Riverside Military Academy WINTER 2015
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, President
This Summer...
SOAR to Success
Riverside Military Academy’s four week Summer Opportunity and Academic Review – nicknamed SOAR – is designed to help boys in grades 7-11 prepare for the upcoming school year and strengthen their academic skills. SOAR is open to students who attend Riverside during the regular school year as well as students from other schools.
STUDIES FIRST... We provide the opportunity for each student to reach his maximum potential in all academic areas by creating a positive learning environment. Young men who are eager to learn will gain valuable skills necessary to excel in college or to improve in a specific subject. Summer cadets may choose from challenging elective courses or repeat courses as needed for credit. Class sizes are small for more individualized teacher attention and allow more active involvement in the learning process.
As a summer cadet, you will be encouraged to expand your learning to reach your full potential. A supervised evening study hall – with access to your teachers – provides a structured study environment. Cadets must attend the full four-week session to earn academic credit.
AND THEN THE ADVENTURE! Because Riverside believes that there is a strong connection between physical and mental development, extra-curricular activities, field trips, and activities play an important role in SOAR.
Our summer recreational program takes full advantage of our campus athletic facilities and our proximity to Lake Lanier and area attractions. Summer cadets have the opportunity to learn basic marksmanship and rappelling and to experience rock climbing, airsoft competitions, swimming, and more. Call the Riverside admissions office to learn more about the 2015 SOAR program.You may also visit our website to apply online.
1.877.MY.CADET www.riversidemilitary.com
GRADES 7 - 8
GRADES 9 - 12
These classes are offered to students coming from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. They will meet for one half day each for 4 weeks. They are designed to strengthen essential skills for academic success. • English Fundamentals • Math Fundamentals
Each of these classes meet for a full day for 4 weeks and earns one full credit toward graduation. Only one of these courses can be taken in SOAR.
These elective classes provide a variety of enrichment experiences, and each of them meets for one half day for 2 weeks. • Art • Computer Science • Creative Writing • U.S. Military History Select one: Option A: English and Math Fundamentals Option B: One of the Fundamentals classes and two electives Option C: All four electives
JULY 5 - JULY 31, 2015 2
Select one: • Biology • Chemistry • English: Studies in Literature and Composition • English for Speakers of Other Languages
• Algebra I • Geometry • Algebra II • Spanish I • U.S. History • World History
Each of these classes meet for a full day for 2 weeks and earns one half credit. Two of these courses can be taken in SOAR. Select two: • Art • Computer Science • Economics
• Government • SAT Preparation
ww.riversidemilitary.co
In this issue: Welcome Letter from the RMA President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Letter from the Commandant of Cadets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Raiders Bring Home National Championship . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
RMA Cadets Volunteer for Community Service Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Welcome from the RMA Dean of Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 LTC Spivey Named Commandant of Cadets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Advancement
AMCSUS Celebrates Centennial Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2014 Homecoming Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-29
Memories From Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Letter from Vice President of Advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
New Forensics Class Launched this Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
John Bassett, ’55, to be Honored During 2015 Founders’ Day Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
New Initiatives: Philosophy Honors Course and Library Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2015 Founders Day Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Economics Students Gain INSIGHT at Business Ethics Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
RMA Hosts The Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35
Art Department Acquires 3-D Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
History of The Mitchell Quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-38
Cadets and Faculty Doing Great Things . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
Nominations for the RMA Sports Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . 39
RMA Introduces New SAI LTC Kenny Payne, USA (Ret) . . . 16
Nominate a Young Alumnus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cadets Capture 6th Consecutive Presidents Trophy at Atlanta Veterans Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Distinguished Speaker Series Gains a New Name . . . . . . . . 41
Drama Department Produces 12 Angry Men . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Band and Choral Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 2014 Employee Awards Presented . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Letter from the RMA Alumni Council Chairman . . . . . . . . 42 Young Alumni Athletes in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Class Notes and TAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Band and Choral Cadets performed at the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Monday, December 8, 2014.
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“No Alumnus Left Behind” – Col Jim Benson,USMC (Ret) 2015 January 23,
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. Benson Dr. James H SMC (Ret) Colonel U
Raiders Triumph at National Championship By Julie A. Smith, Multimedia Manager
Our Riverside Raider Team’s motto is “Forever Strong,” and the team relied on this strength throughout its journey to become male division 2014 JROTC Raider National Champions. From events such as the Cross Country Litter Carry to the One Rope Bridge to the Obstacle Course, our Raiders demonstrated skill and teamwork, often garnering attention from coaches of other teams. In September, the Raiders competed in the Tiger Challenge Meet in Adairsville, GA placing 2nd Overall for the A Team and 3rd Overall for the B Team. At the Classic City Meet in Athens, GA the A Team took 1st Overall, and the B Team placed 5th Overall. The Colonels Meet in White, GA resulted in the A Team with 1st Overall and the B Team with 4th Overall. At the Elbert County High School Invitational in October, our A Team earned 1st Overall out of 20 teams. The Area 11 State Qualifier in Dawsonville saw the A Team win 1st Overall and the B Team take 4th Overall. Both teams qualified for the Georgia State Meet held in Griffin, GA November 1. Our A Team placed 5th Overall, and the B Team placed 4th Overall, earning each team a spot in the National Meet. The Raider National Meet was held November 8-9 in Molena, GA where the top Raider teams assembled from across the U.S. Our A Team was victorious claiming 1st Overall, and our B Team was also impressive finishing 12th Overall.
REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
RMA Raider Team members not only faced tough physical obstacles in competition, but they also battled injuries and illnesses along the way. They never gave up on the goal to be National Champions, and the dream became reality at the Raider National Meet. This was the first time in school history that we were able to compete with two teams at the State and National levels, and the RMA Raiders also brought home more than 35 trophies this season! Our Raiders’ head coach is 1SG Andy Williams, and the assistant coach is SgtMaj Jorge Sosa. The Raider Team Captain is senior Tucker Pearson. The A Team’s leader is junior Robert Pee and team members include Wiley Burns, Carlos Carrillo, Michael Greenburg, Dallas Kvach, Christian Mull, Ivan Pearson, Tucker Pearson, Omar Saleh, Brenden Sanborn, Joshua Sheek, Enio Xavier, and team alternate Trevor Higgins. The B Team’s leader is senior Ben Brewer; team members include Modiyar Abdukadyrov, Irakli Bates, Tristan Bisch, Javier Carus, Julian Gonzalez, Marvin Gonzalez, Taylor Hardin, Jacob Lewis, Imanol Pablovich, Connor Prows, William Thomas, and team alternate Thomas Mims. “Our team showed a lot of heart and continuously displayed a never quit attitude by going against schools that were much larger than Riverside,” said 1SG Williams. We’re proud of our Raider Team members and coaches who have worked hard to be the 2014 Raider National Champions!
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A Message to Parents from the Dean of Enrollment Management: It’s my pleasure to report that enrollment is as high as it has been in decades and we’re on the verge of capacity for the first time in years. Thanks to a high retention rate, record new cadet enrollment, and the commitment of so many people to make the return worthy of your investment, we have 525 cadets on campus for 2nd semester. This is a significant milestone for RMA, but humbling at the same time. Bigger isn’t always better. As enrollment increases, our services, staff, systems, and facilities will be tested in ways unimaginable just six years ago. What sets Riverside apart, in my opinion, is the personal attention we aim to give to our cadets and our parents. As the barracks fill up, the entire Riverside family will look for ways to constantly improve our communication and maintain the close-knit environment that laid the foundation for our continued growth.
RMA provides a countercultural environment; one that stresses achievement, accountability, gentlemanly behavior, character, and compassion.
There are an infinite number of factors driving the increase in enrollment, but I hear some concerns more than others. In my role, I get the opportunity to speak with parents from Kazakhstan to California. Many of these parents see boys who are losing interest in things they used to love. They see boys who lack inspiration in schools that increasingly lean on lecture-based pedagogies, vanilla curricula, and standardized tests at the expense of true engagement. Parents see boys who are constantly distracted by the white noise of modern culture and are concerned about what kind of messages are getting through. Most importantly, parents see boys that they love and want the best for. What is the Riverside difference? RMA provides a counter-cultural environment; one that stresses achievement, accountability, gentlemanly behavior, character, and compassion. Riverside Cadets receive what they earn, whether an hour of Guard Path or a well-deserved promotion. Riverside Cadets are expected to demonstrate values like integrity, respect, commitment, and selflessness while in class, at play, or at home. Riverside Cadets look adults in the eye, offer firm handshakes, and speak with confidence. A Riverside Cadet is learning today what will make him a leader tomorrow. The faculty, staff, and administration at Riverside take the responsibility of caring for and educating our cadets very seriously. We understand the significance of your sacrifice and strive to maintain your confidence by delivering on your expectations, listening intently to your concerns, and consistently seeking improvement in every corner of this fine academy. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. We’re sincerely glad you chose our village, and we look forward to what lies ahead! For the Corps!
James P. Corbin MAJ, AR (GAARNG) Dean of Enrollment Management 4
LTC James Spivey, USA Selected As Commandant of Cadets By Adriane Seymour, Director of Communications
Riverside Military Academy has named LTC James G. Spivey, USA, as the new Commandant of Cadets effective April 1, 2015. LTC Spivey replaces LtCol Kevin Jarrard, USMCR, who resigned his position last fall. Spivey is retiring in March after 25 years of active service with the US Army Special Forces. He is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the US Army JFK Special Warfare Center & School in Fort Bragg, NC, that has a student population of approximately 3,400. The Special Operations Center of Excellence, one of only seven Centers of Excellence in the Army, consists of a multi-discipline team of 1,850 soldiers and civilians, who assess, select, train, and educate our nation’s next generation of Special Operations Forces. He holds a Bachelor’s in Biology from North Georgia College, now the University of North Georgia, where he was a cadet in the Boar’s Head Brigade and a Master’s in Education from Kansas State University. LTC Spivey led teams on the initial invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq and was cited for heroism and awarded for valor. In command, he has led Army, Joint and Coalition forces including soldiers, civilians, and more senior ranking officers, and the results have always been the same unequivocal superior outcome. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for Heroism in combat, Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards) and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. “Replacing Kevin Jarrard was not an easy task, but LTC Spivey has the experience and skill set to be the role model and moral anchor young cadets need in a confusing and challenging world,” says Col Benson, Riverside’s President. LTC Spivey and his wife Jennifer have two children and are active in their local community with many civic organizations. In addition, he has served as a youth soccer coach for over eight years.
AMCSUS Centennial Colors Carried in Parade By Adriane K. Seymour, Director of Communications
The Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) is a group of 44 schools (college preparatory schools; two-year colleges; and colleges and universities) which provide a quality education in a structured military environment with emphasis on strong values, leadership development, citizenship, and service to others. The member schools offer unique programs, but they all share a strong tradition of academic excellence and have a culture that fosters close relationships between faculty and students. Military schools focus on “whole Caption from left to right: Col James Benson, USMC (Ret), members of the person” education which provides our students with the RMA Color Guard, and SAI LTC Kenney Payne, USA (Ret.) skills they will need to excel in a very dynamic world. Formed in 1914, AMCSUS is celebrating its Centennial by encouraging member schools to carry the National Colors in a special event held at each school throughout this school year. Riverside Military Academy proudly carried the AMCSUS Centennial National Colors during the September Parade held on Maginnis Field. The Colors carried in the parade were received from Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL and were Immediately shipped to Wentworth Military Academy and College in Lexington, Missouri following the September parade. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
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RMA Hawaii Trip
Memories from Hawaii... The Riverside Military Academy Band, Chorus, and Color Guard recently returned from representing the State of Georgia in the 2014 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. A group of 100 cadets, directors, and chaperones traveled to Hawaii during December 5-11 where they were invited to take part in three memorable performances. The RMA Marching Band and JROTC Color Guard unit participated in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on December 7. Our band participated in an opening ceremony with the Fort DeRussey Marine Band, and Riverside Drum Major Lexx Joya participated in a lei ceremony honoring Pearl Harbor survivors. The streets of downtown Waikiki were lined with approximately 100,000 spectators for this parade! Our RMA Concert Band and Men’s Chorus toured the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor and performed a tribute concert in front of the ship on December 8. The ensembles premiered “An Airman’s Hymn,” a piece commissioned especially for this performance. Several Riverside parents were in attendance, and the audience loved the performance. The USS Missouri workers and staff even convinced the band to play an encore! The cadets performed beautifully and made it an unforgettable performance. On December 11, this detachment of cadets performed a wreath laying ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Pacific to honor four Riverside alumni interred there. Cadets Christian Mull, Lexx Joya, and Toan Vuong presented the wreath, the Grenadiers Drum and Bugle Corps performed, and the JROTC Color Guard unit presented the colors. Under the command of Cadet Christian Mull, the detachment marched up the main entrance to the cemetery and performed the ceremony in front of the main memorial marker. In addition to these three performances, the cadets had incredible educational and sightseeing opportunities. They spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center learning about the different Polynesian tribes and their way of life. The cadets enjoyed an evening luau and dinner show called “The Breath of Life,” featuring traditional Polynesian dances. Cadets were also able to tour the USS Missouri and the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, a first for many of them. Our cadets were respectful, somber, and moved. It was very touching to see their reactions to the USS Arizona experience. The group also took an island tour of Oahu and visited Pali Lookout, North Shore, Dole Plantation, and a Macadamia nut farm. And we even managed to work in some beach time! Several cadets took advantage of all Waikiki beach had to offer and rented surfboards, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear. Overall, it was a fantastic trip. The cadets represented their school and community well and performed with the utmost professionalism. Thank you so much to the Riverside family and the Gainesville community for your constant support and encouragement. We could not have done it without your help! Aloha, Katy Wilson, Kelsey Brunson, and Lynn Lathem RMA Band and Choral Directors
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Pearl Harbor Parade & Concert
REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
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RMA Hawaii Trip
Polynesion Cultural Center
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RMA Hawaii Trip
Cadets Honor Four RMA Alumni By LtCol Seth Hathaway, Interim Commandant of Cadets
December 10, 2014 marked a historically significant day in the Academy’s history as a detachment of 85 cadets conducted a military wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Oahu, Hawaii. The purpose the ceremony was to honor four former Riverside cadets who gave their last full measure by making the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country during World War II. After marching up the grand entrance inside the extinct volcanic crater also known as the “punchbowl,” the cadets stood in formation at the base of the “Courts of the Missing” where the wreath laying ceremony took place. Etched on the walls of nearby shrine number seven appeared the names of the four former cadets whose final resting place is known only to God. The biographies of the cadets that were honored are as follows: Preston Bridges Bellamy from Wilmington, North Carolina, attended RMA for one year from 1937 to 1938. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant in the Army Air Force and was officially classified dead on 29 May 1944. Donald Gault Hunsicker from Akron, Ohio, attended Riverside his junior and senior years, played basketball, was a member of the best drilled company, and graduated in 1943. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
He was a private first class in the Army Air Force and served as a B-29 tail gunner. He was eventually classified dead on 28 January 1946 after failing to return from a bombing mission over Japan. William Oliver Kent from Wilmington, North Carolina, attended Riverside for one year, served as a sergeant in Alpha Company, and graduated in 1931. During his service with the Army Air Force, he rose to the rank of technical sergeant and served with the 24th Bomber Squadron, 6th Very Heavy Bomber Group. He was officially classified dead on 24 May 1945. Alfred Dawson Hattenback from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was a member of Band Company and attended RMA for four years from 1939 to 1943 but withdrew early in 1943 to enlist in the Army Air Force. Private First Class Hattenback was officially classified dead on 9 September 1944. The ceremony concluded with the Academy’s Grenadier Drum and Bugle Corps playing a slow funeral march and echo taps, the latter being a custom uniquely practiced by military colleges and schools. It was a beautiful day, and the cadets’ presence and splendid performance served as an important reminder of their link to the Academy’s past and those who previously wore the cadet blue and grey.
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CSI:RIVERSIDE 10
By Julie A. Smith, Multimedia Manager
David Phillips’ forensic science class has been studying the process of fingerprint identification and its use in solving crimes. Forensic science is a new class for RMA, first offered fall semester 2014 to Riverside juniors and seniors. The first known systematic use of fingerprinting individuals in the U.S. began with the New York Civil Service Commission in 1902. The method of identifying someone using impressions made by minute ridge patterns on fingertips is known as fingerprint identification. It’s not possible for any two people to have the exact same arrangement of fingertip ridge patterns, and an individual’s patterns remain the same throughout life. Even partial prints can now be identified electronically through the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). This national database can quickly link not only fingerprints, but corresponding criminal history, mug shots, physical characteristics, and more to an individual. Agencies who submit an electronic criminal fingerprint will have a confirmed response in less than two hours. Fingerprinting is just one of many different topics studied in this course. Other subjects covered include crime scene processing, DNA analysis, anatomy, physics, ballistics, chemistry, toxicology, serology, and psychological profiling. Forensic science students gain hands-on experience in various subject areas as they conduct lab exercises and apply the scientific principles. Students learn the proper methods for handling and analyzing evidence as they investigate simulated crime scenes. They also create detailed records of their observations while forming and testing hypotheses, performing lab procedures, and defending their conclusions. “Forensic science uses the application of all the Sciences and puts it into practical use,” states Phillips. Phillips’ back story, or ‘life before Riverside,’ includes a career working in forensic science. He points out that forensics may be used as legal evidence that can be proven in a court of law. A determination of guilt or innocence often depends on forensic science evidence in both civil and criminal court cases. Some instances in which Phillips has witnessed forensics helping to prove court cases include the use of DNA profiling, handwriting in wills or legal declarations, and paternity tests. During upcoming semesters of the class, Phillips plans to invite guest speakers who work in related professions including the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Forensic science is a broad field that blends a variety of science disciplines with practical applications. This class has a lot to offer Riverside cadets, particularly those with an aptitude for the Sciences.
Library Forum Focuses on New Initiatives By Janie Halliley, Librarian, MSLS
Riverside Challenges Cadets in Philosophy Honors Course By RMA Teacher Elijah Merrett
Can you prove that you’re not just a brain trapped in a computer program? Is duty to family or duty to country more important? What do the ancient Greeks have to do with Legos? The brave cadets who dare to take on these challenging questions are enrolled in the Philosophy Honors class, new to Riverside in 2014. Philosophy Honors is a year-long elective course for juniors and seniors who are interested in exploring deep questions in the quest for truth. The course is balanced among in-depth reading of primary sources, weekly critique papers, and experiential learning through debates and hands-on activities. For instance, in September we studied a Greek philosopher named Democritus, who used logic to conclude that everything is composed of tiny, unbreakable particles that could rearrange to form everything in the universe. He called them “atoms” (meaning ‘uncuttable’), 2500 years before empirical science verified his theory. To understand this better, the class built structures out of Lego blocks, destroyed them, and reassembled them into something new. Philosophy prepares boys to answer the hard questions underlying all the other disciplines—there are Philosophies of Math, Art, History, and so on—but it also prepares them for leadership. Philosophy students study ethical decision making using hypothetical and real-life examples. They explore questions about the meaning of life and human nature, and critical thinking and self-scrutiny permeate the course. The habits and insights formed by this kind of study lay the bedrock for these young men as they move into real-world leadership. To paraphrase Plato, many troubles can be solved when our philosophers are leaders, and our leaders are philosophers. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Fall semester introduced new initiatives for the RMA Library Forum including the study of Library Science procedures, collection of overdue or missing items, and the establishment of an annual poster contest. Developed during the late 1800s, the Library of Congress Classification System (LOC or LC) used in the RMA Library divides book titles into broad subject areas by letters of the alphabet and continues on with subclasses and numerical codes or call numbers. Any one book or item may contain numerous characters! Our Forum Cadets volunteered many hours to learn the LC classification process in order to assist their peers. They have also been studying Library Science applications including the processing and repair of books, assisting students with card catalog software, and helping students locate materials in the library. The Barracks Book Round-Up Program has set a successful precedent for conveying gentle reminders of overdue books. On Wednesdays following study hours, members assign themselves to Cadet Companies and collect overdue/missing library books and other items from the barracks to be turned in the next day. The Forum sponsored its 1st annual, Company level Library Literacy Poster Contest in October 2014. Each Company could design poster art promoting literary themes such as reading, libraries, and books. All entries will be framed and proudly displayed in the Library Media Center. This year’s winning poster came from Band Company! Our co-sponsor was the Commandant’s Staff who supplied a pizza party for the winning company. Library Forum members are Brennen Fergerson, Arthur Fleming, Daniel Garrett, Isaac Glanton, Marc Ioug, Preston Levine, Mackenzie MacGruer, Kyle Marshall, Samuel Mendelow, An Nguyen, Carlos Perez, Anthony Rothwell, Wade Strickland, Jackson Tennant, Alexander Vieillard, Chase Walters, William Ward, and Mason Williams. 11
Economics Students Gain INSIGHT at Business Ethics Seminar By Daniel Tymchuk, Social Studies Department Chair
Not old – vintage. Not worn out – well loved. Not rusted – instead, a slightly diminished finish. Riverside’s Honors and College Prep Economics students used these and other turns of phrase to write their best advertisement for a used car “lemon” as part of a business ethics seminar held at the University of North Georgia in October. The exercise was a demonstration of pushing the boundaries in truthful advertising, one of many types of ethical dilemmas encountered in business practice. Sponsored by Junior Achievement (JA), the seminar helped cadets to explore the moral tenets of business ethics. This university program allows professors, working in conjunction with JA, to provide some expertise into what business workplace ethics is all about. At the end of the day, the event is about helping young people make the correct moral and ethical choices throughout their lives, not just in high school, college, or the business world. Students also heard a lecture by a business ethics professor who examined a case study of Tylenol’s nationwide recall in 1982 after a localized tampering breach, causing their market share to plummet from 37% to 7%, yet resulting in new tamper resistant packaging and a rebound of the company’s reputation and market position. The millions of 12
dollars lost by the initial problem were made up ten-fold as the company won back customers, trust, and consumer confidence in their products. In addition, cadets learned about the four motivations for moral and ethical behavior – Egoism (What’s in it for me?), Deontology (It’s my duty),Virtue Ethics (Character is who you are when nobody’s looking) and Utilitarianism (The greater good). To end the program, our cadets toured the campus, learned more about the school’s ROTC program, and were treated to an excellent lunch in the school’s cafeteria.
Advanced Art Acquires 3D Printer By Mitch Freeman, Fine Arts Department Chair
This fall the Advanced Art Class ordered and received our 3D printer. On an interesting side note, our printer arrived the same week the international space station received their printer! 3D printing is a new medium for designers, artists, engineers, doctors, scientists, and others. It’s a process in which a 2D/3D drawing through a computer program can be printed into an actual physical 3D model, which you can hold in your hand in a relatively “short” period of time. This is a great resource for inventors who need to generate physical models for a fraction of the cost to inform potential investors. The cadets in Advanced Art have been working on self-generated projects and figuring out how this machine works. This new tool allows our cadets to create items from imagination through the use of computer software. We have seen several ships, architectural objects, plaques, and puzzles created in class this semester. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Every week, the cadets will stop in several times per day to check on the progress of a print, or to share an idea they have for a project. It’s exciting to see so many ideas come forward from this initial surge in excitement, and we will be looking forward to new ideas and creations in the future!
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C/CPL Montminy Selected for All-American Bowl
RMA Cadet JP Montminy, starting freshman OL, played in the OffenseDefense All-American Bowl game at the Citrus Bowl on January 4! In addition, he also received MVP honors at the Nashville camp last summer. C/SGT Avery Cagle Surpasses 1,000 Points in Basketball
Congratulations to senior Avery Cagle who scored 25 points and surpassed his 1,000 career points in the varsity basketball game against Excel Christian Academy. RMA defeated this team 72-71. 14
C/2LT Matthew Conboy, participated in National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) National SecurityDiplomacy, Intelligence & Defense in Washington, DC. September 30 - October 5, 2014. This six-day program provides high school students with a behind-the-scenes look at careers in defense, intelligence, and the diplomatic corps.
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Cadet Master Sergeant (C/MSG) James A. Graham II, a Riverside Military Academy senior, has won a second consecutive national art award from the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA). Graham received the Honorable Mention award in the 2014 Young Marine Artist Search national competition for his acrylic painting titled “Sunset.” His painting was one of only six pieces chosen to receive a national award. Graham also received the Honorable Mention award in the 2013 national competition for his acrylic painting “Destroyer.” A photo of Graham’s painting was featured in the fall issue of the ASMA News and Journal, and his artwork was recognized at the Annual Meeting of the ASMA in San Diego on October 19. C/MSG Graham was encouraged by RMA Fine Arts Department Chair Mitch Freeman to submit his paintings in this national youth art competition.
C/2LT Conboy Attends National Youth Leadership Forum in D.C.
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C/MSG Graham Earns 2nd National Art Award
AND FAC S T
Cadets Selected for FCA Football Classic
Congratulations to cadets Mahlik Faulk, Arthur Fleming, Cole Garcia, Brandon Grant, and Alex Kidd (no photo available) who were selected and played on the East All-Stars in the Hall County FCA East-West Football Classic in December. The East All-Stars defeated the West-All Stars 28-3.
Mahlik Faulk
Arthur Fleming
Cole Garcia
Brandon Grant
Head Football Coach Gary Downs Receives Awards
Riverside Military Academy Head Coach, Gary Downs, was named the Head Coach of the XL-212 Middle School All-Star Game. Downs led the Black Team, also nicknamed the “Darkside”, to a 26-21 over-time Victory over the White Team. The game was played on Saturday, December
6th, at Fellowship Christian High School in Roswell, GA. In addition, Coach Downs was selected as the Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Week in late September. He received a plaque signed by former Coach Mike Smith, a commemorative game ball, and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department. C/CPL Brizzi Earns Eagle Scout Rank
RMA freshman C/David Brizzi earned the rank of Eagle Scout on December 28, 2014 during his Court of Honor held at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL. The Eagle Scout badge is the highest rank a young man can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America. C/SFC Burns Selected for Furman University’s Lacrosse Camp
C/SFC Wiley Burns was invited to participate in Furman University’s Lacrosse Prospect Camp last fall. The players were put through a high-paced program to test and evaluate every part of their game for competition at the college level. Cadets Represent RMA at the Salvation Army Golf Tournament
Golf Team members C/SSGT Alex Barr, C/CPL Brandon Boisfontaine, C/SSG Jungho Chung, and C/SGT Nathan Karalexis represented RMA in the 2nd Annual Salvation Army Golf Tournament at Chattahoochee Golf Club. These young men shot a combined 6 under par. They also received some valuable tournament experience.
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Football Coach Kelly Davis Selected as Guest Coach for Canadian All Stars
RMA Coach Kelly Davis was invited to be a guest coach Dec. 13 & 14 for the South Saskatchewan Selects football program in Canada! Coach Davis, defensive coordinator, and other guest coaches helped players ranging in age from 12 to 16 understand American football rules as the teams prepare for a tournament to be held in San Antonio this February. The Red Team (Coach Davis’) team defeated the White Team 20-6 in the scrimmage game.
Current RMA Parents: Your $1,000 Riverside Tuition Credit Is Waiting… “My son just isn’t doing well academically…he’s bright, but lazy…he needs a more structured setting….he could use more discipline…the public school system just isn’t working for him…we need another option…” Heard a friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker make comments like these lately? When you do, share Riverside with them. Through Riverside’s TREE* program, you’ll earn $1000 tuition credit for every new fall and $500 for every new spring-enrolling Riverside cadet that you refer. Chances are, your son was once in the same boat as many of their boys, and you’ve no doubt seen the changes in him. And that makes you the best person to share the experience with those you care about – and you’ll benefit handsomely when you do. Already Have a Few Names? If you’ve already had a few “Riverside conversations,” and are comfortable sharing the names, contact the Riverside admissions office at 800.462.2338 or admissions@ riversidemilitary.com, and we’ll take it from there. For more info on the TREE* program, visit www.riversidemilitary.com, log in, and then click Parents. Tuition Reimbursement through Enhanced Enrollment
*
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Riverside Introduces New Senior Army Instructor:
LTC Kenny Payne, USA (Ret) First, I would like to say thank you to Colonel Benson and the Riverside Military Academy teachers, cadets, and staff for allowing me to be part of a great team. We have had a very successful school year so far. I’ve experienced my first Admissions Open House, ROC Parade, Homecoming Weekend, and Atlanta Veterans’ Day Parade where the Corps of Cadets brought home its 6th consecutive President’s Trophy for best marching unit. Our Raider Team did an outstanding job this season with six 1st place overall winners at seven competitions and one 3rd place overall win. The RMA Raider team placed 5th overall in the state competition out of 77 teams and then went on to claim 1st place overall in the male division of the National Raider Championship out of 44 schools across the United States!
Out of 44 schools across the United States, the RMA Raider team placed 1st overall in the male division of the National Raider Championship!
Prior to my assignment at RMA, I was the Senior Army Instructor (SAI) at Lumpkin County High School for four years. Earlier, I served as the ARSICNorth and Task Force North Commander, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Desert Storm. The mission and philosophy of the JROTC program is “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens.” JROTC does not recruit for any branch of the military but works to instill the values of citizenship, service to the community and the U.S., personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment in secondary grade level students. Program participants acquire a strong knowledge base of self-discovery and leadership skills applicable to many managerial and leadership situations. As an active member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign War, the Lions Club, and several other community service agencies in North Georgia, I hope to lead by example and encourage our outstanding young men to give back to their communities. I look forward to working with many more RMA Cadets and their families as we continue to build our successful Academy! Go Eagles!
LTC Kenny Payne Senior Army Instructor, JROTC
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Corps of Cadets Brings Home 6th Consecutive President’s Trophy By Julie A. Smith, Multimedia Manager
The Riverside Military Academy Corps of Cadets was once again invited to march in the annual Atlanta Veterans’ Day Parade held in downtown Atlanta on November 8, 2014. The RMA Corps brought home its 6th consecutive President’s Trophy for best marching unit in the parade! This year marked the 33rd anniversary of the Atlanta Veterans’ Day Parade, produced by the Georgia Veterans’ Day Parade Association of Atlanta, Inc. (GVDPA). This parade is one of the nation’s largest Veterans’ Day events and is widely covered by news media. The parade begins at 11:11 a.m. in remembrance of the ceasefire agreement signed in 1918 to end WWI, or the Great War, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Two Riverside cadets were asked to kick off the Atlanta Veterans’ Day Parade by playing the beautiful and poignant Echo Taps. Riverside junior C/SSG Quinton Munroe is a Battalion Bugler and sophomore C/PFC Andrew Valerioti is an Assistant Battalion Bugler. This year’s parade theme was “Pathway to Victory – From D-Day to Tokyo Bay,” focusing on operations in both the European and Pacific theatres that led the Allies on the path to victory during the final 15 months of World War II. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
The parade Grand Marshal was Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret). He has been the leading military consultant for decades, ensuring authenticity of projects such as “Band of Brothers,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Great Raid,” “The Pacific,” and many other military film and television productions. Captain Dye is the founder of Warriors, Inc. He is also a published author, character actor, screenwriter, and director. Following the parade, the GVDPA held a Veterans’ Festival, a new event for 2014, and the annual Freedom Ball. Please visit http://www.gavetsdayparade.org/ to learn more about the Georgia Veterans’ Day Parade Association of Atlanta. Riverside always has a noticeable presence at this event thanks to our amazing Corps and all of the wonderful parents, alumni, and friends of the Academy who show up to support our cadets while holding RMA signs and wearing their Riverside Blue. Thank you for always encouraging us to do our best in every endeavor. We congratulate the Riverside Military Academy Corps of Cadets on their continued success as a cohesive, outstanding marching unit and hope to continue this tradition in 2015! 17
12ANGRYMEN Riverside Cadets Portray
RMA’s Fine Arts Department, including Drama Teacher Mike Smith and some talented cadets with a flair for acting, presented the landmark American drama “Twelve Angry Men” in the Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre during November 2014. “Twelve Angry Men,” a critically acclaimed 1950s teleplay created by Reginald Rose, inspired both a classic film and a Broadway revival. The story is a powerful examination of the American melting pot and the judicial system keeping it in check. Following several days of trial proceedings, the production opens with Juror Eight as the solitary holdout in an 11-1 guilty vote in what seems to be an open and shut case. Eight sets his sights 18
By Julie A. Smith, Multimedia Manager
not on proving the others wrong, but rather on persuading them to view the case in a way unaffected by personal biases. Is there reasonable doubt based on the case’s evidence? The jurors must question whether to permit a potentially innocent young man to face a mandatory death penalty or allow a possible murderer to go free. The audience learns more about individual jury members’ biases and motivations as tempers begin to flare and arguments commence. Through the play’s progression, layers of artifice are peeled away to reveal the best and worst in each juror. Two evening performances and one matinee were free and open to the public. In reference to our cadets’
interpretation of the beloved drama, an audience member stated that “the cast did a great job capturing the essence of all of the characters.” CAST & CREW
Foreman – Ivan Pearson Jury Members – Kale Matschichelian, Chris Rosato, Patrick Sheffield, Miguel Ricart, Christian Rotsch, Anthony Bambino, Sekayi Williams, Brandon Oliveira, Demarko Hooper, Jorge Hernandez, Ethan Lyles Guard – Shane Lieu Director – Mike Smith Stage Manager – Cameron Samples Lighting Crew – Tristan Bisch, David Dupuis, Shinwook Park, Wade Strickland Sound Crew – Jonathan Canniff
2014 Band and Choral Highlights Members of our band leadership traveled to Dayton, TN fall semester to attend the U.S. Army Field Band performance, one of the top wind bands in the world. SSG Selena Adams, horn player and sister to Mrs. Kelsey Brunson, RMA Assistant Director of Bands, and Associate Bandmaster MAJ Scott McKenzie took time to speak with our cadets prior to the concert. During intermission, percussionist SSG Robert Marino invited three RMA percussionists up on stage to discuss music. Our cadets were able to hear some great music and learn from wonderful soldier-musicians.
family. Riverside was fortunate to have seven Band Cadets participate. Congratulations to C/MAJ Lexx Joya, C/SGT Jae Kim, C/Robert McMorrow, C/SGT Nicholas Melnikov, C/CPL Ayaz Mustafa, C/1SG Patrick Sheffield and C/SGT Branden Taylor. In November, Riverside hosted the 4th Annual Hall County Honor Band. Approximately 100 band students from the Hall County high schools (six county schools, Gainesville City, and Riverside), attended this prestigious event. Band directors from each school nominate 5-10 deserving students from their program, and the students attend a two-day band clinic prior to the public performance. The ensemble had three rehearsals with guest clinician Dr. Josh Byrd, Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of West Georgia, and then performed a concert for about 500 friends and REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
The Grenadiers Drum and Bugle Corps was very busy last semester. In September, the ensemble performed for a Patriots Day Ceremony at the Merrill Lynch Branch Office in Atlanta. The drumline and the Grenadiers both performed opening ceremonies for Free Chapel’s Divine Conference, Boots on the Ground in late September. In October, they performed for a veterans’ event at Lakeshore Mall. In celebration of Veterans’ Day, the Grenadiers, buglers, and chorus performed at Gainesville First Baptist as part of their Sunday service. On Veterans’ Day, the Grenadiers performed in a Veterans’ Day Tribute Program at C.W. Davis Middle School.
Our Grenadiers and buglers are excellent representatives of Riverside throughout the Gainesville community. The District 14 Honor Chorus, representing choral students from more than 25 schools, was held at RMA in November. Six choruses of varying levels with around 600 total participated in this event. C/SGT Tristan Bisch and C/MAJ Lexx Joya (pictured below) were selected to represent RMA in this event. Students rehearsed and prepared concert music for two days under the direction of prominent choral directors. Two public concerts were held in the Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre.
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2014 Employee Appreciation Awards Each December we pause to take time to honor special people who play vital parts in the life of the Academy.These individuals are recognized for their extraordinary efforts in the development and support of our cadets. Once again we thank and congratulate all of the 2014 honorees. Each academic department is permitted to nominate one outstanding colleague serving in any other academic department. Typically, one winner is selected by a vote of the Corps of Cadets, but, this year, we had a tie.
Teacher of the Year: Mr. Bob Hunter Mr. Hunter, now in his 24th year of teaching, began his career at the college level as a professor at Trident Technical College and Johnson and Wales University, both in Charleston, South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Charleston Southern University and masters’ degrees from both Georgia Southern University and Clemson University. Mr. Hunter teaches Advanced Placement Biology and also serves as an advisor to JETS, the Junior Engineering Technical Society.
Teacher of the Year: Mr. Diego Vacca Coach Vacca, as he is known to his soccer players, is in his 8th year of teaching and his 5th year at RMA. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Wesleyan University and a master’s degree from the University of North Georgia.
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Mr.Vacca, originally from Columbia, South America, teaches both Spanish in the Foreign Language Department and English for speakers of other languages. He also serves as the head coach of our varsity soccer team.
JROTC Instructor of the year: 1SG Andy Williams 1SG Williams has served as a teacher, mentor, guide, and coach since 2004. He is a great role model to all the young men attending Riverside. He served in the United States Army for 23 years and culminated his career as Chief Drill Instructor of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. This year his leadership, dedication, and coaching of our Raider Team resulted in the historical win of the 2014 National Raider Championship. Our Raiders competed against 44 male teams from 27 different states throughout the country.
TAC Officer of the Year: CPT Marion Woods, United States Army, (Ret) Captain Woods retired from the United States Army in December of 2002 after 20 years of service to his country. His many positions as a leader and trainer in the Army thoroughly prepared him for the position of a TAC officer at Riverside Military Academy. In 2003, CPT Woods started at Riverside as the Delta Company TAC officer, where he has made the company his
own. He soon became known for his sound council, quiet demeanor, and competitive nature. CPT Woods has held the position of TAC officer in Delta Company for the past eleven years and is responsible for mentoring eight other TAC officers in his charge. Parents and teachers alike rely on him to take care of their cadets and teach them the virtues of manhood and character. All that is necessary to calm an anxious parent is to mention Captain Woods’ name. This award is presented to Captain Woods on behalf of the Riverside parents.
Coach of the Year: Kelly Davis Coach Davis was selected as the Gainesville Times All-Area Tennis Coach during the 2013-14 school year. He led our tennis team to two consecutive GHSA 8-AA region championships and has a record of 29-2 over the past two seasons. Eight Riverside players have been selected for 8-AA All-Region honors under his tutelage. Coach Davis acquired his degrees from Columbia Southern University and the University of West Florida in Business Administration and Sports Management. He is a 20 year Army veteran, 1st SGT, and received two meritorious medals for outstanding performance. In addition to tennis, Coach Davis was selected as the Defensive Coordinator in the EastWest Metro Atlanta All Star Football Classic in 2011 & 2012. This past December 12-15, Coach Davis was selected to serve as the Defensive Coordinator for the High Impact Football All-Star Game in Saskatchewan, Canada. The team consisted of high school all stars from across Canada.
Support Person of the Year: Mrs. Rhonda Hansard Mrs. Hansard joined the Riverside Military Academy Infirmary staff in 2008 as a part-time nurse. In January 2013, Mrs. Hansard accepted a full-time clinic nurse position and went on to accept the duties and responsibilities as the Interim Health Director in February of that same year. Mrs. Hansard’s competency and dedication in the performance of these duties made it abundantly clear that she was the right person for the job and was promoted to Director of Health Services, shortly thereafter. Mrs. Hansard works tirelessly on and off duty to manage the health care needs of the Corps of Cadets. From broken bones to runny noses, her confident approach to treating sick and injured cadets helps to ease their discomfort. She is in constant communication with families regarding on and off campus appointments and is an essential link between the Academy, cadets, and parents. The Presidential Award is presented at the discretion of the Riverside Military Academy President to those who have given exceptional service to the Academy and our cadets.
Presidential Award: Miss Katy Wilson Ms. Wilson, who directs the Academy’s bands, was a member of the University of Georgia’s Redcoat Band where she served as Drum Major. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music and is working on her master’s degree in The American Band College program of Sam Houston State University. No unit on campus is more influential in the life of the Academy today than the Band, but this was not always the case. When Ms. Wilson arrived in January 2010 to take over for an ailing band director who was unable to finish the year, she found a band program that was also ailing. It has been said that, when she arrived, there were only 12 cadets in the band and that only six of them could play their instruments. Under her leadership, the band program has flourished. Today, it is perhaps the largest unit on campus other than the Corps itself. Each year our band groups receive several requests for performances and most recently returned from Hawaii in which they performed during the 2014 Pearl Harbor Remembrance week events. As the Band goes, so goes the Corps. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Employees with 10 or more years of service at RMA Errol Bisso Marc Paglia Nelda Browning Patti Hennington Kelly Smith Adam Carter Christopher Carter Robert Daniel Robin Garrison Andy Jobson John McCleary Trish McCraven Brenda Palmer Lawrence Robinson Antonio Santos Alene Arenas Ronnie Baldwin Edward Benson Amy Booth Frederick Bremer Posey Brownlee, Jr Robert Cagle, Jr Lee Cleaves, Jr. Jo Ann Cripps Rhonda Crook George Freeman Phillip Gaines, Sr. Johnny Gomez Kevin Guier James Hadaway Robert Howington James Jobst Michael Levine Bobby Martin William McBride II Hector Salas Martha Smith Robert Strong Daniel Tymchuk Thomas Walker Arnold Watkins James Williams Marion Woods
48 25 20 20 20 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
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Letter From the Commandant RMA remains an environment steeped in tradition where academic performance, character development, physical fitness, and spiritual health are required and expected of every cadet. It remains a tough, challenging place with a transformative power to those who embrace its programs. Thriving at RMA is not a solitary endeavor; unity among classmates and within cadet companies remains strong – a bond few outside the experience of being in a corps of cadets can really understand. A cadet does not have to be the fastest or most scholarly young man to excel under the natural competitiveness the corps of cadets fosters. This competition continues to propel young men to aspire and achieve goals out of sheer drive and dogged determination – often fueled by the fear of failure – that they once never thought possible. The Recruit on Campus (ROC), or new boy, assimilation process remains rigorous and isn’t taught didactically, on a computer, or in a classroom but in the old school way through cultural immersion into the corps and all things Riverside. We expect much of the young men who travel to the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains to join us.
“ Thriving at RMA is not a solitary endeavor ...
The recently named McLendon Quadrangle in front of Lanier Hall is still the sight of thousands of push-ups and flutter kicks each week as the corps incentivizes itself to meet the standards set by those preceding them. Of course, the presence of alumni on campus during Homecoming/Parents’ Weekend in October helped fuel the fire as stories of the “old corps” shrouded in mystery and lore made their way into the hearts and minds of current cadets. It was a pleasure to again witness the synergy of that special weekend as generations of alumni shared their stories with the young men who currently stand in formation, face north, and salute our nation’s cloth each morning as the battalion bugler pierces the crisp air with the brassy sounds of “colors.” These are all healthy indicators of men who exhibit pride in taking the less traveled path during the season of youth. This year’s corps continues to excel. Our Raider Team won the National Championship title, beating other championship teams from 27 states; the RMA Corps won its sixth consecutive President’s Trophy in the Atlanta Veterans’ Day Parade; and the band and chorus’ performances at the Pearl Harbor Day Parade, Battleship Missouri, and wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific where four former Riverside cadets were honored for their service during WWII, were all outstanding. We encourage you to visit Riverside soon to see for yourself how tomorrow’s leaders continue to be made utilizing the traditional military model of education. In Service to the Corps,
LtCol Seth A. Hathaway USMC (Ret) Interim Commandant of Cadets
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RMA CADETS = COMMUNITY SERVICE Riverside Cadets volunteer hundreds of hours each year to help out military, community service, and non-profit organizations in Hall County and surrounding areas, and many even volunteer at home during Academy furloughs. Here are just a few of the events for which our cadets have donated their time in 2014: • Art on the Square Festival • Family Choices 5K • Hearts and Hands Emporium • Harvest Balloon Festival • Hall County Humane Society • Dahlonega Literary Festival • Redbud Project • Elachee Nature Center Snake Day • Family Promise 5k • VFW Ladies Auxiliary Horseless Rodeo benefitting Veterans • 213th Legal Operations Detachment Change of Command Ceremony • John Berry Concert benefitting Challenged Child • South Hall Community Food Pantry • Habitat for Humanity
REVEILLE I WINTER 2015 23
“ It was so great seeing everyone this weekend. Thank you for everything. Shannon and I had such a great time seeing everyone and being part of such a wonderful event. As always, things were top notch. Great job!” — Joe Gordon, ’96 2014 Distinguished Young Alumnus
“ Everything was amazing... and I appreciate all of the effort and support to make it so special for me.” — Andy Zager, ’88 Sports Hall of Fame inductee
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Homecoming 2014 If you missed Homecoming 2014, 97 percent of alumni who attended recommend Homecoming to other alumni. The results of the postHomecoming survey confirm that Homecoming 2014 with over 250 alumni and guests on campus was a success. Almost 90% of alumni completing the survey gave the weekend a 5 or 4 rating on a 1 to 5 scale. In other words, it was a great time. “The whole event was great. Best yet. Seemed to have something for everybody,” said one alumnus. Read on for a recap of the weekend’s highlights, and plan now for Homecoming 2015 October 16-17.
“ Thank you for your great southern hospitality. My whole family had a wonderful time, as did I.” — Irwin A. Molasky, ’45 2014 Distinguished Alumnus
Thank you to all our generous 2014 sponsors: Event Sponsors Ruben Barahona, ’89
Gold Sponsors J&V Locksmiths
Silver Sponsors Miguel Reyes, ’74
E. T. Lopez, ’84
Ron Fenner, ’66
Hilton Garden Inn
Andy Zager, ’88
Jay A. Glazer Metals Honoring the Class of 1964
Morgan Stanley William A. Lyles
John B. McKernan, ’88 Bud Oakey, ’75 Seth Wagner, ’56 South State Bank
Elliott & Painter, LLP Nicole Baker, CPA Bronze Sponsors Frame-Tastic Jay Smith Paul Posner, ’56
REVEILLE I WINTER 2015 25
Homecoming 2014 Alumni Honored for Vast Achievements The Corps of Cadets’ Homecoming parade included the recognition of four outstanding alumni. Irwin A. Molasky, class of 1945, was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus sword in recognition of his prolific career in real estate development, primarily in Las Vegas. His mark can be found in all aspects of design and development from residential to office buildings, malls and shopping centers, commercial, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, multifamily, and mixed use. In the past five years, the company has focused on building federal projects, including the National Personnel and Records Center for the National Archives in St. Louis and five Homeland Security and FBI complexes across the country. The Distinguished Young Alumnus, Joseph Michael Gordon of Tampa, Florida, graduated from Riverside in 1996 as the S-2 of the Battalion Staff, salutatorian, and class president. He has risen to the position of vice president of Previstar, a technology firm that provides software products to the emergency preparedness communities, the armed services, and homeland security industry. He is a member of the Riverside Board of Visitors and a co-founder with John Gianelloni, ’94, of the Blue Devil Alumni Endowed Fund. Abraham A. Mitchell, ’52, of Mobile, Alabama, was presented the President’s Philanthropic Award. He is one of Alabama’s best known philanthropists in support of higher education providing gifts, with his family, of over $90 million to the University of South Alabama (USA) in Mobile. Mr. Mitchell’s support of Riverside in recent years has been in the form of challenge grants to alumni and RMA donors, which have been instrumental in the Academy’s fundraising initiatives. His $500,000 matching grant, which was successfully met by donors, funded the debt-free construction of the Mitchell Quarters, Riverside’s presidential home. Ernesto Lopez, better known as E.T., is a 1984 graduate, and was honored with the President’s Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Lopez, founder and owner of Atlanta Paving, has grown his company from a small enterprise to a competitive firm winning contracts from the State of Georgia and across the country. He has contributed his company’s resources to the construction of both the Mitchell Quarters and the Beauchamp Obstacle Course. In recognition of his own birthday last August, Mr. Lopez donated his crew, machinery, and materials to completely repave and restripe every road and parking lot of the RMA campus.
Col. Benson honors alumni (top to bottom) Irwin A. Molasky, Joseph Michael Gordon, Abraham A. Mitchell, and E.T. Lopez.
The following former Battalion Commanders attended Homecoming: 1945 Irwin Molasky
1956 Greg Werd
1979 James Van Arsdale
1994 John Gianelloni
1952 Abraham Mitchell
1958 Bernie Freeman
1984 Bobby Edwards
2012 Edgar Dowling
1954 Ernest Holbrook
1971 Andrew Talkington
1985 Scott Watson
1955 Sabin Gianelloni
1973 Ward Phillips
1990 Stanley Howington
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McLendon Recognized with Quadrangle Dedication The quadrangle in front of Lanier Hall was dedicated as McLendon Quadrangle during Homecoming weekend in honor of Mac and Sue McLendon, ’58, of Tallahassee, Florida. Their gift of $100,000 will endow a scholarship to provide tuition assistance to deserving and needy prospective students. As a surprise to Mac, Col Jim Benson, president, presented him with an honorary diploma since Mac regretted that he had not finished high school at Riverside. “I owe a lot of my success to the structure, discipline, neatness, and grooming learned during my Riverside years,” Mac has said. “My time at Riverside served me well in all of my endeavors.”
Sports Hall of Fame Gains Two Members Two new members were inducted into the RMA Sports Hall of Fame by Marc Paglia, athletic director; Errol Bisso, alumni relations director; and Col Jim Benson, president. Joining them on Maginnis Field prior to the start of the football game were a dozen or more members of the Hall of Fame. Andrew Collin Zager, ’88, was recognized for his outstanding athletic career at Riverside, but particularly for his wrestling record. He capped his senior year by being one of the first RMA wrestlers to place in the state wrestling championships; his record was 110 wins and only eight losses. The second inductee was Richard M. Nichols. Coach Nichols came to Riverside as a teacher and head varsity basketball coach during the 196263 school year and went on to accumulate 129 wins as a coach. When he retired from coaching in 1976, he became Riverside’s athletic director, a post he held for the next 24 years. During the 1980-81 year, all 11 varsity teams had winning records, a record unmatched in the history of the Academy. Thanks to the generous support of three Riverside alumni, Charlie James, ’64, Ira Middleberg, ’66, and Abe Mitchell, ’52, the Riverside basketball arena will be named in Coach Nichols’ honor and will be dedicated at Founders’ Day on Newest inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame are Andy Zager, ’88, and Richard M. April 25, 2015. Nichols pictured with Col Jim Benson. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
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...from the Homecoming alumni survey:
Homecoming 2014
What single Homecoming memory are you still thinking about? “ I really enjoy hearing the RMA band and choir. They have been incredible over the past few years.”
Winning Big at Casino Night!
“ The ability to visit with my classmates and those immediately following my class. We have all grown so old and cherish the Riverside friendships.”
Thank you to the donors who contributed items to the alumni Casino Night auction:
“ Bringing my wife to Riverside. It’s an entire part of me she never really knew about.”
Arthur Boisfontaine, ’87 Bill Burt, ’60 Jan and Sumner Cahoon, ’49 Chattahoochee Country Club Chicopee Woods Crystal Falls Golf Club Sabin Gianelloni, ’55 Bill Glisson, ’78 Hampton Golf Village Pat Higdon, ’57 E.T. Lopez, ’84 William and Mary Beth Lyles Ken and Rachel McKelvey Sue and Mac McLendon, ’58 Bud Oakey, ’75 Whit Owens, ’79 Nancy and Paul Posner, ’56 Royal Lakes Golf and Country Club Scott’s Downtown Seth Wagner, ’56 Jim Watts, ’85
“Seeing a roommate I had not seen in 50 years.”
“ The motorcycle ride that Marty Fields, ’85, arranged. It was a great time and hope we can make this an annual event.” “ Unless you show up, you’ll never understand how special our brotherhood truly is!”
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Beauchamp Obstacle Course Dedication is Weekend Highlight
The spirit of MSG Larry W. Beauchamp was alive and well at the dedication of the Marine-style obstacle course bearing his name. Beauchamp, a long-time RMA staff member who ran the Bull Ring, worked in the Commandant’s Office, and ran the Mt.Yonah rappelling outings, was revered, loved, and respected by alumni. He was also a decorated Viet Nam war hero. The construction of the course fulfilled a wish of the Commandant while also providing a rigorous practice site for the RMA Raider Team, which brought home the national title in 2014. Funding for the project was made possible through the generosity of alumni, parents, and grandparents. The dedication included a demonstration of the course by members of the Raider Team. To watch the dedication and demonstration, please visit http://youtu.be/rkE1bn9e1v4.
“ Twenty three years after graduating from Riverside, the lessons I learned from Sgt. Beauchamp continue to guide me to this day.” “ Sgt. Beauchamp was a surrogate father, caretaker, inspiration to many Riverside cadets.” REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Many thanks to the following donors who made the construction of the course possible: Charles D. Adams, ’89 Curt B. Akin, ’55 Ruben A. Barahona, ’89 James H. Benson Arthur M. Boisfontaine, ’87 Sumner R. Cahoon, ’49 Christopher A. Cotter, ’88 Justin D. Crossie, ’90 Clifford Lanier Deal, ’60 Christopher W. Dicus, ’97 Pablo A. Espinosa, ’87 Ron Fenner, ’66 Jason J. Frost, ’88 John E. Gianelloni, ’94 Sabin J. Gianelloni, ’55 William T. Glisson, ’78 Joseph M. Gordon, ’96 Amanda K. Griffin Mufeed Haddad
Thomas G. Harris, ’93 Geoffrey L. Hurdle, ’87 SethJudd, ’87 Ernest T. Lopez, 84 Macy’s Foundation John B. McKernan, ’88 John A. Noble, ’55 Daniel G. Oakey, ’75 Christopher Oster, ’13 Betsy and Russ Pearson Qualcomm Matching Gift Program Justin W. Shine, ’03 Tim Stroyne James C. Trapnell, ’45 Seth Wagner, ’56 Randy S.Weintraub, ’84 W. Rodney Wiese Andy Zager, ’88 29
Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends of the Academy, On a Thursday night last August, Alumni Hall’s spartan atmosphere was exchanged for white linens, sparkling glassware, and a cozy glow from the gas fireplaces. Two hundred guests, including Gainesville leaders, Riverside trustees, staff, and alumni, gathered in the transformed mess hall for the first annual Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Leadership Award dinner.
“ Riverside’s doors are always open to you.” — Amanda Griffin
Two local businessmen, one a real estate developer and the other a past leader in the poultry industry, were honored for their entrepreneurial abilities exemplified by RMA’s longtime president, Sandy Beaver. The honored families and guests deemed the evening a success, and it was possible to see the potential for filling Alumni Hall with 700 guests in future years. What’s the purpose, you ask? To grow the newly approved Riverside Military Academy Foundation, which will provide tuition assistance for needy cadets for years to come. The Foundation’s formation and the dinner were two years in the making, but worth all the effort. Read more on pages 34 and 35. Homecoming last October brought to campus a record number of former Battalion Commanders. See a list of those who attended on p. 26. Irwin Molasky, ’45, was honored as Distinguished Alumnus and was accompanied by 10 family members who traveled from Los Angeles and Las Vegas to see the school that Irwin credits with his success. Read about Homecoming highlights on pages 24-29.
Upcoming Events March 21 Spartanburg, SC Alumni Social April 24-25 Founders’ Day Weekend May 1 New Orleans, LA Alumni Social August 13 Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards Dinner
Join RMA staff and alumni at one of the upcoming alumni gatherings listed on page 43. If you’re interested in helping organize a reunion in your city or region, please give Errol Bisso, director of alumni relations, a call. Or, plan to attend Founders’ Day the weekend of April 24-25. Growing in popularity and attendance, the weekend includes a Corps parade, BBQ, and more, but is slower paced than Homecoming with plenty of time for visiting. See the schedule on page 32. Riverside’s doors are always open to you. Please stop by and visit when you’re in the area. Respectfully yours,
October 16-17 Homecoming
Amanda K. Griffin, CFRE Vice President for Advancement
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ADVAN C E M E N T
THE FACTORY MAN to be Honored by Alma Mater
T
By Amanda K. Griffin, CFRE
he name Bassett has been synonymous with furniture for generations, and now, the third generation Bassett is the subject of New York Times bestseller Factory Man. It’s a colorful family history turned investigative reporting page-turner about John D. Bassett (JDB) III’s nearly one-man stand against the flood of Chinese-made imports that closed factory after factory in America. A 1955 Riverside graduate, JDB III will return to campus Founders’ Day weekend, April 24-25, to be recognized by the Academy for his achievements as a leader, entrepreneur, and patriot. He entered Riverside as a sophomore in 1952 and distinguished himself by lettering in golf, consistently making Honor Roll, and earning the rank of 2LT in Delta Company by his senior year. Following graduation from RMA, he graduated from Washington and Lee University. “John Bassett’s story is one of overcoming obstacles presented by a family-owned business and those that appear unexpectedly from another shore. It’s an inspiring story and is a testimony to what a leader can accomplish through sheer tenacity and hard work,” said Colonel Jim Benson, RMA President.“We are fortunate to name John Bassett among our Riverside alumni,” stated Benson. Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local – And Helped Save An American Town, by Virginia journalist Beth Macy, has spent weeks among the top 25 best-selling hardcover nonfiction books in the U.S. and is listed with the NYT 100 Best Books of 2014. Rights to the book have been purchased for possible development as an HBO miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetz. JDB III has worked in the furniture industry for 53 years, first at Bassett Furniture Industries and since 1983 at Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company founded by John’s grandfather, J.D. Bassett, Sr., and Bunyan Vaughan, grandfather of John’s wife, the former Patricia Vaughan Exum. John has been president and CEO and presently serves as Chairman of Vaughan-Bassett. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Between 2001-12, 63,300 U.S. factories closed as furniture manufacturing moved to China. JDB III watched the relentless elimination of jobs out of his home state of Virginia until, in almost Biblical proportions reminiscent of “for such a time as this,” he said, “Enough.” He refused a Chinese company’s offer to make his furniture at a lower cost and undertook an expensive lawsuit against Chinese manufacturers, contending their actions violated WTO anti-dumping regulations. Instead of receiving the adulation of his peers, most of his fellow furniture CEOs opposed the lawsuit and said the problem would simply move to another country. JDB III ultimately won the case and used the duties awarded Vaughan-Bassett to pay legal fees and help set up a new healthcare option for employees. He also worked to improve efficiency and speed operations within his plant. Under his leadership,Vaughan-Bassett is today the largest wooden bedroom furniture manufacturer in America with sales of over $84 million and 700 employees. One hundred percent of Vaughan-Bassett’s products are made in the U.S.A. In October 2013, he was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and in November 2014, he was named University of North Carolina-Greensboro Bryan Business School’s Entrepreneur Extraordinaire. Last October he was presented with the Washington & Lee Distinguished Alumni Award. His son Wyatt is Vaughan-Bassett’s CEO. His son Doug is president and manages sales for the company. His daughter Fran sits on the company’s board of directors. 31
FOUNDERS’ DAY 2015
REGISTRATION FORM FRIDAY, April 24, 2015 Activity
Time
Location
12-‐2:30 p.m.
Registration (Goomba Grill and Cadet Store open)
Lanier Hall Foyer
3 p.m.
Corps of Cadets Parade
Maginnis Field
12:30-‐2 p.m.
Campus tours
4:30-‐6 p.m.
Lanier Hall Foyer
Alumni Reception RMA Band and Chorus Spring Concert Alumni Rendezvous
6 – 7 p.m.
7 – 11 p.m.
Mitchell Quarters
The Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre for the Arts TBD
SATURDAY, April 25, 2015 Activity
Time
Location
8-‐8:45 a.m.
Formation and Breakfast w/Senior Cadets
10:15-‐11:15 a.m. 11:30 – 3 p.m.
Founders’ Day Program: RMA in Hollywood – A Look Back and an RMA Musical Presentation Alumni Association Meeting – State of the Academy, Corps, and Association Women of RMA Alumni Lunch/Shopping Outing
The Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre for the Arts The Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre for the Arts TBD
1:30 -‐2 p.m.
Beauchamp Obstacle Course demonstration
Commandant’s Field
9 -‐ 10 a.m.
11:15-‐12:15 a.m. 12:15-‐1:30 p.m. 2 -‐ 5 p.m.
6 -‐ 10 p.m.
Alumni Hall
Dedication of Richard M. Nichols’ Basketball Arena
Alumni Lunch
Alumni Activities – rifle range competition; Round Robin Tennis (cadets and alumni) Alumni Pig Roast
Curtis Hall
Goomba Grill or Beaver Quad Riverside Campus RMA Family Park
-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐ Please complete the form below and return to: Please complete the form below and return to: Gainesville, GA 30501 Alumni Office, Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Drive, Alumni Office, Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501 Or you may register online at www.riversidemilitary.com Or you may register online at: www.riversidemilitary.com
Name: Spouse/Guest Name:
Class Year:
E-‐Mail
REGISTRATION Event:
Number Attending:
Alumni Reception Breakfast with Senior Cadets Alumni Lunch Alumni Rendezvous Women’s Lunch Alumni Pig Roast
Enclosed is my check for a total of: $ Please charge my credit card: $ Card Number: CVV2 Code: Street Address:
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Cost: (per person)
Total Due:
No Charge $8.00 $12.00 No Charge $25.00 $40.00 PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please make checks payable to Riverside Military Academy) Visa MC Amex (Please Circle One) Expiration / Zip Code:
For more information, please call the RMA Alumni Office at 770-‐532-‐6251 ext. 2132 or 2212. Revised 12/18/15
ADVAN C E M E N T
Founders’ Day
A Time to Reconnect and Remember The third annual RMA Founders’ Day is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, 2015. All alumni and their guests are invited. The purpose of the weekend gathering on the Riverside campus is to give alumni of all ages the opportunity to come together and renew friendships while remembering the legacy of the Academy. The 2015 weekend will include a pictorial and historical review of RMA’s days in Hollywood, Florida. This year’s schedule will also include the naming of the Richard M. Nichols Arena inside Curtis Hall gymnasium. The naming opportunity is made possible by alumni Charles James, ’64, Abe Mitchell, ’52, and Ira Middleberg, ’66. Their gifts make possible the much-needed repainting and refinishing of the basketball court as well as an update to the lighting in the gym. The arena dedication will be Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., and a reception will follow. Highlights of the weekend will be a Corps of Cadets parade, alumni reception at Mitchell Quarters, alumni rifle range competition and tennis round robin, and a Saturday evening pig roast. The best part of the weekend for many alumni was the schedule, which is more relaxed than at Homecoming. The weekend also provides time for the Alumni Association to meet and receive a State of the Academy report from the RMA President, Col Jim Benson, and from current cadet leadership. Alumni have the chance to ask questions of the administration and cadets. A complete schedule for the weekend and a registration form are available on page 32.
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RMA Foundation Approved; First Fundraiser Deemed a Success By Amanda K. Griffin, CFRE The Riverside Military Academy Foundation has received approval from the Internal Revenue Service, and the first fundraising event last August, The Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Leadership Award dinner, was a success. The dinner will be an annual event to honor area and alumni entrepreneurs whose business acumen and leadership are reminiscent of that of Sandy Beaver, RMA President from 1913 to 1969. Proceeds from the dinner, donations already earmarked for the project, and additional donations will generate earnings to be used as tuition assistance for cadets whose families have a demonstrated financial need. The vision for the Foundation and the fundraising dinner came from Walter E. Smith, Jr., ’58, of Palm Beach,
SAVE THE DATE Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13, 2015 and plan to attend the second annual Sandy Beaver Entrepreneurial Leadership Award dinner to be held in Alumni Hall on the RMA campus. For more information, or to nominate an entrepreneur, please call Amanda Griffin, vice president for advancement, 770-538-2924.
Florida. He is a contributor to a similar event at Indian River State College in Vero Beach, Florida, which has successfully raised over $1.4 million in 15 years with additional gifts of over $10 million given by previous years’ honorees. So committed was Smith to the same vision for Riverside, he flew an RMA administrator to Vero Beach in 2011 to attend one of the dinners and meet that foundation’s director. He also rallied alumni and other donors to seed the as-of-yet unapproved RMA Foundation with almost $100,000. “Walter, through his persistence and vision, doggedly called, wrote, and showed up at Riverside to keep the project in front of me, Amanda, and our Board of Trustees as we sought IRS approval for a separate Foundation for Riverside as well as approve the event to honor local entrepreneurs,” said Col Jim Benson, president. “In years to come, we will have Walter and the first donors to thank as the Foundation begins to generate earnings that help us enroll qualified young men whose families need help,” stated Benson. Bernie Freeman, ’58, one of the founding donors, will serve as chairman of The Riverside Military Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors.
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ADVAN C E M E N T Alumni attending the dinner were, left to right, Drew Horner, ’78; Sumner Cahoon,’49; Errol Bisso, ’61; Justin Creech, ’88; E.T. Lopez, ’84; Walter Smith, Jr, ’58; Dick Nichols, RMA Trustee, and Bernie Freeman,’58.
2014 Entrepreneurial Leadership Honorees Joe S. Hatfield (1924-2008) Joe S. Hatfield, co-founder of Fieldale Farms Corporation with Tom and Lee Arrendale, is remembered for helping make Gainesville the chicken capital of the world. From his earliest days growing up on the family farm in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, through his tour of duty in the Navy during World War II, and his four years at Purdue University, he displayed the initiative, intelligence, and persistence that would guide him through the ups and downs of the poultry industry. Hatfield and the Arrendales bought back Hatfield’s Gainesville Fryer Company from Ralston Purina in 1971, and the name “Fieldale” was born. Joe S. Hatfield died in 2008 at the age of 84.
Col Benson with Joe S. Hatfield’s son, Joe Hatfield. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Frank K. Norton, Sr. Frank K. Norton, Sr. joined his father, W.L. Norton, Sr., in the family company in Gainesville after graduating from the University of Georgia with a major in insurance and real estate. Working side by side, the Nortons expanded their business’s focus beyond insurance to developing and selling residential communities throughout the area as well as managing quality real estate properties. Norton is recognized for vision and leadership in molding partnerships to create new developments while pulling others from the brink of ruin. A behind-the-scenes thinker, doer, worrier, and planner, he is known for his detailed and thorough approach to his work.
Frank K. Norton, Sr. with Col Benson.
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The Mitchell Quarters by Col Jim Benson, President
hen I arrived at Riverside in June 2009, I immediately began the search for a home to purchase near the Academy. After six months of living in an apartment on campus, we rented a large lake home near the Chattahoochee Country Club hoping that it would suffice for necessary entertaining and comfortable living. We soon discovered that the lack of situational awareness and liability concerns on campus added to my often pegged stress level. None of the officers (President, Dean, Commandant, or CFO) lived on campus, an almost unheard of situation for a boarding school. In 2011, I broached the subject of building an on-campus home for the president to the Board of Trustees, but the idea was met with less than enthusiasm. Months later, I presented the question again to Paul Gross, the new Board chair. By then, I had had discussions with Mr. Abe Mitchell, class of ’52, a truly admired and respected alumnus and donor, and I knew that he not only supported the idea, but thought it was an imperative for the future of the Academy. He once said to me that, “More money has been raised sitting round the fireplace with a glass of wine than in any office or restaurant.” Paul did his normal diligence, and on February 10, 2012, the Board voted in favor of the project and allocated $990,000 for the construction. I had already been working with Mike Wofford, a former residential home builder, on a computer assisted design (CAD), that had gone through several iterations.
The Board assigned Trustee and contractor Brian Daniel, regional builder, to facilitate the bidding and oversee the construction. Brian was invaluable as we assessed the three potential building sites, examined, and compared the bids. Moreover, he advocated for Mr. Steve Hill, architect, to examine and refine the CAD, which Mr. Wofford had revised based on the Board’s guidance. Mary and I had previously built two homes together, and she had been the primary participant in both. She had designed the kitchens, baths, roof lines, recreational rooms, studies/libraries, and more. Although we often disagreed on costs, she could stretch a dollar into quality better than any person I knew. Moreover, her taste in décor, design, and colors was as good as I had ever observed. In each, she had selected every light/fan and plumbing fixture; brick and roof; all colors; granite countertop slabs; door handles; appliances and more. She would pour over each room design and exasperate the contractors with changes for the good. The problem was that I had acquired the Board’s approval but not hers. She would be spending hours, weeks, and months driving all over Atlanta and Hall County selecting floor, tile, stain/paint samples; lighting, kitchen, and bathroom fixtures; and personally working with the cabinet designers for the study/library, bathrooms, and billiards room. Mary was less than excited for all of the above for a home that was not ours and while running the risk of criticism from others with different tastes. I had so much confidence in her that I never thought twice about criticism of the final project.
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ADVAN C E M E N T Mr. Daniel and I had selected three sites in wooded areas near the campus along Lake Warner Road. In two cases the house would not be seen from the road without a great deal of clearing, which we did not plan to do. We had concluded that the house would not fit on the third site at the “V” in the road at Lake Warner Road. Mr. Daniel, Mary, and I went to the first two sites to make the final decision. It was a very uncomfortable meeting at both sites, because we had the plan and two workable sites, and Mary was recalcitrant at both. She insisted we go back and look at the third site again (we had walked it weeks before), and Mr. Daniel, the picture of patience and tact, agreed with her that we should reexamine the third site (I didn’t agree, but went along). When we got there, Brian paced off the site concluding that the house and garages would not only fit, but the site had ample parking on both sides of the “V” and with modest clearing the house would have excellent presentation to all on Lake Warner Road. I quickly went from exasperation to elation while wondering why I missed this previously. This could not have happened without Mary’s vision and persistence and Mr. Daniel’s patience, an attribute that is often devoid in my DNA. As the president of Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL, Mary and I resided in a 100-plus year old antebellumstyle home that had been the home of 14 college presidents before me. This home was the seat of my vision for the Riverside President’s quarters, although I knew we could not afford the 8,000 square feet nor the massive ornate columns
that supported the roof over the front porch. Nonetheless, I sketched the main floor and second floor for Mike Wofford and gave him pictures of the front elevation. The main floor of the Marion home had been designed for the president to entertain, and with its high ceilings, wide doors, first floor guest bedroom, large study/library, expanded kitchen, and veranda with two entrances, it was precisely what became reality in the Mitchell Quarters. Interestingly, in 2010, Riverside parents Chuck and Colleen White presented me with an impressive antique brass eagle door knocker that Mr. White had found at an antique store. It was handsome and had a space for a name or address that had never been inscribed. It now seems almost providential that the knocker is permanently placed on the side door (with two doors at the front, we couldn’t make it work there, and, secondly, we needed a door bell at the front doors) and inscribed 1907. It was not by chance that the Mitchell Quarters address is 1907, the year of the founding of the Academy. Larry Robinson, superintendent of buildings and grounds, worked with Gainesville officials to bring this to fruition. The quarters was funded through the generosity of Mr. Abe Mitchell who pledged $500,000 if matched by other donors. To our surprise, the $500,000 was matched within a few months primarily through the leadership gifts of the Board of Trustees. At Mr. Mitchell’s recommendation, we offered rooms and the veranda as naming opportunities. continued on page 38
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The Mitchell Quarters
At the May 2012 Board meeting the following members pledged the listed amounts to name specific rooms. Other alumni, parents, and friends of the Academy also donated generously. Felix Gonzalez Canto, ’86 $24,000 Bernie Freeman, ’58 $36,000 Fred Kennedy, ’64 $12,000 Terry Clontz $30,000 (in honor of Jim & Mary Benson) Robert Eidson $12,000 Counte Cooley $12,000 Ruben Barahona, ’89 $15,000 Andy Talkington, ’71 $15,000 Margaret Blackstock $24,000 (in honor of Jerry Blackstock, ’61) Greg Fisher $12,000
Parlor Library Main floor bedroom Dining Room Upstairs back bedroom Upstairs front bedroom Terrace level lounge Terrace level billiards parlor Main floor veranda Terrace level bedroom
Note:The beautifully designed kitchen ($24,000), the master suite ($15,000), and the grand entrance hall ($45,000) are still unnamed and are available as naming opportunities.
Side notes include: • The Freeman Library was designed by Mary Benson in consultation with Stan Hunt of The Cabinet Place. This was the third study/library Mary had designed. • The kitchen and master suite were redesigns by Mary and Stan Hunt from the original plans prepared by Hill and Wofford. • The concrete work was done by Ernie T. Lopez, class of ’84, at substantially reduced cost. Mr. Lopez’s contributions included grading and landscape work on the trees and grounds behind the quarters completed at no cost to the Academy. • The sod was donated by alumnus Bill Glisson, class of ’78. • The roofline was significantly changed from the original plans by Mary Benson. • Mr. Lee Wagner is truly a quality builder and was fair, patient, and supportive during construction and thereafter in punch list wrap-up. In closing, one must conclude that the key figures in the decision to construct the Mitchell Quarters were Abe Mitchell, Paul Gross, and the Board of Trustees. Finally, without Mary’s keen eye for detail, creativity, stewardship of the costs, insistence on needed changes (which I frequently resisted), and painstaking decisions on style, color, and quality, the Mitchell Quarters would not exist as it presently stands.
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ADVAN C E M E N T
Nominations for the
Riverside Sports Hall of Fame The Riverside Sports Hall of Fame is seeking nominations of deserving Riverside graduates to be considered for inclusion in the Sports Hall of Fame. During your time at Riverside you may have witnessed outstanding examples of athletic prowess and accomplishments by individuals or teams that would warrant consideration for inclusion in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame induction committee is interested in athletic accomplishments while at Riverside and consideration may be given to athletic accomplishments following Riverside. Candidates must be graduates of Riverside or a former
employee that left in good standing. A candidate or employee will not be considered eligible until 10 years after graduation or leaving Riverside. All candidates will be evaluated by the Sports Hall of Fame induction committee, and each will be given equal opportunity to be selected. Please submit nominations to Athletic Director Marc Paglia, RMA, 2001 Riverside Dr., Gainesville, GA 30501. Deadline for submission: March 1, 2015.
Sports Hall of Fame Nominee
Graduation Year
Accomplishments:
SPORTS HALL OF FAME MEMBERS Sandy Beaver (baseball/football/president, 1913-1969)
Chris Bright, ’92 (cross country/track, 1989-1992)
Richard Earl McMahon, ’58 (cross country and track)
Everett Strupper, ’12 (football, 1910-1912)
Richard Aronson, ’49 (gymnastics/soccer/track/coaching)
William Glisson, ’78 (football and track)
John Lowery Beaver, ’29 (tennis, 1925-1993)
Rocky Lanz, ’90 (football/wrestling/track/weightlifting)
Richard Nichols (coach and athletic director, ret. 2000)
Henry "Red" Sanders, ’23 (football coach, 1934-1937) RMA’s Undefeated 1936 Football Team
Marc Paglia (swimming coach 1989 current; athletic director)
James Thompson Prothro, ’38 (football/coaching, 1936-1938) Ernest Jackson Curtis, ’47 (football, 1943-1947) Robert Stanton Greenwood, Jr. ’57 (golf, 1956-1957) Errol John Bisso, ’61 (football/wrestling/coaching, 1955-2007) Christopher Scott Lancaster, ’85 (football/coaching, 1979-1985)
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Andrew Collin Zager, ’88 (wrestling)
George Jefferson (football/track, 1958-1959; 1979-1994) Theodore Michael Lakos, ’49 (football 1947-1949) William D. Maginnis (coach/superintendent 1952–1994) Thomas LaRocco, ’96 (football 1992–1996) Kurt Predmore, ’87 (swimming/coaching 1984–1987) Gregory Francis Werd, ’56 (football)
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Nominate a Young Alumnus Riverside is seeking nominations for Young Alumnus of the Year. Honorees will be recognized during Homecoming 2015.
The Young Alumnus of the Year recognition is new to Riverside. Nominees should be 35 years of age or younger and have distinguished themselves in career achievements and/or in service to RMA. Nominations may be self-made or otherwise and should include sufficient documentation to show evidence why the nominee should be considered. All nominations will be reviewed in the spring by a committee comprised of the RMA president, vice president for advancement, director of alumni relations, and the chairman of the alumni council. The award recipient will be notified in June of their selection to receive this award. Please send letters of nomination to: The Office of the President, Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Dr., Gainesville, GA 30501. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2015. My nomination for Young Alumnus of the Year is: This nominee is deserving because:
My name is: Address: City/State/Zip: Email: Phone: Each nomination may be accompanied by additional information about the nominee, if available. Not all awards will be awarded every year. Please mail your nomination by May 1, 2015 to: The Office of the President, RMA, 2001 Riverside Dr., Gainesville, GA 30501. If you have questions, please call Vice President for Advancement Amanda Griffin at 770-538-2924.
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ADVAN C E M E N T
“ Be true to the man who wears your coat” Norm and Karen Blake
— General Sandy Beaver
Distinguished Speaker Series Gains a Name Norman P. Blake Jr., ’60, and his wife, Karen, and their children have made a gift to RMA from the Blake Family Charitable Foundation to benefit the Distinguished Speaker Series that is a cornerstone of Riverside’s character development program. The series will be named The Norman P. Blake Family Distinguished Speaker Series in recognition of the gift. Begun in the fall of 2009 under the vision of Col Jim Benson, president, the series brings a variety of qualified and inspirational speakers to campus on a bi-weekly basis to address the Corps on the subjects of integrity, leadership, moral reasoning, and ethical decision-making. In the week in-between, cadets meet with faculty facilitators to discuss the key learning outcomes from the previous week’s presentation. “The series is two of three components of the Character Education program and is designed to focus the cadets’ attention on the critical concepts of character and leadership that reinforce the Academy’s mission to prepare ethical young men with life skills that permit them to lead and function in a free Republic,” said Col Benson. “We are grateful to Norm and Karen and their children for partnering with us to enhance the speaker series,” said Col Benson. “We are honored, too, to have their family name attached to the program.” The Blake family’s gift will help provide honorariums and travel expenses for future speakers. To date, the series has operated with a meager budget, and speakers, often friends of RMA administrators and alumni, have donated their time and travel. Additional support means Riverside can seek distant speakers of note to bring their message to the Corps of Cadets. The subject of character development is near and dear to Norm Blake, who will be the Commencement speaker for the Class of 2015 on May 16. Considered a corporate “turnaround artist,” Blake’s resumé begins with GE, following his graduation from Purdue University, and over the years adds Heller International, USF&G, Promus Hotels Corporation, and even the US Olympic Committee in 2000. He is retired now and serves on a number of corporate boards. “I’ve never forgotten what Sandy Beaver said to us while at Riverside – ‘Be true to the man who wears your coat,’” said Norm.
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Dear Brothers, Parents, and Friends: Our Alumni and our parents come from all walks of life and from very diverse social-economic backgrounds. I am always amazed as I chat with so many at the great diversity this collective body enjoys. The stories I hear are wonderful, and many are of struggle through adversity. For many parents it is making ends meet to keep their son at Riverside. For alumni it may be job transition, a health issue in the family, or taking care of aging parents. Many feel guilty that they cannot give financially and tell me they are tired of being asked. Yes, the requests to give may be many. When I took over as Chairman of the Association I swore we would limit this. Not sure I have been successful with that promise, but I won’t apologize either. One thing I have found personally is a great joy in giving – a strong feeling of satisfaction about being able, in my own little way, to make a difference in a young cadet’s life at Riverside. With that said, I have also witnessed many other alumni and parents make a significant difference by giving of their time or referring potential cadet families to Riverside’s Admissions Office.
“ There are so many ways to give to Riverside.” — Bud Oakey, ’75
There are so many ways to give to Riverside. As an alumnus, if you show up on campus and dine with the cadets, your story may make the difference in that young man staying at Riverside next year versus convincing mom to let him come home to be with the girls.Yes, these young cadets listen to us quite often in a way they will not listen to mom or dad, the Commandant, or Col. Benson. To them, we are peers. They know we have walked these halls and looked daily at the very same mountains they do, day in and day out. When we describe our successes in life and how we deal with turmoil in our lives, it hits home. That gift of your time can and does make more difference than all the checks in the world. So, next time you see or hear the request for a gift, give if you can. But, don’t feel bad if you can’t. Find joy in just being involved.Your presence and your presence alone is one of the greatest gifts you can give to Riverside, these fine young cadets, and yourself. Best to you,
Bud Oakey, ’75 Chairman RMA Alumni Council
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River Rats, Brothers in Blue, Old Boys, New Boys... Whatever your era or class, join your brothers and RMA staff at one of the upcoming alumni socials. You can always count on a good time, plus you hear the latest news of your Academy. If you’re interested in facilitating a gathering in your city or region, contact Errol Bisso, Director of Alumni Relations, at 770-532-6251, ext. 2132, or email alumni@riversidemilitary.com
Upcoming Alumni Socials March 21 Carolina Country Club Spartanburg, SC May 1 New Orleans, LA Please call the alumni office at 770-532-6251, ext. 2132 for details or if you would like to help host an event in your area.
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New Trustee Appointed Ruben Antonio Barahona Lopez was named a Riverside Military Academy Trustee at the board’s 2014 Homecoming meeting. He is a 1989 graduate of Riverside and a past member of the Academy’s Board of Visitors. Ruben resides in Cancun, Mexico and is an attorney at law and founding partner of Camara & Asociados. He is a graduate of the Universidad del Mayab in Merida, Mexico. From June 2005 to the present he is Notario Publico Titular number 13 for the state of Quintana Roo. Ruben was one of several alumni who hosted a large Riverside reunion in Cozumel in June 2014.
New Members Named to Board of Visitors Conrad Conti, ’58 West Bloomfield, MI Patrick Higdon, ’57 Quincy, FL Seth Judd, ’87 Knoxville, TN Diana Kelly Suwanee, GA Frank Rikard, ’56 Foley, AL
Are you keeping a secret from us? There’s no need to hide your dedication to Riverside Military Academy! Supporting Riverside may be easier than you think. When you include us in your will, or make Riverside a beneficiary, you can plan a gift to us that will only take effect after your other obligations have ceased – so you can care for those important to you, now AND later!
To learn more, visit Give2RMA.org Or contact: Amanda K. Griffin, CFRE| Vice President for Advancement 770-538-2924 | AGriffin@riversidemilitary.com
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ADVAN C E M E N T
Younger Alumni Athletes in Action Here’s an update on younger alumni who are currently competing at the college level in a number of different sports. Football
Alex O’Donnell, ’10, plays starting tight end at Gannon University, an NCAA Div. II school which competes in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Gannon won the Western Division of the PSAC in ’14 and went 9-2 and 7-2 in conference play. Alex is a senior and business administration major. Adrian Humphrey, ’13, plays wide receiver at Mercer University, a NCAA FCS school (1-AA), which competes in the Southern Conference (SoCon). Mercer went 6-6 and 1-6 in conference play in the ’14 season. Adrian appeared in 4 games in the ’14 season and plans to major in mechanical engineering. Collin Pettell, ’14, plays quarterback at BirminghamSouthern College, which is an NCAA Div. III school and competes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). Birmingham-Southern went 3-7, and 3-3 in conference play in the ’14 season. Collin plans to study business. Basketball
Dylen Setzekorn, ’10, plays forward at the University of North Georgia-Dahlonega. He previously played at The Citadel and at The Hun School (prep school). North Georgia is an NCAA Div. II school, and plays in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC). North Georgia is 10-1 currently, and 4-0 in conference play. Dylen is averaging 1.30 points per game, 2.20 rebounds, 0.80 assists, and 0.20 blocks per game. REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
Spencer Jackson, ’13, played at Shorter University (JV) in the ’13-’14 season. Shorter University is an NCAA Div. II school, and plays in the Gulf South Conference (GSC). Shorter went 9-17 and 6-14 in conference play in the ’13-’14 season. Lacrosse
Nicolas Gasparro, ’13, plays at The Citadel and is a freshman. He has played one game with four saves. The Citadel is an NCAA Div. I school and competes in the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC). They are 3-7, and 0-3 in conference play. Cross Country
Marcus Gouthro, ’14, is a freshman runner at Mercer University, which is a NCAA Div. 1 school, and competes in the Southern Conference (SoCon). They finished 21st at the NCAA regionals. Soccer
Santiago Pinzon, ’06, last played in 2009-’10 at North Georgia College & State University (University of North Georgia-Dahlonega). He helped lead his team to 26 victories. He scored five goals in his career, for the then Saints (now Nighthawks). They went 5-11-1, and 1-6-1 in conference play in ’09. Tennis
Merritt Wilburn, ’14, is a freshman at The Citadel, an NCAA Div. 1 school which competes in the Southern Conference (SoCon). They went 2-29 in ’13-’14, and 0-9 in conference play.
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Class Notes Class of 1994 John Gianelloni was promoted to LTC . In May, he will assume command of 3rd Bn/10th Special Forces Group at Ft Carson, CO. He is currently assigned to Legislative Liaison in Washington, DC.
Class of 1944 Joseph G. Gamble was the oldest alumnus present at Homecoming 2014. He is a retired lawyer and lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where he has lived since graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law. Class of 1946 This past year, Dale Logsden, of St. George, Utah, competed in the Huntsman Senior Games. This is the largest senior games event in the world; 16,000 people enter from 66 different countries. Dale competed in the Benchrest Shooting match and won a gold medal.
Class of 1955 Ray Hoffer was fortunate to retire at the early age of 48 to accomplish a dream that he and his wife had. They lived aboard their boat, the Moonglow, in the Caribbean for 18 years. They now travel throughout the country in their RV. Sabin Gianelloni celebrated his 78th birthday on January 7. He was appointed class president last year and challenges the Class of 1955 to set the record for its 60th homecoming in October. Class of 1958 After 38 years of working for Delta Airlines as a designer and constructor for American and European airports, Dick Vinal began his hobby of restoring classic cars. It took him eight years to finish his first car, a 1957 Thunderbird.
After finishing his latest car, a 1957 Triumph TR-3, he is considering retirement from the hobby since it takes quite a bit of work and expense. However, he takes great satisfaction in showing off his restored automobiles. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Clermont, Florida.
Class of 1990 Brad Bowman is in the top 25% in his age group for the Olympic distance in the country. This past year, he competed in two Ironman distance triathlons, four half Ironman distance triathlons, and several other events in the Colorado area. Next September, he plans to race in the Olympic Championship in Wisconsin. He and his wife, Kim, are registered to compete together in the Ironman distance in Chattanooga where they will finish hand in hand.
Class of 1998 Taft Hunt and his wife, Jacqui, along with their two-year-old son, Hudson, just welcomed a new baby girl, Hadlet Rose, to the family on December 11, 2014. Class of 1998 Frankie Bremer, Jr. works for Lockheed Martin and lives in Littleton, CO. He was part of the team responsible for the propulsion system for the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, with NASA’s Orion spacecraft mounted atop, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 37 on Dec. 5. The Orion spacecraft orbited Earth twice, reaching an altitude of approximately 3,600 miles above Earth before landing in the Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft is designed to allow travel to destinations never before visited by humans, including an asteroid and Mars. Frankie holds a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Washington. He was valedictorian of his RMA graduating class, a member of the Horton Society, captain of the football team, and the recipient of the Coach’s Award.
Taps Stark F. Ginn, ‘36 (7/27/2014) Charles E. Hawthorne, ‘43 (8/1/14) James V. Hodnett Jr., ‘44 (9/28/14) Bruce L. Shrallow, ‘46 (7/16/14) Raymond R. Himes, ‘58 (12/4/14) William H. Johnson, ‘60 (8/21/14) Michael H. Lynch, ‘61 (9/16/14) Robert T. Tarantino, ‘63 (9/7/14) Dallas G. Price, ‘69 (6/5/11) Lawrence L. Baggett, ‘70 (8/17/14) Omar A. Camero, ‘04 (7/22/14) Robert M. Watkins, Jr., ’50 (08/30/14) William Hagerman,’60 (10/10/14)
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ADVAN C E M E N T
SAVE the DATE! RMA Homecoming 2015: October 16-17
Class Notes Submissions All photos must be a minimum 4.5" wide and 300 dpi resolution .tif or .jpg format. Photos not accepted include .gif and .bmp. Camera phone photos or photos from websites cannot be accepted. Email digital files to: alumni@riversidemilitary.com
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? Celebrate a cadet’s graduation, honor a teacher or TAC officer, or celebrate Father’s Day for an alumnus in a way he’ll never forget by purchasing an inscribed brick for Memorial Plaza.
Mail hard copies to: Riverside Military Academy, Attn: Alumni Relations 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501 770-532-6251 ext. 2212
Place your inscribed brick order by March 13, 2015 and your brick will be installed in time for Founders’ Day in April. We will send the honoree a message announcing that a brick has been purchased in his or her honor.
Riverside Military Academy does not verify information in the Class Notes section and cannot be responsible for accuracy.
Bricks are available in two sizes: 4” x 8” bricks ($125) 8” x 8” bricks ($250)
The Class Notes section is offered to alumni for their use in exchanging news and updates on their classmates. Riverside Military Academy reserves the right to further publish Class Notes submissions in any and all school publications or media.
Place your order online at: www.riversidemilitary.com/NetCommunity/ MemorialPlazaHonorProject or contact Candice Turner, Donor Relations Coordinator at (770) 532-6251, ext. 4506.
REVEILLE I WINTER 2015
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President Dr. James H. Benson, Col, USMC (Ret)
Reveille is a semi-annual publication produced by the communications office of Riverside Military Academy for its alumni, parents, donors, and friends. The editorial staff welcomes your ideas and comments. Photographs and illustrations may not be reproduced without the express written consent of Riverside Military Academy. Class notes, photos, corrections, and letters to the editor may be updated online at www.riversidemilitary.com or addressed to: Editor, Reveille Riverside Military Academy 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501 800-462-2338 www.riversidemilitary.com publicrelations@riversidemilitary.com Riverside Military Academy admits students of any race, religion, and national or ethnic origin and is committed to the enrollment of a widely diverse student body.
Editor-in-Chief Adriane Seymour Director Communications and Public Relations aseymour@riversidemilitary.com Editors Amanda Griffin, CFRE Vice President for Advancement agriffin@riversidemilitary.com Julie Smith, Multimedia Manager jsmith@riversidemilitary.com Contributors Dr. James H. Benson, Col, USMC (Ret) Mr. Errol Bisso, ’61 Ms. Kelsey Brunson MAJ James Corbin Ms. Amanda Griffin, CFRE Ms. Janie Halliley LtCol Seth Hathaway, USMC (Ret) Ms. Lynn Lathem Mr. Elijah Merrett Mr. Bud Oakey, ‘75 LTC Kenny Payne, USA (Ret) Ms. Adriane Seymour Ms. Julie Smith Ms. Candice Turner Mr. Daniel Tymchuk Ms. Katy Wilson
The members of the Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, and the Alumni Council are volunteers who serve without compensation or reimbursement of any expenses. Riverside Military Academy is a 501(c)3 organization.
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Board of Trustees Mr. Kenneth L. McKelvey, Chairman Mr. Bernard M. Freeman ’58, Vice Chairman Mr. Arnold B. Evans, Treasurer Mr. S. Terry Clontz, Secretary Miss Lucile E. Beaver, Emerita Mr. Paul A. Gross ‘56, Emeritus Mr. O. Jon McRae, Emeritus Mr. Ruben A. Barahona, ’89 Mrs. Jerry B. (Margaret) Blackstock Mr. Counte L. Cooley Mr. C. Brian Daniel Mr. Thomas M. Finn Mr. Gregory A. Fisher Mr. Felix A. Gonzalez Canto, ’86 Mr. Anthony M. Herdener Mr. Drew W. Horner, ’78 Mr. Charles A. James, ’64 Mr. James D. Kalmenson, ’77 Mr. Frederick J. Kennedy, ’64 Mr. C. J. “Jody” Lail, Jr. Mr. Richard M. Nichols Mr. J. Allen Nivens, Jr. Mr. Daniel G. “Bud” Oakey, ’75 Mr. Andrew W. Talkington, ’71 Mr. James R.Van Arsdale, ’79 Jeffrey S. Weiner, Esq., ’66 Mr. F. Chris Whitlock Alumni Council Mr. Daniel G. Oakey, ’75, Chairman Mr. Ronslow P. Fenner, Jr., ’66, Vice Chairman Mr. Geoffrey L. Hurdle, ’87, Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Errol J. Bisso, ’61 Alumni Relations Director Mr. Richard L. Bisso, ’85 Mr. Joseph W. Bivens, III, ’74 Mr. Sumner R. Cahoon, Jr., ’49, Emeritus Maj. Charles H. Cook, ’74 Mr. Justin B. Creech, ’88 Mr.Victor L. Disharoon, ’72
Mr. Bernard M. Freeman, ’58, Emeritus Mr. Jay A. Glazer, ’64, Emeritus Mr. William T. Glisson, ’78 Mr. Harold T. Hunt, III, ’98 Mr. Grant C. Jones, ’93 Mr. Robert D. Jones, ’56, Emeritus Mr. Kim M. Kanakis, ’75 Mr. Ernest T. Lopez, ’84 Mr. John B. McKernan, II, ’88 Mr. Paul B. Posner, ’56 Mr. Miguel Reyes, ’74 Judge E.J. Salcines, ’56, Emeritus Mr. Seth Wagner, ’56, Emeritus Mr. James C.Young, ’78 Mr. Nizar Zakka, ‘85 Board of Visitors Mr. Gregory F. Werd, ’56, Chairman Mr. Alexander C. Deitch, ’98, Vice Chairman Mr. Gary M. Alembik, ’81 Mr. Arthur M. Boisfontaine, ’87 Mr. Conrad C. Conti, ’58 Mr. Christian Eiroa, ’89 Mr. Joseph M. Gordon, ’96 Mrs. Susan L. Graybeal Mr. Patrick H. Higdon, Jr., ’57 Mr. K. Seth Judd, ’87 Maj. Karl R. Katterjohn, ’64 Ms. Diana J. Kelly Mr. Marc D. Kutter Mr. Richard A. Lang, Jr., ’56 Mr. Richard A. Luna Mr. Alberto R. Marrufo, ’87 Mr. Fredy E. Marrufo, ’90 Mr. Robert V. Norton Mr. Whitney H. Owens, ’79 Mr.Victor M. Pacheco, ’01 Mr. Thomas H. Paris, III Mrs. Eleanor M. Parkes Mr. Frank A. Rikard, ’56 Mr. John C. Sipple, ’69 Mr. Leslie T. Smith, ’63 Mr. W. Michael Strickland Mr. Samuel D. Weil, III, ’66 Mr. Seymour M. West, III, ’67 Mr. Clark Wiese Mr. Andrew C. Zager, ’88
Riverside Military Academy has been shaping the lives of young men for 106 years. The Norton Agency has been protecting and shaping the communities in which we serve for 85 years.
INSURA NCE • REAL ESTATE • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
www.nortonnorthga.com 434 Green St NE Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 534-5248
Bob Norton The Norton Agency’s headquarters in Gainesville, Georgia on historic Green Street. REVEILLE I SUMMER 2014
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Non Profit Org US Postage PAID Craftsman Printers Inc
Riverside Military Academy 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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UPCOMING EVENTS January 24 February 2 February 6 February 7 February 13 February 20 February 21 March 14 March 14 March 19 March 18-20 April 3
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Event times and locations are subject to change. SAT Test April 4-12 Spring Furlough (ends Apr 13 at 6:30 pm) Class Drop/Add Ends April 17 Campus Open House April 18 Board of Trustees Meeting ACT Test ACT Test (Juniors mandatory-On Campus) April 24-25 RMA Founders’ Day Weekend ROC Parade (4:00 pm) May 2 SAT (juniors mandatory-On Campus) May 12-14 Campus Open House Senior Exams Saturday classes May 11 End of Year Academic Awards Ceremony May 15 Parade (4:00 pm) Silver Taps (8:30 pm) Cadet Ball (5:00 pm) May 16 Parade (9:00 am), Commencement (11:00 am) 4th Quarter Begins May 21-23 Semester Exams & last day (Saturday) May 26-29 Spring Play Faculty Work Days Spring Parents’ Day/Parade (11:00 am) May 29 Campus Open House (prospective families)