College T-Shirt Day!
Each year, Missouri Military Academy senior cadets are given the opportunity to wear something other than their uniform for a day.
Toward the end of the year, after acceptances and scholarships have been finalized, seniors wear with pride a t-shirt representing the college or university to which they are headed in the fall. Faculty members also wear a shirt in honor of their alma mater.
The Class of 2012 has been offered over $2.1 million in scholarships this year, thanks to their hard work and the assistance of the College Placement Office.
In addition to achieving the third-highest scholarship total in the history of MMA, the seniors fulfilled an important requirement here at MMA – a 100% college acceptance rate. All 48 seniors were accepted into a college or university.
Examples of the schools the cadets will be attending include:
United States Air Force Academy, University of Missouri, Iowa State University, University of Oklahoma, Boston University, The Citadel, DePaul University, University of Washington, Truman State University, and many others.
Help Celebrate Another Year at MMA!
Missouri Military Academy has touched the lives of many people since its founding in 1889 and will continue to do so for generations. Today we are asking you and every member of the MMA family to show their support for MMA and the tradition of military school education by giving $18.89 before the end of the MMA fiscal year - May 31, 2012.
If you believe in MMA and what we do, take some time to donate $18.89 online or mail a check to:
Missouri Military Academy
204 North Grand St.
Mexico, MO 65265
If you have questions about gifts or donations, contact Director of Advancement Dan Fowler.
Holocaust Survivor Shares Stories with MMA Cadets in St. Louis
A group of Missouri Military Academy cadets were presented with an opportunity to hear stories from a survivor from one of history’s greatest tragedies.
English Instructor LT Annette Meinheit and CPT Keith Morgan accompanied nine cadets to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center Thursday, May 10. Earlier this month, Meinheit coordinated lessons for Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is a day set aside to remember those who were killed and also those who survived the atrocities.
The cadets who participated in those lessons were offered a trip to the museum to learn more about what happened during World War II. Meinheit felt it appropriate for her students to take a deeper look at those events, beyond the classroom.
“This is a significant event in history that I believe students should learn about,” Meinheit said.
Part of the trip included meeting with a Holocaust survivor at the museum, Mendel Rosenberg.
“We didn’t want to stop talking with him,” said Francisco DelRio ’13. “We were so interested in what he was saying, we stayed an extra 30 minutes talking with him.”
DelRio (pictured at right) and the rest of the group were very interested in Rosenberg's presentation.
DelRio added that Rosenberg told the group of his long reluctance to even talk about what happened during the Holocaust. Rosenberg said it took him 35 years to discuss what he went through.
Meinheit said the cadets were very respectful throughout the trip, noting their reverence for Rosenberg after hearing him speak.
“It is not an easy topic to teach nor is it easy for students to understand,” she said. “I was very proud of the boys behavior, their attentiveness, and their respect for Mr. Rosenberg and the people at the museum.”
Click here for a link to some of Meinheit’s photos from the trip to St. Louis.
Macias, Avila Ace Sectionals, Headed to State Doubles Tournament
Another duo of Missouri Military Academy athletes are headed to a state competition. Alejandro Macias ’12 and Alan Avila ’14 will compete in the state doubles tournament in Springfield, Mo. next week.
Their sectional victory means three MMA athletes have been in contention for a state title during the 2011-2012 school year.
Macias and Avila won the Class 1 District 7 Doubles title on Saturday, May 12 by taking down Kirksville, Hannibal, and Fulton – all in straight sets.
Unfortunately no one advanced in the individual tournament that also took place. Santiago Bou ’12 fell in the second round of districts after winning his first set, 6-3. He would go on to lose the second and third sets, 2-6 and 3-6.
However the district champions, Macias and Avila, would move on to the sectional tournament where they were scheduled to face Marshall. An illness prevented one of the Marshall players from competing as he was forced to withdraw, giving Macias and Avila the sectional title. The two will now head to the state championship tournament.
“I’m really confident these guys can make a run,” head coach MAJ Mike Pemberton said. “They have looked good all season. We are going to prepare diligently over the next week for the tournament.”
Pemberton added practice should help his doubles team stay fresh after not playing Monday.
Macias and Avila will learn their opponent soon as the tournament schedule is still being completed. They will travel to the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield for the state tournament May 24-26.
Cadets Proudly Serve Groups in Mexico, Columbia
One way Missouri Military Academy cadets contribute to their community is by volunteering their time serving local organizations. The entire Corps of Cadets ventured around Mexico and surrounding areas Friday, May 11.
Some of the cadets traveled to Columbia to do their part. Whether it involves clearing brush from Mexico parks or spending time with veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home, cadets were ready to serve.
About 30 cadets volunteered in Columbia at the Central Missouri Food Bank preparing food to be distributed to the less fortunate in mid-Missouri. Most of the Corps of Cadets helped Audrain County groups, such as the King’s Daughters Home, the Mexico Optimists' Club, and the Audrain County Historical Society.
The cadets' service is not limited to Audrain County. One group of cadets even traveled to Busch Stadium to help collect recyclables from fans in the stands during Friday's St. Louis Cardinals game.
Francisco DelRio '13, Roberto Piza '13, and Rodrigo Delgadillo '13 helped spread mulch at the Audrain County Historical Society.
This was the fourth Community Service Day at MMA, and is part of the Academy’s community service requirement.
PHOTOS: See what the cadets were doing to help out in their community
Below is a list of all the venues where cadets volunteered their time Friday:
Central Missouri Food Bank (Columbia), Habitat for Humanity (Columbia), MU Campus (Columbia), Central Missouri Humane Society (Columbia), St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Arthur Hills Golf Course, Green and Hardin Parks, King's Daughters Home, Lakeview Park, Mexico Optimists’ Ball Fields, Missouri Veterans Home, Littleby Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church.
For more information on MMA's community service program, contact LTC Tim Scherrer.
Middle School Track Finishes 2012 Season
It was a year of widespread improvement for the Missouri Military Academy Middle School track team. LTC Willis Kleinsorge led the squad that competed in three meets this spring – at Centralia, at Mexico, and at Moberly.
Kleinsorge says the middle school athletes made impressive strides in a number of events. David Gu ’16 brought home a bronze medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the Centralia meet, and improved upon his time in each meet.
Jason Russell '16 also earned a silver medal for his performance in the 800-meter run in the Centralia meet. Russell also improved his personal best time by almost 30 seconds in the 1600-meter run at Moberly.
Byron Amidon '16 prepares to hand off the baton to Jack Moore '16 in the 4x100 relay event.
As for group events, the relay team of Byron Amidon ’16, Jack Moore ’16, Gu,and Rafael Lozano ’17 sprinted to a gold medal finish in the 4 X 100-meter event at Centralia.
In field events, Amidon also earned a medal for his throw in the shot put event. His heave traveled 36 feet and 10 inches, good for a silver medal.
Overall, Kleinsorge says the middle school track team learned a lot during the spring season. The cadets participated in a number of track and field events, perhaps preparing them for a future as a part of the MMA track team.
The team did not win any of the meets in which they participated, but Kleinsorge says the season was an excellent learning experience for his squad.
Bibles, Fitzgerald Earn Honors for Marksmanship
Two Missouri Military Academy juniors have been recognized for their excellent shooting skills. Oliver Fitzgerald '13 (pictured at right) and Blake Bibles '13 brought home first and second place (high individual shooter), respectively, in the final postal of the American Legion Junior Sport Shooting Program. Rifle team coach 1SG Randal Jacobson honored the duo at lunch earlier this week. Great work!
Tennis Colonels Bow Out of Districts, Individual Competition Still Ahead
Missouri Military Academy’s varsity tennis team has commenced its quest for a state title. Unfortunately the Colonels will not participate in the state tournament as a team after Tuesday’s loss to Fulton.
There are two state tournaments for tennis – one for teams and one for individual players.
The Colonels began the team tournament by defeating Mexico High School in the first round of the state team tennis tournament, 5-2. Top seed Alejandro Macias '12 won in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) as did #2 seed Alan Avila '14 and #3 seed Santiago Bou '12. Senior Landon Smalley '12 also scored a win against the Bulldogs. In the team’s only doubles match, Macias/Avila took the match, 6-3, 6-2.
Head coach MAJ Mike Pemberton says he was impressed with the team’s play Monday, noting how difficult it can be to play a team three times in one season.
Pemberton added that he was impressed with Smalley’s play against Mexico.
“After losing a close first set, he was able to bounce back and win his next two matches,” Pemberton said.
Monday’s win insured a spot in the district team semifinals at Fulton. Another frequent opponent of the Colonels, Fulton had all the answers Tuesday, taking the semifinal, 6-3.
Macias was not as smooth against Fulton, but was still victorious after dropping his first set, 2-6. He battled back and secured the final two sets, 6-3 and 6-4. Macias paired up with Avila again for the semifinal, defeating their opponent 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Bou saw a similar fate Tuesday, losing his first set (4-6) but coming back strong to take the last two, 6-2 and 6-1.
Pemberton said one part of the team’s game hurt them the most.
“We got off to a slow start and had trouble with our serves,” he said. “We are going to take a look at that the next few days and improve before the individual tournament.”
The district tournament for individual players begins Saturday, May 12 in Hannibal, Mo. with times to be announced later in the week.
Student of the Month – May
Our "Student of the Month" for the month of May is Jacob Myers '13. Jacob earned a 3.714 GPA for the month of April. Jacob is a Junior and enjoys participating in Golf. Ever since Jacob started at MMA he has been a disciplined, focused cadet. Staff and faculty appreciate his dedication, respectful behavior and desire to succeed. Hats off to Jacob!
Athlete of the Month – May
Our “Athlete of the Month” for May is Alan Avila '14. Alan has contributed to several teams throughout this school year, including Raiders and tennis. Alan is currently the #2 player on the varsity tennis team and is competing for a spot in the state tournament. He also partners with Alejandro Macias as well as his brother, Aldo, for doubles matches. Alan is also a star in the classroom, boasting a 3.57 GPA. Congratulations to Alan for his hard work on and off the court!
