IN - P ERS ON G RAD U ATI ON:
A PROMISE KEPT
Much to the delight of all members of the Class of 2021, this year’s mission to reach in-person graduation was a success!
through the school year. In addressing the parents and family members present in the audience, General Wesley shared,
The Academy began the 2020-2021 school year with one end goal in mind: observe all necessary safety protocols to make in-person graduation a reality. Missing the final send-off for the Class of 2020 was enough motivation to ensure it didn’t happen again. In speaking with General Wesley last October, he shared, “Nothing was harder than not being able to look each cadet in the eye and shake their hand in congratulations for their hard work and dedication to R-MA.” With hard work and dedication, in-person graduation took place on May 22, when the seniors and Falcons received their diplomas on Riddick Field.
“This year, like no other, has been purchased with two things: the courage of our faculty…[and] trust. When [our faculty] came back to teach in August, they could not know what this year would involve, what it would cost, what it would take. They confronted a danger no faculty has ever faced. And they did it without complaint. They did it with enormous skill. So I say to you...it is no exaggeration that our faculty risked their lives to educate your child. The other thing this incomparable year required was trust. Trust that you placed in us to finish what we started. The faculty, the staff, the board and I will always be grateful for your trust in any year. To be trusted with the education of a child is indeed a great gift. For you to do that for us, and for your children this year, is something that I will never forget.”
Ultimately, this year’s graduation was similar in many ways to the numerous ceremonies that had preceded it. The band started by welcoming in the senior class as they walked to their designated seats with friends and family watching on from a responsible distance. Following Chaplain Orndorff’s invocaiton, General Wesley took a moment to reflect on the year being left behind, and the tremendous effort and risk that went into safely advancing
10 The Sabre Magazine | Summer-Fall 2021
Soon after the General’s poignant words, class valedictorian Kisyl Housden took the stage to give an impassioned speech harkening back to Chaplain Orndorff’s previous sentiments regarding moving on from this year. Kisyl proclaimed, “Graduation is not the end goal itself. It is a part of the larger journey in life that should serve as our launching point,
