a message from the president Greetings! We are nearing the midyear mark in this school year and I am pleased to report to you that we are having an excellent year. Our senior class, 81 cadets, have applied to three or more colleges/universities and we are receiving acceptances to some of the top schools in the country. Significantly, eight cadets have applied to military service academies or other military colleges and universities. While producing President Maj Gen Henry Hobgood, USAF Ret, cadets for the military service is presents the VA 091st Corps Commander Sabre not our primary mission, we are to Sean Knick ’12 during the Summer Leadership delighted that an increased number School promotion ceremony. of graduates are interested in serving their country. Randolph-Macon Academy was recently designated as a U.S. Air Force Falcon Foundation prep-school and we will receive our first cadets this fall for school year 201213. There are only eight Falcon Foundation schools in the nation and R-MA is the only one with Air Force JROTC and flight programs. These students will come to R-MA for a highintensity post-graduate year focused on enhancing their academics, college entrance test scores and physical fitness. Upon completion of the R-MA program, we anticipate nearly 100% receiving appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The newly renovated Melton Memorial Gymnasium is serving us well and student and parent feedback has been extremely positive. Beyond renovations, we have three new capabilities added–a locker, restroom and shower for girls; a well-equipped athletic training room and a facility set aside for our wrestling program. All of the upper gym area (basketball court, exercise room, wrestling room and offices) is now air conditioned. This brings R-MA to 100% air conditioning for all dorms, classrooms, chapel and athletic facilities. The funds for the gym renovation were gifted several years ago and we paid cash for the improvement project. Please allow me to address a key issue for private institutions – enrollment. We have matriculated 390 students this year, which meets our budget. This is a very strong number, given the difficult economy. This level of enrollment allows us to provide a robust mix of regular and advanced academic courses and extensive extracurricular and athletic programs. Bottom-line – we are blessed to have been able to sustain and modestly increase enrollment over the past three years. Of course we could handle a few more students, but we believe the right balance of quality and numbers is critical to the long term success of the students and satisfaction of parents. Finally, a personal note of thanks for your support of R-MA. By all measures, we are one of the top military prep-schools in the nation – and we continue to improve. R-MA is a good investment! The support of parents, friends and alumni/ae is making a huge difference. Thank you!
The Sabre The Magazine of Randolph-Macon Academy Affiliated with the United Methodist Church Winter/Spring 2012 Volume 91 Number 1
Published by the Office of Public Relations Editor Celeste Brooks
Photography Cindy Rodney
Copy Editors Amy M. Harriman Kittie Callaghan Abell
Staff Maureen Sadler
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
Randolph-Macon Academy Board of Trustees Mr. Joseph F. Silek, Jr. ’77 Chairman Mr. Henry D. Light ’58 Vice Chairman & Secretary Mr. Rodney Deane, Jr. Treasurer Mr. Eric Anderson ’88 Mr. Harry G. Austin III ’75 Ms. Donna J. Bogart P’03, ’07 Ms. Suzanne M. Broyhill Mr. Conrad E. Koneczny ’51 Mr. George D. Mathias ’54 Mr. George L. McIntyre, Jr. ’69 Mr. David W. Moore, ’53 Mr. A.A. Neese, Jr., P ’01 Adm. John D. Stufflebeem ’70 Mr. William G. Thomas ’57
Ex-Officio Members Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer Rev. Larry Thompson Ms. Angie Williams P’11, ’13, ’16 Dr. Charles B. Swaim ’77
President
Most Sincerely,
Henry M. Hobgood Major General, USAF, ret. President
Major General Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, ret.
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
Melton Gymnasium Reopens...................................................2 Skies Clear for Homecoming 2011...........................................4 Military Academy Prep Track Sees Continued Success........6 Falcon Foundation Program Set to Begin This Fall..................6 Middle School Interact Club Receives Official Charter.........7 Chess Mates...............................................................................7 R-MA Fills Van to Help Those in Need......................................8 Middle School Students Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..................................................................................................8 R-MA Performing Arts Schedules..............................................9 R-MA Participates in Team America Rocketry Competition.9 U.S. Army Chorus Captivates Students....................................9 A Message from the Parents’ Association.............................10 R-MA Speech and Debate Team 2011-12 Season...............10 Donna Bogart P’03, ’07 Named to Board of Trustees............10 Family Weekend Celebrates Excellence..............................11 Thomas Powars ’16 Wins School Title for National Geographic Bee......................................................................12 New Summer Courses at R-MA...............................................12 R-MA Little Theatre Presents “The Audition” and “RandolphMacon Academy’s Broadway Musical Extravaganza”.......13 R-MA Honors Local Patriots.....................................................14 R-MA Art Brings Cheer to Local Hospital...............................15 Cadets-in-Action Near Goal for StopHungerNow Project...15 Midyear Arrival Steals Show at Poetry Slam..........................15
student features
“Princess” Learns Self-Reliance..............................................16 R-MA’s Eagle Scouts................................................................16 Finding It Easy to Fit in..............................................................17 The Heart of a Warrior..............................................................17 Students Achieve Long-Term Goals in Earning Corps Positions....................................................................................17
alumni/development
Class Notes...............................................................................22 Robb DeBergh ’98 Awarded Prestigious Research Grant....22 Chase Grove ’08 Takes Top Awards in Regional Flight Competition..............................................................................22 Tributes......................................................................................23 Reunion Round-Up...................................................................24 R-MA Legacies: The Iden Family............................................26 R-MA Legacies: Collin McCabe ’12.......................................27 Are You Part of an R-MA Legacy Family?.............................27 Have You Seen Them? ............................................................28 Guess Who Came?..................................................................29 Final Farewell............................................................................29
development
Scholarship Endowments........................................................30 Society of 1892.........................................................................31 Named Scholarship 2011-12 Recipients................................32 Eric Barr Recognized at Annual Ring Ceremony..................34 Check Out Our New Wheels!..................................................34
athletics
Middle School Soccer Claims Season Championship Title.35 Middle School Cross-Country Takes Second in VMSC.........36 Girls’ Varsity Cross-Country Team DAC Runner-Up..............36 Nations: Maypray Too Busy for Break....................................37 Upper School Sports Awards...................................................38 Middle School Fall Sports Awards..........................................40 New Cross-Country Trail Marks Season.................................40
employee news
Mentor of 2010-11: Mary Gamache.......................................18 Employee of 2010-11: Robert Helms......................................18 Teacher of 2010-11: Lynne Schoonover................................19 Coach of 2010-11: Brandy Hudson........................................19 Team of 2010-11: Maintenance..............................................20 Leaving Her Mark: Dr. Pia Crandell Retires after a Decade at R-MA.....................................................................................20 R-MA Welcomes New Director of Enrollment Management.... ...................................................................................................21 Faculty & Staff Notes................................................................21 Faculty & Staff Give Support to R-MA Annual Fund..............21
Above, the ribbon is cut, declaring Melton Memorial Gymnasium open after extensive renovations. See related story, page 2. Below is a mural created by R-MA students--story page 15.
campus news
Melton Memorial
After almost a renovations, Gym is
The sidewalk in front of Melton Memorial Gymnasium was completely replaced during the renovations.
Randolph-Macon Academy’s Melton Memorial Gymnasium was first dedicated during the Homecoming festivities in 1956. The building was named in honor of Charles Lewis Melton, the Headmaster of Randolph-Macon Academy from 1899 through 1933. Its total cost was $275,000. During Homecoming Weekend on October 15, 2011, 55 years later, Randolph-Macon Academy celebrated the building’s grand reopening. As part of the capital campaign held several years ago, funds were collected and set aside for completing major and much-needed renovations on the gym. These included: • Replacing HVAC/adding air conditioning to main gym • Replacing bleachers • Upgrading/expanding upper level bathrooms • Providing hot water to upper level • Replacing front area curbs/sidewalks • Installing main court baseline pads • Reconditioning and repainting gym floor • Replacing all lights except those above gym floor • Painting the entire facility • Replacing stage curtains • Relocating the training room to the lower level • Installing new volleyball sleeves/standards • Replacing JV lockers During the ceremony, R-MA President Maj Gen Henry M.
The girls now have a locker room and showers in the lower area of Melton Gym. 2 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Gymnasium Reopens year and $500,000 in rededicated at Homecoming Hobgood noted that Melton Gym “is the last building on campus to be air-conditioned.” The statement was greeted with applause, as many of those gathered remembered graduation ceremonies held in the hot, stuffy gym. “It’s going to be awesome to have air conditioning for graduation this year,” Michael Brooks ’12 said later. As a member of the band, which performs at every graduation, he has experienced some of the worst of the heat when several hundred people would pack into Melton Gym in early June. “You might ask yourself how did we get so much done for a half-million dollars,” Hobgood commented during the ceremony. “It’s because of our talented Maintenance Supervisor, Mr. Robert Helms and his staff, who served as our ‘general contractor’ for the project, and he and his crew did much of the work. I would estimate that modestly, we obtained three-quarters of a million dollars of work for the $500,000 that we spent.” After the ribbon was cut, the attendees were able to enter the main gym area and observe the upgrades. They were unable to view the many improvements to the lower areas due to the locker rooms
being used by the football teams, who were getting ready for the Homecoming game. “The bright new look of the newly-renovated gym gives the students an athletic facility to be proud of and creates a positive atmosphere in which they can display some of their talents outside the classroom,” said Jennifer Mustain ’93, who teaches ESL at R-MA.
The old bathrooms and offices were completely gutted and the entire space was used for new bathrooms. The offices were moved down the hall. The refurbished floor and new wall pads are shown off in the photo below.
The above photo shows the boys’ locker room, which was completely re-painted. New lighting was also installed. Below is the athletic trainer’s new area, which has been moved to a more central location that provides more room for the trainer and her intern to work with the athletes.
3 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
campus news
Skies Clear for The Class of 1961 stands in the center of the Memorial Ceremony formation.
Alumni Association President Chuck Swaim ’77 gives the American flag, flown over R-MA, to Alex Boulden ’06, in honor of his grandfather A. Bennett Boulden’51, who passed away last year.
A rainy weather system moved into the area a few days before Homecoming, and R-MA staff, faculty, alumni, students, and families watched anxiously as the system stalled and dumped rain on the campus for three days straight. In the end, it was no match for the prayers of the R-MA family. By the time alumni began arriving on campus on Friday, October 14, 2011, the skies were clear. Early arrivals had the opportunity to hear seminars on Healthy Eating and Living by Dr. Tim Harlan, Service Before Self by R-MA Alumni President Chuck Swaim ’77, and State of the Academy by R-MA President Maj Gen Henry Hobgood, USAF Ret. All of the seminars took place in Stan Fulton Hall. Donors who gave gifts of $250 or more in the last or current fiscal year were thanked at a small reception later that afternoon. The big kick-off for the weekend was the Welcome Back Dinner held Friday night at the North Warren Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company’s Celebration Hall, just north of Front Royal, with words of welcome from Hobgood and jazz music led by R-MA instructor Ed St. John. Saturday began bright and early in the morning with the 50th Reunion Class’ “Breakfast with the President.” During the annual Memorial Ceremony, the flag flown over the school during the past year was given to Alex Boulden ’06, the grandson of A. Bennett Boulden ’51, who passed away July 1, 2011. Bennett Boulden was a strong supporter of R-MA throughout his lifetime. After standing firm against the 30-mph-hour wind gusts during the Memorial Ceremony, the cadets marched down to Riddick Field for the annual parade, where the flag bearers continued to battle the blustery weather. The Alumni Luncheon, combined with the Alumni Association Annual Meeting for the second year in a row, featured performances of the R-MA Chorus, including “Oh Happy Day.” Corps Commander Cadet Lt Col Sean Knick spoke to the alumni, as did First Squadron Commander Cadet Major Arcadia Chen. Special recognition was posthumously given to Col John C. Boggs, headmaster of R-MA from 1933 to 1965, by the class of 1950. Webb Davis ’50 and John Thompson ’50 shared a few memories of Boggs and then unveiled a portrait painted for the President’s Dining Room, as well as two photo portraits (courtesy of R-MA Photographer Cindy Rodney)—one of John Boggs and one of his wife Mattie Boggs—to be hung in the chapel. The band (at left) performs at the Homecoming Parade.
The alumni march as the final flight of the Homecoming Parade. 4 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
The Welcome Back Dinner on Friday night was held at the North
Homecoming 2011 During the lunch, several awards were given out: Al Orgaine ’61 was recognized as the Class Agent of the Year; the Staff Recognition Award went to David Gillis; Kayleen Hebeler ’01 was named the Young Alumna of the Year; Lew Nalls ’56, Charlie Whitmore ’56, and Ed Wildrick ’52 received citations for Recognition for Service to the Alumni Board. Several dozen people gathered outside of Melton Gymnasium once more in the afternoon, this time to celebrate its re-opening after a year of refurbishment projects. (See related article, page 2.) The Class of 2011 dedicated the Peace Pole they had donated to R-MA as their class gift last year. Finally it was time for what, according to the number of people gathered there, is the favorite part of Homecoming: the football game. When the Hargrave Military Academy Tigers scored on their third play, the fans thought it was going to be a long afternoon. However, the Yellow Jackets fought back with a touchdown of their own, then went on to score two field goals and a safety while holding Hargrave scoreless. However, when Hargrave finally did manage to score, they also successfully completed a two-point conversion to draw the teams even, 15-15. At the end of regulation, the score was a nail-biting 2222. In high school football overtime, each team gets four downs to attempt to get into the end zone. R-MA did so on their first down and kicked the extra point to pull ahead 29-22. Unfortunately, Hargrave also scored a touchdown, and once again managed to convert on their two-point attempt. The Tigers upended the Yellow Jackets with a heartbreaking final score of 30-29. In spite of the score, everyone was proud of the Yellow Jackets. “They fought hard the entire game, did not give up, and continued to be good sportsmen throughout the game, and that says something about their character,” said Hobgood. “The alumni around me were extremely impressed that while the other team was getting called for penalties and personal fouls, our athletes kept their heads.” “In the [three] years that Collin [McCabe ’12] has gone to R-MA and played football,” wrote Kim McCabe P ’12 on R-MA’s Facebook page, “that was the most heartfelt game I have ever seen. They should all be very proud and congratulations to Coach [Frank Sullivan] for an amazing team effort on Saturday!!!! All of us parents are very proud of the whole team.” See “Homecoming
The honor guard stands steady during the Memorial Ceremony.
Led by Sean Knick ’12 and the corps staff, the cadet corps marches from the Memorial Ceremony to the parade field.
2011,” page 25 The flag corps is assembled for the Homecoming Parade.
Warren Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company’s Celebration Hall.
Homecoming Queen Maria Aleksandrova ’12 and King Nathaniel Nguyen ’12 (center couple) are flanked by the rest of the Court. 5 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
campus news
Military Academy Prep Track Sees Continued Success by Col Gary Sadler, Commandant, USAF Ret. The R-MA High Flight program is now firmly established in its second year and during this past semester provided service academy preparation and guidance for twelve R-MA sophomore, junior and senior cadets. Over the past eighteen months we have adjusted and refined the academic and physical fitness rubrics of the program and we are seeing positive gains in both areas. Our junior class High Flight cadets are currently in the process of making application to the service academy summer leadership seminar programs, and hopefully, each will be selected to attend one of these highly competitive programs this summer. In addition, seniors Ryan Ochoa ‘12 and Ian Cochran ‘12 have received nominations to the Air Force Academy, and Ryan also received a nomination to the Naval Academy. One question I often get is; "How do I apply?" First, the program is not for everyone, and thus its selectivity. It is designed to assist cadets who genuinely desire to become a military officer and wish to earn their commission though a service academy. The application process is very easy and is spelled out on our school web site at www.rma.edu/ High-Flight-Prep-Track. At the end of the program description is the application, which any interested cadet may download, complete, and then submit to the Commandant. Once the application is received, the candidate(s) are interviewed to determine his or her commitment to becoming a military officer. Following the interview, we build a package for each candidate which includes the application, interview, high school GPA, school discipline record, AFJROTC GPA and participation data. On 1 February and 1 August of each school year, a Selection Committee composed of the Academic Dean, the Director of Enrollment Management, the College Counselor and the Commandant review and rank each candidate's package and select those who have demonstrated the hightest potential of success in the High Flight program as well as potential for earning a service academy appointment. During the February 2012 board, Juliet Arcila Rojas ’13, Sabrina Caballero ’14, and Ixel Ochoa ’15 were selected to join the High Flight program as well, bringing the total number to 15.
Juliet Arcila-Rojas ’13 (top left), Sabrina Caballero ’14 (top right), and Ixel Ochoa ’15 were all selected to join the High Flight program during the February application cycle.
6 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Falcon Foundation Program Set to Begin This Fall by Jonathan Ezell, Upper School Academic Dean Over the past several years many significant college acceptances and accolades have been awarded our proud school. We can add another significant achievement. Randolph-Macon Academy has been awarded Falcon Foundation status. This prestigious foundation, associated with the United States Air Force Academy (USAF), has a close relationship with seven other private preparatory schools across the United States. The Falcon Foundation is mainly comprised of retired Air Force officers who graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. Seeing a need to help students who are fully qualified to attend the Academy, the Foundation’s mission is to provide scholarships to those who seek Air Force Academy admission. Every year more qualified students apply to the United States Air Force Academy than the Academy has seats. Therefore, given there is an overflow of qualified students, the Falcon Foundation offers 100 of these exceptional students an opportunity to hold their acceptance to the Academy in abeyance so they might attend one of the Falcon Foundation selected prep-schools for further polishing. Only eight schools across the United States are Falcon Foundation schools. Randolph-Macon Academy stands in the unique situation of being the only Falcon Foundation school that has JROTC as part of its program. Consider the benefits to a student entering the Air Force Academy from R-MA: 1. Given the JROTC Honor Unit status, the student is immersed in the ethos of the USAF. 2. Leadership training by USAF officers and non-commissioned officers will be seamless once the student arrives on the Academy’s campus. 3. Students wear the same uniform in all of its manifestations that will be worn at the Academy. 4. Students are mentored by a USAF officer. 5. Students are required to meet the physical fitness standards of the USAF and all physical training is done with the USAF qualifications in mind. 6. Students are provided with an educational foundation that will guarantee success through the first year of study at the Academy. 7. If students wish to get a head start on flying, there are flight training possibilities. (Randolph-Macon Academy is the only college preparatory school with two flight instructors on staff to specially train interested students to fly.) 8. Given R-MA’s proximity to Washington, DC, it is part of the program for Falcon Scholars to take field trips to various Air Force facilities and bases. Who are the Falcon Scholars? From around the country only 100 students will be chosen. These students are offered a special scholarship opportunity to attend one of the eight selected schools under the auspices of the Falcon Foundation. The Falcon Scholars are fully qualified to attend the United States Air Force Academy in every way and have been selected by the Foundation to continue their physical and academic preparation for acceptance to the Academy at a designated prep-school. Randolph-Macon Academy stands uniquely positioned to assist potential Air Force Academy cadets further preparation on their life’s goal to be United States Air Force officers.
Middle School Interact Club Receives Official Charter The club meets weekly when school is in session. At each meeting, the club members are reminded of the Rotary International Four-Way Test: “Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?” “The ideal behind this test,” explained Williams, “is that if the answer to any of these questions is ‘no,’ then we are to stop thinking, saying or doing it.” The Officers for the Club are Meghan Melberg ’16 (President), Emma Bunker ’16 (Vice-President), Joseph Silek, Jr. ’17 (Secretary), Ken Gilland ’17 (Treasurer) and Thomas Minchew ’17 (Sergeant- atArms). Middle School students receive the official charter for the new Interact Club sponsored by the Linden Rotary. It was a proud morning for Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) Middle School Students and the Linden Rotary Club, of Linden, Virginia, as the school was formally inducted as an Interact Club during the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting on November 16, 2011. The concept of an Interact Club at the middle school level is relatively new; it was only in 2010 that the age requirement was lowered from 14 to 12, allowing middle schools to apply for charters. The inaugural R-MA Middle School Interact Club began this fall. The purpose of the club is to instill a mentality of “Service Above Self” within the students, their student body and their community. The students meet once a week to talk about different ways of helping their local, national and international community. R-MA Middle School Interact Club Advisor and Director of Student Life Michael S. Williams said, “Already this year, the club has raised $300 to help a struggling family in Hatteras Island, North Carolina that was wiped out by Hurricane Irene, sending gift cards from Wal-Mart, Food Lion and Visa Gift Cards to help them begin to re-build their lives.” In addition, the R-MA Middle School Interact Club helped wrap gifts for the Front Royal Police Foundation’s annual “Operation Blue Christmas” shopping program for underprivileged children in December, and helped fill a 15-passenger van with coats and canned goods for the local Salvation Army’s Christmas campaign (see related story, page 8). In January, the Middle School began its annual “Penny Wars” in support of the 2012 “Rotarians Against Hunger” project. The club easily surpassed $800 raised in 2011, bringing in a total of $1,315.88. (The boys won the War for the first time too!) A spring canned food drive to help area food pantries is also planned. In addition, the club sponsors a weekly chess club for fourth and fifth graders at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School.
Cody Borden ’16 and Nick Kays ’17 unload food for the Salvation Army.
Chess Mates Every week, a group of R-MA Middle School students heads down the hill to E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School, a public school for students in kindergarten through fifth grade in downtown Front Royal. Before classes begin each Monday morning, they spend 45 minutes helping fourth and fifth grade students learn to play chess. They are the R-MA Middle School “Chess Club.” “This is our third year of doing this program,” said Michael Williams, R-MA’s Director of Student Life and the Middle School Interact Club Advisor. “It is well-attended by an average of 25 fourth and fifth graders from E. Wilson, and five to six R-MA Middle School students. It helps the elementary students build coping, stress management, logic, advanced planning and conflict resolution skills.” The elementary students themselves don’t usually see those advantages. They take pleasure in the chess club for simpler reasons. “It’s fun and it beats sitting in class staring at the wall first thing on Monday morning,” said Alan Williams, a fourth grade student at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School. Although he is a straight-A student, Alan finds it difficult to concentrate on assignments in the pre-class hours when the environment is a bit nosier than normal. For the Middle School students, the joy isn’t necessarily in teaching. “I just like seeing the kids smile,” said Ken Gilland ’17.
R-MA students spend a Monday morning teaching elementary school students to play chess. 7 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
campus news
R-MA Fills Van to Help Those in Need
Abraham Park ’12 brings an armful of coats into the distribution center. The 15-passenger van was filled to the windows with food and coat donations for the Salvation Army. When the Randolph-Macon Academy family heard that the Salvation Army was in need of food for the more than 100 Christmas food boxes expected to be put out this year, as well as winter coats, they immediately began discussing what could be done. Within a few weeks, “Operation Help” was conceived. The goal of Operation Help was to completely fill a 15-passenger van (seats removed) with non-perishable food and winter coats within less than three weeks—and one of those weeks was to be Thanksgiving, when school was not in session. Knowing that the Salvation Army was in great need this year due to a decrease in food donations and an increase in need due to the economy, the R-MA organizers wanted to deliver the van to the Salvation Army on the 9th of December, so that the organization would have the collected food before the Christmas boxes were packed on December 12th and 13th. “Randolph-Macon Academy is blessed with solid enrollment and very supportive parents,” R-MA President Major General Henry M. Hobgood, USAF Retired, wrote in his appeal to staff, faculty, parents and students. “We need to share our blessings with those in our community.” Both the Upper School Community Service Group and the Middle School Interact Club spearheaded the efforts. Before Thanksgiving break, Sabrina Caballero ’14 went to each room in the girls’ dorm and requested any wholesome food the girls had been
keeping in the rooms. This gave the program a good start even before the official kick-off of November 29th, as did donations brought in by several parents when picking up or returning their children at Thanksgiving break. The National Honor Society contributed $300 towards the food drive, and Stephanie Portillo, Community Service Director at R-MA, used those funds and others to purchase some much-needed meat. At the end of the two-week marathon, the van was full enough that bags and coats could be seen through the windows. Lt. Pradeep Ramaji, Front Royal Salvation Army Corps Officer, estimated that the Academy brought in nearly 2,000 lbs of food. In addition, he said that the Academy provided enough coats to take care of the waiting list that had developed this winter. “The Salvation Army is so very grateful for your bountiful gift of canned foods,” wrote Ann Crim in an e-mail. Crim is on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army and was the lead person on the Salvation Army’s Christmas food boxes project. “We had 232 applications for food boxes and the food donations to the Army were much smaller than normal. We were concerned that there would not be enough to fill boxes for all the applications. Thanks to R-MA the problem was solved.” “R-MA actually provided the majority of the plain canned meat—chicken, beef, and tuna—from the food drive efforts,” commented Celeste Brooks, Director of Public Relations at R-MA and a member of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board. She, her son Michael Brooks ’12, R-MA English and drama teacher Kim Cramer and her daughter Carly Cramer ’12 and their families, along with Ryan Sanders ’12, Samantha Kelley ’13, Chief Master Sergeant Norman Brander (Director of Support Services), Nick Kayes ’17, Abraham Park ’12, and Cody Borden ’16 helped sort through the food that was brought in not only by R-MA, but through other community efforts as well. “Thank you and your volunteers who collected, delivered and placed the food in categories for our packing days,” Crim added. “Please thank everyone who helped with this project. I don’t believe we can truly comprehend how much our efforts mean to our low-income (no income) people in our community. The collection of donated coats was a wonderful addition to our efforts. Be assured there are many persons who will have a decent, warm coat for these winter months.”
Middle School Students Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day occurred during exam week this year, so the Middle School observed the holiday a little later in January, on the 25th, with a visit from National Park Service Ranger Jennifer Epstein. Epstein shared some photos of Dr. King and the new memorial established in Washington, D.C., in his honor, as well as the home where he was born in Atlanta, GA. Keeping a rapid question-and-answer format going, Epstein engaged the students and taught them some facts about King they may not have known, such as his favorite board game (Monopoly) and that “Letters from a Birmingham Jail” was actually written on scraps of paper he managed to pass to friends who visited him while he was imprisoned. Every student seemed to take away something different from the presentation. “I didn’t know they were buried together, he and his wife,” said Nkeng Morfaw ’17. Jasmine Johnson ’17 said she found the information about the memorial itself interesting, since she has not visited yet, but she also 8 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
learned a few things about Dr. King the person. “He died at such an early age,” she said sadly. “I knew that he died early, but not 39 early.” “I just felt like he was a good person for doing all the stuff that he did,” said Morfaw. The tragedy of King’s life also struck a chord for him, as evidenced by his next comment. “People can be cruel for no reason sometimes.” Elenda Liyel-Imoke ’18 commented, “I like learning about black heroes.” “I felt at home,” Johnson agreed. “Seeing a lot of black people made me feel like I could relate to that, knowing I could have gone through that, like my grand-grand-grandparents could have gone through that.” One thing the students had in common when commenting about the program was that they felt sadness over the fact that King did not live to see the fruits of his labor, but they were also glad that his surviving family members did get to see it.
R-MA Performing Arts Schedules Randolph-Macon Academy’s Band, Chorus, Little Theatre, and Handbell Choir all have busy entertainment schedules this spring. Check out the schedule below to see when they might be in your area, or to see if they will be performing when you are on campus! Saturday, March 17, 11:00 a.m.—New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, New York, NY Band Monday, March 26—Concert at Melody Gardens area of Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Band and Chorus Wednesday, March 28—Concert at the Arctic Plaza at Sea World Band and Chorus Thursday-Monday, April 12-16—National Rifle Association Celebration of American Values Freedom Experience, St. Louis, MO Band and Chorus Friday, April 20, at 7:30 pm—Spring Family Weekend Concert, Boggs Chapel Band, Chorus, and Handbells Saturday, April 21, Time TBD—Spring Family Weekend Parade, Riddick Field Band April 20 & 21, Spring Family Weekend Play “Murder Box”—R-MA Little Theatre, Exact Dates and Time TBD Drama Friday, May 4, at 5:00 p.m.—Shenandoah Apple Blossom Fire Fighters’ Parade, Winchester, VA Band Saturday, May 5, at 1:30 p.m.—Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Grand Feature Parade, Winchester, VA Band Thursday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m.—Asbury United Methodist Church, Harrisonburg, VA Band and Chorus Friday, June 1, at 1:30 p.m.—Final Parade, Riddick Field
Band
Saturday, June 2, at 9:30 a.m.—Commencement Ceremony, Melton Memorial Gymnasium Band and Chorus
The R-MA band performs during the Fall Family Weekend Parade. The band will be performing in New York City, at Disney Word in Florida, and at the National Rifle Association National Convention in Saint Louis, MO, this spring.
By Rebel Hafner ’15 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is an aerospace designing and engineering competition for teams of American 7th through 12th grade students. The event entails designing and building a rocket, according to standards, so that it can carry two Grade A large eggs for a flight duration of 43-47 seconds and to an altitude of exactly 800 feet. The eggs must then return to the ground unscathed, using only a parachute for aid. Teams are competing for $60,000 in prizes. Teams compete based on reported scores from their qualification flights that they conduct locally throughout the US. The top 100 teams will then travel to Great Meadows, the Plains, VA for a final fly-off May 12, 2012. The winning American team will travel to the Paris Air Show or Farnborough Air Show in Europe to compete against winning European teams for the world championship. This year is R-MA’s first year competing in TARC. For a student to compete on his or her school’s team, he or she must have two qualifying launches and returns. The four people on R-MA’s team this year are Faith Funderburg ’14, Malik Cochran ’15, John Christoph ’12, and Savannah Rhodes ’14. R-MA Aerospace Instructor MSgt Stephen Pederson P ’13, ’15 is the mentor for the Rocketry Team while Mr. Doug Pratt P ’11 will serve as the official National Association of Rocketry (NAR) flight observer to certify the flights. “These students have a lot of potential with unique individual skills See “TARC,” page 34
U.S. Army Chorus Captivates Students By Maureen Sadler On January 24, 2012, 21 men dressed in U.S. Army dress blues arrived on campus and held the Randolph-Macon Academy students captive in Boggs Chapel for a little over an hour. The young people thoroughly enjoyed their captivity, with Julia Griesbaum ‘12 summing up their feelings in one word: “Awesome!” Middle School student Ken Gilland ’17 said he had never seen so many men singing together at once and that even in the balcony the sound filled the chapel. Drama teacher Kim Cramer and her daughter Carly Cramer ’12 had a special interest in this group: SFC Steve Cramer performed Jean Valjean excerpts from Les Miserables as he did on Broadway during his stage career before joining the US Army Chorus. The Army Chorus and its members are permanently stationed in Washington, DC, performing primarily for the President at both social and official events. For the R-MA audience, the Chorus performed almost 20 songs, ranging from the popular Disney songs “Go the Distance” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” to the patriotic “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” There was at least one song for everyone including “O Shenandoah” to recognize the river that runs near R-MA. While the Disney songs were immediately recognizable and enjoyable, the students were intrigued by the three foreign language songs, one in Spanish, one in French and the third in Croatian. Julia Griesbaum ’12 was partial to the Spanish song. Rabia Otrey ’13 found the Croatian song most interesting, although the song from Toy Story was her favorite. The overwhelming agreement from everyone was that they would love for the group to come back and perform again... soon. 9 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
campus news
A Message from the Parents’ Association The Parents’ Association has been busy this year. During Homecoming Weekend 2011, they provided concessions for the students during the Friday Night movie. On Saturday, parent volunteers arrived by 7 a.m. to prepare warm beverages along with a variety of homemade pastries and baked goods. Visitors who arrived early on campus and found their way to the campus concession stand were kept warm with hot coffee, tea, apple cider, and freshly baked applecinnamon donuts from the Apple House. Rain had made the ground soggy, and by late morning, the ground around the concession stand had become quite slippery from the morning foot traffic. The ingenuity of the PA team, led by Dick and Pat Gray P’15, Heather Grossman P’16,’18, and Debbie Torrance P’17, quickly reverse-engineered the concession stand set-up so that safety issues were quickly mitigated. After the football game, the day was not over for the Parents’ Association. While students were getting ready for the Homecoming Dance, parent volunteers transformed the Upper School Dining Hall into a spooky, shadowy, light-flashing, dance hall complete with a wide variety of snacks and refreshments that kept student energy going for another three hours. In addition to the Homecoming events, the PA ran the second annual Book Fair held at the Upper School during Fall Family Weekend. This year $3500 in retail books were sold, giving the PA a profit of $700. The PA continued to support the mentoring program by providing $10 per student to mentors for off-campus events. They also continued the birthday card program and sold used uniforms at the fall and spring registrations.
“I find myself dimly looking over the PA history I have been a part of, and I find that the challenges it has brought me have both heightened my character and allowed me to understand people far more than ever before. I have learned that children are not people that can be overlooked, but given a chance to be heard, seen, and recognized of their worth. In the world that we are in today, it is important that not only adults, but our students, are looked at as young people on the verge of life, and with this in mind, we must all remember it is for our kids,” wrote Angie Williams, the PA President, in the PA Newsletter. “I appreciate all the help I have received this past year.”
R-MA Speech and Debate Team 2011-2012 Season
Donna Bogart P’03, ’07, Named to Board of Trustees
by James Taafel ’05
R-MA competes in the Washington Area Catholic Forensics League, traveling to WACFL events in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. Schools from all over the tri-state area compete in WACFL, holding five local tournaments to select competitors for the Regionals, which function as State championships. The team also travels to invitational tournaments, including the Princeton Classic and the George Mason University Patriot Debate. This year James Taafel ’05 returned as coach. Valerie Pratt ’11, who was team captain for the last two years and is now studying at Messiah College, and her father Doug Pratt are still working with the team as assistant coaches, and traveled to almost all of the tournaments with them. The Public Forum team of Micah Peregrino ’14 and Jackson McGraw ’13 has competed strongly. Their work in debate camps and preparation over the summer showed immediately, when they took second place in the first WACFL tournament of the year. After strong performances at Princeton and GMU, they tied for first place at WACFL 4, earning their qualifier for Regionals. John Christoph ’12 has had a successful year, earning third place at WACFL 2 and advancing to out-rounds at Princeton. He and Ben Nelson ’14 broke to quarterfinals at the GMU Invitational. Front Royal’s 80-year-old radio station, WFTR-AM, has upheld the tradition of hosting the team’s Radio Forum show every other Monday. The Pratts travel to Front Royal to moderate the shows, and team members research topics of their own choosing as well as discussing the current debate resolutions. WFTR broadcasts on 1170 AM in Warren County, and archived editions of the show are available on the team’s blog at rmadebate.blogspot.com. 10 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Upper School Student Services Lounge Update The Student Services Lounge in Sonner-Payne Hall has been in need of a renovation to make it brighter and more welcoming. This is currently the focus of the Parents’ Association. So far, the lockers have been moved and the TVs have been mounted to the wall, but much more is planned, including Roman shades, painting, and carpeting. Some of these changes will be quite expensive, so the PA is seeking donations to support this project. If you can help, or if you would like more information, contact PA President Angie Williams at angie@wbdoors.com or 540-636-4444.
Donna Bogart has joined the Randolph-Macon Academy Board of Trustees. Bogart has been a longtime supporter of the Academy; her two sons, David and Dustin Johnston, graduated from RandolphMacon Academy in 2003 and 2007, respectively. Bogart currently serves as the CEO of Bogart Associates Inc., (www.bainova.com). Bogart Associates Inc. is a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) providing professional services to the Intelligence Community in the areas of Information Technology. Her company, Bogart Associates, was incorporated in the state of Virginia in 2003 with revenue of $500K and closed 2011 with revenue at $10.5 million. Bogart has over twenty-five years technical and management experience in systems analysis, system engineering, system integration, test and evaluation, life cycle management, configuration management, project management and recruitment. She has worked on large multi-year projects supporting all phases of the life cycle from requirements analysis through implementation and maintenance with emphasis on systems analysis and systems integration. Bogart has worked with customers in the areas of Directorate of Operations (DO), Directorate of Intelligence (DI) and Directorate of Administration (DA), within the Intelligence Community. Randolph-Macon Academy family wishes to thank those who have served on the Board of Trustees and who have retired or moved on to other adventures this past year:
Carol Dodson, Barbara Frisbie, and Dr. Timothy Harlan Thank you for your time, service, and dedication to R-MA!
by Sabrina Caballero ’14 On November 5, 2011 Randolph-Macon Academy hosted Fall Family Weekend for the parents and guardians of the cadets. The day started with family members going through the students’ classes and meeting the teachers, and it continued with a parade on the football field followed by a celebration in the chapel. Fall Family Weekend showed the parents the academic and military aspects of Randolph-Macon Academy. The walk-through of the classes was a very important part. The parents went through the students’ schedule in ten-minute intervals. During the ten minutes, the teachers described the rules and course content. This was a good chance for teachers to meet the parents and build a relationship to help the students. Dean Ezell said, “Fall Family Weekend is a great opportunity for parents to walk in the shoes of their students.” Another important part of the weekend was the presentation of college information to the parents, such as how to begin the application process, what the current trends are in applying to colleges, and what the parents, students, and the school need to do in the application process. These events were followed by a parade on the football field. The parade showed the parents of the new students what they have learned at Randolph-Macon Academy and gave the opportunity for all parents to see their children march. Parents of Cadre cadets were able to see their son or daughter command a squadron or flight, and for senior students this was among the last parades they will participate in before they graduate. Lt Col Ronald McManus ’80 said that the parade was “one of the best parades I’ve seen over the years.” The parade also recognized the freshman class members who were getting promoted and acknowledged their accomplishments in the first eight weeks of school. The day ended with a celebration in the chapel for scholarship recipients and the philanthropists who donate time and money to the school. Students who excelled in every area at Randolph-Macon Academy were inducted into the National Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society. These events showed the parents of Randolph-Macon Academy the academic excellence of the classes and the leadership skills that the AFJROTC program instills in their students. In addition, they honored those who have excelled in both.
Students inducted into the National Honor Society (top photo), smiles before the parade and after the NHS Inducation/Scholarship Recognition Ceremony (middle photos), and parade snapshots (bottom photos).
Fall 2011 Honor Society Inductions Congratulations to the following students on being inducted into their respective honor societies this past fall:
National Honor Society Grace Alexander ’14 Emmanuel Arellano ’14 Caitlin Bunker ’14 Sabrina Caballero ’14 Anthony Catalfamo ’14 Madeline Chafin ’14 Jung Hoon Choi ’14 Faith Funderberg ’14
Benjamin Gillis ’14 David Lee ’14 Uzoamaka Njoku ’14 Louisa Stanwich ’14 Siqi Xie ’14 Yangboa Liu ’13 Shujun Fan ’14
National Junior Honor Society Mai Linh Ho ’17 Katelyn Shea ’17
National English Honor Society Grace Alexander ’14 Emmanuel Arellano ’14 Catey Borden ’14 Caitlin Bunker ’14 Sabrina Caballero ’14 Anthony Catalfamo ’14 Jingyi Chen ’12 Li Deng ’13
Alexander Douglass ’14 Faith Funderberg ’14 Kelli Hutcheson ’14 David Lee ’14 *Jonathan Moore ’14 * Alexander Neumeier ’12 Louisa Stanwich ’14 * Name withheld from online version of The Sabre by parent request.
11 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
campus news
Thomas Powars ’16 Wins School Title for National Geographic Bee After an initial round of competition for the National Geographic Bee school title in December 2011, ten R-MA Middle School students took their seats on January 12, 2012 for the finals. Gathered were Tony Elar ’18, Ken Gilland ’17, Mai Linh Ho ’17, Jasmine Johnson ’17, Olivia Katab ’17, Ryan Latham ’18, Joey Monastero ’16, Thomas Powers ’16, Katelyn Shea ’17, and Gabriel Williams ’16. In the end, it was Thomas Powars ’16 who won the schoollevel competition of the National Geographic Bee and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship, with Ken Gilland taking second place. Thomas is the son of David and Meridee Powars of Stephens City, Va. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. This year’s Bee is sponsored by Google (visit www. google.com/educators/geo). The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of November 14, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Powars, will now Thomas Powars ’16 take a written test; up to 100 of the competes at the first round top scorers on that test in each state of the Geographic Bee in will then be eligible to compete December. in their state Bee March 30, 2012. State champions will win an allexpenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national championship rounds May 22-24, 2012. The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,600 scientific research, conservation, and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com. Editor’s note: At the time of print, Powars had taken the written exam and qualified to compete at the state competition on March 30, 2012 at Shenandoah University.
Three of the ten finalists hold up their answers to a question posed during the Geographic Bee Finals at R-MA. 12 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
New Summer Courses at R-MA
Editor’s Note: This is a re-print of a blog from info.rma.edu, published on February 15, 2012.
It seems as if it is hard to fit everything into the schedule of a motivated student. AP and honors courses, sports, physical education, fine arts…it is easy to see how elective classes can fall by the wayside as today’s students struggle to create that perfect resume to earn admission to their dream college. Sometimes these students look longingly at the course choices, and with a sigh, continue on with the AP courses, giving up short-term interests for long-term goals. Is this fair to them? Maybe, maybe not. We all have to make choices in life and sometimes we have to sacrifice for our long-term goals. However at this age, when students are often still exploring and discovering their own talents and interests, perhaps the question should not center around whether it is fair, but what can be done about it? Believe it or not, summer school can provide an answer. That’s right. Summer school is not just for those who performed poorly during the school year. It is also for motivated students who want to explore during the summer or clear up their schedule for the regular school year. Many schools and colleges offer “new” summer courses—classes the student takes for the first time, in which he or she can earn a half or even full high school credit. At Randolph-Macon Academy, our students do this in four weeks. For rising 9th-12th grade students interested in exploring some interests or building their skills this summer, R-MA is offering the following, each one a half-day course earning them a half-credit over the four weeks: • Design Concepts for Engineering • Programming Fundamentals/JAVA • Personal Finance • Pottery and Sculpture • Public Speaking • Studio Art • Computer Literacy • Study Skills • SAT Prep Other students may desire to take an elective during the regular school year, but just cannot fit it into their schedule. They may want to try one of these core courses, each of which is a full-day and earns a full high school credit over the four weeks: • English 10 • English 11 • Biology • Algebra I • Geometry • Chemistry • Spanish I • Spanish II • World History II • U.S. History • Comparative Religions The schedule is intense during the four weeks; that is how the credits are earned in such a short time. However, there is fun squeezed into every day and weekend as well. Evenings are reserved for activities; students either play sports on campus or go bowling or to the movies. Weekends include trips to major theme parks and offcampus shopping. This year’s summer school runs July 1 – July 27, 2012. Want to learn more? Visit our web site at www.rma.edu/summer-school.
by Louisa Stanwich ’14 The Audition/Pre-production The Drama intramural has been preparing for their production since early September. The fall show “The Audition” premiered on Friday, November 4, 2011 in the Little Theater. Mrs. Kim Cramer, the director of the show, worked with the cast to create a work of art. The chaotic process of putting the show together during the first quarter was stressful at times. However, working with a talented and dedicated cast made it an exciting process. On my first day I did not know what the play was about or the personality of the character I was auditioning for. When I finished auditioning, my fellow members in drama were very supportive. When the cast list was posted, all the members crowded around to see what part they were assigned. The cast was ready to take on the challenge of acting. We attended rigorous rehearsals every week for an hour. Through unscheduled tours, scheduled appointments, and absences we were able to pull a comedic and musical performance together. “The Audition” is about high school kids auditioning for their school musical and the difficulties they face in the process. For the actors it was a relatable theme to build on since we had just finished the process. During tech week the actors and Cramer finally saw all the hard work and dedication come together. It truly is a magical experience to be part of! The Play! The Drama Department at Randolph-Macon Academy put on The Audition, written by Don Zolidis, with a special Musical Extravaganza this fall. The Audition is a play about young high schoolers preparing to audition for their school play. Both performances during Fall Family Weekend enjoyed full houses with standing ovations. Robin Penn, an audience member said, “The Audition was quite wonderful! It had the perfect combination of drama and comedy. It couldn’t have gotten any better.” Cramer, an English teacher at R-MA, was the director of The Audition. Cramer worked on the demanding task of creating a superior show. “Kim Cramer does an outstanding job selecting her cast so that the student’s personality, character, and aura match the playwright’s intention within the play. Therefore, the students demonstrate their best qualities as performers with revealing nuances of gesture and tone,” said Upper School Academic Dean Jonathan Ezell. Cramer had the help of Mr. Bryan McCabe, a new English teacher at R-MA and Ms. Andrea Pederson P ’13, ’15, a night CLS at R-MA. Thanks to their help the show was able to take place efficiently. There were fifteen cadets in the drama production and four behind the scenes working on the lighting and art. The musical extravaganza was an addition to the original one-act production. Mr. Michael DeMato, R-MA’s chorus director and assistant bandmaster, helped with the musical portion of the show. It has been six years since there was music in a production at R-MA, and it became Cramer’s dream to bring back music into the shows. Working many hours after school and taking time to work with each soloist, DeMato helped show everyone’s musical talents. Ezell said, “I believe the entire R-MA community comes together and is enriched when we see so many of our students exhibit their talents. It is wonderful to see and makes us all proud.”
13 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
campus news
R-MA Honors Local Patriots The sun shone down on the front of Sonner-Payne Hall, highlighting the various first responders’ vehicles present there—a fire truck, a humvee, and several police cars. But there was no emergency at Randolph-Macon Academy. It was the morning of September 12, 2011, and the students, faculty and staff were gathered to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 (which crashed near Shanksville, PA), and to honor local first responders. They gathered in honor of Patriot Day, which had fallen on a Sunday this year. The ceremony opened with the raising of the flag and the singing of the National Anthem by Michael Williams, director of student life at R-MA. Grace Alexander ’14 and Madeline Chafin ’14 then laid a ceremonial wreath at the base of the flag in honor of the local first responders—firemen, policemen, and EMTs. From there those gathered proceeded to Boggs Chapel. The ceremony was being held during the Academy’s normal chapel service time, but beginning the week with a word of prayer and a reading from the Bible was not ignored. Rev Chad Hrbek offered the opening prayer, and Donovan Farmer ’12 read from the book of John, including the famous verse that holds so much meaning for those who serve in our nation’s military and as first responders: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (New International Version). Logan Usmani ’12 and John Christoph ’12 were the featured speakers for the event. “On the eleventh of September, 2001, our nation had to endure a great tragedy,” said Usmani. “We had to deal with the loss of friends, family, loved ones, and our sense of security. Even though I was only seven at the time, I still remember that day being the first in which I saw true fear and sorrow amongst so many people’s faces. But it was also the first day in which I saw true unity. Although 9/11 is a day of great sorrow, it is a day of even greater unity. On that day, we came together as a nation. We came together to grieve, to mourn, and to
During the Patriot Day Ceremony, the local first responders were honored: Warren County Fire & Rescue, the Warren County Sherriff’s Office, and the Front Royal Police Department. fight back against those who were the cause of our sorrow. It was a day that sparked a purpose to our nation, and we used that spark to drive ourselves to be better Americans, and to be a better America.” “When those planes hit the World Trade Center Towers, the hijackers sought not to take human life, although lives they did take,” Christoph said, “nor to destroy a building, although a building they did destroy. They were after the way of life which those buildings had symbolized. Hardly were they mere murderers or arsonists— they wanted to scare us. But we were not scared. Out of our initial despair was borne a new fearlessness. Our way of life did not cease after September 11th. We did not stop building big, we kept at it with renewed fervor.” “We’re not afraid,” Christoph stated. “We aren’t cowering in the shadows of our former glory…. No, we are moving forward as we have always done.” “So on this day of remembrance, let us mourn the ones we have lost,” said Christoph, “let us venerate the ones who first answered the call, let us thank the ones who put their lives on the lines, that we might have ours. But let us never forget where we are going, that even in times of sorrow there is always hope for the future.” After the student speeches, Warren County Sheriff Danny McEathron, Warren County Fire Chief Richard Mabie, and Front Royal Police Chief Richard Furr each received a flag that was flown over R-MA on September 11, 2011, in honor of their respective departments and the sacrifices they make daily to serve and protect others. Maj Gen Henry M. Hobgood, president of R-MA, presented the flags. After a moment of silence, Rabia Otry ’13 played “Taps” from the balcony in the chapel and then from outside there was a 21-gun salute. As the cadet corps filed out into the sunshine and proceeded to class, the students’ words were shown to be true. Thanks to those who sacrificed on 9/11/01 and every day before and since then, we do not live in fear. We are moving forward in unity, with purpose and hope— and with gratitude in our hearts for all those who serve in the military and those who are our first responders.
“We’re not afraid. We aren’t cowering in the shadows of our former glory…. No, we are moving forward as we have always done.” -John Christoph ’12
The color guard, commanded by Ben Pederson ’13 (far right) were responsible for raising and lowering the flag during the ceremony. Behind them are Madeline Chafin ’14 (left) and Grace Alexander ’14, who presented the memorial wreath. 14 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
By GeorgiAnna Carbone-Wynne ’12 This year, Randolph-Macon’s winter art program took on a new challenge: to decorate the Warren Memorial Hospital with a wall-towall mural. To foster an environment dedicated to bodily as well as spiritual health at the hospital, a select group of talented students took on the project and was tasked to create several mosaics of undersea creatures to be hung on an underwater scene, which was also painted by the students. Under Art Teacher Ms. Rebecca Quinn’s artistic guidance, the group spent every afternoon in the art studio, cutting
glass, caulking, and working to complete their art to be showcased at the hospital. Art student Julia Griesbaum ’12 says, “It feels really good to be able to give back to the community since the whole project has been really fun and the mosaics have turned out beautifully. I’m glad Ms. Quinn decided to do this project for us and the hospital.” This unique opportunity for R-MA’s art program has been rewarding for the students who have been able to exercise their art talents and for the hospital that now has a one-of-a-kind art installation of which the entire community can be proud.
The art intramural students pose in front of their completed mural, located in Warren Memorial Hospital near R-MA.
Cadets-In-Action Near Goal for StopHungerNow Project
Midyear Arrival Steals Show at Poetry Slam
By Rebel Hafner ’15 The Cadets in Action (CIA), sponsored by Ms. Lynne Schoonover, initiated a “Penny Wars” fundraiser to raise money for an aid organization called StopHungerNow. Each flight had a jar, and at the end, the flight that donated the most money got a pizza party. The goal is to raise a little over $5,000 by the end of the year, and the CIA is already over halfway done. StopHungerNow is a food packaging project designed for third world countries. Each package consists of four ingredients: rice, soy, vegetable flavoring, and a vitamin. This project is mostly supported by churches and colleges, but if the CIA reaches their goal, 20,000 packages will be sent to needy families all over the world. The CIA is a club started by students and led by students. The success or failure of any project rests solely on the shoulders of the cadets involved in the club. According to Cozette Boakye ’13, “When the club was first started, everyone said it wouldn’t be successful. It feels great to prove that there can be a successful club run completely
By Erin Mannion ’12 * Name withheld from online version of The Sabre by parent request. * On Monday, January 23, R-MA’s annual Poetry Slam was held in the lobby of Fulton Hall. Sponsored by the National English Honor Society under the leadership of Mr. Robert Davies, the Slam was attended by one hundred enthusiastic cadets, staff, and faculty. The student organization Cadets in Action offered a small bake sale for the attendees, and the NEHS provided, as they have for a number of years, the prize money. Performers sang, told jokes, played the piano, and senior John Christoph rapped “Hip Hop Police” to the beat provided by his classmates. A highlight of the evening was memorable pianist Jake Ko ’14 who wowed the audience with his recital on his first day of school at R-MA. Rebel Hafner ’15 said that Jake was her favorite performance because “he’d only been here for a couple of hours and played really well.” Logan Usmani ’12, NEHS President, was the announcer for the Poetry Slam.
See “CIA,” page 33
See “Poetry,” page 33 15 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
students
“Princess” Learns Self-Reliance Jingyi “Arcadia” Chen ’12 arrived at R-MA when she was in tenth grade. A native of mainland China, Chen describes her self of long ago--when she first arrived at R-MA--as a “princess.” “In China, nannies cleaned my room for me. I played while they cleaned,” she explains. “I didn’t know how to eat, how to spend money, how to shine shoes.” Chen says her parents felt she needed a military structure to help her become more disciplined and learn to take care of herself. She also says it has worked. “When I came here I had a lot of trouble, I was missing my parents. My study habits were not good because in China, my parents forced me to study,” she says. “When I got here, my grades were not good, I was not on Dean’s List, but then I got on Dean’s List, then President’s List. I am very independent now. I make decisions myself. I have a lot of confidence.” Chen credits that success to several factors, including the structure of R-MA and the personal attention she has received from her teachers. Math Department Chairperson Eric Barr encouraged her to take part in the Virginia Mathematics League, in which she has performed very well, and Band Director Ed Richards encouraged her to try instruments other than piano. In addition to picking up more instruments, she is now in the R-MA handbell choir.
Another key to her success at R-MA has been sports, Chen says. “Soccer makes me understand group work,” she explains. She was on the varsity girls’ soccer team last year, and has also run cross-country. This year she is captain of the swim team. “As the Senior Female Captain of the R-MA Swim Team, Jingyi exceeds the expectations of most people she knows in terms of character and leadership,” says Michael Williams, Director of Student Life and the Varsity Swim Team Coach. “She leads by example. She doesn’t want to be treated any differently than anybody else, and sets higher expectations of herself than those she is charged to lead. She is a true kindred spirit and a beautiful all-around person that I am honored to know and work with.” In addition to sports, Chen was selected this year for a role in the fall play, “The Audition,” and is a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the Residential Life Committee, and the Military Ball Committee. In Air Force JROTC, she is the First Squadron Commander, with the rank of Captain. Chen hopes to attend the University of Chicago in the fall. Her favorite subjects are math and physics; not surprisingly, she plans to major in engineering.
R-MA’s Eagle Scouts Earning the level of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America organization takes a lot of dedication and perseverance. The Scout must meet all of the requirements, including having held leadership positions within the troop, earning at least 21 merit badges, taking part in a Scoutmaster conference, and, as most of the public is familiar with, completing an Eagle Scout Service project, which must get approved before work can begin. Within the last two years, R-MA students Ian Cochran ’12 and Benjamin Pederson ’13 have both earned this honor. Both young men completed their projects during the summer between their sophomore and junior years—in 2010 for Cochran and 2011 for Pederson. Having grown up in the Ian Cochran ’12 Winchester area, Cochran’s project had personal ties—he erected a fence and two plaques around Milburn Chapel in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The plaques gave some of the history of the Chapel. “It was the predecessor of my church I’ve attended since I was young,” he commented. He said that the idea came about from talking to his pastor and a book his Scoutmaster had given him. Pederson, in contrast, moved to the area just over four years ago when his father, MSgt Stephen Pederson, became one of the Aerospace instructors at R-MA. His project came about when he attended an orienteering training session at the Northern Virginia 16 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
4-H Center located in Warren County, and he learned that the adminsitrators there were looking to add on to the confidence course. Pederson added four elements through his Eagle Scout project: the T-P Shuffle (telephone poles on which participants line up, then have to switch positions without touching the ground), the Whale Watch (a balancing platform), the Zig-Zag (a teamwork bridgebuilding element), and the Trust Fall (a platform four feet above the ground, from which a volunteer falls safely into the arms of eight comrades below). In addition to their Eagle Scout rank, both students have earned high positions and rank in the Air Force JROTC program at R-MA. Pederson is the Operations NCOIC (Non-CommissionedOfficer-In-Charge), with the rank of cadet master sergeant. Cochran is the Corps Logistics Officer, with the rank of cadet captain. For their teachers, the fact that the two young men have excelled at both Scouts and Air Force JROTC is no surprise. “There is so much to be in awe of with these two individuals,” said Andrew Harriman, who has taught both students. “Not only do Benjamin Pederson ’13 they inspire and cultivate an academic environment in which others can excel, they seem to always be involved in non-academic See “Eagles,” page 33
Finding It Easy to Fit in Ashley Grossman ’16 followed her younger brother Michael ’18 to R-MA this year, and her teachers are glad she did. “Ashley has been a great addition to our school,” Middle School teacher Karen McManus P’08, ’13 said of the day student from Gainesville. “She is very bright, enthusiastic and a great plus for our sports teams.” Grossman joined the volleyball team this past fall and proved her prowess on the court throughout the season, resulting in her being named the MVP of the team. “I was really excited about that,” Grossman said. Fueled by her success and her enjoyment of sports, she joined the basketball team in the winter and became the point guard. However, as nice as it is to have her athletic talent, her teachers also deeply appreciate her intellect. “Ashley is a conscientious student,” said Middle School teacher Melissa Austin. “She is a delight to have in class and a wonderful young lady to be around.” Having already made President’s List (above a 4.0 GPA) in her first quarter at R-MA, Grossman is just as complimentary about her teachers. “Academics are very important, and I’ve learned a lot here,” she said. “The teachers are amazing.” As an eighth grader, Grossman is already taking Honors Geometry and Spanish II, both of which are typically high school-level courses. As a new eighth grader, coming to R-MA caused her a bit of trepidation, Grossman confessed, but she soon found that her fears were unfounded. “I thought it was going to be kind of different but everyone welcomes you and helps you. I didn’t have trouble fitting in. Everybody’s so nice. There are no cliques. Everyone gets along.” In addition to her athletics, Grossman joined the R-MA Middle School Interact Club and has volunteered at several events. Her favorite so far, she said, was wrapping presents for disadvantaged youth in the area. “She is a very thoughtful and caring young lady,” commented Austin. “I have never heard her say a cross word about anyone or anything.” When she’s not applying herself to academics, athletics, or community service, Grossman can be found spending time with her family or enjoying the great outdoors.
The Heart of a Warrior R-MA Wrestling Coach Mike Mellish has only one thing to say about AyebaSopreye “Soso” Eke-Spiff ’17: “On the outside he looks like a Teddy Graham bear but on the inside he is a vicious warrior.” Originally from Dubai and now from North Carolina, Eke-Spiff, his older brother Ayebalayefaa “Fafa” ’15 and younger sister Naomi ’18 enrolled at R-MA this year. As a boarding student, Soso found his life dramatically changed. “My parents sent me here to get more strict—organized, selfdisciplined,” he said. “At home, I play video games and lay in bed. Here I’m busy. The only time to play video games is on the weekend.” Yet Eke-Spiff did not find the change overly difficult. “The dorm is fun,” he said. “The dorm counselors help me a lot.” Eke-Spiff found a place for himself on the Middle School soccer team as a midfielder. Although his primary purpose was to get the ball to the forwards, he had a personal goal of scoring one goal. He kept striving for that goal all season; although he did not achieve it, his tenacity earned him a reputation as fighter, and both the reputation and the dedication followed him onto the wrestling team in the winter. At R-MA, Eke-Spiff signed up for beginning percussion, following up on a love from his previous school. He has attacked this activity with the same tenacity he uses on the athletic field, and his love of percussion is well-noted among his peers and teachers. “Soso is a little dynamo. I am convinced he will soon grow drum sticks at the ends of his hands. That way he won’t have to carry the others around wherever he goes,” said Middle School teacher Karen McManus. Eke-Spiff is a member of the Middle School Interact Club and is the Student Council Association representative for his class. He also volunteers in the dining hall on a regular basis. “I like helping out,” he said. “I normally do it with friends, and it’s fun helping out and talking to the people there.” “Soso is always all-smiles,” said Middle School teacher Melissa Austin. “He has such a big heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He is always first to volunteer to help with anything and brightens everyone’s day with his infectious smile and laughter.”
Students Achieve Long-Term Goals in Earning Corps Positions The duo of Sean Michael Knick II of Washington, VA, and Jewel Lee of Seoul, South Korea, were selected as the 2011-12 091st Air Force JROTC Corps Commander and Vice Corps Commander, respectively. “Sean is an inspiring leader,” said Lynne Schoonover P’15, ’16, who teaches Regular and Advanced Placement English 11. “He has a servant-leader attitude. No job is too small for him. He gets along with kids of all ages.” Knick came to R-MA in eighth grade for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the opportunity to fly. Although he was in R-MA Middle School that year and not a member of the AFJROTC program, Knick came to recognize and admire James Graves ’08, who was Corps Commander that year, and Matthew Bassford ’09, who
was the Band Squadron Commander and the drum major. He began dreaming of achieving the rank and position of Corps Commander when he was a senior, to “have the opportunity to lead the corps of cadets to the best of my ability,” he said. “In the second semester of my sophomore year, I realized that if I wanted to follow my dream, I had to get the show on the road. I got the flight sergeant position in band my junior year, and I did everything possible to make the band successful.” He continues that work ethic today as the Corps Commander. “Sean has done an outstanding job as leader this year,” said Col Gary N. Sadler P’10, USAF Ret., Commandant at R-MA. “He is See “Leaders,” page 33 17 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
faculty & staff
Mentor of the 2010-11 Academic Year: Mary Gamache
By Kelli Hutcheson ’14 Chief Master Sergeant Mary A. Gamache, United States Air Force, Ret., recently received the award for Mentor of the Year. Just in looking at her job description, one can see the award is welldesereved: Gamache not only has her own assigned group of students to mentor each week, but she is the college counselor--and therefore the unofficial mentor--of every student on campus. Gamache graduated from Highland Springs High School and then went on to Bluefield College to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management. She also attended National Louis University to get her Master’s in Management and Business. In 1982 she joined the Virginia Air National Guard, and served for over 26 years, with all but six months of that being active duty. During her service, she received many awards and decorations. In 2008, Gamache was selected to be the freshman class aerospace teacher at Randolph-Macon Academy. The impact she made on the students was so profound and immediate that she received the Faculty of the Quarter Award in 2009, and in 2010 she was asked to be college counselor.
That Gamache would jump at the chance to be the college counselor was no surprise--she had long-ago wanted to be a guidance counselor. Now, in her position as a mentor and college counselor, she is doing what she loves best: working with students, helping them to achieve their potential and realize their dreams. Gamche said that as a mentor, she loves being able to help the students develop good values and character. She also enjoys helping them learn how to balance their academics and personal life. “This award meant more to me than any other award I have ever received,” Gamache said of the Mentor of the Year Award. When Dean Don Williams was asked what he thought of Chief Gamache he said, “I think she is a wonderful and caring lady. She does a great job as a mentor and a college counselor.” Chief Gamache is not only thought of as a great mentor and college counselor from the adults’ perspective; her natural desire to help students and genuine care for their welfare has endeared her to the students as well. One of her mentees, Louisa Stanwich ’14, commented, “I love Chief Gamache! She is a great mentor. I can always go to her for anything and I know that she will help me.”
Employee of the 2010-11 Academic Year: Robert Helms
After 14 years at Toray Plastics, Robert Helms was ready for a change. In January 2010, he joined the staff at R-MA as the Maintenance Supervisor, and received not only a change, but challenges, opportunities, and the respect of the entire school community, winning the Employee of the Year Award for the 2010-11 school year. “He took ownership of the R-MA plant and facilities and managed them accordingly,” commented Maj Gen Henry M. Hobgood, president of the Academy. “He was able to resolve numerous long-standing issues with our HVAC systems, plumbing and electrical. This saved us money and improved customer satisfaction.” “I like what I do, the overall engineering work, I like doing it,” said Helms. “I’m more the applicationtype person than drawing plans and letting someone else do them. I like to make something what it should be and then make it better.” His dedication to perfection and continuous improvement are well-noted at the Academy. “He prides himself in getting the job done right, often surpassing industry standards,” observed Director of Services Chief Master Sergeant Norman Brander (P’02, ’03), Helms’ immediate supervisor. He called Helms a “self-starter” who “understands the synergy concept and exploits it unmercifully.”
One of the most visible projects Helms worked on during the year was the renovation of Melton Memorial Gymnasium. The capital campaign held in 2007-2008 had raised $500,000 for the renovation, but there was so much work to be done that the cost estimates for the project were higher. In the end, Helms took on the work of a general contractor for the project. The funds this saved and the additional savings he negotiated during the project resulted in a gym that was completed within budget and slightly ahead of schedule. (See related article, page 2.) Other projects Helms spearheaded have been the water conservation plan and the updates to the electricity in the girls’ dorm. He also became a strong advocate for replacing the Academy’s aging vehicle fleet, a goal that has been partly accomplished over the last two years. “I can’t say enough about him,” said Brander. “He has been an incredible leader and worker since the day he stepped on campus. He has found ways to save money while improving the plant. He has motivated his staff and worked just as hard if not harder than they have. He often comes in on his off-duty time to perform emergency repairs and to check on the operation of mission-essential equipment. And he is great at customer service—I have received a ton of compliments about his work. We are very blessed to have him here at R-MA.”
First Quarter Awards for 2011-12
Mentor of the First Quarter: Kim Cramer, English & Drama Teacher
Employee of the First Quarter: Pam Cole, Middle School & International Admission Counselor
Coach of the Fall Season: Steve Latham, Middle School Boys’ Soccer
Team of the First Quarter: Kitchen Staff
Note: At the time of printing, the Faculty of the First Quarter Award had not been announced.
18 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Teacher of the 2010-11 Academic Year: Lynne Schoonover
by Michael Brooks ’12 What makes a teacher great? Her students’ scores on the AP tests? The percent of people that pass her classes? Or is it how much of an impact they have had on their students’ lives? Schoonover teaches juniors for both regular English and Advanced Placement (AP), and was the 2010-11 Teacher of the Year. From an AP perspective you are introduced to her class and the DJ, which is known as the dialectical journal, or the “diabolical” journal. The entire course is a journey in its own right, but the most interesting quarter is third quarter--which is also the most difficult one, according to both Schoonover and students. This is the quarter where finding the voice comes to the forefront, in assignments and in classes full of arguments and discussions. It is also the quarter with the most DJs. She mentioned several times that it was the major push before the AP exam, as the AP exam is in the middle of the fourth quarter. In my opinion, she prepared us very well for the AP exam, as well as being an amazing teacher. Her efforts were well-noted, exemplified when Upper School Academic Dean Jonathan Ezell observed, “She went above and beyond the call of duty to teach her students in a kind, nurturing, and compassionate way.” She supported and assisted students in both their own individual goals and their class goals, and Dean Ezell is not the only one who noticed this. Logan Usmani ’12 provided a description of Schoonover and her teaching style that echoes Ezell’s words: “Nurturing and caring when you need it most.” Chris Munden ’12 has a similar view, saying, “She is one of the nicest teachers
I’ve ever had.” Yet in spite of her reputation as a kind, caring, and energetic yet even-tempered teacher, Schoonover constantly seeks to challenge her students to accomplish more than they thought possible. As a result, her influence is not just limited to the students she teaches. She is also the faculty advisor to the Cadets In Action (CIA), a student-run community service program that raises awareness of world issues on campus and is currently raising funds for StopHungerNow. The group itself arose out of one of Schoonover’s classes when she challenged a student to do something about an international need about which he was impassioned. Like all teachers at R-MA, Schoonover is a mentor, and she excels at that as well. “Ms. Schoonover is an awesome mentor!” exclaimed Sabrina Caballero ’14. A final weigh-in was by Upper School Assistant Academic Dean Don Williams when he observed that “she worked every Friday night for Friday Night Study Hall” last year. Additionally, he noted, she “wrote 75% to 80% of the senior recommendations,” which goes to show the impact she has had on her students lasts long after they leave her classroom.
Teacher of the Year Lynne Schoonover P’15, ’16 (center) reviews the Fall Family parade with R-MA President Maj Gen Henry Hobgood, USAF Ret (left) and PA President Angie Williams P’11, ’13, ’16 (right).
Coach of the 2010-11 Academic Year: Brandy Hudson
by Robert Davies, English Department Chairperson
Ms. Brandy Hudson was presented with the Coach of the Year Award by R-MA President Maj Gen Henry Hobgood, USAF Ret., for the school year 2011-2012. The annual award ceremony took place at the Holiday Inn in August. Ms. Hudson has been the Assistant Athletic Director for the Upper School since 2009. She has worked at Randolph-Macon Academy for thirteen years, beginning as a Middle School Health and PE instructor. In her middle school career, she coached girls’ volleyball, soccer, and basketball as well as boys’ soccer. Since joining the Upper School faculty, she has coached varsity boys’ soccer for two years and varsity girls’ soccer. Ms. Hudson is from Texas and grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia; her degree is in kinesiology. She describes her love of her work this way: “I enjoy teaching and working with our students; they can be funny and very spontaneous. It’s very rewarding to help kids improve their health through games and fitness. I am passionate about sports. Being able to form relationships with students outside of the classroom and on the athletic fields is something I look forward to.” Athletic Director Frank Sullivan commented about her season
this past year, “Brandy and the girls’ soccer team had a magical run to the DAC Championship last spring. Through her leadership and with the assistance of Chad Hrbek and Karen McManus P’13, the girls managed to win both the DAC regular season and tournament championships!” For Ms. Hudson, as gratifying as her team’s victory was, the personal qualities of the players, their devotion and dedication, their identity as a team, were what made the experience memorable. “I had seventeen girls who wanted to be at practice every day. We were truly a “team.” McKenzie Marshall ’13 comments, “Ms. Hudson has been my soccer coach for three years now. These three years have been the best years of my soccer career. She is 100% devoted to us and has brought the soccer team together to have outstanding results each season.” Erin Dullahan ’12 has been coached by Ms. Hudson since the 8th grade. She says of her coaching: “Ms. Hudson has a skill every coach would envy: the skill of taking a group of young people who know little about working together and transforming them into a team that has fun working as one and winning as one.” 19 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
faculty & staff
Team of the 2010-11 Academic Year: Maintenance One of the most difficult tasks in the work place can be adapting to a new boss after a longtime supervisor retires. In January 2010, the Maintenance Team at Randolph-Macon Academy had to do just that when Jackie Barnard retired and Robert Helms took charge. By the time September arrived, the “new” team had come together nicely, and during the 2010-11 school year, they performed so well that they were selected as the 2010-11 Team of the Year. In addition to Helms, the team is made up of Ricky Hough and Darryl Brawn-Duin, who hold primary responsibility for the campus buildings, and Jerry Brooks and Tony Airheart, who are primarily responsible for the transportation fleet. “The Maintenance team is prompt and thorough when called to correct a problem,” commented R-MA Commandant Col Gary Sadler, USAF, Ret. “When they leave, they won’t be coming back because it was done right the first time. Their response to dorm issues ensures we maintain a safe and secure living environment for our cadets. Things break, but our maintenance team corrects them ASAP when notified.” “One of the things that stands out about this team is their ability to accomplish numerous tasks and do quality work,” agreed Maj Gen Henry M. Hobgood, president of the Academy. “Robert Helms and his team are dedicated to the success of the school.” In addition to the regular repair, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the buildings and the transportation fleet, the Maintenance Team had a major project to be concerned about: the $500,000 renovation of Melton Memorial Gymnasium. In order to accomplish all of the improvements and renovations within budget, Helms had to act as the general contractor. This meant that his four staff members had to pick up some of the work he normally would have accomplished, and sometimes even lend a hand with the gym project.
“They responded to the need,” said Helms. “They stepped up and responded to what was asked of them, even though sometimes it stretched them almost too thin. Our job doesn’t end, because there are always ways to improve.” “These guys are just phenomenal,” said Director of Services Chief Master Sergeant Norman Brander, USAF, Ret. “They accomplished a lot more during the year than most people expected. They are the reason that we have such great facilities, and the reason our students get to their athletic events or weekend activities safely. Without them, this place wouldn’t run. They definitely deserved this recognition; I’m very proud of them.”
The Maintenance Team consists of (back row, left to right) Jerry Brooks, Tony Airheart, Darryl Brawn-Duin, Ricky Hough, and Maintenance Supervisor Robert Helms (front center).
Leaving Her Mark
Dr. Pia Crandell Retires After a Decade at R-MA On September 16, 2011, Randolph-Macon Academy bid farewell to Dr. Pia Crandell, Director of Enrollment Management, who retired from R-MA after dedicating ten years of her life to bettering the Academy. Because of Crandell’s degree in organizational psychology, she was qualified to work as an organizational consultant—those who swoop into an organization, perform an analysis, recommend changes, and disappear again. However, that was not Crandell’s way of doing things. “I like to work from within an organization,” she said, “making incremental changes, and getting others to take ownership of those changes.” Over the past decade, Crandell won the trust of many people at R-MA by providing a listening ear and knowing the right time to recommend the right changes. She did this as part of the senior staff as well as by being a trusted colleague and confidant. “When I think about Dr. Crandell’s service at R-MA for ten years, I think about [a] discussion that Pia and I had in my office,” commented Maj Gen Henry M. Hobgood, president of the Academy. “We were in the process of refining our vision and putting together a plan to reach our vision. Pia helped us define the vision of R-MA from a position of knowledge—she’d been around for a year or so, and understood where we were as an institution. I think Pia has, in a way that’s been very congenial and effective, helped push us in the right 20 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
direction to become a better school. I can’t really think of anybody who’s had a greater impact. I know we all operate as a team, but we need people who can envision things, people who can make things happen. Pia has been one of those people for the last ten years.” Crandell accomplished that not only as part of the school’s vision, but within her own office, where she put together a dynamic staff as well as admission procedures and policies that provided a consistency that had been missing. “I feel like I really learned a lot from her,” said Middle School and International Admission Counselor Pam Cole. “She was awesome. She was such a fan of the school and it showed in everything she did. She was great at pushing you, but doing it in the right way.” That sentiment was echoed by Cindy Rodney, the Academy photographer, who did not work directly for Crandell but frequently worked with her on projects. “Her demeanor was what drove me artistically,” she said. “She had vision, and it was easy to take that vision and create it.” “I think everyone has worked so hard here and really worked together,” Crandell said. “I’ve seen Randolph-Macon come so far in the last ten years; it moved from being a good school to being a great school. That is due to the fantastic teaching, mentoring, and coaching that goes on here on a day-to-day basis. R-MA really is a very special place. I’m going to miss being part of the R-MA family.”
Faculty & Staff Notes Cadet Life Supervisors Blake Hollinger and Sal Gallaro and Director of Student Life Michael Williams attended The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Conference in Boston, MA, in December 2011. Aerospace Instructor MSgt Stephen Pederson, USAF Ret, has enrolled at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide, pursuing a Masters in Space Education. Grounds Supervisor Tom Laourdakis graduated from the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension “Master Gardener” program. Laourdarkis is a Master Gardner Volunteer Intern and a Certified Arborist, having maintained his certification since 1999. He has been appointed as a board member to the “Urban Forestry Advisory Commission” (U.F.A.C.) to the town of Front Royal. Laourdakis also attended the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture annual meeting and educational conference in 2011. Director of Photography Cindy Rodney completed training in San Marcos, Texas for Virtual Backgrounds. She also attended the National Association of Professional Photographers National Conference in New Orleans, LA. In addition, Rodney was accepted for the third year as a Volunteer Professional Photographer for “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.” Ed Richards, R-MA’s Music Department Chairman and Bandmaster, and Michael DeMato, R-MA’s Chorus Director and Assistant Bandmaster, attended the Virginia Music Educators’ Association In-Service Conference in November. Sessions and concerts at the three-day conference serve as an opportunity for quality professional development to refresh and enhance teaching skills. Information and training is provided on the latest research and trends in music education and developments in music technology. The clinics and workshops were presented by master teachers and leaders from across the United States. In addition, DeMato has received his Virginia State Post Graduate Professional License. Middle School Math and Science Teacher Mike Mellish received his MS in Psychology from Walden University in November 2011. Jeff Moxie of the Grounds team attended “Rain Bird Academy” for a class on “Introduction to Irrigation and Installation.” Biology Teacher Susan Gillette P’03, ’12 participated in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant in Quality Science Teaching in the summer of 2011.
R-MA Welcomes New Director of Enrollment Management Clare Monahan Dame, formerly of Winchester and now of Clarke County began working as R-MA’s new Director of Enrollment Management on September 5, 2011. She replaced Dr. Pia Crandell of Winchester, who retired after ten years at R-MA. (See related article, page 20.) Clare Dame graduated from William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in history. She then went on to get her masters in school counseling from James Madison University. Dame started her career in education as a part-time school counselor at Clarke County High School, and later became director of admission and part-time school counselor at Powhatan School in Boyce, Virginia—a position she held for six years before spending another five years at Powhatan as the full-time school counselor. Additionally, she taught eighth grade history and speech for two years. In 2010, Dame became a Community Based Counselor at the National Counseling Group. Now as the Director of Enrollment Management at R-MA, Dame heads up the admission and public relations offices. “When General Hobgood speaks of the vision of RandolphMacon Academy he talks of the journey to be the college prep military school of choice for families around the world. It was that vision which attracted me to R-MA,” Dame said. “I am impressed by the school-wide commitment to taking Randolph-Macon to that level. When sitting in classes I enjoy the excellent teaching and engaged students. The college acceptances that have already arrived make it obvious that the world of higher education recognizes RandolphMacon Academy as a strong college prep school. The day-to-day interaction with such fine young cadets reinforces my decision to join those at R-MA in the journey toward making the vision a reality.” “Ms. Dame’s experience in a number of positions has enabled her to become a highly knowledgeable and skilled individual,” commented Hobgood. “She has shown that she is able to work with children of all ages as well as adults. She is able to act as an individual that others can come to and seek guidance. Most of all, she has a great amount of experience working as an Admissions Counselor for a first-class college preparatory school. We are pleased to welcome her to the R-MA family.”
Faculty & Staff Give Support to R-MA Annual Fund In its inaugural effort, the Faculty & Staff Annual Fund Executive Council handed out a lot of candy and good cheer, and reported great success in this first-ever campus-wide Annual Fund campaign. “Financial support from faculty and staff – above and beyond their important day-to-day duties as employees – is a strong vote of confidence in the Academy’s mission,” noted Kittie Callaghan Abell, CFRE, Vice President of Development. “Through the Annual Fund, everyone in the R-MA community can contribute in a real way to strengthening and enriching the school that means so much to all of us,” she added. Starting with goodies in August and ending with door prizes and donuts in September, the quick campaign garnered a 71%
participation rate, beating the Council’s benchmark of 68.5%, the average rate among Virginia Association of Independent School members. Serving on the Council were Christine Bennett and Mary Gamache, Academics; Daryl Braun-Duin, Maintenance; Phyllis Cerella, Tony Cerella and Blake Hollinger, Student Services; Caleb Chunn, Food Services; and faculty members Mariola Doran, Dave Gillis and Andy Harriman ’82. Retired faculty member Craig Porter served as Honorary Chairman. “When we go out into the community and visit with alumni, parents, foundations and other donors, we can proudly tell them that R-MA’s own employees support the organization,” Abell said.
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alumni
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. John “Randy” Riddle ’59 received his Associate’s degree from Mars Hill College in 1961. From 1961-1965 Randy served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He then received his Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina and then his Master of Divinity from Columbia Biblical Seminary. He married Judith Ann Powell in 1963 and had two sons who are both married now, Michael Randolph (to Shirley Joanne) and John Paul (to Shawna Denise). Randy is also the proud grandfather of six grandchildren (Jackson McCormick, Christian Michael, Kensley Joy, Margaret Bailey, Benjamin Paul, and Genevieve Corley). From 1966-1972 he worked as a marketing representative at Humble Oil and Refining Company. From 19731976 John attended seminary, becoming an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America in 1976. He served 30 years and honorably retired in 2006, earning Pastor Emeritus. Jim Kernodle ’67 and David Wineland ’68 have been travelling and blogging about their Adventures in Africa. You can find their blog at http://bit.ly/RMAAlumni-Adventure. They’d love to set up a tour group with any current and/or future R-MA alumni. Andrew Harriman ’82 and his wife Amy, R-MA’s Director of Admission and Financial Aid, welcomed baby Campbell Patrick to the world on May 24, 2011. Grant McKenzie ’88 completed a book project with a local businessman in Colorado Springs. “New Best Friends: Playground Strategies for Market Dominance” details the rules for business networking that propelled him to a very high level of success. Class Notes continued on next page
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Robb DeBergh ’98 Awarded Prestigious Research Grant John “Robb” DeBergh ’98 was recently awarded the highly selective and very prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) which is a grant provided by the National Institute of Health (NIH) for researchers in health sciences. These grants are awarded based on lengthy proposals submitted by applicants in which original experimental plans are described. The proposals are evaluated and selected for their scientific merit by the Center for Scientific Review at the NIH. DeBergh completed his undergraduate work at Virginia Tech with a major in
biochemistry and a minor in chemistry. He received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry on September 24, 2010, from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. His dissertation research involved the chemical synthesis of small molecules. He worked there as a postdoctoral researcher focusing on the synthesis of biologically important natural products. On September 1, DeBergh joined the Buchwald Laboratory at MIT where he is pursuing research in the area of organometallic chemistry as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow.
Chase Grove ’08 Takes Top Awards in Regional Flight Competition Chase Grove ’08 took third place in the Region X National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) competition held October 26-29, 2011 in Franklin, VA. Chase is currently a senior at Averett University. The competition consisted of both ground and flying events, with students from Averett University, Elizabeth City State University, Caldwell Community College & Technology Institute, Guilford Community & Technical College, Hampton University, and Liberty University competing. Chase competed in four events: Navigation, Power-on Landings, Power-off Landings, and the Ground Trainer, taking third place overall in the regional event. “In the Navigation event there are a pilot and a navigator in the aircraft,” said Grove. “The pilot gets the latitudes and the longitudes from one of the judges and then plans the route of flight including times and how much fuel it will take to fly that course. The navigator’s job is to make sure that the aircraft is ready to fly and this includes doing the pre-flight check. During the start up and getting ready to take off the navigator is also putting the coordinates into the GPS. I was the navigator during this event and we finished second place.” “In the Power-on Landings there is a box drawn on the runway with what is called the zero line one third of the way down the box,” Grove explained of his second event. “This is the line that you need to land on and you get zero points for landing on it. This is like golf—the fewer points you get the better. The Power-off Landing is just like the Power-on Landing except you can’t use the engine for the approach. Once abeam the touchdown
point on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern the engine must be at idle. This is a very technical approach because you have to monitor your airspeed much more closely-there is no room for error on this maneuver.” Grove took second and first place in these events, respectively. The final event Grove competed in was the Ground Trainer. “This is a competition to see who can fly an FAA-approved flight simulator,” he said. The competition is a prescribed track that is given to the pilots the day before the competition. It consists of turns, climbs, and descents that have to be accomplished at both a certain time of day and within a specified time period. Grove finished tenth in this event. Other events included Scan, in which competitors had to plan a flight that could be done legally; Computer, which tested their ability to work a flight instrument known as the e6b; Aircraft Recognition; and Preflight, which tested how thoroughly they conduct a preflight check on an airplane. Grove’s third place finish helped Averett finish second in the competition, successfully qualifying the University for the National NIFA competition in Salina, Kansas in May to compete against the top aviation schools in the nation. Grove himself graduates this spring and plans to flight instruct at Averett for a few years to build up his hours. Although he is unsure of his long-term goal, he does know how he got where he is today. “R-MA helped me by challenging me to work harder and fly better,” he said. “I still remember most of what Mr. [Ryan] Koch taught me and I still use it every day that I fly.”
Tributes Honored friends of Randolph-Macon Academy are listed first in bold print followed by the names of those making gifts in their memory or honor. This list reflects gifts made to R-MA between September 7, 2011 and January 11, 2012. In Memory of A. Bennett Boulden, Jr. ‘51 Mr. and Mrs. Sergio N. Barros Mr. and Mrs. John T. P. Dryden Mr. and Mrs. John R. Edds Mr. and Mrs. Glenn H. Gettier Mr. and Mrs. George T. Maloney Mr. and Mrs. H. Linden McLellan Mr. Christopher Whiteside and Mrs. Lesley A. Williams In Honor of Mimi F. Boulden Mr. and Mrs. William R. Russell, Jr. In Memory of Raymond M. Crowe ‘36 Mrs. Elaine W. Crowe
In Memory of George F. Smith, II ‘53 Mr. H. Franklin Gladding Mr. and Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Mr. D. Enoch Moore, II ‘51 Mr. Munsey A. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Moore, Jr. ‘50 Mrs. Pat J. Moore In Memory of Colonel Trevor D. Turner, USA, Retired Ms. Joan Sale Mr. David E. Seay Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Strother, Jr. ‘58 In Honor of Craig Porter, Jr. Mr. Craig Porter, Sr.
Alumni Association Special Order Sales 2000 Highland. Shell is windproof/water resistant polyurethane-coated medium-weight 100% Taffeta nylon. Contrasting collar trim, half lined with mesh. Elastic cuffs and waistband. Back yoke opens for added ventilation. Raglan sleeves. Hood concealed in collar.
9300 Climax. 100% Toughlan® nylon water-resistant parka with lightweight halfmesh, half-Taffeta nylon lining. Underarm zipper opening for extra ventilation, elastic cuffs with Velcro tabs for custom comfort, two side zipper pockets, upper left chest pocket and hood concealed in the collar.
Sizes: S through 6XLT
Sizes: S through 6XLT
Colors available for all sizes (shell/ trim): Black/ Black, Forest Green/Navy, Royal/Navy, Navy/Teal, OSHA Orange/Black, Lime Green/Black. Colors available only in sizes S-3XL (shell/ trim): Teal/Navy, Maroon/Black, Gray/Black, Yellow Gold/Navy. Suggested Retail Price: $65 Your Price: $45; add $2 for 2XL, $4 for 3XL, additional $2 per X added.
Colors available for all sizes (shell/trim): Red/Black, Yellow Gold/Black, Khaki/Black, Imperial Blue/Black. Colors available only in sizes S-3XL (shell/ trim): Black/ Black, Forest Green/Black, Navy/Navy. Suggested Retail Price: $125 Your Price: $75; add $2 for 2XL, $4 for 3XL, additional $2 per X added.
Notes for both items: Logos: Customize with logos of Sonner-Payne Hall, the R-MA Yellow Jacket, or the Honor Guard statues! (Logo will be all black or gold depending on color of the shell.) Shipping: USPS Priority Mail at $8.95. Delivery time is 14 working days from date of order. Payment due with order: Mail your check or money order payable to R-MA Alumni Association to: Byron C. Gayle, 6 Partridge Court, Staunton, VA 24401-9036. Credit cards accepted.
Class Notes Continued from previous page
John P. Williams ’89 is currently serving as the Logistics Chief for his unit and getting ready for his sixth deployment. He’s working on his 21st year in the Marine Corps and enjoying every minute of being in the Marines. In his update he states, “I do think about RandolphMacon Academy and the life-long friends and teachers I interacted with that made a great impression on me. R-MA will always be a remembered checkpoint in my life.” John Scaman ’98 has been a police officer with Fairfax County, Virginia for ten years. He married his wife Samantha on May 30, 2009, and they welcomed their first child, Caroline Marie Scaman on February 16, 2011. Saoud Al-Behairi ’00 visited campus in January. He completed his undergraduate at the American University in Washington D.C., majoring in International Business, and is currently working for the Saudi Hollandi Bank as a Corporate Banking Relationship Manager. He is also looking at starting up his own non-profit organization for Saudi Arabian children. Cara Hobbs ’00 was promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army on July 1, 2011. Molly Morton ’00 was engaged to Nick Moore in July; they are set to be married on September 29, 2012. Also, born on August 26, 2011 was their son Logan Francis Moore. Ellen Cummings Nasief ’02 and George welcomed their son Joseph Victor into the world in a beautiful home birth on August 26, 2011. David Moseley, III ’05 graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology in 2007 and joined the USAF in 2008. He is now a senior airman based at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ and married to Danielle Lacy Moseley. They are expecting their first child in May. David has been deployed twice and is expecting to deploy again in May. Class Notes continued on page 26
23 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
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Reunion Round-Up Does your class year end in 2? Then this is a big reunion year for you! See if you can remember any of these faces from the classes of 1952, 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, or 2002! Answers are on page 28.
F
D
H
K
L C B I J
G
A
E
24 The Sabre ď ˇ Winter/Spring 2012
Homecoming 2011, continued from page 5 During halftime, Nathaniel Nguyen ’12 and Maria Aleksandrova ’12 were named Homecoming King and Queen. The students later enjoyed the second annual “Haunted Homecoming” mixer, held in Turner Dining Hall. The weekend concluded with the Alumni Celebration, held this year at the Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows Holiday Inn & Suites. Several classes also held their own reunions throughout the area. Overall, 236 alumni registered during the weekend; additional alumni came to campus and visited without registering. “This was my second Homecoming in the Alumni office, and the feedback I received throughout the weekend was incredibly positive,” said Alumni Director Ann Brander ’02. “Our cadets and JROTC staff put on a beautiful memorial ceremony and parade. I heard several alumni commenting that the band didn’t sound nearly that good when they were here! Also, the chorus sounded great at the luncheon. Overall, the students, faculty, and staff all just did a fantastic job of welcoming our alumni back home.”
Save the Date!
Homecoming 2012 October 19 & 20 25 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
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R-MA Legacies: The Iden Family Medical Corps to help fight the Randolph-Macon Academy the Academy was very difficult and 1 out of influenza pandemic of 1918. His has a rich history of tradition. every 3 boys was turned away due to lack of draft papers cite his reason for These traditions have been space. Like Thomas, Robert also attended joining as “to help in times of molded with each generation Randolph-Macon College and the Medical emergency”. that has passed through its halls. College of Virginia. He joined the Army Carroll later enrolled two Our legacy families, those with Medical Corps also, of his sons at a very different multiple generations who have where he did a twoR-MA. The Academy remained attended R-MA, know this better year tour of duty a devout Methodist Academy; than anyone else. before returning to however, in the wake of WWI, it The Iden family legacy is Virginia to set up adopted a uniform dress standard strong at R-MA. Carroll H. his medical practice followed by a military culture. Iden attended the then Methodist in Warrenton. Both boarding school and graduated In a viewbook from 1927, the he and Thomas military feature was explained. in 1911 while Charles L. Melton, remained very “[It] has enabled us to give better whom the gym was named active in the Thomas C. Iden ’37 training and get better results after, was the principal. Carroll Methodist church in our school work in general. Iden went on to the Medical communities We are not attempting to bend each boy College of Virginia and began his own throughout their to a given standard, but we are arranging practice in Berryville, VA in 1916. Before lives. the military work to suit the age, physical the WWI armistice, he joined the Army In the Fall of Robert W. Iden ’46 strength, and general health of the boy.” 1966, Dr. Thomas Thomas C. Iden graduated from R-MA Iden enrolled his in 1937. He went on to graduate from second son at R-MA. John C. Iden attended Randolph-Macon College in 1941. Thomas R-MA during a vastly different era than his remembered attending R-MC as a freshman predecessors and graduated in the class of when Lyle McFall, a long-time friend, 1969. During that time protests against the Continued from page 23 teacher and coach of R-MA, was a senior. In war in Vietnam spread across the country Ross P. Kazer ’06 created history when 1944 he graduated from causing a negative image of the he was the first American soldier to the Medical College of military even down to secondary have his Bar Mitzvah in Afghanistan on Virginia, commissioned schools operating as military December 21, 2011. He says that in the as a Lieutenant in the academies. More than 40 years speeches made by him and his parents, U.S. Navy, and married later, John remembers his 72 R-MA was referenced several times Mae, the girl of his count drill sequence and recalls for its influence on his success after dreams. Shortly after, the good times of attending a graduation. he spent two years in military school. John chose a the U.S. Navy and was different service to go into after Lake Tankersley ’06 graduated from the shipped out on the USS leaving R-MA: teaching, for University of Alabama last December Tappahannock oiler which he has an obvious passion. with a degree in International Marketing as the ship’s doctor. He taught special education and a minor in Spanish. He started Dr. Thomas Iden ’37 There he witnessed classes in Harrisonburg High work in March with an apparel design/ the aftermath and medical devastation of school as well as coached football. For his manufacturing firm in Dallas and was the Atomic bomb dropping on Hiroshima leadership and caring, the students and staff recently promoted to Project Manager. in 1945 and was present for the Tokyo Bay of Harrisonburg High School awarded John surrender later that year. He later served as the “Blue Streak” award before his retirement Jacob C. Kaczmarek ’10 is currently the physician at the U.S. Naval Gun in 2005. attending Embry Riddle in Daytona Factory during the Korean Conflict. Although these Beach, FL as an Aeronautical Sciences During his military service, he Iden men attended student with a concentration in Airline earned the Asiatic Pacific Campaign R-MA during Transportation. He’s also getting ready to Medal with Battle Star, the World very different receive his private pilot certification. War II Victory Medal, the American times, and their Campaign Medal and the China experiences varied, Preston J. Lanzieri ’10 recently finished Service Medal. When he returned to the classroom and the Disney College Program Internship Berryville in 1947, he joined a thriving life lessons that they at Walt Disney World Resort. He has family practice where he’s remembered learned at R-MA returned to Arizona State and plans to fondly as “Dr. Tom”. helped them to pursue a Theatre major and eventually Thomas’s brother, Robert W. become successful work full-time for Disney. Iden, also attended R-MA during in the modern world John Boggs tenure as president and of their times. Whitney Lee ’10 is currently the cograduated almost a decade later in president of the Harvard Independent. 1946. Robert attended R-MA during a John Iden ’69 period of time when gaining access to
Class Notes
26 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
R-MA Legacies: Collin McCabe ’12 When Collin McCabe ’12 and his family started looking around for boarding schools, his uncle, Anthony Wiley, knew exactly where they should look: at Randolph-Macon Academy, from which Wiley himself had graduated in 1987. McCabe knew he needed to bring his grades up to be competitive for college admissions, but he was not exactly sold on the idea of going away to school. A few conversations with his uncle helped ease the way. “He really liked being here,” McCabe said. He said his uncle came along to visit the school and met a few of the people he remembered from his time on campus, including Upper School Academic Dean Jonathan Ezell and Director of Student Services Karen Moxie. For McCabe, the move to R-MA
accomplished its purpose: his grades improved. In addition, he said, “The school overall helped me mature. Being on your own more, you just learn what’s important, and what you have to do.” McCabe also became a key component of the Yellow Jackets varsity football team, leading the team as quarterback for the last three seasons. To his surprise, he discovered that he had unintentionally followed in his uncle’s footsteps: Wiley was also the quarterback of the Yellow Jackets during his time at R-MA. “I can’t begin to put into words how thakful I am that Collin and his family decided that he continue his uncle’s legacy and attend R-MA,” said Frank Sullivan, McCabe’s football coach and mentor “He is a special young man and has been a leader for
our team every fall on the football field. As his mentor we have developed a bond that I hope will continue after his graduation.” In addition to athletic and academic success, McCabe performed well in Air Force JROTC, earning the rank of cadet first lieutenant and the position of Juliet Flight Commander. “[JROTC taught me] how to be a better leader, and also about handling responsibility,” he commented. McCabe plans to attend West Virginia University and major in criminology.
Alumni Association Board of Directors Hails & Farewells Robert “Bo” Snitchler ’06 of Harrisburg, PA is the newest member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Special thanks goes to the three members of the board who retired at the 2011 Homecoming Alumni Luncheon: Charlie Whitmore ‘50 (15 years of service); Lew Nalls ’56 (16 years of service), and Ed Wildrick ’56 (29 years of service).
Are You Part of an R-MA Legacy Family? Below are the families we have listed as legacies--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 abrander@rma.edu or call 540-636-5343. William A. Taylor ’04; Archer J. Taylor ’44; Robert J. Taylor ’70; Michael A. Taylor ’74. Roscoe M. White ’06; Collins D. White ’32; Collins D. White ’65; Marvin W. Winfree ’67; Franklin S. White ’73. Carroll H. Iden ’11; Thomas C. Iden ’37; Robert W. Iden ’46; John C. Iden ’69. Herman E. Wornom ’19; Alexander H. Wornom ’29; Alexander H. Wornom ’58; Charles W. Wornom ’60. Henry M. Hallatt ’20; Henry J. Hallatt ’50; Ramon Sanudo-Hallatt ’51; Manuel Sanudo ’51; Alberto C. Hallatt ’51; Bernardo R. Sanudo ’86; Ramon D. Sanudo ’86. Sam L. Norris ’41; Richard E. Norris ’62; Richard B. Norris ’94. Hoyt A. Minges ’42; Hoyt A. Minges ’69; Jeffrey M. Minges ’72; Tyrun W. Minges ’80. Jack M. Kump ’43; Jack M. Kump ’69; Frederick L. Kump ’77. John T. Austin ’44; James H. Austin ’45; Harry G. Austin ’75; James D. Austin ’79.
Arthur N. Morris ’45; Frank A. Pennington ’54; Arthur N. Morris ’69; Michael N. Morris ’74; Arthur N. Morris ’92; Edward N. Morris ’97; Andrea S. Shea ’98. Walter E. Werner ’46; Walter E. Werner ’74; John K. Werner ’76; John K. Werner ’97. John W. Kellam ’48; Glenn P. Kellam ’48. Allen K. Jennings ’49; Mark A. Jennings ’76. Robert A. Moore ’50; Drewry E. Moore ’51; David W. Moore ’53; Thomas L. Moore ’53; Bryan V. Moore ’84. A. Bennett Boulden ‘51, Brock Boulden ‘02, Alex Boulden ‘06. George Mathias ’54; Michael B. Mathias ’84; Christine M. Hoffman ’96; Philip Hoffman ’03; Brook D. Blair ’14; Peter B. Blair ’16. James F. Luck ’57; Edward J. Luck ’60; Joseph C. Stiles ’62; Edward G. Stiles ’72. George B. Franklin ’58; Angus F. Franklin ’14; WillaClare Franklin ’15; Saxon W. Franklin ’17.
David F. Johnston ’58; Daniel A. Rossi ’99. Malcolm E. Brown ’65; Herbert O. Brown ’66; R. N. Brown ’69; Stephanie A. Brown ’06. W. M. Tinder ’68; W. Michael Tinder ’98; Erin Tinder ’03. George L. McIntyre ’69; Kathryn E. Tewell ’97; Courtney J. McIntyre ’04; George L. McIntyre ’07. David A. Cartes ’74; Aron F. Cartes ’00. Joseph F. Silek ’77; Samuel S. Silek ’78; Ryan J. Lamke ’03; Meredith A. Silek ’08; Joseph F. Silek ’17. RG McManus ’80; Katelyn McManus ’08, Allyson McManus ’13; Ashley McManus ’13. Anthony S. Wiley ’87; Collin T. McCabe ’12. Kimberley Bensimon ’91; Brett Johnson ’13. Robert W. Burton ’92; Dorian Burton ’13. Kerri-Anne Rodney ’97; Michaela R. Rodney ’15. David W. Johnston ’03; Dustin M. Johnston ’07; Cole L. Johnston ’15. 27 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
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Have You Seen Them?
Help! These alumni are missing, absent, lost, not there, gone, nowhere in our records, and in some cases, MSG—Missing Since Graduation. Can you help us find them? If you know the whereabouts of someone on this list, please contact the Alumni Director, Ann Brander ’02, at abrander@rma.edu or 540-636-5343, or ask the missing alumnus/a to contact us. Help us find them before Homecoming 2012! Mr. James P. Blackwell '52 Mr. George S. Hamilton '52 Mr. Dabney Harrison '52 Mr. Arthur A. Hewitt '52 Mr. Joseph W. Mullins '52 Mr. Charles A. Robey '52 Mr. David J. Blackwell '57 Mr. Clarence E. Chew '57 Mr. David Cooper '57 Mr. John J. Irvin '57 Mr. Ray Johns '57 Mr. Richard E. Leonard '57 Mr. Olaquibeet A. Lopez-Vera, Jr. '57 Mr. Joseph Martin '57 Mr. Raymond Murphy '57 Mr. Alfredo Pullin '57 Mr. James A. Richards '57 Mr. Harry E. Shepherd '57 Mr. M. G. Smith '57 Mr. James O. Sudler '57 Mr. C. Dudley Wood '57 Mr. Lewis P. Allnutt, III '62 Mr. James H. Guy, Jr. '62 Mr. Walter E. Hoffman, Jr. '62 Mr. J. David Isaacs '62 Mr. Douglas M. Allen '67 Mr. Chester C. Beard '67 Mr. Walt S. Carrington '67 Mr. Michael C. Cox '67 Mr. Jack R. Kinne '67 Mr. Robert J. MacFeeters '67 Mr. Leonard P. Montalbano '67 Mr. John K. Murphy '67 Mr. Goeffrey E. Parker '67 Mr. Mark M. Perry '67 Mr. Gary R. Richardson '67 Dr. Albert Roslyn '67 Mr. Thomas E. Weir '67 Mr. Charles E. White '67 Mr. Thomas P. Boggs '72 Mr. Bruce L. Clark '72 Mr. William O. Coley, III '72 Mr. John C. Dughi '72 Mr. Richard C. Fisher '72 Mr. Michael J. Kujawski '72 Mr. Richard A. Marsh '72 Mr. John V. Murphy '72 Mr. Sangjun Pak '72 Mr. Alfred D. Potter, Jr. '72 Mr. Robert M. Reynolds '72 Mr. John M. Reynolds '72 Mr. Bryant O. Smith, III '72 Mr. Wittaya Wattanaporn '72
Mr. John H. Williams '72 Mr. Roger F. Windridge '72 Mr. Todd C. Young '72 Mr. Brad Bradley '77 Mr. Randy Brinegar '77 Mr. Gordon Brown '77 Mr. Gary Carlson '77 Mr. David Castillo '77 Mr. William W. Chaffin '77 Mr. Thomas Chapman '77 Mr. Scott Clark '77 Mr. Mark Coleman '77 Mr. Rafael H. Contreras '77 Mr. Michael S. Dakes '77 Mr. Michael P. Doyle '77 Mr. Augustus Durner '77 Mr. Chris Havens '77 Mr. Randy Hawkins '77 Mr. Darryl L. Hawkins '77 Mr. Francisco Hernandez Pena '77 Mr. Dennis Hurst '77 Mr. Stuart Ireland '77 Mr. Dale Jones '77 Mr. Tony Lockhart '77 Mr. Richard Lysaght '77 Mr. Lee Marshall '77 Mr. Matthias Meseck '77 Mr. Charles R. Mosby, Jr. '77 Mr. Jay Nelson '77 Mr. David Parrish '77 Mr. Jamal Reffedie '77 Mr. William M. Rushing '77 Mr. Rafael A. Sencion, Jr. '77 Mr. Shahriar Shams '77 Mr. George B. Smink '77 Mr. Jeffrey R. Spuhler '77 Mr. Brian S. Staver '77 Mr. James F. Vennes '77 Mr. John B. Zipperian '77 Mr. Thomas Byron '82 Mr. Thomas U. Christopher '82 Mr. Kenneth Coates '82 Mr. Roberto Dangond '82 Mr. Glen S. Douglas '82 Mr. Rich Fiore '82 Mr. Keith C. Kelly '82 Mr. Chantalak Lacheroj '82 Mr. Martin J. Lauxterman '82 Mr. John Mohrmann '82 Mr. Richard A. Otaola '82 Mr. Mark A. Rose '82 Mr. Surachak Ruangsook '82 Mr. Mark S. Savopoulos '82 Mr. Chuck Urker '82 Mr. Alfredo I. Villaveces '82
28 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Mr. Leonel L. Castillo '87 Mr. Stephen E. Flick ‘87 Ms. Lori Garraghty '87 Mr. Edward F. Greene, Jr. '87 Mr. Stephen R. Harrison '87 Mr. Gary Henning '87 Mr. Timothy J. Hobson '87 Mr. A. E. Hochrein '87 Mr. Richard S. Kell '87 Mr. Cyril King '87 Mr. Robert D. King '87 Ms. Valerie M. Kowatch '87 Mr. David E. Lotter '87 Mr. Darron L. Maloney '87 Mr. Bruce K. Martin '87 Mr. Eric M. Mitchell '87 Mr. Frederico Obregon '87 Mr. Jeffrey S. Personett '87 Mr. Robert A. Rizzuti '87 Mr. David C. Ross '87 Mr. Fidel D. Rotondaro '87 Mr. John E. Satterwaite '87 Mr. Matthew S. Stahl '87 Mr. John W. Stevenson, III '87 Mr. Robert B. Tompkins '87 Mr. Robert Tophi '87 Mr. Michael C. Veasley '87 Ms. Joy R. VithespongseChildress '87 Mr. Joseph Bekele '92 Mr. Ilya N. Beloozerov '92 Mr. Jonny E. Benner '92 Mr. Brent W. Ellis '92 Mr. Bryan A. Fleischer '92 Mr. Ulloa M. Gonzalez '92 Mr. Donald S. Jacques '92 Mr. Lorin B. Lewis '92 Ms. Pauline M. Pandjaitan '92 Mr. Jeffrey P. Pineo '92 Mr. Linus Truong '92 Sergeant George D. Vasiliadis '92 Mr. Elon M. Wilson '92 Mr. Seong Yoo '92 Mr. Maiko Yoshino '92 Mr. Marwan H. Abulohom '97 Mr. Jai Y. Ahn '97 Mr. Waleed K. Bashaweeh '97 Mr. Jin-Wook Choi '97 Mr. James A. Greenwell, Jr. '97 Mr. Sharif O. Ibrahim '97 Ms. Carolyne W. Karuri '97 Mr. Sang-Hyun Lee '97 Mr. Taku Mieno '97 Ms. Juli L. Montiel '97 Mr. David W. Naedele '97
Mr. Mario Plaza '97 Mr. Sam R. Safari '97 Mr. Joseph T. Wagner '97 Ms. Tiffany Funk '02 Ms. Lan Xin Jiang '02 Ms. Lady King '02 Mr. Thomas Markley '02 Mr. Clayton P. Murray '02 Mr. David R. Parrish '02 Mr. Alexander Poysky '02 Ms. Shanshan Qi '02 Mr. Christopher Schroeder '02 Mr. Kristof K. Springer '02 Mr. Yiam Vongsritrakarn '02 Ms. Tara D. Combs '07 Mr. Joseph Foley '07 Mr. Kevin P. Frei '07 Mr. Harry J. Hixon '07 Mr. William A. Hutabarat '07 Ms. Ji-Hye Kim '07 Ms. Selam B. Negash '07 Mr. Ho Chun Park '07 Mr. Evan R. Pressman '07 Mr. Lennox M. Tommy '07 Mr. Anh T. Tran '07
Reunion Round-Up Answer Key (from page 24)
A-Troy Stallard ’62 B-Henry Erck ‘52 C-Trinette Drake ‘92 D-Ed Stiles ’72 E-Carolyn Wagner ’02 & Kurt August ‘02 F-Alvin Morrison ’52 G-Chelsea Kendall ’02 H-Harry Squire and Craig Hartz ’72 I-David Novy ’92 J- Nicole Raymond ’92 K-Douglas Sullivan ’82 L-Chris Stark ’62
Guess Who Came?
Curious about who you might have missed at Homecoming? The following alumni registered at the alumni registration table during Homecoming Weekend 2011. If you didn’t register, you can still let us know you attended by e-mailing Ann Brander at abrander@rma.edu Paul A. Shrader ‘46 John W. Kellam ‘48 Wayland A. Doggett ‘49 Arthur H. Fulton ‘49 Webb R. Davis ‘50 Byron C. Gayle ‘50 John M. Thompson ‘50 Charles A. Whitmore ‘50 Parker A. Lee ‘51 Drewry E. Moore ‘51 Howard E. Summers ‘51 Henry G. Erck ‘52 George S. Lux ‘52 Mory W. Ranck ‘52 Arthur B. Kresge ‘53 David W. Moore ‘53 Charles B. Richardson ‘53 W. C. Wynham ‘53 John M. Cornwell ‘55 Lennart C. Koneczny ‘55 Anthony Morris ‘55 Walter E. Boomer ‘56 Charles E. Duke ‘56 Stanley B. Eaton ‘56 William D. Fuqua ‘56 Allan L. Gohrband ‘56 William L. Hudson ‘56 Harry H. Jennings ‘56 Walter L. Nalls ‘56 Glenn M. Nelson ‘56 Karl G. Newell ‘56 George T. Peter ‘56 Richard J. Poulson ‘56 George W. Waring ‘56 Allen M. Weaver ‘56 William B. Whichard ‘56 Edward H. Wildrick ‘56 David F. Johnston ‘58 Edgar Jones ‘60 Jefferson S. Selden ‘60
John G. Alston ‘61 R. Bruce Bickel ‘61 Duane L. Conques ‘61 Leroy G. Crenshaw ‘61 Ward Darby ‘61 Stephen H. Detwiler ‘61 Leroy M. Faust ‘61 Paul C. Glick ‘61 Edward M. Hawkins ‘61 Tom N. Kalogeras ‘61 Edward H. Lane ‘61 L. T. Lilliston ‘61 Robert Maxwell ‘61 Albert M. Orgain ‘61 Richard W. Pancake ‘61 James H. Shoemaker ‘61 C. E. Swartz ‘61 Wesley L. Truscott ‘61 James C. Wagner ‘61 Donald T. White ‘61 Carter N. Catlett ‘62 Francis C. Stark ‘62 George W. Peterson ‘64 Carl A. Balderson ‘65 Alexander G. Blanton ‘65 James W. Curl ‘66 Grattan W. Reynolds ‘66 William Nicolls ‘67 John R. Hall ‘68 Terry W. Cundiff ‘69 Robert F. Hale ‘69 William A. James ‘69 George L. McIntyre ‘69 Arthur R. Anderson ‘70 John R. Dildy ‘70 James F. Fort ‘70 Brian L. Minetree ‘70 Melvin L. Davis ‘71 Roger W. Nolan ‘71
Thomas H. Trant ‘71 Fred R. Greenwood ‘73 Roger D. Malouf ‘73 Gerald G. Williams ‘75 John G. Finucan ‘76 Joseph F. Silek ‘77 Norman R. Smith ‘77 Charles B. Swaim ‘77 Jeffrey T. Higgs ‘81 Andrew C. Harriman ‘82 Stephen C. Harriman ‘82 Skot Butler ‘85 Mary E. Butler ‘86 James M. Garner ‘86 Tracy A. Perrin ‘86 Michael A. Tranby ‘86 Christopher A. Trimble ‘86 Michael T. Turner ‘86 H. Scarlett Kibler ‘89 Shawn T. Archer ‘91 Kimberley Bensimon ‘91 Meghan V. Brandt ‘91 Shannon E. Wagner ‘91 Richard B. Norris ‘94 Kelvin K. Ampofo ‘96 Frederick C. Gould ‘96 Shaun R. Henderson ‘96 Victoria M. Weatherholt ‘96 Erika V. Sinnott ‘97 Tiffney C. Geddings ‘98 Brandon C. Burger ’00 Cara E. Hobbs ’00 Alexander V. Airhart ’01 Vasilios Balomas ’01 Eric J. Brooks ’01 Christopher H. Carey ’01 Kari Gilstad ’01 Min Yu Huang ’01 Robert S. Markendorff ’01
Kevin E. Melanson ’01 Reese S. Morris ’01 Brandon W. Stewart ’01 Ann L. Brander ’02 Jessica M. Huneycutt ’02 David J. Aubrey ’03 Christina L. Brander ’03 Erik Yanagawa ’03 Alexander Boulden ’06 Miles Elliott ’06 Christine Garzon ’06 Alexander M. Grant ’06 Matthew D. Graves ’06 Timothy W. Maypray ’06 Robert E. Snitchler ’06 R. K. McDaniel ’07 Julie A. Sozio ’07 Gabrielle L. Baughman ’08 Nora E. McCotter ’08 David H. Fell ’08 Martha S. Galewski ’08 Charles Grove ’08 Robert W. Sittman ’08 Kirsten Arends ’09 Jasmine D. Liu ’09 Korinne Grove ’10 David M. McAteer ’10 Rashid U. Oord ’10 Cooper R. Bourdon ’11 Cara-Elizabeth H. Brown ’11 Kelly T. Catalfamo ’11 Kira Dalrymple ’11 Salman Doraney ’11 Kenneth N. Goodrich ’11 Samuel D. McClintock ’11 Juliette N. Michael ’11 Valerie L. Pratt ’11 Kellie N. Sanders ’11 Karen J. Wines ’11
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. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and their memories remain with us always. Paul J. Simonson ’27 (Jun. 27, 2011)
Adrian “Dusty” Rhodes ’40 (Aug. 2, 2011)
Arthur J. Gray, Jr. ’52 (Dec. 19, 2011)
Lee “Scott” Varner ’60 (Sept. 10, 2011)
Daniel M. Derrick ’37 (Jan. 3, 2012)
Harry Earnest Topping ’43 (Jan. 29, 2010)
George “Franky” Smith ’53 (Sept. 2, 2011)
Osborne L. Brockman ’61 (Feb. 8, 2012)
Harry Mizelle ’37 (Aug. 17, 2011)
William Lewis ’44 (Jun. 29, 2011)
Leonard D. Weiford ’53 (Jan. 27, 2012)
Julian J. Pernell ’69 (Oct. 4, 2011)
John A. Olsen ’37 (Sept. 17, 2011)
Richard Perkins ’45 (Jun. 5, 2009)
Shepherd Waller “Ted” Colonna ’55 (Sept. 5, 2011)
David Boyce ’72 (Nov. 13, 2011)
David Wile ’37 (Mar. 9, 2011)
E. Burke Bridges ’48 (Sept. 27, 2009)
Harry A. Powell ’57 (Jan. 2, 2012)
Harry W. Cameron ’38 (Aug. 13, 2011)
John B. Freeman ’51 (Jul. 1, 2011)
David R. “Jackie” Shaw ’58 (Mar. 9, 2010)
Peter Holmes Hopkins (Teacher and Coach ’60-’62) (Aug. 7, 2011)
29 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
development
Scholarship Endowments
by Kittie Abell, Vice President for Development
Each fall during Family Weekend Randolph-Macon Academy holds several impressive ceremonies. Our students display their marching skills, musical talents, and athletic prowess; they are honored for academic achievement and say thank you for scholarships. The scholarship award ceremony is very special because it gives us the opportunity to recognize student achievement and thank alumni, family and friends for providing much-needed scholarship funds for hardworking students. More than one-third of the students at Randolph-Macon Academy qualify for some form of financial assistance. Aid is provided through the generosity of others; a portion of the Annual Fund directly supports students, and “Angel” donors assist with tuition bills, but the largest amount of aid comes through the approximately 70 individually endowed scholarship funds created by alumni, family and friends. Randolph-Macon Academy has been fortunate in receiving donations designated for endowment. The school’s endowment, while small compared to other like institutions, provides important income for special programs such as scholarship assistance. In recent years, R-MA reunion classes have taken the initiative to establish scholarship endowment funds to recognize the achievements of their class. Usually a small committee of volunteers gets together and contacts their classmates asking that donations be made to the school for their class fund. Once the minimum amount of $25,000 is reached and invested for one year, we will award a student scholarship from the interest earned by the fund. Several new scholarship funds are now available thanks to the generosity of the community: •
The Class of 1955 will award its first scholarship in the fall of 2013 thanks to the efforts of the class members.
•
The Craig Porter, Jr. Scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2013 thanks to gifts made in honor of this wonderful faculty member who retired in 2011.
•
The Col. Arvin and Emma Williams Scholarship was established to honor two individuals who had a tremendous impact on Randolph-Macon Academy for more than 40 years.
•
The Class of 1970 established a scholarship endowment fund in honor of its 40th reunion to assist a student who exemplifies
Ian Cochran ’12 receives the Lois and Trevor Turner Scholarship. •
leadership attributes. The Lois and Trevor Turner Scholarship was recently established to commemorate the service of Lois and Trevor Turner to Randolph-Macon Academy as President and First Lady. More established special recognition scholarships include:
•
The Boulden Family Scholarship started many years ago by Bennett ’51 and Mimi Boulden. The fund continues to grow through generous gifts from family and friends sent in memory of Bennett’s passing last year. Two Boulden grandsons presented the scholarship award at this year’s ceremony.
Collin McCabe ’12 receives the Boulden Family Scholarship from Alex Boulden ’06 (left) and Brock Boulden ’02 (right). •
Duane Doku ’13 receives the Class of 1970 Scholarship from John Stufflebeem ’70 (left) and Jim Fort ’70. 30 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
The Alumni Association Scholarship was established in 1993 to provide outstanding students with financial assistance to continue their education at Randolph-Macon Academy. Preference is given to the direct descendent or family member of an R-MA alumnus.
Donations may be made to any of the scholarship funds and are most welcome as we strive to provide more assistance to our hard working students. Please contact me at kabell@rma.edu or 540-6365206 if you have any questions about the school’s endowment or if you would like information on how to establish a fund to benefit Randolph-Macon Academy students and programs.
Society of 1892
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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, life insurance policies.
Anonymous Mr. Eric D. Anderson ‘88 Mr. James D. Austin ‘79 Mr. Harry G. Austin, III ‘75 Mr. & Mrs. Wylie W. Barrow ‘53 Mr. Richard C. Beall ‘53 * Dr. Richard Belinic Mr. Harold L. Brubaker * Mr. & Mrs. James W. Burke ‘58 Lt Col & Mrs. Kevin J. Callanan, CFRE 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, Ret ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Cosby ‘21 * Mr. Rodney E. Deane, Jr. Mr. Joseph M. Edge ‘41 * Mr. & Mrs. Jay S. Fifer ‘58 Ms. Catherine Foard Fort* Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Fulton ‘49 Mrs. Ethel R. Garber Mr. Charles P. Given ‘23 * Mr. & Mrs. C. Spencer Godfrey ‘54 Mrs. Georgina J. Grant * Mr. Boyd M. Guttery ‘45
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hansen Dr. Timothy S. Harlan Mr. George W. Helfrich ‘54 * Mrs. Ruby T. Hite * Maj Gen & Mrs. Henry M. Hobgood, USAF, Ret Mrs. Lucy W. Hooper Col Arthur D. Johnson, USA, Ret ‘53 Dr. Joseph H. Kite, Jr. Mr. Wendell H. Kline, Jr. ‘88 Mr. & Mrs. Conrad E. Koneczny ‘51 Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Lawrence ‘87 Mrs. Elizabeth J. Long * 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. & Mrs. James H. McCormick ‘37 Mr. Robert K. McDaniel ‘07 Mr. & Mrs. James S. Meatyard ‘55 Capt Richard I. Merrill, USA, Ret ‘39 * Mr. & Mrs. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 Mr. & Mrs. Walter L. Nalls, Jr. ‘56 Mr. & Mrs. John A. Nicodemus ‘57 Major David B. Novy ‘92
Mrs. Helen C. Payne * Mr. Stewart C. Payne ‘18 * Mrs. Peggy L. Payne Reverend 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 Mr. Edward C. Stevens ‘50 Ms. Sara S. Stolzenberg * Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Strother, Jr. ‘58 Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Stuart, III ‘64 Mr. & Mrs. William G. Thomas ‘57 Col Trevor D. Turner, USA, Ret * & Mrs. Lois Turner Mr. David E. Weaver ‘88 Mr. Beverly B. Williams ‘53 * Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Williams Col Arvin S. Williams, USAF, Ret Mrs. Bonnie Williamson * * Assembled for the Final Roll Call
Planned Gifts: Charitable, tax-deductible gifts can take several forms, and may come from an individual’s assets, not just his or her disposable cash. If you are interested in information about making donations through trusts, annuities, gifts of real estate, property, jewelry and vehicles, please contact Kittie Callaghan Abell, VP for Development at 540-636-5206 or kabell@rma.edu. The Importance of a Will Making a bequest provision for Randolph-Macon Academy in your will is one of the easiest and simplest of planned gifts. A bequest transfers ownership of specific assets (such as cash, securities, an IRA, a home, or other property) to another individual or charitable organization at one’s death. The documents that are used to accomplish the transfer are called a will, living trust, or codicil. If you have already included R-MA in your estate plans, please let us know: contact Kittie Callaghan Abell at kabell@rma.edu or 540-636-5206. We would enjoy the opportunity to thank you, welcome you to The Society of 1892, and make sure your intentions are carried out properly. All states have laws that specify who receives a person’s assets if he or she dies without a will (“intestate”). A person who does not have a will or a living trust is effectively allowing the state to determine what will happen with his or her assets upon death, and creating tax implications for the heirs. A surprising number of individuals fail to put a will or living trust in place, which can be a significant disappointment and source of pain for their families. If you have not yet made out a will, you should consider doing so as soon as possible. Summary about Bequests: • The Academy welcomes bequest provisions of any size. There is no minimum or maximum. • There is no limit to the number of bequests you may make to the Academy, other charities, family and friends. • You will receive an estate tax deduction for your bequest. Consult your tax advisor for details. • You can take advantage of different types of bequests to fit your circumstances. • You can designate your bequest to support any area of the Academy’s programs; bequests to the Academy’s endowed funds are particularly important as they help to grow our modest endowment. 31 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
development
Named Scholarship 2011-2012 Recipients Air Force Association Scholarship Ryan Ochoa ’12 Alonzo Aldrich Neese Memorial Scholarship John Christoph ’12 Alonzo Aldrich Neese Memorial Flight Scholarship John Christoph ’12 Alumni Association Scholarship Neil Dutton ’13 Collin McCabe ’12 Ames-Harrow Family Scholarships Kelli Hutcheson ’14 Enyonam Odoom ’13 Austin Family Scholarship McKenzie Marshall ’13 BHEM Methodist Foundation Scholarships Michael Brooks ’12 Bianca Clement ’13 Jonathan Pederson ’15
Dallas O. Berry ‘59 Scholarships Nick Anderson ’13 Ian Richardson ’12 Dave ‘53 and Jean Olderman Scholarships Bianca Clement ’13 Kevin Slaton ’14 Drewry Enoch Moore Family Scholarship William Barr ’12 Eagle Scholars Madeline Chafin ’14 Donovan Farmer ’12 Cole Johnston ’15 McKenzie Marshall ’13 Bo Na ’12 Jessica Neupane ’15 Uzoamaka Njoku ’14 Louisa Stanwich ’14 Devon Vickery ’15 Anastasia Voellm ’13 Earl Sherman Memorial Scholarship Ian Richardson ’12
Lawrence Family Scholarship Sabrina Caballero ’14 Lois and Trevor Turner Scholarship Ian Cochran ’12 Mary and Daniel Loughran Foundation Scholarship Chris Munden ’12 Mathias Family Scholarship Jessica Neupane ’15 Captain Richard I. Merrill ’39 Scholarship Ian Richardson ’12 Morris Family Scholarship Eboni Banks ’13 Nicholas G. Ryder Flight Scholarship Grace Alexander ’14 Parents Association Scholarships Donovan Farmer ’12 Matt Spearman ’12 Logan Usmani ’12
Edward E. Ford Foundation Scholarship Luke Cassone ’16
Patricia & Douglas Perry Foundation Scholarship Torian Gadson ’16
Friends of R-MA Scholarship Will Dennis ’13
Philip J. Flagg ‘88 Scholarship Thomas Minchew ’17
Broyhill Scholarship Juliet Arcila-Rojas ’13
Gregory W. Swaim ‘81 Memorial Flight Scholarship Madeline Chaffin ’14
R. W. Hamilton ‘90 Scholarship Bianca Clement ’13
C. Spencer Godfrey ‘54 Scholarship Ian Richardson ’12
Ivan G. Mieth Flight Scholarship Justin Miernicki ’13
Red River Valley Fighter Pilot’s Assoc. Flight Scholarship Dong Hyun Lee ’12
Chauncy Rockwell ‘06 Flight Scholarship Donovan Farmer ’12
Jack and Georgina J. Grant Scholarships Juliet Arcila-Rojas ’13 Anthony Catalfamo ’14
Rick ‘58 and Barbara Frisbie Foreign Language Scholarship Ryan Ochoa ’12
Jamal Thomas Scholarships Nick Anderson ’13 Ian Richardson ’12
R-MA Community Scholarships Quinn Blankenship ’16 Tanner Blankenship ’13
James B. ‘66 and Thomas H. Fussell Scholarship Faith Funderberg ’14
Silek Family Scholarship Jacob Dodson ’15
Bogart Family Scholarship Khaleeq Everett ’12 Boulden Family Scholarship Collin McCabe ’12
Chauncy Rockwell ‘06 Scholarship Sean Knick ’12 Class of 1949 Scholarship Trevor Illman ’12 Class of 1953 Scholarship Uzoamaka Njoku ’14 Class of 1956 Scholarship Anastasia Voellm ’13 Class of 1957 Scholarship Thomas Shea ’16 Class of 1958 Scholarship Katelyn Shea ’17 Class of 1970 Scholarship Duane Doku ’13 Coach Lyle ’35 & Nancy McFall and Class of 1951 Endowed Scholarship McKenzie Marshall ’13 Col. Arvin & Emma Williams Scholarship Khaleeq Everett ’12
32 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
John Haden Lane ‘50 Scholarship Jasmine Johnson ’17
The Garth & Helen Payne Scholarships Johnny Wong ’16 William Wong ’16
Judge W. LeRoy Corron Scholarship Jasmine Bowers ’17
Varanko Family Scholarship Cody Borden ’16
Kingswood Scholarships Ian Cochran ’12 Neil Dutton ’13 Daniel Maloney ’12
Virginia Beach UMC Foundation Scholarship Neil Dutton ’13
Laura Stanley Scholarships Caitlin Bunker ’14 Emma Bunker ’16 Angel Njoku ’18 Jude Njoku ’16 Uzoamaka Njoku ’14 Jessica Vaughan ’12 Sarah Vaughan ’18 Tyler Vaughan ’15
William H. ‘33 and Ethel Garber Flight Scholarships Thomas Abell ’13 Sean Knick ’12 Ryan Sanders ’12
CIA, continued from page 15
Leaders, continued from page 17 proactive and responsive to issues and events that affect the cadet corps. He accepts and reacts to instruction with poise and a depth of character rarely observed in a young man his age. His judgment and sense of
Jewel Lee ’12 stands with the corps staff during the Fall Family Weekend parade.
Sean Knick presents the corps during the Fall Family Weekend parade. responsibility are unmatched at R-MA. As a ‘servant leader’ I’ve personally seen him take his own time and personal, hands-on attention to coach, encourage and counsel dozens of cadets to help them be successful.” Lee also began to aspire for one of the top two positions in the Corps early on-during her freshman year. At the time, she was shy and quiet, and focused on learning English. However, like Knick, she realized it was going to take more than academics to make her a leader, so she joined the drill team as a sophomore and attended every offcampus parade. “I just tried to do what I was told. I tried to do the right thing,” she said. Eventually Lee overcame her shyness in her eagerness to lead. In her junior year, she became a first sergeant. But in contrast to Knick, she began to realize that the position she wanted was the Vice Corps Commander. “I am more supportive than managing,” she explained. “I thought I could be a good supporter.” That is exactly the role she has
taken, quietly going about her job on campus with very little pomp or flair. “I support Sean when he can’t be there for something, or when he needs to see another point of view.” Her mentor and R-MA college counselor Mary Gamache captured why Lee is so good at her “supporter” role. “Jewel readily captivates any audience. Whether she is in the classroom, on the court, or on the parade field she will be noticed. She is the driving force of R-MA’s Corp of Cadets, rallying her teammates in any situation. Jewel’s great enthusiasm electrifies her peers, and they adore her,” Gamache said. “Meticulously, she will pick up on any minute detail that might normally go unnoticed among teenagers. Jewel leads by example; she is pulled together, and nothing is out of place. She also has a natural gift for sizing up any situation, and with her logical abilities finds the best solution.” Yet in spite of the accolades, Knick and Lee fully realize that the success of the corps is not dependent on just the two of them. “The flight sergeants, first sergeants, flight commanders, they all have to be on board or all the work of the corps staff [the top five positions] and the squadron commanders won’t pay off. Our success of the corps isn’t going to be dependent on just [us],” Knick commented. “It’s going to be the entire corps of cadets.”
Poetry, continued from page 15 Louisa Stanwich ’14 and Carly Cramer ’12 walked away with $50 dollars for their harmonious duet, along with Ko for his piano performance of “La Campanella” by Franz Liszt, and Regina Song ’14 for her singing and piano playing. Brandon Sloan paid his first visit to the Poetry Slam. As a first-year teacher, Mr. Sloan was “impressed that the students of R-MA had so many talents.” The students were just as impressed with the performers. “It was radical,” Joyslin
Sullivan ’12 says. All in all, it was a fabulous night for everyone involved. With the last of the world’s Hostess products in hand (editor’s note: Hostess Brands had filed for bankruptcy the week before), students were entertained by Carl Weber’s Concerto No. 1, Les Miserables, and Lady Gaga. It was a night so “radical” that English teacher Ms. Lynne Schoonover begs the question on everyone’s mind, “When’s the next one?”
by students.” The club also teaches students to be responsible and holds them accountable if they’re not. Bianca Clement ’13 explains, “The club is great. What I like about it is that everyone has to be responsible at all times. If one person is too lazy to put up some posters, then the fundraiser goes unadvertised, and we get no money. The CIA teaches people to do what is expected of them.” Libby Doran ’13 agrees with her, adding “The last couple of years, we had lots of great plans. This year, we’re working so much harder to get stuff done, and it’s turning out great.” “Penny Wars is easy enough that everyone can participate, but the combined efforts benefit many people,” explains Chaplain Chad Hrbek.
Eagles, continued from page 16 activities as well and setting the bar a little bit higher for their fellow cadets.” “What I have observed over the past two school years is that Ben is a very diligent, hard worker. As shown through his Eagle, when he really wants something and sets a goal, Ben does whatever is necessary to accomplish the task at hand,” said Upper School Math Instructor Jonathan Kuiper. “Ben was a tremendous asset to my classroom,” said Kim Cramer, who had Ben in English class as a sophomore. “He is a natural leader, unpretentious, responsible, and hard working. I could always count on Ben to work diligently and be a role model for the class. I am so proud of the dedicated work ethic that he exemplifies both at school and in his extracurricular activities.” “Ian Cochran is the type of student that you love to have working with the Admission Office,” said Clare Dame, Director of Enrollment Management at R-MA. “He is a student that prospective students can aspire to become, but also the kind of student that is approachable by all. Ian takes the initiative with prospective students to find out about their interests and help them recognize how R-MA can enhance their future. His ownership of his role as an ambassador for our school only proves to me that Ian will continue to do wonderful things in his future!” “Ian is a student who when sitting in my class it is evident that he takes in and absorbs everything. He is dedicated, hard working and constantly asks questions to not only further his understanding of the material but at the same time elevate the level of discussion within the class,” said Government Teacher Brian Barbour. “I can rely on him to perform any task and I know that it will be completed to perfection. He is truly a role model to his fellow cadets.” 33 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Eric Barr Recognized at Annual Ring Ceremony On January 29, 2012, 23 members of the Class of 2013 gathered to receive their class rings in a formal ceremony that has become a tradition at R-MA: The Ring Ceremony. Over the years, the program has changed, going from a dinner event to a ceremony held in Boggs Chapel. This year a post-ceremony reception was held in the lobby of Melton Memorial Gymnasium, allowing ring recipients and their families to enjoy some refreshments before heading back to study hall or getting on the road to return home for the evening. Each year the junior class selects a faculty or staff member to receive a class ring and become an honorary member of the class. This year’s honoree was Eric Barr, math department chairman, “epic” teacher, and tennis coach at R-MA. “This is my 30th year here, and I can’t think of a greater honor than to get this membership into the class of 2013,” Barr stated. “I have not expected anything like this. I really want to thank the Junior Ring Committee, the entire class of 2013, and a special thanks to the six juniors in my mentor group. You make it all worth it.”
Photo by MSgt Stephen Pederson, USAF Ret.
Libby Doran ’13 and Alumni Association President Chuck Swaim ’77 present the class of 2013 ring to Eric Barr.
TARC, continued from page 9
Rocketry has been a part of MSgt Stephen Pederson’s class as well as an intramural activity. Now students will have the opportunity to compete with what they have learned. that can lead to success,” stated Pederson. “Their only barrier is the busy schedule each must contend with; but with effective time management, I know they are up for the task.” Mentors are adult members of the NAR who volunteer to instruct and advise the TARC team members. The role of a mentor is to help teams master basic rocketry skills; however, they are not allowed to assist team members with their final rockets. The goal of TARC is to encourage students to pursue aerospace as a career. The event is run by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). Individual teams can be sponsored by their school or by non-profit organizations (such as Scouts, 4-H, etc.). The event is co-sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers, 4-H, the Department of Defense, and NASA.
Check Out Our New Wheels!
R-MA has added four new mini-buses and a new mini-van to its fleet this year to replace several aging vehicles. The total cost for the new vehicles, just over $72,000, was provided through capital campaign funds.
Middle School Soccer Claims Season Championship Title
by Middle School Head Soccer Coach Stephen Latham P’18
Evan Lester ’16 (at left) was named “Glory, Glory R-MA.” The fans at the Theatre of the team’s Most Valuable Player. Dreams, Old Trafford, have cherished those same words in the chant “Glory, Glory Man United” that has echoed down the generations. Whether they had a winning season or a losing season, the chant was always the same, because Manchester United has always been the Glory Team in England who play a stylish attacking game with flair and panache. In much the same way, R-MA’s middle school soccer team took to the field for one last game in a season in which they: were crowned Champions after an impressive undefeated regular season, 5-0; scored the most goals of any team with an average of five goals per game; conceded the fewest goals with three goals in total; and claimed shut-outs in all games but one. With the most coveted trophy of the season already in the bag, the Jackets were to contest a close tournament final against the conference runners-up, Fresta Valley, whose conference title R-MA claimed as their own this season. Nick Kays ’17 (at right) was named Having beaten Fresta Valley comfortably 2-0 in the regular the Most Improved Player. season, R-MA dominated the first half with 80% of the possession and pressed hard for an opener. However, this had kept two forwards on the halfway line who combined to jinx was a cup tie which are always tough, close games as the previous their way to the edge of the R-MA penalty area as Fresta’s #8 fired day’s semi-final against Rappahanock, where R-MA took a close 1-0 an unstoppable shot past a well-placed keeper. It was hard luck on a victory, had proven. Fresta Valley came with a game plan to defend in spirited R-MA side who had committed numbers forward in the hope numbers and play a counter-attacking style against R-MA’s relentless of snatching a late win in the dying seconds of extra time rather than attacking display. Although the Jackets dominated, it was difficult to allow the contest to be decided on a penalty shoot-out. find a way through a crowded penalty area and when they did, the As a coach, I believe it was the right decision to go for glory shots were on target but the keeper was there to save. rather than play out the time and allow the game to be decided by In the second half, Fresta Valley started to attack more, but the arbitrary lottery of penalties. In a regular season game, we would R-MA quickly regained the upper hand and must have had 75% of have taken the point for the tie, but this being a cup game, we had the possession and out shot their opponents four to one. Still there no choice but to go for glory. We played as champions should play was no way past a stubborn defensive formation and Fresta Valley in a tournament final, with courage and commitment to an attacking started to make some dangerous counter attacks. R-MA had their display worthy of our regular season title. Often this season it has keeper, Joey Monastero ’16, to thank late in the game as he made an been the defenders, midfielders and strikers on the field who have incredible high save on a deft lob. The game ended goalless and both taken the headlines with their dominating displays, shut-outs and teams were faced with the prospect of two brief five-minute extra time goals. In this final game the entire squad needs to be recognized for periods followed by the dreaded penalty shoot-out. The pattern of having made this a season crowned with glory. the second-half intensified in extra time as R-MA pressed forward in Maybe it was a fitting end to the season as R-MA was presented greater numbers, sometimes leaving only one player back on corners with the coveted conference championship title and runners-up Fresta as Fresta Valley had all 11 players in the penalty area to defend. Many Valley the tournament trophy. At the end of the game both teams coaches would have taken the easy option as the time ran down and could celebrate and share in the glory of a successful season. It was a settled for the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, but in the end the game poignant moment after the presentation as Fresta Valley’s captain and was to be decided by a mixture of luck and skill as Fresta Valley star player came over to congratulate our team on a great performance launched a hopeful ball forward from their own penalty area while and both teams shared the spirit of true sportsmanship. R-MA has R-MA was committed forward looking for a decider. Fresta Valley more reasons than one to celebrate a successful season as they bring not one, but two trophies to the middle school trophy cabinet, after several barren years for soccer, with the Conference Championship Trophy and Tournament Runners-up Trophy. The players and coaches have created something bigger than a championship winning team. They have created a special moment in history for R-MA that will be honored with a banner on the gym wall, but also memories to last a lifetime - memories of goals, shutouts and trophies, but also of oranges at halftime and cupcakes at the end of the season. It is perhaps fitting that there is a runners-up trophy for the tournament game, but there is and can be only one trophy for the regular conference season and that is for the top team in the conference, the conference champions, and that team is the R-MA Yellow Jackets. Glory Glory R-MA. Four players were honored during the fall awards ceremony. Peter Blair ’16 and Gabriel Williams ’16 both received Coaches’ Award honors. Nick Kays ’17 received the Most Improved Player Award. Peter Blair ’16 and Gabe Williams ’16 both received Coaches’ Evan Lester ’16 was named the Most Valuable Player. Award honors for the 2011 soccer season. 35 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
athletics
Middle School Cross-Country Takes Second in VMSC The Middle School cross-country team has had its fits and starts over the years, sometimes fielding enough runners to compete as a team, and other years not. This year the team grew to eight runners, and under the leadership of Thomas Shea ’16 and Thomas Powars ’16 who consistently finished in the top four of every race, the boys’ team claimed second place in the Valley Middle School Conference. “You know you’ve arrived when the competitors know you by your first name,” Head Coach David Gillis commented. Within the league, both Shea and Powars were known, and among their coaches and teammates, they became known as T2. Their times consistently hovered around 14:00 flat for the two-mile middle school course. Although the girls’ team did not have enough runners to score as a team, Gillis felt they deserved some recognition as well for their work this season. “Both Quinn Blankenship ’16 and Mai Linh Ho ’17 were top 10 finishers every race, with steady improvement every time.” Ho was named Most Improved Runner, while Blankenship was awarded the Coach’s Award. The Most Valuable Runner was Thomas Shea. Quinn Blankenship ’16 received the Coach’s Award.
Thomas Powars ’16 (above) was a key leader on the Middle School crosscountry team.
Thomas Shea ’16 (above) was namd the Most Valuable Runner. Mai Linh Ho ’17 was named the Most Improved Runner.
Girls’ Varsity Cross-Country Team DAC Runner-Up For the Varsity Lady Jackets, McKenzie Marshall ’13 once again carried the lead position, finishing first or second in just about every race. Not far behind was a new addition, Ixel Ochoa ’15. To complement these fleet of foot ladies, were Ashley and Allyson McManus ’13, along with Maddie Chafin ’14, and Shujun Fan ’12. As a team they finished runner up in the DAC Conference race. With all but Fan returning next year, these ladies will be a force to be reckoned with!
Marshall received the Most Valuable Player Award. Allyson McManus received the Most Improved Runner Award. Ochoa received the Coaches’ Award. Ochoa and Marshall were both named to the Delaney Athletic Conference First Team.
Keep up with R-MA Athletics! R-MA’s most recent sports news can be found
R-MA Athletic Blog at info.rma.edu/athletic-blog. on the
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to get the fastest updates, including scores and schedule changes!
36 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
McKenzie Marshall ’13, top left, was named the Most Valuable Runner. Allyson McManus ’13 (left) received the Most Improved Award. Ixel Ochoa ’15 received the Coach’s Award.
Nations: Maypray too busy for break Editor’s Note: The following article, written by Jeff Nations, appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily on December 16, 2011. It is reprinted with permission. Tim Maypray has earned a break, you would think. Coming off his second season as the primary return specialist for the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, the 23-year-old Maypray more than earned a little R&R to recover from the bumps and bruises of professional football. Instead, Maypray traded one coveted job for another as he took over from Eric Dudley as the head boys varsity basketball coach at his alma mater, Randolph-Macon Academy. Last year, following his rookie year in the CFL, Maypray was Dudley's assistant coach. So much for rest. "Right now I'm in my off-season, so I'm just all-around training right now," Maypray said. "I am a free agent right now, so that allows me to pursue different teams or go into the NFL if I choose to or I get that option. Right now I'm just allowing my agent to work and do as he sees fit. I'll let him do the business side of it. Right now I'm just focused on working out and coaching basketball." The 5-foot-8, 170-pound Maypray certainly looks like he could more than just hold down a starting guard spot for the Yellow Jackets, and truth be told he did just that not so very long ago under former R-MA coach Sylvio Brutus. Tim Maypray ’06, back left corner, was the head R-MA coach of the varsity Yellow Jackets basketball team senior Khaleeq this season. Clay Clinedinst, far right, was the Everett, assistant coach of the team. who started attending the school seven years ago, remembers watching Maypray's lightningquick dribble drive back in the day. Now, he sees it daily in practice. "It's an honor because he's a professional athlete -- you don't get to work with those every day," Everett said. "He's a great coach, has a lot of passion, cares about the game, cares about the team." Maypray, originally from Madisonville, Ky., shares that state's legendary love of basketball. So when he found out Dudley was moving on, Maypray didn't need any prodding to apply for the job despite the inevitable uncertainty of his free agency. This past CFL season had its ups and downs for Maypray, who began and ended the year as the Alouettes' top returner. In between, he missed time with bruised bones in his foot. He still finished with 23 punt returns for 207 yards (9.0 yards per return) and had 15 kickoff returns for 329 yards (21.9 yards per return). As a rookie, Maypray made a rare ESPN SportsCenter appearance by a CFL player when he returned a missed field goal -- remember, CFL rules -- 125 yards for a touchdown against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. A few weeks later in the rematch, Maypray victimized Saskatchewan for a 118-yard touchdown return off yet another missed field goal. Rest assured, the Roughriders are hoping Maypray falls in love with coaching high school basketball and stays south of the border. So far, Maypray has the Yellow Jackets off to a 2-3 start. The Yellow Jackets won't play again until after the holidays, so he won't
have much chance to work with the team again until January. He admits to leaning heavily on assistant coach Clay Clinedinst as he goes through his second rookie campaign in two years. "I'm only as good as he is," Maypray said. "He's my extra set of eyes, and he's got a lot of coaching experience that I don't have. So having him by my side is great, and I feel really good working with him." Regardless of wins and losses this season, though, Maypray is intent on teaching the same sorts of life lessons he took to heart as a cadet at R-MA just a few years ago. In the CFL, Maypray carries the "import" label attached to American-born players. At R-MA, Maypray relishes his "home-grown" status. "I really enjoy coming back working with kids," said Maypray, a 2006 R-MA graduate who went on to a stellar football career at VMI. "Anytime you can do that, it's great. "Being back here at my alma mater allows me to relive some old memories, but also try to come back and teach the values I was instilled with when I played high school basketball, when Sylvio Brutus was here. That's what I'm back doing, trying to show kids that basketball isn't just a game. It's really about life." Watch the next issue of the Sabre for more news about the R-MA Yellow Jackets basketball team, or visit www.info.rma.edu/athleticblog.
Behold, the Football Moms
The Football Team may not have won a championship this season, but that didn’t matter in the eyes of the players’ moms. A core group of parents followed the team to nearly every game, shouting at the top of their lungs, frequently making more noise than the home team crowds when the Yellow Jackets were travelling. Recognizable by their jerseys with the #12 on them, these Football Moms truly became “The Twelfth Man” of the R-MA Yellow Jackets this year.
37 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
athletics
Upper School Sports Awards Varsity Volleyball MVP: Michaela Rodney ’15
Varsity Volleyball Coaches’ Award: Libby Doran ’13
Varsity Volleyball MIP: Maria Aleksandrova ’12
Varsity Boys’ Cross-Country MVP: Tanner Blankenship ’13
Varsity Boys’ CrossCountry Coaches’ Award: Michael Brooks ’12
Varsity Boys’ CrossCountry MIP: Dmitry Kolchin ’15
Varsity Tennis Coaches’ Award: Cozette Boakye ’13
Varsity Tennis MVP: Anastasia Voellm ’13
Varsity Tennis MIP: Brittany Ransdell ’14
38 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
Varsity Football MVP: Joseph Gillette ’12
Varsity Football MIP: Ryan Pile ’13
Varsity Football Coaches’ Award: Austin Hayes ’12 Varsity Soccer MVP: Daniel Finn ’12
Varsity Soccer Coaches’ Award: In Kyu Oh ’12
Varsity Soccer MIP: Emerson Koerber ’12
Junior Varsity Soccer Coaches’ Award: Phat Le ’13
Junior Varsity Soccer MIP: Edwin Guyette ’14
Junior Varsity Soccer MVP: Jesse Chopak ’15 39 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
athletics
Middle School Fall Sports Awards Golf MVP: Thomas Minchew ’17
Volleyball MVP: Ashley Grossman ’16
Volleyball MIP: Katelyn Shea ’17
Golf MIP: DiKun Yu ‘16
Golf Coaches’ Award: Remington Gillis ’17
Volleyball Coaches’ Award: Meghan Melberg ’16
New Cross-Country Trail Marks Season By Ashley McManus ’13 2011 marked a new era for the R-MA Cross-Country program with the addition of the new trail. The trail starts by the Upper School soccer fields and winds through the woods until finally coming out over by the Middle School soccer field. The new addition has changed the course for the third time in five years, but the school was given compliments this season on having one of the nicest courses in the entire conference. The process of making a trail through the woods began at the end of last year by Mr. Dave Gillis P’14, Mr. Jonathan Kuiper, Mr. Michael Williams, and Lt Col Ronald G McManus P’08, ’13. It is now a fully mulched, half-mile trail. Kuiper had the route planned in his head and asked the others to help. McManus and Williams agreed to clear most of the course and spent their time clearing trees and other obstacles from the path. Kuiper and his High Flight Cadets also cleared part of the trail. Gillis and his son, Benjamin Gillis ’14, worked on setting up trail markers and mulching the trail, with Benjamin receiving over forty hours of community service for helping the school. “I spent six hours a day out on the trail and it felt great,” Mr. Gillis said. The trail goes up and down hills as it winds its way through the woods. The hills on the trail are actually some of the highest on the course, but the surrounding trees make them appear to be smaller. As a sport where the biggest challenge is breaking the mental barrier 40 The Sabre Winter/Spring 2012
preventing many people from running such a course, this illusion makes the trail a great asset to the R-MA cross-country course. “The new trail is great. The course has been improving almost every year that I’ve been here, and I think that the trail is one of the best additions,” said Michael Brooks ’12.
The Sabre
RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY 200 Academy Drive Front Royal, Virginia 22630 For parents: if this issue is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer lives at your home, please notify R-MA of the new mailing address at sabre@rma.edu, (800) 272-1172, or (540) 636-5200. CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Homecoming 2012 October 19 & 20 Plan now for your class reunion! Contact Ann Brander ’02, Director of Alumni Relations, at abrander@rma.edu.
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