in English: Political Literacy, POLIS and International Relations: Comparative Politics. After next year he will be studying abroad in Moscow.

“Silek,” continued from page 30 appointed to the Board of Valley Health System.

“I feel it’s important for communities in the region to have a vibrant healthcare system to serve our residents and attract business,” said Silek. “We face many challenges as the healthcare environment changes. It will take a team of innovative people to help Valley Health transition from a fee-for-service to a value-based community health provider.”

A native of Front Royal, Silek opened a solo law practice in 1995 and currently practices as Lawson and Silek, P.L.C., representing businesses in both the public and private sectors. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond and a J.D. with honors from Campbell University Law School, where he served as the business editor for the Campbell Law Review.

In addition to his role on the Valley Health Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees at R-MA, Silek is a member of the Front Royal Rotary Club, and a past president and board member of the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. He is a past president of the Warren County Bar Association and a member of the Virginia and North Carolina Bar Associations. He is also a member of the taxation, real property and probate sections of the American Bar Association. Silek and his wife, Jane, have two sons, Ryan Lamke ’03 and Joseph Silek ’17.

-From a Valley Health System press release

The Alumni Terrace

Open Houses Know someone who might be interested in attending Randolph-Macon Academy? Let them know about our upcoming open houses!

October 14, 2013 November 11, 2013 December 8, 2013 For more information or to register, visit www.rma.edu/open-house or call 540-636-5484.

Photo by Misti Walters.

38 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Final Farewell We bid a fond farewell to members of the R-MA family who have passed away. We have received notice of their passing within the last few months. If you would like to receive a copy of an obituary, contact alumni@rma.edu. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and their memories remain with us always.

Robert D. Whiting ‘34 (Feb. 13, 2013)

James C. Whitehurst, Jr. ‘46 (Apr. 17, 2013)

Hollis E. Manuel ‘56 (Apr. 23, 2013)

Philip L. A. Minor, Jr. ‘70 (July 22, 2006)

Brantley P. Savage, Jr. ‘39 (Feb. 24, 2013)

Tex F. Purdy ‘48 (Dec. 13, 2001)

Burley M. Medlin ‘57 (June 4, 2013)

Philip G. Kinney ‘10 (May 27, 2013)

Frederick J. Williams ‘40 (June 1, 2013)

William P. Beauchef ‘49 (May 7, 2013)

James E. Deihl ‘61 (Jan. 24, 2013)

Raymond H. Ives, Jr. ‘42 (May 29, 2013)

Thomas K. Whitesel, Jr. ‘49 (May 3, 2013)

James H. Guy, Jr. ‘62 (Feb. 13, 2013)

James G. Adcox (Former Assistant Commandant from ’62-’69) (July 10, 2004)

Bryan F. Mitchell ‘44 (May 4, 2013)

William deVries Renn ‘50 (May 31, 2013)

John A. Ross, Jr. ‘62 (Feb. 16, 2013)

John Ambrose ‘45 (Jan. 31, 2013)

James E. Jackson, III ‘51 (Mar. 29, 2013)

William F. Jarman, Jr. ‘63 (Jan. 8, 2012)

Alan Chenery, Jr. ‘46 (Dec. 11, 2012)

Eugene “Ted” Bogan ‘52 (Mar. 30, 2013)

Donald F. Talbott, III ‘67 (Dec. 7, 2012)

Everett M. Pywell ‘46 (Apr. 22, 2012)

Hubert Marlow, Jr. ‘52 (Feb. 20, 2012)

James C. Jensen ‘70 (Oct. 19, 2005)

Craig J. Porter, Jr. (Former R-MA Teacher and Administrator) (Apr. 19, 2013) Arvin S. Williams (Former R-MA Teacher, Coach, and President) (Apr. 10, 2013)

Hobgood, continued from page 5 the school’s endowment rested at a mere $2.4 million. In 2006, for the first time in many years, the endowment was larger than the debt.

At the end of 2012, the two numbers had flipped and then some: the debt was just under $2.2 million, while the endowment had grown to over $5.4 million. At the same time, Hobgood also managed to make facility improvements during his tenure: Stan Fulton Hall and a maintenance building were constructed, and a classroom addition was put onto Crow Hall. The gym and the pool were refurbished as well.

The final improvement was more philosophical, Hobgood noted.

“The people who work here, who are associated with the school, believe we are a character- and values-based education. To me, that’s really important. So few institutions are willing to put time and effort to have a values-based culture.”

“Over the last eight years, I have been fortunate to know General Hobgood as both a student, and an alumnus,” said Kyle McDaniel ’02. “As a student that transferred to Randolph-Macon Academy from another Air Force JROTC boarding school, nothing I say will do justice to the leadership and guidance he provided to students. No matter how big the problem, General Hobgood always approached it from a calm and understanding perspective. I learned so much about leadership and character from the General; by both listening to his advice, and observing his actions. Today, as a proud R-MA alum, my respect and appreciation for the General have only grown. Because of his leadership and wisdom, R-MA was able to weather the recession that bankrupted dozens of military prep-schools across the nation.

As a recent graduate and a young professional, I have come to respect and admire General Hobgood’s unwavering commitment to his principles. It is such a breath of fresh air to look up to a person because he makes morals and ethics the central tenant of his life.

General Hobgood always reminds people of the Academy’s values: Knowledge, Leadership, Character, and Service. While he truly excels

at them all, his character is exceptional. I am very proud and very thankful to have been able to learn countless life-lessons from him.”

The time at R-MA was not without its lessons for Hobgood as well. “I didn’t come here knowing a lot about kids,” he admitted. “I tried to learn from everyone around me. I knew what didn’t work, but I wasn’t sure what did.” Hobgood knew that he needed to be able to reach students, and he took to approaching the students in a kind but firm way, so that they knew he cared, but that he was serious. “I found out that if you want to reach a student, you have to find out where they are and go there,” he said.

He also found that parents needed to see things in a similar vein.

“They are very anxious about their student,” he pointed out. “They have to know you care about their kids and that you love them, and that you’re not being mean—you want their child to succeed.”

It took a lot of patience, strength and solid determination to institute steady changes to an institution over the course of 16 years.

“Sometimes people confuse gentility and patience with softness and lack of direction,” Hobgood said, “but it takes more determination to listen and be collegial than to do things for the sake of doing them.”

For Hobgood, there was no doubt as to what and who inspired him and gave him the strength to maintain that patience and steady determination. “Number one is faith in God,” he said. “Number two is the belief that my wife is very supportive of me. She is the person who always has the answer to things that perplex other people. I would not have accomplished anything if not for her soft touch and the way she supported me and the way she supported the faculty and staff. She is the conscience of the school.”

“R-MA has been really the best time of my life as far as I’m concerned, and I think Carolyn would say the same,” Hobgood concluded. “This institution is in position to continue its progress to greatness. That’s a journey, not a destination.”

39 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development

Honor Roll of Donors: Thank You!

The individuals listed below supported Randolph-Macon Academy with gifts between 7/1/2012 & 6/30/2013. An asterisk (*) indicates a member of the R-MA family who passed away during the same time period. (Please note that this list incudes only cash or stock gifts to any unrestricted, restricted, or endowment funds.)

The Chairman’s Circle ($100,000+) Mrs. Ethel R. Garber*

Col Arvin S. Williams, USAF, Retired*

The President’s Circle ($50,000+)

Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Alexander Mr. & Mrs. John G. Alston ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Eric D. Anderson ‘88 Anonymous The John Huland Carmical Foundation, Inc. Edward H. Lane Foundation Mr. & Mrs. James F. Fort, Jr. ‘70 Mr. Youhong Han & Mrs. WeiQing Lu Mr. & Mrs. Conrad E. Koneczny ‘51 Mr. & Mrs. George W. Lyles, III ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Mr. Craig Porter, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. William A. Rockwell Mr. Joel W. Shankle ‘51 Mr. & Mrs. Samuel S. Silek ‘78 Mr. & Mrs. Troy F. Stallard ‘62 Rear Admiral & Mrs. John D. Stufflebeem, USN, Retired ‘70

Mr. & Mrs. Harlan R. Crow ‘68 Mr. & Mrs. Edward H. Lane, III ‘61 The McMichael Family Foundation Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Academy Circle ($25,000+)

Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Brian J. Bogart Mr. & Mrs. George D. Mathias ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Alonzo A. Neese, Jr. The Patricia & Douglas Perry Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Silek, Jr. ‘77 Mr. & Mrs. William G. Thomas ‘57

Corps of Cadets Club ($10,000+)

Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. David Blisk Mr. Lawrence H. Cook, Jr. ‘55* Mr. & Mrs. Blair Dolinar Falcon Foundation Maj Gen & Mrs. Maurice Forsyth, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Norman R. Frisbie ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. C. Spencer Godfrey ‘54 Maj Gen & Mrs. Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. William R. Johnston Ms. Lucy H. Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Henry D. Light ‘58 Mr. Herbert N. Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Olaiya Phillips Col & Mrs. Robert P. Spivey, USAF, Retired ‘59

Black & Gold Club ($5,000+)

Commandant’s Club ($2,500+)

1st Stop Health Sevices Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Harry G. Austin, III ‘75 Mr. Dale W. Becker ‘47 Gen & Mrs. Walter E. Boomer, USMC, Retired ‘56 Dr. & Mrs. Bruce T. Carter ‘62 Central Coca-Cola Bottling Co. CenturyLink Mr. & Mrs. Rodney E. Deane, Jr. Ms. Naomi Earp Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Fulton ‘49 Jean’s Jewelers Mr. William G. Lawrence, Jr. Col & Mrs. Ronald G. McManus, Sr. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Mrs. Jean Neese

Thank you!

40 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Mr. & Mrs. Jude Njoku Quarles Energy Services R-MA Parents’ Association Col & Mrs. Gary Sadler, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Lee J. Shockey ‘65

VA 91st Club ($1,000+)

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick A. Allner, III ‘73 Mr. Shoichi Aramaki & Ms. Yu Hae Gi Mr. & Mrs. Eric W. Barker ‘70 BB&T Charitable Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Dallas O. Berry ‘59 Mr. & Mrs. Eric C. Birckner ‘73 Mr. & Mrs. R. Tyler Bland ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Kent R. Blyler ‘61 Mrs. Mimi F. Boulden The R. Edwin & Winsome S. Brown Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Herbert O. Brown ‘66 Mr. Malcolm E. D. Brown ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. R. Edwin Brown The Family of Alexander Neumeier ‘12 Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Buck Mr. & Mrs. James P. Burke ‘70 Mr. Glenn Carrington Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Cashion ‘49 Chaffiot Family Foundation, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Chaffiot, Sr. ‘51 Dr. William K. Collins ‘50 The Conrad Foundation Mrs. Ruth Cunningham Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Dame Mr. Webb R. Davis ‘50 Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Dodd ‘61 Mr. Thomas M. Dozier ‘59 Mr. Byron C. Gayle, Jr. ‘50 General Board of Higher Education & Ministry Mr. & Mrs. Giuliano Gnugnoli Mr. Edward R. Golob, Jr. ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. Richard Gray Mr. & Mrs. Fred R. Greenwood, Jr. ‘73 Mr. Boyd M. Guttery ‘45 HC Cattle Company Healthy America Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Hooper Mr. John P. Johnson ‘59 Dr. Ralph W. Johnson ‘59 Mr. D. Watt Jones, Jr. ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. P. C. Kellam ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. John K. Marlow Marlow Motor Company Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Bradley G. McDonald Mr. K. John McLelland ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Quentin J. Meng Mr. & Mrs. Don G. Metz ‘72 Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Moore, Jr. ‘50

Mr. & Mrs. Gene W. Mullinix ‘58 Mr. Michael Neumeier Mr. & Mrs. John A. Nicodemus ‘57 Mr. & Mrs. Albert M. Orgain, IV ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Ratcliffe ‘58 R-MA Alumni Association Mr. & Mrs. Harry F. Schoen, III ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen L. Shankle ‘76 The Reverend & Mrs. Lee B. Sheaffer, Jr. Mr. Bryant O. Smith, Jr. ‘49 Mr. & Mrs. John Stanwich Commander & Mrs. Francis C. Stark, III, USN, Retired ‘62 Dr. & Mrs. Charles B. Swaim ‘77 Dr. & Mrs. Samuel J. Thios ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. John M. Thompson, Jr. ‘50 Reverend & Mrs. Lawrence R. Thompson Mr. Edward F. J. Tolzman, Jr. ‘48 United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Mr. & Mrs. William J. Vakos, Jr. ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Varanko, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Williams Winchester District United Methodist Church

Flight School ($500+)

Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Abell Mr. & Mrs. Alan E. Adler Anonymous Association of Military Colleges & Schools of the United States Mr. & Mrs. Harry G. Balthis, Jr. ‘62 Bee Con Inc. Mr. & Mrs. A. Gray Blanton ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. Lionel Boger CMSgt & Mrs. Norman G. Brander, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. James W. Burke ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Camp Mr. & Mrs. Eric D. Carlson ‘73 Mr. & Mrs. John F. Carroll, Jr. ‘57 First Sergeant & Mrs. Anthony E. Cerella, USA, Retired Mr. & Mrs. John M. Cornwell ‘55 Mr. & Mrs. S. Russell Cotton, Jr. ‘57 Mr. & Mrs. Lee F. Cowper ‘70 Mr. Melvin L. Davis, Jr. ‘71 Mr. & Mrs. John Dullahan Mr. & Mrs. R. Eric Ellis ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan C. Ezell Flint Hill Baptist Church Mrs. Sara B. Gallagher Mr. & Mrs. Samuel C. Harding, Jr. ‘59 Mr. & Mrs. Edward M. Hawkins ‘61 Capt Cara E. Hobbs, OD ‘00 Hottel & Willis, PC Mr. Frank T. Humphrey ‘66

Thank you!

Col Douglas R. Huthwaite, USA, Retired ‘69 & Lt Col Patricia Huthwaite, USA, Retired IBM Corporation Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Jennings ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas T. Johnson ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. C. Henry Jones Mr. & Mrs. Jon Kardashian Mr. & Mrs. James J. Kelley ‘52 Mr. & Mrs. Derrick Leasure Mr. & Mrs. David Levitt Mr. & Mrs. W. Revell Lewis, III ‘69 General & Mrs. J. Michael Loh, USAF, Retired Mrs. Joan Mancuso Mr. & Mrs. George L. McIntyre, Jr. ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Eric J. Melkerson Mr. Bryan V. Moore ‘84 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Morris, VIII, CLU ‘55 Ms. Nancy Murphy, Esquire Lt Col David B. Novy ‘92 Dr. & Mrs. George Okang Col & Mrs. Kenneth R. Pierce, Jr. ‘58 Mr. Robert B. Powell Maj Gen & Mrs. David W. Puster ‘75 Ms. Virginia E. Raney Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association Mr. G. Edwin Richards Dr. & Mrs. John T. Rogers ‘45 Mrs. Carole F. Ross Mr. John A. Ross, Jr. ‘62* Mr. & Mrs. John W. Scaman ‘98 Mr. & Mrs. J. Peter Shoemaker, Jr. ‘70 Siddhartha, Inc. Mrs. Jean McFall Simar Mr. & Mrs. John D. Simar ‘68 Mr. Edward C. Stevens ‘50 Mr. Michael M. Stokes ‘05 Mr. & Mrs. Gale E. Swafford ‘69 Mrs. Barbara S. Trenis Mr. Stanley J. Vossler ‘62 Mr. Thomas E. Waesche ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Earle R. Ware, II ‘53 Ms. Joyce Weaver

Mr. & Mrs. John W. Welch, II ‘54 Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Dr. William C. Wetsel ‘66 & Dr. Sheila Collins Mr. & Mrs. Anthony S. Wiley ‘87 Mr. & Mrs. George K. Williams

The Sabre Club ($250+)

Col & Mrs. Bill W. Antley, Jr., USA, Retired ‘75 Mr. & Mrs. C. Benjamin Arthur, III ‘63 Asbury United Methodist Chruch Mr. Eric F. Barr Mr. & Mrs. Sergio N. Barros Mr. & Mrs. Hugh W. Baumgardner Dr. & Mrs. Robert Granger Benson, III Ms. Barbara Bishop Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Boakye Mr. & Mrs. Michael Branham Mr. Trey Brouwer ‘87 Mr. & Mrs. David L. Cash, Jr. ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen N. Churchill ‘88 Ms. Susie Cochran Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc. Dr. & Mrs. C. Byrd Courtney, Jr. ‘53 Dr. Pia & Dr. John S. Crandell Mr. Robert A. Davies Dominion Foundation The Honorable & Mrs. Robert H. Downer, Jr. ‘66 Mr. & Mrs. Rene C. Ellis ‘54 Falcons Landing Mrs. Delores S. Fray Mr. James E. Gibbs, Jr. Mr. David Gillis Dr. & Mrs. C. Reginald Hall, Jr. ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Harriman ‘82 Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Holladay, III ‘54 Mr. David R. Hull, Jr. ‘48 Ms. Samantha A. Hurd ‘06 Mr. I. Lewis Jones, III ‘59 Mr. & Mrs. David W. Kaufman Mr. & Mrs. David W. Lawrence ‘70

Dr. Kimberley Lawrence & Mr. R. Paul Lawrence ‘87 Dr. & Mrs. Daniel C. Link, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Edward S. Linsley ‘65 Mr. Richard R. Lowman, III ‘66 Mr. Frank F. Lusby, Jr. ‘50 Mr. George S. Lux, Jr. ‘52 Ms. Cheryl S. Marshall Mrs. Gloria McFall Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. McLaughlin, Jr. ‘57 Dr. & Mrs. Donald H. McNeill, Jr. Ms. Christine L. Meyer Ms. Cynthia Michael Mr. William T. Moffett ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Frank Moxie Mr. Norman I. Myers ‘62 Mr. Alexander R. Ndongo-Seh Mr. Patrice Ndongo-Seh Mr. & Mrs. Yong Jun Pak Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Paris, III ‘57 Mr. & Mrs. Dana C. Parker ‘70 Mr. & Mrs. John P. Pittman ‘52 Mrs. Diane Pitts Mrs. Stephanie D Portillo Mr. & Mrs. George D. Reynolds ‘65 Dr. Constance Richards & Mr. John Richards Mr. & Mrs. Roland P. Riddick, III ‘68 Mr. & Mrs. Eric H. Rodney Mr. Christopher B. Ryder Mr. & Mrs. Gary Shertenlieb ‘66 Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Shrader ‘46 Mr. & Mrs. William Sims, Jr. Mr. Robert W. Sittman, III ‘08 Mr. Brandon Sloan Mr. W. Richard Smith ‘70 Star Family Stores, Inc. Lt Col & Mrs. Michael C. Starling, USMC, Retired ‘88 Mr. & Mrs. Edward G. Stiles ‘72 Mr. & Mrs. Claude A. Stokes, III ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Strother, Jr. ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Frank J Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. John C. Swann ‘70 Ms. Lynn Thomas

Dr. & Mrs. L. John Turner ‘55 Mr. & Mrs. Frederick R. Voellm Mr. Alexander C. von der Linden ‘02 Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Waring ‘60 Mr. & Mrs. John S. M. Wayland ‘48 Mr. George E. Weeks, II ‘66 Dr. & Mrs. Benton M. Wheeler, III Mr. & Mrs. F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr. ‘62 Mr. William K. Whyte ‘03 Dr. & Mrs. H. Omar Wooten ‘96 Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Wornom ‘60 Dr. & Mrs. Koffi Yao

The Bayonet Club ($100+)

Mr. James P. Abraham Ms. Laura A. Abraham Mr. Matthew M. Abraham Mr. & Mrs. Robert Adams Mr. & Mrs. Jack H. Albert, Jr. Mr. Tobias Allanson Allen & Bright, P.C. Mr. & Mrs. David B. Allen ‘68 Ms. Lisa Allen Anonymous Mr. Peter G. Ashton, Jr. ‘88 Mr. & Mrs. James D. Austin ‘79 Mr. & Mrs. Carl A. Balderson ‘65 Mr. Rupert D. Barefoot ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm G. Barr, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Wylie W. Barrow ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. Robley D. Bates, III Mr. Carl J. Birckner Mr. & Mrs. David Birk Mr. Richard J. Bischoff ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. David Blount Dr. & Mrs. John C. Boggs, Jr. ‘45 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bond Mr. William H. Boone Mrs. Beverly J. Broadbent Casper Mr. & Mrs. Kevin J. Brooks Mr. Joseph R. Lindsay & Ms. Joanie Brooks-Lindsay Mr. & Mrs. Harold T. Brown, Jr. ‘70 Mr. & Mrs. William J. Brown, II, Esquire ‘66 Mr. & Mrs. Paul C. Buford, Jr. ‘52 Mr. William J. Bundick ‘52

continued next page

41 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development Ms. N. Evelyn Dunbar ‘00 Dr. & Mrs. S. Boyd Eaton ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. John L. Eberhart, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Edgren ‘65 Lt Col & Mrs. William H. English, USA, Retired ‘60 Ms. Barbara S. Evans Mr. Keith J. Evans Mr. & Mrs. R. Scott Faley Dr. & Mrs. Sylvan G. Feldstein ‘59 Mr. Barry T. Fenn ‘55 Mr. & Mrs. John G. Finucan ‘76 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Fitch ‘64 Mr. & Mrs. Hartwell J. Fitchett, Jr. ‘57 Flow Trades Corporation Mr. & Mrs. S. Sutton Flythe, Jr. ‘52 Mr. & Mrs. Stanley O. Forbes, Sr. ‘60 Mrs. Betty Forline Mr. Bryan M. Frey ‘92 Mr. Rex A. Friedman ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. Albert N. Fritter, Jr. ‘67 Col & Mrs. Walter Gaylord Mrs. Bertha M. Gifford Mr. & Mrs. Scott Glascock Ms. Elisabeth C Gnugnoli ‘01 Mr. Henry C. Green ‘37 Ms. Cathy H. Greer Mr. & Mrs. Michael Grossman Mr. Sang Ha Mr. C. J. Haley, Jr. ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. Norman M. Haller Mrs. Joyce Hamer Mr. Donald P. Hammerstrom ‘62 Dr. & Mrs. Vagn K. Hansen Dr. John H. Harding, Jr. ‘48 Mr. Joseph J. Harding, III ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. Scott M. Harwood, Jr. ‘87 Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Heer Mr. Robert Helms Mr. & Mrs. G. T. Hepner ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. R. K. Heskett ‘68 Mr. Robert Hewett, Jr. ‘91 Mr. Oliver L. Hitch ‘42 Mr. & Mrs. Jeb R. Hockman ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. John S. Holtze Dr. & Mrs. John C. Hoppe ‘60 Lt Col & Mrs. L. W. Houston, Jr., USMC, Retired ‘57 Mr. Robert J. Hunger Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Imansuangbon Mr. & Mrs. David E. Isner ‘66 Mr. Steven R. Jenkins Reverend & Mrs. James M. John ‘47 Mr. Daniel L. Johnson ‘60 Mr. J. Willis Johnson Mrs. Jean Johnson &

Thank you!

Mr. & Mrs. William T. Burch, Jr. ‘67 Mr. Brandon C. Burger ‘00 Mr. Skot Butler ‘85 & Mrs. Mary Butler ‘86 Lt Col Donald E. Callaghan, USAF, Retired Mr. William R. R. Camp ‘12 Ms. Carolyn Cargile Mr. Ross Carolus Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Carson, Jr. ‘49 Mr. James W. Casey Dr. & Mrs. Richard C. Chewning ‘50 Chief Petty Officer & Mrs. Frederick R. Clause, USN Ms. Jean Clement Mr. & Mrs. A. Downer Clore, Sr. ‘59 Ms. Pamela Cole Mr. Robert H. Cole Mr. Peter H. P. Conrad ‘64 Dr. & Mrs. C. Barrie Cook ‘41 Mr. & Mrs. Clifton W. Coonrod Col & Mrs. Charles V. Corder, Jr., USAF, Retired ‘53 Col & Mrs. Philip A. Covell, USAF, Retired ‘59 Mr. & Mrs. Gerald E. Crawford Mr. Scott Criminski & Mrs. Charmain Wardley Mr. & Mrs. Neal Crowley Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin M. Currin ‘68 Mr. & Mrs. Edmond DeBerry Dr. Robert F. DeGise ‘44 Col & Mrs. William G. Dennis, USAF, Retired ‘62 Dr. & Mrs. D. S. Dixon ‘56 Dr. H. M. Dixon ‘46 Lt Col & Mrs. Denis Jerry Driscoll, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. John T. P. Dryden Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Duke ‘56

42 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Mr. Charles F. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Johnson Mr. Robert L. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Tom N. Kalogeras ‘61 Mr. Ronald Kaye & Ms. Lisa Lias Dr. & Mrs. Glenn P. Kellam ‘48 Ms. Winifred O. Kelley Mr. Yong H. Kim Mr. Yun Tae Kim Mr. John R. Kipp, III Mr. & Mrs. Sean Knick Mr. & Mrs. Ryan P. Koch Mr. & Mrs. Lennart C. Koneczny ‘55 Mr. & Mrs. Allen Krenz Mr. Kurt C. E. Krenz ‘10 Mr. & Mrs. John C. LaBarca Lawson & Silek, P.L.C. Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Lawton Reverend & Mrs. William A. Layman Ms. Hye Kyung Lee Mr. Parker A. Lee ‘51 & Mrs. Paulita Z. Gilmore-Lee Mrs. Susan C. Lee Mrs. Cynthia Lester Mr. Scott Lester Lester’s & Mowery’s Pharmacy Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lewallen Mr. George B. Ligon, Jr. ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Henry A. Lingenfelder ‘52 Mr. & Mrs. C. Van Lloyd Sergeant Charles E. Long Mr. & Mrs. William Long Mr. & Mrs. James F. Luck, Jr. ‘57 Lt Col William B. Luckenbill ‘64 Ms. Haiyan Ma Mr. & Mrs. John L. Major, Jr. ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Peter N. Martin ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Clyde W. Matthews ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Ralph McArthur Mr. Robert E. McCoy, Jr. ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Harvey S. McDannald, Jr. ‘64 Mrs. Madolyn P. Mertz Mr. Paul T. Milburn ‘69 Reverend John L. Miles, Jr. ‘56 Mr. Stephen T. Miller ‘86 Mr. D. Enoch Moore, II ‘51 Ms. Connie F. Morris Mr. Thomas A. Murray Mrs. Jennifer Y. Mustain ‘93 Mr. & Mrs. Jose Nascimento Mr. Alonzo A. Neese, III ‘01 Mr. William C. Nelson, Jr. ‘51 Mr. Louis S. Nichols ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. William Nicolls, III ‘67 Mr. & Mrs. Clyde V. Nordstrom, Jr. ‘54 Mr. & Mrs. Glenn A. Nunnery ‘70 Mr. & Mrs. Frank O. Oakes, Jr. ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Francis Odoom Mr. & Mrs. Brantley T. Onley ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Ray Ortyl Ms. Alison Owens Mr. Richard W. Pancake ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Parker, II ‘66 Ms. Marie Pendie Ms. Kayleen Peneda ‘01 Mr. & Mrs. Roger J. Perry ‘48

Mr. James M. Pharr, Jr. ‘59 Mr. Robert M. Pinkham ‘47 Ms. Michele Poirier Postal Business Center Ms. Janice N. Pouzenc Mr. William Prescott Mr. & Mrs. M. W. Ranck ‘52 Lt Col & Mrs. James E. Reed Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Richards, Sr. Mr. Peter W. Richter Mr. Tom Riley Mr. John D. Rives ‘55 Dr. & Mrs. Wilbert J. Robertson, Jr. ‘46 Ms. Elizabeth Rogers Mr. & Mrs. Edwin B. Roller, Jr. ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Paul S. Rollison ‘74 Mr. Bobby Rowe & Mrs. Marsha Cottman-Rowe Royal Cinemas Royal Family Bowling Center Mr. & Mrs. William R. Russell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William H. Sager ‘37 Dr. Cary L. Savage, Jr. ‘72 & Capt Elizabeth Savage, USN, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Oron L. Schuch Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Seabright Shannon Porter & Johnson Mr. Foy J. Shaw, Jr. ‘55 Ms. Susanne I. Shaw & Mr. Robert F. Hanson Col Thomas G. Shepherd, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. Ronald P. Simar ‘66 Mr. Brinton Smith ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Smith, III ‘67 Reverend & Mrs. Jay G. Smith Mr. Walter O. Smith, III ‘58 Ms. Helen Sokos Mr. Denver C. Spear Mr. & Mrs. Steve Stephens Mr. & Mrs. Mengxue Su Mr. & Mrs. J. Michael Surface Lt Col & Mrs. Donald A. Sutton, USAF, Retired ‘64 Mr. & Mrs. Lennie L. Swanson, Jr. ‘57 Mr. & Mrs. Archer J. Taylor ‘44 Mr. & Mrs. Vance B. Taylor ‘58 Lt Col & Mrs. James B. Tillett, USAF, Retired ‘48 Mr. C. Edward Tinsley, III ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. W. Allen Tomlinson, Jr. ‘66 Mr. & Mrs. John Trauth Mr. & Mrs. Wesley L. Truscott, Jr. ‘61 Mrs. Christina K. Valentine ‘87 Valley Middle School Conference Mr. Coleman W. Wall ‘70 Mr. George W. Waring, II ‘56 Mr. David E. Wayson ‘60 Mr. & Mrs. Mike A. Weaver Webb, Stokes & Sparks L.L.P. Mr. Donald R. Williams Ms. Christine G. Williamson Mr. Homer S. Willie ‘58 & Mrs. Diane Feke Mr. & Mrs. Harry I. Wilson, Jr. ‘57

Ms. Jennifer L. Wilson Mr. John P. Wood ‘76 Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Worley Mr. Edward J. Wunder ‘46 Dr. & Mrs. Daniel S. Yates ‘57 Yesterday Swing Orchestra Mr. & Ms. Eduardo Zavala

Friend of the Academy (Up to $100) Mr. Thomas Abell ‘13 Mr. Richard B. Adams, Jr. ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Aliyu Ahmed Mr. Mansur A. Ahmed ’13 Mr. Anthony Airhart Col Kenneth J. Alnwick Mr. Naif M. Al-Obaid ‘98 Mr. Fahad Alsuhaibani ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. David E. Alvarado Dr. & Mrs. Allen Anderson Mr. Gladstone Anderson Dr. & Mrs. William W. Anderson ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. Wilbur Anderton Mr. Felipe Angulo ‘13 Anonymous Ms. Juliet C. Arcila Rojas ‘13 Dr. Sandra Todd-Atkinson & Mr. Tuck Atkinson Mr. & Mrs. Sukhdev Atwal Ms. Melissa Austin Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Austin ‘66 Mr. Michael Baird & Ms. Lydia Butler Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Baker ‘69 Ms. Margaret F. Ball Ms. Eboni E. Banks ‘13 Mr. Brian Barbour Mr. Mark R. Baumgardner ‘06 Mr. & Mrs. John L. Beair, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. David A. Beaman ‘60 Mr. Christopher J. Bell ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. John E. Bell Mr. & Mrs. Brad Bennett Mrs. Kimberley Bensimon ‘91 & Mr. Andrew Bensimon Mr. & Mrs. Donald M. Bersing, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Biggs, III Mr. Tanner S. Blankenship ‘13 Ms. Cozette S. Boakye ‘13

Ms. Jeanne W. Bochette Ms. Cynthia Bohm Mr. R. Brock Boulden ‘02 Mrs. Lili Bowers Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Bowman Mrs. Frances Boyd Mr. John P. M. Boyd Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence W. Boyd Mrs. Susan H. Boyer Mr. Warren D. Boyer ‘70 Mr. & Mrs. Scott Brady Ms. Ann L. Brander ‘02 Mr. Daryl Braun-Duin Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Breaw Ms. Jennifer Brinklow Mr. & Mrs. David L. Buell ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. Norman A. Bunting, Sr. ‘63 Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Butterfield Mr. & Mrs. George E. Calvert, Jr. Mr. Alfredo B. Milner Capps Mr. Lee H. Capps ‘68 Mr. Washington L. Capps, II ‘95 Mr. & Ms. Steve Carden Ms. Susan Carden Ms. Clara W. Cargile Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Carosa Ms. Miranda Carter Mr. Ryan S. Chahal ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Gustave E. Chew, Jr. ‘55 Dr. Charles Chopak Mr. Caleb Chunn Mr. Philip Chunn Ms. Bianca M. Clement ‘13 Mr. Clay B. Clinedinst Mr. & Mrs. Douglass Cochran Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Larry R. Collins ‘60 Mr. & Mrs. Murph M. Compton Ms. Susan C. Coogan Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cook Mr. Keith T. Cooley ‘98 Mr. Ralph B. Cooley ‘72 Mr. & Mrs. James A. Councilor ‘65 Dr. & Mrs. Larry Cousineau Mr. John T. Cox ‘46 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Cramer The Honorable & Mrs. B. Waugh Crigler ‘66 Mr. Andrew N. Criminski ‘13

Mrs. Elaine W. Crowe Reverend Raymond M. Crowe ‘36 Mr. James W. Curl, Jr. ‘66 Mr. Parker A. Curlee ‘74 Mr. Alvaro F. de Prat ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Michael DeMato Mr. William C. D. Dennis ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. James C. Dillon ‘87 Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Dobbins Mr. & Mrs. Frank H. Dodson, Jr. Ms. Rachel A. Dodson ‘03 Ms. Sara B. Dodson ‘09 Mr. Paul M. Dodsworth ‘49 Mr. Wayland A. Doggett, Jr. ‘49 Mr. Joseph Doran Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Doran, Sr. Mrs. Mariola Doran Ms. Cynthia Doyne Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Driscoll Mr. Douglas E. Driscoll, Jr. ‘11 Mr. Griffin W. Duy ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Pierre Duy Mr. Jack R. Easton ‘67 Mr. Clifton P. Edwards, Jr. ‘73 Capt & Mrs. Henry G. Edwards, Jr. ‘49 Mr. & Mrs. David E. Eldredge ‘38 Mr. & Mrs. William E. Emerson, III Mr. & Mrs. John W. Evans The Honorable & Mrs. John F. Ewell Lt Col & Mrs. Ralph M. Faust ‘58 Ms. Joyce M. Feldman Mr. Nicholas A. Finucan ‘06 Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Ford Mr. Donn A. Frazier ‘78 Mr. & Mrs. David C. Fussell ‘66 Mr. & Mrs. Gary M. Ganson ‘62 Mr. David A. Gillespie, Jr. ‘13 Mrs. Susan Gillette Dr. Laura Gillis & Mr. Peter Gillis Mr. Paul C. Glick ‘61 Mr. & Mrs. Milton C. Gore, Jr. ‘66 Mr. John R. Gresham ‘69 Mr. & Mrs. Don W. Griffis Ms. Cynthia Griffith Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Grove The GWS CPA Educational Foundation Mr. David Hafner

Ms. Michelle Hankins Mrs. Larissa M. Hansen ‘00 & Mr. Mike Hansen Mr. Stephen C. Harriman ‘82 Ms. Sandra Harris Mrs. Edith M. Hart Mr. Strother J. Hart ‘50 Mr. John A. Hay & Ms. Marilyn Aboussie Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Herbert, Jr. ‘65 Mr. & Mrs. David K. Hills Mrs. Mary Lou Hodges Mr. & Mrs. Chase Holland Mr. Blake Hollinger Mr. Thomas A. Hoopes ‘03 Mr. Killian F. Hopcroft ‘13 Mr. Troy Hopcroft Mr. William R. Hough Jr. Ms. Linda Howe-Lake Reverend Chad Hrbek Mr. Shengmin Huang ‘12 Ms. Brandy Hudson Ms. Teresita Hundley Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Hunt ‘52 Mr. & Mrs. James S. Hunter ‘57 Mr. Kerry Hurst Dr. & Mrs. Charles Hutcheson Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Hutt, Jr. ‘47 Mr. Joshua Ilnicki Income Property Associates of Delmarva, LLC Mr. Huichuan Jin ‘13 Mr. Peter C. Jin ‘13 Mr. Brett Johnson ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. James D. Johnson Ms. Mary S. Johnson Mr. Otis H. Johnson, Jr. ‘37 Mr. Webster Johnson Ms. Robin Johnston Mr. & Mrs. Richard Jones Mr. & Mrs. Kyung Jung Ms. Thandiwe N. Kapakasa ’13 Mr. & Mrs. Charles Karen Ms. Samantha Kelley ‘13 Mrs. Amanda G. Kent ‘87 Ms. Kelly L. Kern Ms. Jumanah E. Khader ‘96

continued next page

Thank you!

43 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

alumni & development Mrs. H. Scarlett Kibler ‘89 & Mr. Michael Kibler Mr. Brian Kilday ‘89 Mr. Sean M. Knick, II ‘12 Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Kozlowski Mr. Jonathan Kuiper Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Kupferberg Mr. & Mrs. Don B. Landers Mr. Thomas Laourdakis Mr. Stephen Latham Mr. Phat H. Le ‘13 Mr. Xiaorui Li ‘13 2nd Lt Sarah L. Littlefield ‘06 Mr. Yangboya Liu ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Robert Locklear Mr. Carlos G. MacDonald ‘01 Ms. McKenzie M. Marshall ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Marshall Mr. & Mrs. Robert Marshall, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Martinez Mr. Bryan McCabe Ms. Marilyn McClaskey Dr. Theodore B. McCord, Jr. ‘63 Mr. R. Kyle McDaniel ‘07 Mr. & Mrs. James C. McGoff Lt Col & Mrs. Ronald G. McManus, Jr., USAF, Retired ‘80 Ms. Nancy McMinis Mr. & Mrs. Bruce McNeill Ms. Magdalena I. McNeill ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Glen A. Mente ‘57 Ms. Natalie Meredith Ms. Sarah C. Meredith ‘13 Ms. Juliette N. Michael ‘11 Mr. Don K. Miller ‘59 Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore Mirra Mr. Oluwamishanu Momoh ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Montgomery Mrs. Victoria Montgomery Mr. Munsey A. Moore Mrs. Patricia J. Moore Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Morris, Jr. ‘49 Mr. Jeff Moxie Mr. Paul H. Mylander ‘63 National Society of Daughters of the American Colonists Dr. & Mrs. Mark M. Neale, Jr., D.D.S. ‘66 Mr. & Mrs. Ram Neupane Mr. & Mrs. Robert Norfleet, II ‘62 Mrs. Dorothy Nuckols Mr. Michael O’ Meara Dr. & Mrs. Jon R. Oberly Ms. Susan Ochoa Ms. Enyonam M. A. Odoom ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. James O’Looney Col & Mrs. Robert Orr, Jr. ‘64 Mr. Abraham Park ‘12 Col & Mrs. George A. Pasquet, USAF, Retired ‘59 Mr. James Lewis Payne Mr. & Mrs. Greg Peacock Mr. Benjamin Pederson ‘13 MSgt & Mrs. Stephen Pederson Mr. & Mrs. Mark L. Pellerin ‘66 Mr. G. Tyler Peter ‘55 Mr. Andrew A. Pfister ‘08 Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pfluger Mr. Ryan P. Pile ‘13 Ms. Barbara J. Porter

Mr. Jared M. Purcell ‘12 Dr. & Mrs. George V. Puster, Jr. ‘67 Mr. Boyu Qian ‘13 Mr. Max D. Ramundo ‘10 Ms. Myrta Rathborn Mr. Sami M. A. Rechache ‘11 Dr. & Mrs. Milton M. Reigelman ‘60 Mr. & Mrs. Gregory B. Robertson Mr. & Mrs. William L. Robinson ‘57 Mr. James W. Rockwell ‘59 Ms. Janet H. Rudacille Ms. Mary K. Sadler ‘10 Mr. Gilbert E. Schill, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William E. Schinkel Dr. & Mrs. Carl Schlinke, Jr. Mrs. Lynne Schoonover Ms. Sherry Schoonover Mr. Vernon Schoonover Ms. Lucy Seaman Lt Col & Mrs. Barry Sebring, USAF, Retired Mr. & Mrs. George W. Seger ‘48 Mr. & Mrs. Walter J. Sellers ‘72 Mr. J. Padgett Severin ‘70 Mr. & Mrs. Henry Siemers, Jr.

44 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Mr. Baxter W. Simmons ‘43 Mr. & Mrs. William G. Sims Mr. Nathanael W. Skillman Mr. Charles M. Smith ‘08 Mr. Robert E. Snitchler ‘06 Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Speer Mr. Harold Spriggs Mr. & Mrs. Harry E. Squire ‘72 Standard Chair of Gardner, Inc. Ms. Patricia Sutton-Delbert Mr. Charles E. Swink, Jr. ‘64 Dr. Leslie W. Syron Ms. Linda Taylor Ms. Marianna Theo Mr. Tom Porter & Ms. Anna M. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Dean Thunstrom Mr. & Mrs. John D. Tinny Mr. Thang L. Tran ‘13 Mr. Aaron N. Tweedie ‘97 Ms. Carissa Vaccaro ‘13 Mr. Merrill S. Varien Ms. Elizabeth Vassilas Mr. Steven J. Viemeister ‘98 Ms. Anastasia C. Voellm ‘13 1st Lt Robina Wahl ‘03 Mr. William C. Wallace, II ‘47 Ms. Diana Wanamaker

Mr. & Mrs. Marshall L. Waring ‘48 Mr. & Mrs. David E. Webster ‘46 Mr. Thomas A. Webster, Jr. ‘67 Mr. James R. Wentz ‘65 Mr. William B. Whichard ‘56 Mrs. Joanne T. Wiley Wilkins’ Shoe Center Mr. Frederick J. Williams ‘40* Mr. Marcus J. Williams ‘13 Mr. & Mrs. Roger Wright Mr. Wencan Xu ‘13 Mr. Erik Yanagawa ‘03 Ms. Macaya A. Yao ‘13 Reverend Alan Yeo & Reverend Annemaire Yeo Ms. Wen Yin ‘13 Ms. Martha L. Young Ms. Trisha Young Ms. Leanne Youngs Mr. Sirui Zhang ‘12 Mrs. Brittany A. Zivic Every effort has been made to report gifts accurately. Please contact the Development Office at development@rma.edu to report any errors.

NEW ALUMNI DIRECTORY IS COMING! R-MA Alumni are scattered across the country and even around the world. But no matter where their lives have led them, R-MA Yellow Jackets all share a common bond--and that’s the place they started out.

That’s why we are working on a new project designed to help bring our alumni back together.

This new Alumni Association publication will include comprehensive biographical listings with contact information, career overviews, and family highlights of our classmates.

Plus, a special section about the school will help you reminisce as you read about our past and learn what’s in store for the future.

To make sure our data is as up-to-date as possible, our provider, Harris Connect, will begin contacting you by email and/or regular mail or by phone in February 2014 to verify that the information we will print is accurate and complete. Harris specializes in alumni and membership publications and the data specifications involved with this type of project.

Please help us make this publication full of the latest information about you and your fellow Yellow Jackets!

Don’t be left out--be a part of our 2014 project!

The R-MA College Grad Project Below are lists of where our R-MA graduates have completed a degree in higher education. Don’t see your college under your class year? Contact the Alumni Office today (alumni@rma.edu) to let us know about your achievements!

Class of 2006 Arcadia University Armstrong Atlantic State University Belmont Abbey University Bryn Mawr College Christopher Newport University Clemson University College of Charleston The College of William & Mary Delaware State University Dickinson College Fairmont State University Franklin & Marshall College George Mason University (2) Hofstra University Howard Community College Howard University Johnson & Wales University Lord Fairfax Community College Maine Maritime Academy Northern Virginia Community College Pennsylvania State University (2) Purdue University (2) Savannah College of Art and Design Texas A&M University United States Air Force Academy (2) United States Naval Academy University of Alabama University of Maryland (2) University of Massachusettes University of Michigan University of North Florida University of Oklahoma University of Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Military Institute (2) Virginia Tech (2) Woodbury University Class of 2007 Allegheny College American University Averett College Bridgewater College Carnegie-Mellon University Central Washington University Colorado School of Mines Drexel University East Carolina University (3) The Evergreen State College Frostburg State University George Mason University (3) Hampden-Sydney College (2) Hillsborough Community College James Madison University (2) Mary Baldwin College Montgomery College New York University Northern Virginia Community College Norwich University

Pennsylvania State University Purdue University Radford University SUNY at Albany (2) University of Maryland University of Virginia University of Washington Virginia Commonwealth University (5) Virginia Military Institute (2) Virginia Tech Whitman College Class of 2008 Arizona State University (2) Averett University Cornell University Indiana University at Bloomington John Carroll University Johns Hopkins University Johnson C. Smith University Mary Washington University Ohio State University Pennsylvania State University

St. John’s College University of Maryland University of Montana University of Virginia Virginia Military Institute Washington College Class of 2009 American University Bridgewater College Christopher Newport University The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina Columbia University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Garrett College George Mason University High Point University Meredith College Navarro College Ohio State University Shippensburg University University of Findlay

Congratulations to all!

19 Receive Rings

R-MA’s Annual Ring Ceremony, sponsored by the Alumni Association, was held on Sunday, February 17, 2013. Of the 19 cadets who received rings this year, three received them via a scholarship from the Ring Endowment, which was established by the Alumni Association. Aerospace Instructor MSgt Doug French, USAF Retired, received a class ring, making him an honorary member of the class of 2014.

45 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

athletics

R-MA Swim Team Fares Well in DAC, States

by Rebekah Secrist

isn’t afraid to tell someone how they can do something better,” Williams Coach and Student Life stated, “and he takes the time to show Director Michael Williams feels like how it’s done. The level of respect I the father to R-MA’s swim team. He have for Tanner is very great. I want understands that with the busy cadet everything to be safely done with life R-MA students lead, it’s easy to care, but I want training to be done become tired. Regardless, Williams’ right. Tanner speaks the truth with ultimate goal this past season was humility.” to get the swimmers in the pool to Reflecting back on the season, swim 6,000 yards so they could Williams said that the reason why the have an accomplishment of which swim team did so well was because to be proud. This goal was based of the swimmers. Through their on Williams’ belief that it doesn’t dedication and good attitudes, the matter if the team wins or loses – team was successful and enjoyed just that the swimmers did well, had fun, and are proud of what they Most Valuable Swimmers: for the boys’ team, Tanner Blankenship impressive wins. “The kids can make it or break it,” Williams summarized. achieved. ’13 and for the girls’ team, Eun Jung “Katie” Lee ’14.

“The coaches are just there to be “The best thing about being the their biggest cheerleaders. I do my best to impress skill and endurance, swim coach at R-MA is that the kids teach me more than I could ever but it’s ultimately their teach them. Every day the children teach me that I’m here to learn,” talent that shines.” he said. Williams added that what made the swim team so successful was the fact that swim team wasn’t thought of as just a time filler, but rather a competitive sport that, as a varsity team, represented R-MA. Coaches’ Award That dedicated mentality is what allowed the R-MA swim team Winners: Samantha to excel in all of their events, especially at DAC (Delaney Athletic Kelley ’13 (at right), Conference) and at States. The intensity of DAC rests in the finality of Peter Jin ’13 (below), the conference being the students’ last and Margot Cramer opportunity to qualify for States and ’14 (below right). for All-Conference. The Yellow Jackets made record-scoring times at this event, and R-MA’s own Tanner Blankenship ’13 even won the Swimmer of the Meet award, an award that was voted on by all of the coaches.

States was impressive, as it took place at a former Olympic trial pool that was literally moved from Omaha, Nebraska. The fifty-meter pool provides an environment that can be very intimidating, but Williams and the swim team thought of it as a swimmer’s wonderland and again performed with excellence. Coming in second Most Improved Swimmers: in their district for the State’s Zi Yun “Amy” Wang ’16 Championship, R-MA’s swim team (above) and Cole Johnston ’15 took 10½ seconds off the 400-meter (below). boys’ relay and finished off the year with a 19-8 record.

While competing within a time frame can be stressful, Williams claimed that it’s not all serious. “We keep it fun; we’re a brotherhood,” Under the tutelage of track coaches Jonathan Kuiper and he said. “Several of the children Joshua Ilnicki, Thomas Shea ’16 attended the VISAA Under the tutelage ofSchool track coaches Kuiper don’t have siblings, so the swim (Virginia Independent AthleticJonathan Association) Track andand Joshua Illnicki, Thomas Shea ’16 attended the VISAA team is their family. That’s what Field Championships in Richmond, VA, on May (Virginia Independent Association) Track and makes R-MA so special. No one is 18th. Shea achievedSchool his goalAthletic of running a sub-5-minute th Field Championships in Richmond, VA, on May 18 Shea a castaway here.” Williams gave rd mile this season, with a 4:59.74. He placed 23 in.the race. achieved his goal of running a sub-5-minute mile this season, credit to Assistant Coach Maureen Three hours later, he ran another personal best, placing with placedrun 23rdwith in the race.ofThree hours later, he Sadler who he described as the 12ath 4:59.74. He in the 3200-meter a time 10:55.14. ran another personal best, placing 12th in the 3200-meter run mother of the team. Also, Williams with a time of 10:55.14. acknowledged Blankenship. “Tanner

Freshman Runs Sub-5 at States

46 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Middle School Girls’ Basketball Claims Second in VMSC Championship The Middle School girls’ basketball team claimed one of its highest finishes ever this season, and Coach Toby Allanson couldn’t say enough about the girls and their talent and attitude.

“This is one of the most talented teams I’ve coached,” he said. The girls finished 10-8 for the season, going 6-3 in the Valley Middle School Conference and 3-1 in the “Think Pink” Basketball Tournament at Foxcroft School.

One of the most amazing things about the team, Allanson said, was that the talent was prevalent all through the team, not just among the starters. There were 15 girls on the team, and he said, “Anyone off the bench would play just as well as the starters.”

The girls made it to the playoffs of the VMSC Championships.

Cheered on by the boys’ team, they were up by 16 points with four minutes left, but were called for 17 fouls in those four minutes,

2-Time DAC Swimmer of the Year: Tanner Blankenship

by Rebekah Secrist When asked his formal title within JROTC, Tanner Blankenship ’13 smiled, and said, “Call me, Tanner. That’s who I am; I’m Tanner.” Blankenship’s character speaks for itself. He is a focused individual who has clearly defined goals and a competitive nature that never doubts his vision.

Blankenship, who came to R-MA in 7th grade, has committed himself to swimming, and he won the DAC (Delaney Athletic Conference) Swimmer of the Year award for the second year in a row, as well as the Swimmer of the Meet for the DAC Championships. “I felt accomplished winning the award because all the coaches vote on it, so you know you impressed them.

That’s quite a compliment.” Blankenship claimed his success was a result of not being easily intimidated. “I like being successful in swimming,” he said, “because it’s a way to show my worth and talent without seeming pretentious. I believe that effort should prove its merit and speak for itself, and I believe that actions speak louder than words or titles. I like to let my achievements speak for themself, and winning the swimmer of the meet award allowed for that.”

While Blankenship took pride in his accomplishments, he gave credit to the coaches, Head Coach Michael Williams and Assistant Coach Maureen Sadler, and the team. “He’s got so much excitement,” Tanner said of Williams, “and he’s learned so much so fast. Most importantly, Coach Williams is a good person. That’s what is needed to make a good coach: working successfully with the team because as a coach, you legitimately care.” Blankenship said swimming on the R-MA team has been a positive and fun experience, and added that he had the team and Coach Williams to thank for that. Blankenship also acted as an assistant coach during the last two years, adding a new aspect to his swimming career.

Blankenship took a moment to acknowledge the influence R-MA has had on his scholastic endeavors. “One of the best qualities about R-MA,” he said, “is the rich academic environment.

The teachers care about giving students a deeper understanding of knowledge that goes beyond the textbook. I’m really grateful for that.”

Ultimately, Blankenship hopes to become a dentist with his own practice. This fall, he will attend William and Mary, where he said he would love to swim at either the varsity level or in a club.

“Swimming is competitive, and it’s good exercise. Swimming is definitely something I will do for the rest of my life.”

leaving their opponent, Mountain View, with a one-point win at the buzzer. Mountain View would go on to win the championship game by four points.

In spite of the disappointing end to the season, Allanson said he couldn’t be more proud of his team.

“They all had a great attitude. We had great on-court leadership, and great teamwork,” he said.

The MVP was Jasmine Johnson ’17, who scored the most points and the second most rebounds on the team, and was a leader on and off the court. Angelique Murphy ’17, who Allanson said was the second highest scorer, biggest rebounder, and also one of the top motivators on the team, was awarded the Coach’s Award. The Most Improved Award went to Amy Go ’17, who had never before played basketball.

Top photo, MVP Jasmine Johnson ’17. Above, Coaches’ Award Winner Angelique Murphy ’17. At left, Most Improved Player Amy Go ’17.

All-DAC Honors The following students have been named to the All-Conference Teams in the Delaney Athletic Conference for the winter sports season.

Boys’ Basketball Carson Holder ’14 – 1st Team Girls’ Basketball Anastasia Voellm ’13 – 1st Team Emmanuela Imansuangbon ’15 – 1st Team Cheyenne Jameson ’13 – Honorable Mention Swimming Tanner Blankenship ’13 – Swimmer of the Year Cheng Qian ’15 Quinn Blankenship ’16

47 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

athletics

Varsity Boys’ Basketball

Winter Sports Awards

Most Valuable Player Carson Holder ‘14 Coaches’ Award Marcus Williams ‘13 Most Improved Player Neil Dutton ‘13

JV Boys’ Basketball Most Valuable Player Joseph Monastero ‘16 Coaches’ Award Tyler Vaughan ’15 Gabriel Williams ’16

Varsity Cheerleading

Most Valuable Player Natalie Pendie ‘15

Coaches’ Award Ixel Ochoa ‘15

Most Improved Player Ewurama Quansah ‘16

Middle School Cheerleading Most Valuable Player Kate Ponn ’18 Coaches’ Award Naomi Eke-Spiff ’18 Most Improved Player Olivia Nganga ’17

48 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Girls’ Varsity Basketball Wins DAC Honors In his first season as a head coach of a varsity-level team, Jeff Moxie had almost everything a coach could hope for. He had experience as the assistant coach of R-MA’s girls’ varsity basketball team, so he knew the players, the school, and the competition. He had an assistant coach with a different style of coaching but the same endgoal in mind—his brother John, who, like Jeff, had been playing basketball most of his life. There was just one thing he didn’t have: a great start to the season.

“The season started rough,” he admitted. He acknowleded that part of the reason might have been the loss of a few key players, but for the most part, he said, the plays weren’t clicking with the girls. The tide started to turn when All-DAC (Delaney Athletic Conference) 1st Team player Anastasia Voellm ’13 rejoined the team after Thanksgiving break. By January, they were like a different team. “The plays started clicking after winter break,” said Jeff. “We sort of found our way.”

In addition to Voellm, Emmanuela Imansuangbon ‘15 made First Team All-DAC, and Cheyenne Jameson ’13 received an honorable mention. With their leadership and the coaching of the Moxie brothers, the team came together. “I’m most proud of the way they grew as a team,” said Jeff. “At the beginning of the year my brother and I said, ‘This is going to be a long season,’ but halfway through, they began picking up on things. They improved all through the season and got onto a hot streak at the end like you’re supposed to.”

That hot streak landed them in third place in the DAC in the

season overall, which earned them a place in the DAC tournament.

In the semi-finals, they faced the #2 seed, Wakefield Country Day School—a team the Lady Yellow Jackets had lost to twice early on in the season. WCDS had the mental advantage of having defeated the Jackets, but on top of that, they had the DAC Player of the Year, who had been averaging about 18 points a game. “We put Anastasia on her, and she only scored about four,” said Jeff. Between that and the improved playing of the team overall, the Jackets won handily and went on to the championship, facing Fredericksburg Christian Academy.

The Jackets had beaten FCA once during the season, but this time they came up short. “We were up by four or five, but then we got tired, and ended up losing by about eight,” said Jeff. “I was proud of them. It was a good game.”

MVP Anastasia Voellm ’13 is shown top left. Above left is Coaches’ Award Winner Caitlin Bunker ’14. Most Improved Player Cheyenne Jameson ’13 is pictured on right.

Middle School Boys’ Basketball Most Valuable Player Sam Beavers ’17 Coaches’ Award Joseph Silek ’17 Most Improved Player Thomas Minchew ’17

Middle School Swimming Most Valuable Swimmer – Kate Shea ’17 Most Improved Swimmer – Carolyn Laourdakis ’19 49 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

athletics

Three Wrestlers Make All-State; Doraney, Doku Compete at Nationals This year’s varsity wrestling team was one of the strongest in recent history, and the proof was in the individual accomplishments, as three R-MA wrestlers were named All-State Wrestlers for finishing in the top eight at the state tournament. At 152 lbs, Imran Doraney ’13 had the best finish of the team, placing second at states.

Heavyweight Duane Doku ’13 took fifth, while 220-lb Nick Anderson ’13 took sixth in his weight class. All three, as well as Head Coach Frank Sullivan, agreed that had Jonathan Moore ’14 not gotten hurt in his last regularseason match, the Yellow Jackets could have had four AllState members this year.

Sullivan has coached both football and track at R-MA before, and he always encouraged his football players to wrestle due to the fact that he knew it would help them stay in shape, but this was his first year of actually coaching the sport. With a team average of .500 and three All-State wrestlers, it’s obvious his foray into the sport was successful.

“I’ve seen them all participate in team sports,” he said of the three stars, “but it was a different perspective in sort of an individual sport. It took me a while to get used to it. They depend on teamwork and the coach during the week, but when they wrestle on Saturday, they have to depend on themselves.”

The wrestlers were quick to name Sullivan as one of the reasons they were successful. “The conditioning he put us through was amazing,” said Doraney.

Doraney and Anderson both began wrestling when they were in R-MA Middle School. “A lot of people in my family wrestle,” said Doraney. “I like the idea of wrestling, that when the match is started, it’s one-on-one. The only person you’ve got is you.”

“Imran had one of the best work ethics I’ve ever been around,” Sullivan commented. “He really grew into a person who would help others.”

In contrast to Doraney who had a long-standing family tradition to follow, Anderson and Doku were recruited into wrestling. Sullivan talked Anderson into coming into the gym to work out, no doubt thinking the young man would be a good football player. While that was true, wrestling was where he began to excel.

“It’s a unique sport,” Anderson stated. “You can’t blame other people. You have to write your own story. Whether you succeed is all on you. It’s hard. Not a lot of people can do it.”

Doku would be the first to agree that the sport is hard. He knew it would be, and that’s why when then-coach Mike Mellish first approached him about wrestling, Doku said no. The second time, Doku agreed, albeit somewhat reluctantly—and almost regretted it.

“I had to wrestle Nick,” he recalled in a dead-pan manner. “It was the worst thing I ever did. He did moves I had never seen before, and it hurt. I had to just take it.”

Doku might put on the front of being a reluctant recruit to wrestling, but Mellish wouldn’t change his decision to go after Doku. “Duane has a combination of quickness and 50 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

strength that was offset by a laid-back attitude and a great sense of humor,” he said. “He is also highly intelligent. The ability to be able to think clearly when exhausted and stressed is a staple of a great wrestler, and I saw this in him. The ability to be able to torture yourself physically on a daily basis and still maintain your sense of humor was also something I knew he could do. He just had all the right physical, mental, and emotional attributes needed to make a good grappler.”

At the end of States, it seemed that Doraney was the only one moving on to Nationals, and he had to be proud of his second-place finish since his only loss came to a three-time All-American wrestler. For Anderson, the sixth-place finish was a disappointment; he had hoped to finish in the top four in States and move on to Nationals with Doraney. Reluctant wrestler Doku had a similar disappointment at States with his fifth-place finish—or so he thought. Then Sullivan received a phone call: the fourth-place wrestler had to drop out of Nationals due to an injury, and Doku was invited to take his place in the tournament.

With Anderson helping them train and cheering them on, Doku and Doraney prepared for Nationals as best they could, but they were still a bit star-struck upon their arrival. States, held at Virginia Commonwealth University, had been impressive with the professional atmosphere and the number of fans cheering on the wrestlers, but even that was overshadowed by the magnitude of Nationals.

“It was really intense,” Sullivan said.

“The smallest dude among all these guys was like 265 lbs,” joked Doku. In his first match his opponent forfeited, and he lost the next two.

“Duane was only four pounds over the heavyweight minimum,” said Sullivan. “He wrestled well considering the kids he wrestled against. He gave up 60 lbs to one guy. We had to teach him techniques to deal with opponents that much heavier than him.”

“It looks like everyone is a state champion,” Doraney said of his impression at Nationals. “No one gets pinned in Nationals. Every match goes to the last round.” Doraney walked away with one win, against the North Carolina State Champion.

“He wrestled really well in the second round against the North Carolina private school champion,” Sullivan commented. “He beat him pretty handily.”

Top photo, R-MA MVP and All-State Wrestler Imran Doraney ’13.

Center page photo, Coaches’ Award Winner and All-State Wrestler Duane Doku ’13. Above, All-State Wrestler Nicholas Anderson ’13 is awarded a victory. At left, R-MA’s Most Improved Wrestler, Victor Marshall ’14.

Come cheer on the Yellow Jackets this fall!

Visit http://www.rma.edu/Athletic-Offerings and click on a sport to view the competition schedule! (Schedules subject to change.)

Soccer Refuses to Let History Repeat: Girls Reclaim DAC Losing a championship game is tough. Losing it in doubleovertime is possibly more heart-breaking, although there is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve given your best. But the worst feeling might be when the game then goes past that to be decided by penalty kicks (PKs)—and you lose. The Lady Yellow Jackets know how it feels—that’s how they lost the championship game last year. And they were determined not to let it happen again.

It was a tough goal. Although most of last year’s star players were returning this year, the Jackets were suffering one key loss: All-State goalie Erin Dullahan ’12 had graduated. Madeline Chafin ’14 filled the role admirably, but when she missed games due to an academic trip, Head Coach Brandy Hudson turned to an all-around athlete that coaches have been counting on for several years at R-MA: Anastasia Voellm ’13.

“She has good hand-eye coordination,” Hudson said of the basketball and tennis star. “She learns quickly, she’s a confident person, a team player, and she did really well, so after that week, I thought we would just keep her in the goal. It just worked with her.

She has natural athletic intuition.”

With key returners McKenzie Marshall ’13, Macaya Yao ’13, Miss’e Odoom ’13, Allyson McManus ’13, and Ashley McManus ’13, the team proved to be formidable. They won the season championship in a dominating fashion, going undefeated in the Delaney Athletic Conference (DAC).

In the semi-final match-up, the team defeated Quantico 4-1. The next day, the R-MA Yellow Jackets faced the Wakefield Country Day School (WCDS) Owls in the championship game at R-MA. R-MA put points on the score board first when Marshall scored Anastasia Voellm ’13 was unassisted. However, the Owls later named Most Improved answered back to tie the score 1-1. The Player. score remained equal until Marshall dished out a pass to Odoom, who shot and beat the opponent’s keeper. Leading into the half, the Jackets were up 2-1. The second half proved even more challenging as WCDS scored one point and their defense held the Jackets scoreless.

At the end of regulation, the game was tied 2-2.

That sent the two teams into two ten-minute overtime periods, but neither team scored. This only meant one thing: penalty kicks would decide who would be crowned champion. For R-MA, it was an undesirable, eerie echo of last year’s championship game.

“Last year we lost after 13 PKs,” recalled Ashley McManus. “It was very disheartening.”

Each team chose five kickers that would alternate taking PKs. Each team had a couple misses, with Voellm making some key saves.

Voellm was also the last kicker for R-MA--and the two teams were tied with two scores each. In a storybook ending for a tremendous three-sport athlete, Voellm found the back of the net, and it turned out to be the game-winning goal!

“Anastasia was on her game,” said Allyson McManus. “She didn’t want to do the PK at first, but she did it anyway.”

As a result of her standout performance and the teamwork shown by all the athletes, the R-MA Yellow Jackets varsity girls’ soccer team had captured the DAC II Tournament Championship for the third time in four years! With most of the team having played together for the last three years, it was an emotional win, as it not only ended dramatically, but the athletes knew it was their last game together.

“We’re one of those teams that doesn’t get on each other,” said Yao. “We advise each other, but we don’t call each other out.”

“I feel that our team does perform well because the girls on the team are like a family,” Hudson said. “They’re so supportive of each other, it’s wonderful.”

The players feel the same about their coach, who was named the DAC’s Soccer Coach of the Year. “She gets so involved with us,” said Marshall. “She runs when we run; she plays games to catch her. I think that definitely helps us as a team.”

Allyson and Ashley McManus, Xel Ochoa ’15, and Voellm all received 1st Team, All-DAC Honors. Yao received an honorable mention. Voellm also received the team’s Most Improved Player Award, while Amy Gray ’15 received the Team Spirit Award. Marshall was named the team’s MVP and the DAC Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year.

McKenzie Marshall ’13 Named DAC Player of the Year McKenzie Marshall ’13 has been playing soccer for about nine years, and it showed in her performance on R-MA’s varsity girls’ soccer team this year. She played four different positions, took 65 shots on goal, made 18 goals, and added five assists, all in 14 games in which she was often doubleteamed. For her impressive athletic talent, sportsmanship, and of course the danger she presented to every team the Yellow Jackets faced, she was named R-MA’s MVP and the Delaney Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She was also named to the Northern Virginia Daily’s All-Area First Team.

“She’s just an all-around great player,” said Head Coach Brandy Hudson. “She can play any position on the team and is willing to play any position on the field. She’s a total team player—we actually had to teach her to hog the ball more.”

“I just like how you’re constantly moving, doing something,” Marshall said. “It’s teamwork. There are no star players; you all have to work as a team. When soccer season comes around, I put everything into it. I want to be the best that I can be.”

“I guarantee the other coaches in the conference are glad she’s graduating,” said Hudson. “By the end of the season, she was marked.

They had two players on her. That didn’t stop her from scoring.”

When it was time for the penalty kicks (PKs) during the championship game, Hudson knew who she wanted to start the team off. “I set her up to go first in PKs because she’s 100% good and that sets the momentum,” Hudson said. “It’s just as important, if not more important, than the last kick.”

First Yellow Jacket Kick-Off Classic R-MA hosted the first Yellow Jacket Kick-off Classic Girls’ Soccer Tournament on March 22 and 23, 2013. Including R-MA, six schools from around the state participated, including Norfolk Academy, Norfolk Collegiate, Eastern Mennonite, Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School, and Wakefield School (The Plains, VA).

All visiting teams were ranked in the state.

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Jackets Claim LAX Runner-Up Honors The Yellow Jackets’ varsity lacrosse team finished as the DAC Runners-Up for both the season and the tournament this year, but while the title may imply they were second-best, this year’s team had the spirit of champions.

Heading into the tournament, R-MA had a record of 8-2, with their only two losses coming against Wakefield School (The Plains, VA).

The team was confident going in, according to Head Coach Blake Hollinger and Assistant Coach David Gillis P’14. “We had the league’s MVP [Brook Blair ‘14],” said Gillis. “We scored the most goals across the league. We had six or seven guys who could put the ball in the net.”

Blair’s impressive performance early in the season meant that opposing teams quickly began targeting him, so that depth became extremely important for the Yellow Jackets. By the end of the season, they were relying on several less experienced players, including Ben Gillis ’14, Ryan Pile ’13, and Slayton Speer ’15, to score. Both Pile and Speer were named to the 1st Team, All-Delaney Athletic Conference, while Gillis received the R-MA Coach’s Award honor.

Brook Blair ’14 Named DAC Lacrosse Player of the Year Delaney Athletic Conference’s Lacrosse Player of the Year Brook Blair ’14 began playing lacrosse at the age of five. He lost his passion for it temporarily and didn’t play for several years, but still had more experience than most players when he returned to the game in honor of his father, who passed away in 2010. However, his coaches say his ability stems from more than just experience.

“I’ve watched him progress since his freshman year,” said Head Coach Blake Hollinger.

“Winning MVP of the team last year showed that the skill level has been there. What improved this year is his ability to understand the game and his role in our game plan. If we need to kill time and give the defense a rest, he understands that now.”

“He just needs to improve on subtleties,” agreed Gillis.

“Brook also has a willingness to take punishment, no fear of sustained punishment. He has an inherent piece of tenacity-you either have it or you dream about it.”

Blair, who scored 34 goals and had 5 assists in the DAC games, is surprised by the accolades sent his way.

“I don’t think of myself as other people think of me,” he said. “I think they hype me up beyond what I think I am.” He felt that many of the players who joined the team this year, including his own brother, Peter Blair ’16, helped the team make it to the championship game.

As for Blair, he plays just to have fun. “I just like the sense of comfort and tranquility on the field. I get that nowhere else in my life like I do when I play lacrosse,” he said. “Lacrosse is a lifestyle for me. I can’t live without it.”

52 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Defensively throughout the season, the team played as a unit.

“We had four really good defenders with only three positions, so we had a great rotation,” said Hollinger.

“They were all backed by field general [goalie] Jonathan Moore [‘14], who matter-of-factly took control and told them how to do it all year. He was the unsung hero of the team.”

Pile agreed with that statement.

“No one really remembers who saves a goal, just the person who makes it,” he commented.

According to the coaches, three Jon Moore ’14 was named the things made Moore so dangerous as MVP of the team. a goalie this year: First, he had fast reflexes combined with good hands. Second, he had the unique ability to forget the goal that was just scored and focus on the game at hand, instead of getting caught up in an error. Third, he “played angles very well,” as Hollinger put it.

With so much talent, the team and the coaches held high hopes as they headed into the DAC Tournament, especially since they were ranked second and had a first round bye. In the second round, the Yellow Jackets played Seton School and won 9-5. Then it was off to the championship game: against Wakefield School.

In spite of the fact that their record against Wakefield was 0-2, the team did not allow it to dictate how they handled the championship game. The team fought valiantly, pushing Wakefield to an 8-8 score at the end of regulation. The game went into double-overtime before Wakefield was able to pull out a goal and claim a 9-8 victory.

“We didn’t get disheartened,” Hollinger said. “We came out and played.”

“We definitely left everything on the field,” said Pile. “Everyone knew what we needed to do. It came Benjamin Gillis ’14 received the Coaches’ Award.

Ryan Pile ’13 was named the Most Improved Player.

down to double overtime, and at that point it’s anyone’s game.”

“I’ve had a lot of teams with good players, but this is the best team I’ve coached since I’ve been at R-MA,” said Hollinger. “They like each other, they have a good time, but they know when it’s time to go to work—and they put in a lot of work. In addition, the team’s doing it the right way. Other coaches and referees are complimenting the way these young men are carrying themselves, both athletically and with character.”

Runners-Up No More: Baseball Claims DAC Championship!

The Yellow Jackets came together as a team this year to win the DAC Baseball Championship title.

After several frustrating years, including a one-run loss in the semifinals one year and losses in the championship games the other two years, they finally did it. The Yellow Jackets’ varsity baseball team won the DAC Championship title, and for the coaches and players alike, it was such a relief that it felt as if a jinx had been lifted from their shoulders.

The season started out with high hopes as Thomas Abell ’13 gathered the players together for a few informal practices and worked with other members of the team to build a camaraderie the team had been missing the year before. But in spite of their efforts, the team lost their first three games—two to Collegiate School, and one to Warren County High School. To top it off, their catcher, Robert DeBerry ’16, hurt his foot.

Then came spring break. As if a switch had been flipped, the team came back and won five in a row, lost to Seton, won another four games, lost to Seton, and then won two more. Because of the late snows in March, many games were cancelled and R-MA was the only team that managed to play all of the other teams in the Delaney Athletic Conference twice, and the Yellow Jackets easily qualified for the tournament. Ranked at #2, the team squared off against the #3 seed, Fredericksburg Academy.

“We had beaten them 17-0 and 11-6 during the regular season,” said R-MA pitcher Neil Dutton ’13. “We went in overconfident and they scored three runs on us. Coach [Rob] Locklear pulled us aside and said, ‘Do you really want to win this game?’”

The team pulled together and scored five unanswered runs, winning 5-3. They expected to face the #1 seed, Seton, in the championship game, but the #4 seed, Highland, managed to knock off Seton.

At the start of the championship game, Highland scored one run, but the Yellow Jackets were not about to allow a repeat of the semi-final game. They went on to score seven runs off of 11 hits. “It was the best defensive game all year,” said Locklear. “We had five guys who had two hits Robert DeBerry ’16 won the each and Thomas [Abell] had five Coaches’ Award.

assists.”

“We knew we could do it; it was just a matter of coming together and playing as a team,” said Abell.

“The team chemistry made the biggest difference,” agreed Dutton. “We had nothing last year. We didn’t work hard.”

“Since we have played with each other so long, we just felt like this was our year,” agreed Keijerian “KJ” Graham ’13. “As soon as Andre [Lake ‘13] caught that ball…”

“I saw people running at me and Andre didn’t even have the ball, then KJ tackled me,” Dutton supplied.

“I was just standing there, thinking, ‘Did this really just happen?’” Abell recalled.

“It was amazing,” said assistant coach Dani Locklear. “Everyone was crying. The kids were crying, parents were hugging, everyone was going crazy.”

The memory of winning that long-awaited championship will certainly stick with the six seniors who started the game that day, as well as everyone else in attendance.

As Abell stated, “It was a good way to end it.”

DeBerry received the Coaches’ Award, while Dutton was named R-MA’s Most Valuable Player and the DAC Player of the Year.

Locklear was named the DAC Baseball Coach of the Year. Graham and Griffin Duy ’13 were named to the DAC 1st Team, All-Conference, and both Lake and Christopher Bell ’13 received Honorable Mentions Neil Dutton ’13 and KJ to the All-Conference Team. David Graham ’13 collide in Pitts ’16 was named the Most celebration after the team won Improved Player. the DAC Championship.

Dutton Named DAC Baseball Player of the Year Neil Dutton ’13 has played baseball at Randolph-Macon Academy for four years as a pitcher, catcher, and shortstop. This year, he was honored not only as R-MA’s MVP, but also as the Delaney Athletic Conference’s Baseball Player of the Year. He was also one of thirteen players in the area to be named to the Northern Virginia Daily’s All-Area First Team.

“He was our go-to guy,” said Assistant Coach Dani Locklear.

“When we needed a win, we told him what we needed, and he pulled the team together, and gave of himself as well.”

As a pitcher, Dutton had a record of 4-2 this year. He faced 125 batters and came away with a 2.14 ERA, striking out 50 batters and walking 11. He threw a total of 511 pitches, the second-most on the R-MA team. As a batter, Dutton was even more feared—his batting average was .460 for the season. He had 23 hits with eight doubles and two home runs, resulting in 23 RBIs for the season.

Dutton will attend Shenandoah University in the fall, where he plans to play baseball.

53 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

athletics

Varsity Boys’ Track & Field Most Valuable Runner Thomas Shea ‘16 Coaches’ Award Thomas Powars ‘16 Most Improved Runner Andrew Criminski ’13

Varsity Girls’ Track & Field

Spring Sports Awards

Most Valuable Runner Paige Hollis ‘15 Coaches’ Award Markeesha Gibson ‘14 Most Improved Runner Beatriz Angulo ‘16

Varsity Golf Most Valuable Player Jung Hoon (Bill) Choi ‘14 Coaches’ Award DiKun Yu ‘16 Most Improved Player Louis Lindsay ‘16

Varsity Softball Most Valuable Player Cheyenne Jameson ’13 Coaches’ Award Juliet Arcila Rojas ’13 Most Improved Player Kelli Hutcheson ’14

54 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

Varsity Tennis Most Valuable Player Van Nguyen ’13 Coaches’ Award Cole Pawlak ’17 Most Improved Player Rico Figaroore ‘14

Middle School Tennis Most Valuable Player – Ryan Latham ’18 Coaches’ Award Angel Njoku ’18 Most Improved Player – Harry Su ‘18

Middle School Track Most Valuable Runner Katelyn Shea ‘17 Coaches’ Award Ken Gilland ’17 Most Improved Runner Amy Go ‘17

Middle School Flag Football Most Valuable Player Alex Ndongo-Seh ‘17 Coaches’ Award SoSo Eke-Spiff ‘17 Most Improved Player Myra Brown ‘17

55 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

athletics

Eric Barr: 25 Years of Coaching at R-MA If you spend some time talking with Eric Barr about his 25 years of coaching boys’ tennis at R-MA, you might walk away trying to figure out how to fit coaching into your life, because according to him, there’s just one word to describe it: fun.

“I feel I’m at my best coaching if I’m on the court with them, and that’s fun,” he said. “Teaching on the spot, learning from the players, and the physical side of the game—if you’re going to go out there and hit the ball for an hour and a half, you have to enjoy it.”

Twenty-five years ago, Barr had no idea he would spend most of his 31 years at R-MA coaching boys’ tennis. The team needed a coach, and he was familiar with the game, so Frank Moxie, the athletic director at the time, asked Barr if he would consider it. “I thought I would do it for one or two years, then someone else would take over,” said Barr.

That first year was an adventure. Crow Hall—where the courts had been located—was being constructed, and the new courts behind Turner Hall were not complete, so he had to shuttle the team to the courts near Bing Crosby Stadium in town to get any playing time.

Plus, never having coached before, he relied on the players to tell him what a practice should consist of.

Twenty-five years later, Barr prides himself on knowing high school tennis very well. “If you’re going to be in charge of something, do it right,” he commented. “You can’t teach others if you don’t know the rules.”

In addition to having fun on the court, Barr appreciated the camaraderie he developed with his tennis players. “When you know kids out of the classroom, it helps in the classroom,” he said. He also found professional satisfaction in coaching. “When you get an athlete who listens and tries it and it works, that’s gratifying.”

Because tennis is a life sport, one that athletes can play decades after high school, it is exciting to Barr when he has a student who wants to get better and loves the game as he does. Having a passion for both math and tennis and a passion for sharing that love with others, Barr has come to realize an important life lesson that he tries to pass on to his students and athletes. “Find that passion, that interest.

Find that and do it because you love it. If others don’t, don’t worry about it.”

“Sometimes he is really intense but he is also funny,” said Van Nguyen ’13, when asked about Barr as a coach. “He always tries to have fun by making jokes, helping everybody relax, but we are still learning what he is trying to teach, to coach. He is always telling us to keep our heads up, even when losing, because we always can come back. He made me improve myself from a young kid to a better young man.”

As many coaches can attest to, having consistency in sports at a small boarding school such as R-MA can be difficult. There are many years in which the incoming players have little or no experience. That annual challenge makes Barr’s 25-year record of 192 wins and 110 losses for the boys’ team even more impressive than it seems at first glance. In addition, the team has won the season and/or tournament championship title seven out of those 25 years. The most recent title, the 2011 Delaney Athletic Conference (DAC) Tournament Championship, ranks among Barr’s favorite memories in his 25 years.

“We were the number three seed, and we beat the number one seed, Highland, indoors, which we were not used to playing in,” he said.

“Mr. Barr has not only been a teacher, coach and mentor to 56 The Sabre  Summer/Fall 2013

literally hundreds of students at R-MA, but he has also been an incredible friend and listener to all,” said Assistant Coach Jumanah Khader ’96. Khader played for Barr on the girls’ team and was so good that she played on the boys’ team as well. “He has such an incredible connection with his players on and off the court, and although it is obvious that winning the conference for the school is a top priority, he always reminds his players to go out and have fun. Practices always have elements of seriousness, as they should. However, there is not a day that goes by that you will not hear laughter on the court because of the jokes or the witty and quick responses that Mr. Barr has to any comment or question that is made.”

In addition to the team titles, Barr has garnered a number of awards during his coaching career. He was named the Virginia Independent Conference’s Boys’ Tennis Coach of the Year in 1991, 1992, and 1995, and the DAC Boys’ Tennis Coach of the Year in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. He also received the R-MA C. Lyle McFall Coach of the Year award in 1992, 1993, 2003, and 2011.

All-DAC Honors The following students have been named to the AllConference Teams in the Delaney Athletic Conference for the spring sports season.

Baseball Neil Dutton ’13 – 1st Team – Player of the Year Griffin Duy ’13 – 1st Team K.J. Graham ’13 – 1st Team Andre Lake ’13 – Honorable Mention Chris Bell ’13 – Honorable Mention Golf Jung Hoon Choi ’14 – 1st Team Lacrosse Brook Blair ’14 – 1st Team – Player of the Year Ryan Pile ’13 – 1st Team Slayton Speer ’15 – 1st Team Jon Moore ’14 – Honorable Mention Girls’ Soccer McKenzie Marshall ’13 – 1st Team – Player of the Year Allyson McManus ’13 – 1st Team Ashley McManus ’13 – 1st Team Anastasia Voellm ’13 – 1st Team Ixel Ochoa ’15 – 1st Team Macaya Yao ’13 – Honorable Mention Softball Cheyenne Jameson ’13 – 1st Team Boys’ Tennis Van Nguyen ’13 – 1st Team Cole Pawlak ‘17 – 1st Team

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