SCUBA Program Certifies First Divers
Missouri Military Academy Scuba Instructor Mitch Moffitt recently announced that several cadets recently achieved certifications after finishing a Scuba course. This is the first year that MMA has offered Scuba as an athletic program.
The following divers were certified as Open Water Divers:
John Dillon, senior, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Austin Teague, junior, Mexico, Mo.
Jon Snyder, freshman, Houston, Texas
Roy Grabowski, junior, Gates Mills, Ohio
Nicholas Mabbs, junior, Batavia, Ill.
Jonathon Richardson, sophomore, Cohassett, Minn.
Chandler Bolinger, grade 6, Southlake, Texas
The following diver was certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver:
Ricardo Gonzalez, junior, of College Station, Texas
![603634_296585823807315_1025434031_n[1]](http://news.missourimilitaryacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/603634_296585823807315_1025434031_n1.jpg)
MMA is the only middle school /high school in the world recognized by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in the College and University category. MMA requires all students to achieve a passing score of 100%. The Divers will receive 1 college credit for the course.
According to Moffitt, MMA upholds this rigorous requirement for two reasons:
“We want our Scuba divers to be the safest and best prepared divers upon their date of certification and we want to be recognized as the best overall Scuba-certifying high school in the world.”
2013 Spring and Annual Athletic Award Ceremony
Missouri Military Academy recently honored it's spring athletes and teams and presented some annual sports awards at their Spring Sports Banquet. In attendance were student athletes, coaches, faculty and parents. It's a great event that showcases the athletic and academic strengths of our cadets.
The award winners are as follows:
Annual
Best Athletic Record - Bravo Company
M Club Trophy- Bravo
Bohm Highest Scholastic Average - Nischal Khanal
McDonough Trophy - Nischal Khanal
Seasonal
Baseball
MVP - Andres Garcia
Most Improved - David Lozano/ Votor Gomez
Track and Field
Best in Field Events - Leonardo Lozano
Best Runner - DeCharion Owens
MVP - Hugh Harris
Tennis
MVP - Victor Marroquin
Best 1st Year Player - Victor Marroquin
Most Improved - Emeterio Gomez
Golf
Foley Golf Trophy (MVP) - Fernando Lopez
Middle School Track
MVP-Tajae Blue
Most Improved-Tan Pongsuea
MMA Honors Employee Service During Review
MMA employees are recognized during Review as a Special Order is read. From left: Greg Morton, accompanied by his wife Beverly, MAJ Dennis Diederich and his wife, Kathy; Martha Bruce; and CPT Jim Ward and his wife, Connie. Not pictured: James Hilderman, Faye Lehnen, LTC Tim Scherrer and CPT Eddie Ratliff.
On Sunday, May 19, the MMA community recognized eight employees who reached milestone anniversaries of service to the Academy and cadets. The employees were honored during a Review and a reception in Stribling Hall, on the campus of Missouri Military Academy.
The following received pins to commemorate years of service that range from five to 30 years:
Mr. Greg Morton, Director of Facilities and Grounds – 30 years
Mr. James Hilderman, Maintenance Technician - 25 years
MAJ Dennis Diederich, Quartermaster, who has also served MMA as Admissions Counselor and Director of Admissions - 15 years
Mrs. Faye Lehnen, Laundry Technician - 15 years
Mrs. Martha Bruce, Laundry Technician - 10 years
LTC Tim Scherrer (USAR), Director of Guidance and College Placement - 5 years
CPT Eddie Ratliff, Residential Faculty - 5 years
CPT James Ward, Residential Faculty - 5 years
2013 Scholars Banquet
On May 17, in the presence of faculty, family members and MMA administration, cadets were inducted into the Delta Phi Scholastic Society, National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society.
Keynote speaker Dr. Kurt Jefferson, Director of the Center for Engaging the World at Westminster College, addressed attendees in Barnard Hall Atrium at the annual Scholars Banquet and Initiation Ceremony, which began at 7:00 p.m.
Eoghan Matthews '13, president of Delta Phi, initiated incoming Delta Phi members and also passed the 2013-2014 presidency on to Jack Solls '14. Matthews is currently the Battalion S-3 and will also pass that title along to Solls during the Senior Review on May 25.
Nischal Khanal, President of the National Honor Society, recognized the newly-inducted NHS and NJHS members. 
MMA President Tony McGeorge congratulated cadets and presented the senior keys, a symbol of MMA scholarship during one's senior year, to Delta Phi members.
Richard Massey-Scott '13 and John Dillon '13 led attendees in singing Old MMA and reciting the benediction as the ceremony adjourned.
W. Wallace Fry Public Speaking Contest Finalists Announced
MMA announced the finalists for its 81st annual W. Wallace Fry Jr., class of 1903 Public Speaking Contest. These students will present their own speeches on these topics on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. in Centennial Gymtorium.
Tajae Blue, eighth grade, of High Ridge, Mo., "Standing Up for the Future"
Adam Schmitz, sophomore, of Chesterfield, Mo., "Is the World Really What We Think It Is?"
Kyle Mertens, freshman, of Mexico, Mo., "A Pirate's Life For Me"
Ricardo Padilla, senior, of San Salvador, El Salvador, "Should Schools Teach Art?"
Jon Johnston, junior, of Woodsboro, Md., "Gangs"
Ethan Rachell, senior, of St. Louis, Mo., "Down & Out"
DC Owens, a junior from Memphis, Tenn., is this year's alternate. His speech is titled "Uniformity: Forced or Forgotten?"
The W. Wallace Fry Jr. Public Speaking Contest is held the Thursday prior to Commencement Weekend each year. The event is named for Wallace Fry, an MMA alumnus and prominent Mexicoan who graduated from the Academy in 1903.
The public is welcome to attend the contest.
Cadet Leadership for 2013-2014 Year Announced
At the annual Designation Ceremony the new cadet leadership was announced for the 2013-2014 academic year. These cadets are the student leaders of the corps of cadets. The new Battalion Commander, Cadet 2LT Roel Eduardo Rodriguez will oversee all conduct and activities of the corps. He will also ensure each of the other student leaders perform their individual duties and responsibilities. This is Battalion Commander Cadet 2LT Rodriguez' second year at the Academy and he is currently the platoon sergeant of Echo Company. He has been a member of both the Soccer team as well as the Raiders. The entire corps congratulates Cadet 2LT Rodriguez on his promotion.
Other Cadet Leaders are as follows:
Battalion Executive Officer: Cadet SFC Parker Bridge
Battalion S1: SSG Nicholas Mabbs
Battalion S2: SSG Jesus Herrera
Battalion S3: SSG Jack Solls
Battalion S4: SSG Daniel Garcia
Battalion S5: SSG Dylan Dawson
Command Sergeant Major: SSG Jacob Priester
Bravo Company Commander: SFC Tyler Vaughan
Charlie Company Commander: SFC Emilio Cueto
Delta Company Commander: SFC Brandon Darnall
Echo Company Commander: SFC Jose Bours
Band Company Commander: SFC Chadwick Cardott
Pickering Funeral Home Makes a Unique Donation to MMA
Missouri Military Academy recently accepted what some may consider an unexpected donation - on April 25, a casket and cart were delivered to the campus by David Pickering of Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico, Missouri.
However unusual it may be, the purpose of the casket at the all-boy military academy is quite serious. The casket will be used as a practice piece by the cadet Honor Guard, which performs full military honors at the funerals of Missouri veterans. The Honor Guard is composed of high school students and is officially approved by the Missouri National Guard to perform such honors.
MAJ Brian Galarza, Assistant Commandant, worked to coordinate the donation of such an item and was pleased to hear that the Pickerings were willing to make the contribution. “Having an actual casket makes a huge difference in the cadets’ training for the Honor Guard,” he says. Precision of movement is a hallmark of military protocol and the casket will allow cadets to practice more effectively.
2013 Superior Cadet Award
MMA 2013 Superior Cadet Award Presentation During Spring Family Weekend
Photo credit: Coetta Brashear
Cadets with the highest standing in military and academic aspects are awarded the Superior Cadet Award. One cadet from each Leadership Excellence Training, (LET) level was presented with this prestigious award.
The following cadets were awarded the medal for the 2012-2013 academic year. Richard Massey- Scott LET 4; Jacob Preister LET 3; Roel Rodriguez LET 2; Paolo Rosado LET 1. This award was presented to them during the Spring Family Weekend at Missouri Military Academy on April 21, 2013 by Missouri Military Academy President Charles A. McGeorge.
By: Kurtis Mennemeier and Ethan Rachell
2013 General Douglas MacArthur Award
Missouri Military Academy General Douglas MacArthur Award Recipient Cadet BC John Dillon
Photo credit: Coetta Brashear
During the 2013 Annual Formal Inspection, Missouri Military Academy presented a very prestigious award to one its top cadets. The MacArthur Award is awarded to the MMA cadet who displays exemplary work in academics, leadership, and athletics. This year’s recipient is Battalion Commander John Dillon ‘13. The MacArthur Foundation Award includes a medal, a book written by Edward T. Imparato, “MacArthur: Melbourne to Tokyo,” and a $50 check.
By: Nick Vanatta and Blake Gorman
2013 Festival of the Arts
Missouri Military Academy once again hosted its spring Festival of the Arts on April 20 and 21, recognizing and showcasing cadets' talents and achievements in visual and performing arts. On Saturday night, the Academy celebrated the performing arts during a 2 1/2 hour extravaganza that included the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chorus and Dramateers.
See photos from the Festival of the Arts.
The Festival of the Arts program opened with the Middle School Band, directed by CPT Josh Yancey, MMA's Bandmaster. After performances of "Bandroom Boogie," "Rock n' Roll Part 2," and "Latin Fire." CPT Yancey then recognized the recipients of the middle school band ribbon:
Middle School Band Ribbon: Eugenio Barrera, Chandler Bolinger, Samer Doumit, Juan Hernandez, Antonio Montes, Miguel Quijano, Carlos Ramos, Santiago Sada, Ricardo Salido, Mason Scott, Francisco Siller
Next up was the MMA Chorus, directed by music teacher and Fine Arts department chair MAJ Mike Shoemaker. The chorus performed the reverent "In Flanders Field," "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky," and "Brother Will, Brother John," a solo by senior Richard Massey-Scott. The group then dedicated the song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" to the Corps of Cadets and finished up with the Huey Lewis pop song, "It's All Right," with a special shoutout to LTC Giuseffi's trademark phrase.
Before the chorus left the stage, MAJ Shoemaker recognized some of his singers' talent with some awards:
Phillip Russel Award to the Best First-Year Member - Jesus Herrera
Outstanding Contributor to Cadet Chorus - Richard Massey-Scott
MMA Jazz Band. Photo Credit: Dillion Brown Dawson
Fine Arts Ribbon - Vocal Music: Kotaro Kasamatsu, Dallas Lopez, Richard Massey-Scott, Jacob Phillips
MMA junior Chad Cardott performed a trombone solo, "Hasse Suite," before the MMA Jazz Band, which was developed at MMA by CPT Yancey in recent years, took the stage to finish up the first half of the show. The band performed "Mister Cool," "Ballad for a Blue Horn," featuring an alto saxophone solo by Daniel Diaz and rounded up the performance with "All Blues."
A brief intermission was held before two solo performances took place. Senior John O'Leary performed Chopin's "Nocturne in C# Minor" on the piano, followed by Daniel Diaz played "Nocturne," on the clarinet.
The Dramateers then stormed the stage with three short skits: Jabberwocky, Random #42 and X7. The first was adapted and the latter two were penned by Dramateers advisor CPT Jon Griffin. After the performances, CPT Griffin presented drama awards to the following students:
Stribling Dramateer of the Year Award - Ben Mertens
Most Versatile Dramateer - Blake Bibles
Drama Ribbons
First Year (Ribbon only) - Kane Anderson, Jacob Conyers, Michael Courte, Daniel Diaz, Sebastian Diaz, Alberto Elizondo, J.D. Gonzalez, Blake Gorman, Hugh Harris, Gavin Hendee, Leo Lozano, Kurtis Mennemeier, Kyle Mertens, Chase Osborne, Ricardo Padilla, Jacob Priester, Santiago Prieto, Nick Vanatta
Second Year (Ribbon + Bronze Star) - Tajae Blue, Oliver Fitzgerald, Emeterio Gomez, Jonathan Kirkland, Nicholas Mabbs, Eoghan Matthews, Jacob Phillips, Christian Thomas, Gilberto Villarreal
Third Year (Ribbon + Silver Star) - Blake Bibles, Parker Bridge, Chad Cardott, Richard Massey-Scott
Fourth Year (Ribbon + Gold Star) - John Dillon, Benjamin Mertens
Photo Credit: Coetta Brashear
The performances wrapped up with the High School Concert Band's show - "Miss Liberty's March," "Ascend," "Largo," and a medley of selections from the Broadway musical Chicago. CPT Yancey then presented awards to outstanding high school band students:
Crain-Jorischie Jazz Musician Award - Daniel Diaz
John Phillips Sousa Band Award - Jacob Myers
Band Ribbons
First Year (Ribbon only) - Tajae Blue, Jordan Butz, Jacob Conyers, Connor Cunningham, Raul Escarcega, Sean Fitzgerald, David Gu, Gavin Hendee, YunIl Jeon, Joshua John, Maverick Jones, Jonathan Kirkland, Mason Kussman, David Lazcano, Robert Moore, Brennan Morand, Julien Mugabo, Miles O’Keefe, Jason Russell, Jon Snyder, Pedro Tinoco, Hang Zhang
Second Year (Ribbon + Bronze Star) - Blake Bibles, Oliver Fitzgerald, Kotaro Kasamatsu, Jacob Myers, D’Cherion Owens, Detallion Owens, Reed Vaughan
Third Year (Ribbon + Silver Star) - Chadwick Cardott, Austin Teague
Fourth Year (Ribbon + Silver Star) - Daniel Diaz, John Dillon, Cody Olson
Fine Arts Ribbon - Instrumental Music - Chad Cardott, Emilio Cueto, Daniel Diaz, John Dillon, Nischal Khanal, John O’Leary, Jon Snyder, Eduardo Valenzo
The weekend events also included the Epple Memorial Art Show in the Charlie Company rec room. Art instructor LT Chris Bain displayed a variety of cadet works of art, including photos, paintings, pencil and other media. Several pieces of art were for sale, with proceeds benefiting the individual cadet artist and the MMA visual art program. During Saturday night's Festival of the Arts performance, LT Bain recognized several cadets for their exemplary work via the following awards:
Art Achievement Award -Paolo Rosado
Middle School Award - Juan Gonzalez Luna Escoto
Creative Art Award - Jose Estrada, Omar Sanchez Ibarra
Fine Arts Ribbon, Visual Art - Kane Anderson, Fernando Blanco, Vincent Burke, Hunter Bush, Francisco Del Rio, Jose Estrada, Jose Refugio Garcia, Nicolas Mabbs, Benjamin Mertens, Francisco Morales, Felix Paz, Paolo Rosado, Khas-Ochir Sod-Erdene, Rodrigo Vilches, Hang Zhang
Epple Memorial Art Show. Photo credit: Coetta Brashear
Art Ribbon - Juan Aguirre, Byron Amidon, Kane Anderson, Bruno Avataneo, Edmond Biruta, Fernando Blanco, Jose Bours, Vincent Burke, Hunter Bush, Jose Carrillo, Michael Courte, Francisco Del Rio, Sebastian Diaz, Clayton Ebert, Emilio Elias, Jose Estrada, Hayden Fairbanks, Orlando Farias, Juan Ramon Flores, Jose Refugio Garcia, Jose Garcia, Victor Gomez, Roger Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez, Hector Granillo, Oscar Gutierrez, Blake Gorman, Quentin Heasler, Xinshuai Hu, Sanchez Ibarra, Benjamin Jennison, Jonathan Kirkland, John Kohm, Qi Li, Enkhbilegt Luvsandorj, Nicolas Mabbs, Benjamin Mertens, Francisco Morales, Emilio Nanni, Charles Norman, Pedro Onieva, Ricardo Padilla, Rodrigo Padilla, Felix Paz, Ning Yong Qin, Jonathan Richardson, Paolo Rosado, Sergio Salas, Ivan Salinas, Adam Schmitz, Khas-Ochir Sod-Erdene, Dasheng Sun, Pedro Tinoco, Rodrigo Vilches, Chen Wang, Hang Gao Wei, Oliver Worthington, Jiahao Wu, Andres Zamora, Hang Zhang
The weekend also provided an opportunity to recognize MMA's student journalists. The following received awards on Saturday night:
Lyle C. Wilson Journalism Scroll - Dillion Brown Dawson
Pearl Green Whitney Memorial Award - Blake Gorman