Winter 2013
The Official Newsletter of the R-MA Parents’ Association
Volume 5, Issue 1
MOTTO: We want to be the voice of every parent, especially those far away.
The PA President’s Corner…
PA Officers for 2012-13 Our sincere appreciation goes to the following Parents’ Association officers for their willingness to freely give of their time this year: President Angie Williams, P’11, ’13, ’16 angie@wbdoors.com 540-636-4444 (work) Treasurer Dean Borden, P’12, ’14, ’16 deantpu@gmail.com Secretary Glenn Schoonover, P’15, ’16 glennsch@live.com Upper School VP Susan Funderberg, P’14 Middle School VP Susan Glascock, P’18 ssg98@comcast.net
In This Issue R-MA Cross-Country, 2012.....................p 2 MIddle School Book Fair........................p 2 Congratulations to the 2012 Grant Recipients.............................................. p3 Upcoming Events...................................p 3 Pivot Points............................................p 3 Generous Supporters Make Dreams Come True....................................................... p4 First Annual Grand Illumination Event...p 5
Angie Williams Winter 2013
Since the beginning of this school year, we have been creating a thriving school environment through our supporting efforts and through the variety of events we’ve been hosting. Our goal, as always, is to benefit the students and staff. This year has already been productive: the PA has successfully funded the traditional events including the Mentoring Fund, British Exchange, Flight Dinners, Holiday Parties for students and staff, Christmas breakfast, Big Brother/Big Sister Dinner, Grants for Teaching Staff, and the Middle School R-MA Parents’ Association PresiBirthday Project. Our other yearly events that start dent Angie Williams P’11, ‘13, ‘16 during the winter/spring are right on schedule. and her volunteers enjoy working The monthly meetings continue to be a concession stands so much, they decided to open a concession stand positive source for plans and information. At each during baseball games this spring. meeting invited guests from the R-MA staff grace us with their presence; so far this year we have hosted Academic Dean Jonathan Ezell, Director of Enrollment Management Clare Dame, and the President of the Academy, Major General Henry Hobgood. These individuals have provided information unique to their station to help us gain wisdom and direction for our goals. The opportunity for questions and answers at these meetings help pave the way for a clear understanding of our vision. Please review our meeting minutes found on the PA web site at www.rma.edu/Parents-Association. Helping hands are always welcome and appreciated for PA events. Upcoming opportunities include the concession stand at sporting events, used uniform sale, and book fair. All income generated directly supports funding for all the traditional events discussed earlier in addition to scheduled Winter/Spring Semester events. This year we added hosting a concession stand for a Soccer Tournament in March 2013. We look forward to seeing you! 2013 promises to be a fantastic year for the Parents’ Association!
PA Meetings
March 10 April 14 May 12 June 9 (Annual budget meeting)
5 pm, Stan Fulton Hall 5 pm, Stan Fulton Hall 5 pm, Stan Fulton Hall 5 pm, Stan Fulton Hall 1
R-MA Cross Country, 2012 By: Debra Adams (Team Mom)
It was a great season to be a running Yellow Jacket! The boys’ and girls’ teams excelled by performing well and making personal records race after race. The R-MA cross-country team was very fortunate to have the phenomenal leadership of the 2011-2012 Coach of the Year, Dave Gillis. Coach Ilnicki was a welcome addition this year, and he helped foster the team’s cohesiveness. The team worked hard all season, mile after mile, up and down the Green Monster, and they found success by season’s end as the girls tied for fourth place and the boys
’14 and Maddie Chafin ’14. Top finishers for the Lady Jackets were Ixel Ochoa ’15, McKenzie Marshall ’13, and Grace. The two teams showed a deep level of comradeship in regards to each other, and specifically the boys proved themselves chivalrous by cheering for the ladies at various mile markers and then by presenting the girls with cups of water at the finish line. All in all, this year’s cross-country team was dynamite, but more importantly, they displayed genuine acts of support and unselfishness towards one another. As a parent, it was amazing to witness the growth of this team through the teams’ comradeship and through the inspiring coaches and captains.
sprinted their way to first place in the DAC Conference. From the hills at Quantico to the gentle slopes of the historical New Market Battlefield, the Jackets ran a variety of courses. They enjoyed dipping in the Potomac River after earning first place among eight schools at Pope John Paul the Great’s Invitational, then proceeded to run like the wind at St. Michael’s, where both boys and girls placed first. Postgraduate Carissa Vaccaro jogs over to practice. The highlight for the team was racing their home course for the DAC Championship, where R-MA pushed to the front. Thomas Shea ’16 and Thomas Powars ’16 (affectionately known as “T-squared”), led the Jackets all season along with Manuel Prado ’13, Jake Branham ’16, and Gabe Williams ’16. David Gillespie ’13 and Manuel fulfilled the role of captains for the boys while the girls thrived under the leadership of Grace Alexander
Middle School Book Fair By: Susan Glascock This year the Book Fair was held in November from the 13th – 15th. As anticipated, the students were thrilled to have the Book Fair on their campus. Available were an array of literary finds from the classics to newly published books on the New York best-sellers list. The selection of books was immense with a wide range of topics that gave students endless choices from fun and witty to facts and fiction. Bringing the Book Fair to students gave them the opportunity to browse during the day and then return at their convenience to search the selection even further. Students talked of swapping books and gift giving, and they were especially excited to have something interesting to read while on their Holiday break. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. The Middle School students enjoyed the Book Fair tremendously!
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The Parents’ Association Congratulates the 2012 Grant Recipients! Background: Each year the Parents’ Association awards $1000 grants to teachers at R-MA. Grants are applied for, and then considered by a team of R-MA parents. Out of seven applications received, the PA awarded the following:
• Physical Education Department: Brandy Hudson and Joshua Ilnicki (Digital Fitness Equipment Assessment)
• Middle School English:
Mariola Doran (Renaissance Learning Accelerated Reader Reading Competition)
• Middle School Science Department: Tobias Allanson (Integration of Technology in Middle School Science)
Check out the latest! R-MA Blog: info.rma.edu R-MA Athletic Blog: info.rma.edu/athletic-blog Twitter: R-MA: @RandolphMaconA R-MA Athletic News: @RMAAthletics Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Randolph.Macon.Academy.VA Don’t forget you can now find the PA on the R-MA web site! PA section: www.rma.edu/Parents-Association Minutes of the last meeting: www.rma.edu/ Parents-Association-Minutes
Pivot Points
Congratulations! Mr. J. Salahi winner of The Inn at Little Washington Gift Certificate! Thank you to all who took a chance and BID on silent auction! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Soccer Tournament March 22nd and 23rd, 2013 “I love soccer; I want to be on the field…” Brandi Chastain
This spring R-MA will host a soccer tournament. Not only will our own varsity girls’ soccer team participate, but five other girls’ teams will take part, creating a fabulous event. The opening game is scheduled to begin Friday, March 22nd at 3 p.m., followed by two more games at 5 p.m. On Saturday, March 23rd, six games are scheduled beginning at 9 a.m., with the last game start time at 3 p.m. Come out and be a part of the crowd! The Parents’ Association is hosting the Concession Stand – hot dogs, drinks, and great things to eat! This is sure to be an event you don’t want to miss! 3
Generous Supporters of the RMA Parents’ Association have donated the following items, making “Our Wishes” come true…
Nacho Cheese Warmer Proctor Silex Electric Kettle 9” Tongs Coleman 62 Qt. Xtreme Wheeled Cooler 6-PcSet Round Pyrex w/lids
Here is what’s left to fulfill “Our Wishes”…
____________________________________________________________________________ ITEM How Many Approximate Cost Where Found 10x10 Heavy Duty Pop-Up Canopy
2-3
$248 each
18Qt Roaster Oven
1
$50-60
Best Buy
Hamilton Beach 42-Cup Coffee Maker
1
$50
Wal-Mart
4-ft Folding Table
3
$50
Wal-Mart
Glass Front Beverage
1
$500+
Microwave Oven (energy efficient)
1
$120
Best Buy
DeLonghi-Safeheat Ceramic Heater
1
$60
Best Buy
Pot Holders & Silicone Oven Mitts
2 each
$30
Amazon.com
2Qt. Pump Thermos
1
$30
1
$13-20
Tall Kitchen Garbage
Amazon.com
Compact Appliance.com
Target Wal-Mart
Thank you for your support of Randolph-Macon Academy Parents’ Association! r $1,000
r $750
r $500
r $150
r $100
r $50
r $350
r $250
r Other________
r I enclosed my check payable to Randolph-Macon Academy Parents’ Association. Charge my gift to r Visa
r MasterCard
r AMEX
Mail to: Randolph-Macon Academy Attn: Audrey Koch/PA 200 Academy Drive Front Royal, VA 22630
Card # _________________________________________ Expiration Date__________ Signature_______________________________________
To give online go to www.rma.edu and click on Giving. (Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.) 4
First Annual Grand Illumination Event… Students launched the holiday season not only by donning a Santa hat and putting on a colorful winter scarf, but by gathering outside Sonner-Payne Hall where a beautiful Christmas tree was placed awaiting decoration.
be certain this event will be an anticipated yearly tradition. Thanks to the creative energetic staff members of R-MA who made this wonderful event real!
As you approached, the sounds of singing, laughter, and light hearted chatter filled the air. This marked the First Annual Grand Illumination event at R-MA. Students decorated this fine tree and made it their own while choir members and music enthusiasts energetically sang holiday songs in a fun Karaoke style. Those who were not up under a make-shift outdoor stage singing were around a camp fire talking, laughing, and sharing stories while enjoying s’mores or sampling wonderful baked goods provided by R-MA staff and parents. Throughout the holiday season, cadets could see their tree, and remember a fun-filled time. You can
Natalie Pendie ’15 and Emmanuela Imansuangbon ’15 help decorate the Christmas tree outside Sonner-Payne Hall.
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