MMA Unveils New Administration Building
Missouri Military Academy's new administration building is closer than ever to completion. The new Stribling Hall is nearly finished as crews added columns to the front of the building last week.
School officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday, May 26 during MMA's 123rd Commencement Exercises. Former Academy president Charles Stribling, III '44, Chairman of the Board of Trustees R. Strib Koster, current Academy president MajGen Robert Flanagan, and others opened the building for tours once the ribbon between the two main columns was cut.
PHOTOS: To see more from the ribbon cutting ceremony, click here.
The new building replaces the old administration building that stood at the same location from 1900 until 2011. Like MMA's academic building, Barnard Hall, Stribling Hall is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council.
One major difference between the old and new Stribling Hall is what sits on top. A new gold dome adorns the building, replacing the silver dome that was on top of the old building.
(Pictured L to R): Fred Jaeckle, President of S.M. Wilson and Co.; Ann Antoniou, MMA Trustee; Stribling; Koster, Jerry Daugherty, President of Reinhardt Construction; MajGen Flanagan
MMA Bids Farewell to 123rd Class of Graduates
Missouri Military Academy awarded diplomas to the Class of 2012 and recognized many achievements on behalf of the 123rd Corps of Cadets during annual Graduation activities May 24, 25 and 26, 2012.
MajGen Kevin Kuklok, USMC (ret.), was the guest speaker at the 123rd commencement exercises Saturday morning in the Centennial Gymtorium.
MajGen Kuklok was introduced by Academy President MajGen Robert Flanagan. Flanagan noted that Kuklok is a good friend of his and was excited to welcome him to be part of this year’s commencement.
Forty-eight seniors received their diplomas from Dean of Academics LTC Frank Giuseffi and MajGen Flanagan, and many of MMA’s primary awards were presented. Cadets who earned scholarships to different colleges and universities were also recognized. As a whole, the Class of 2012 were offered over $2.1 million in scholarships - the second highest total in school history.
The 2011-2012 Battalion Staff prepares to enter the parade field during Senior Review for the last time.
Valedictorian and 2011-2012 Battalion Commander EuiJeong Chung '12 of Seoul, South Korea addressed his class and the crowd, urging them to continue their education and keep their minds open to learning new things.
MajGen Flanagan told the cadets their education has given them the tools to succeed in the world, but they must now make the right decisions themselves, without the Academy rules and faculty to assist them.
PHOTOS: To see more photos of the entire weekend, click this link to our Flickr page
The Commencement was followed by the traditional Final Formation and Au Revoir on front campus, where Chung announced the command of “dismissed.”
Each senior walks through the traditional Arch of Sabers at the Senior Banquet.
The Commencement ceremony was the culminating event during a weekend of competitions, award ceremonies and the annual Senior Baccalaureate and Senior Banquet.
The weekend kicked off Thursday evening with the annual Wallace Fry Speech Contest. Jack Solls ’14 of Dallas, Texas was awarded the Wallace Fry Cup and Nischal Khanal ’13 earned the Winston Churchill Memorial Award for the best persuasive speech supporting a just cause.
EXTRAS: For a complete list of high school and middle school award winners, click here.
Brett Talley '12 was this year's recipient the Class of 1984 Unheralded Leader Award. It is presented to the cadet who is not an officer, but still displays outstanding leadership qualities and works for the betterment of the Corps.
Exercises continued Friday morning with Company Drill and Competition and the middle and high school final assemblies. The best drilled company for Commencement was Echo Company, commanded by cadet Roberto Garcia '12 of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. During the Final Assembly, Eui Jeong Chung received the Legion of Honor award and Delta Company was named the 2011-12 Honor Company.
On Friday evening seniors and their families attended the Baccalaureate ceremony and Senior Banquet. Alumni Association president Dave Telford '65 addressed the seniors and reminded of them of the brotherhood to which they now belong as graduates of MMA: "Of the hundreds of thousands of seniors who will graduate this weekend, only 48 can call themselves graduates of Missouri Military Academy."
The weekend was MajGen Flanagan's last major event as president of the Academy, so members of the MMA family took time to pay tribute to his accomplishments as President. During the Senior Banquet, members of the Alumni Association presented MajGen Flanagan with a senior ring and the Parents Committee presented special gifts during the graduation ceremony. Parents Committee chair Tracy Belton of Mt. Dora, Florida also announced that the paintball field would be named "Flanagan Field," to the cheers of the corps of cadets.
Echo Company Commander Roberto Garcia accepts the trophy for Best Drilled Company during the company competitive drill.
Solls, Khanal Take Wallace Fry Speaking Honors
An MMA sophomore cadet added a trophy to his case after giving the best speech at this year's Wallace Fry Public Speaking Contest. The 80th annual speaking competition featured Sean Fitzgerald '17, representing the middle school, and six high school sophomores and juniors. Parents, faculty, and the Corps of Cadets convened in the Centennial Gymtorium to hear the competitors take on issues facing our society today.
In the winning speech, Jack Solls '14 questioned the morality and legality of sperm donation and sperm banks. Winston Churchill Award winner Nischal Khanal '13 presented ways to handle the United States' multi-trillion dollar debt.
PHOTOS: See the cadets in action at the Centennial Gymtorium
Topics of discussion varied from a case in favor of improved 2nd Amendment rights to the American response to the "KONY 2012" campaign, launched earlier this year to raise awareness about the actions of Joseph Kony, a Ugandan warlord.
This year's judges included: Mr. Louis Leonatti, an attorney for Leonatti & Baker, P.C. in Mexico, Mo.; Mr. Paul Seigfried, an attorney for the Seigfried Law Firm in Mexico; and Mr. Kevin Freeman, Assistant Superintendent of Mexico Public Schools.
Pictured (L to R): Louis Leonatti, John Dillon '13, Sean Fitzgerald '17, Luke Lowry '14, Khanal, Eoghan Matthews '13, Solls, Benjamin Mertens '13, Paul Seigfried, Kevin Freeman
Wallace Fry Cup (For excellence in speaking)
Jack Solls of Dallas, Texas
Speech title: “My Daddy's Name is #20311”
Winston Churchill Memorial Award (For the persuasive speech supporting a just cause)
Nischal Khanal of Mexico, Missouri
Speech title: “Debtocracy: The Overspending of the United States”
Roberts, Smalley Both Headed to U.S. Air Force Academy
Not one, but two Missouri Military Academy seniors will pack their belongings for a move to Colorado Springs, Colorado this summer. Jared Roberts '12 of Springboro, Ohio and Landon Smalley '12 of Derby, Kansas have both been appointed to the United States Air Force Academy.
Roberts and Smalley are scheduled to report at the end of June.
It is a very difficult and arduous process to apply and subsequently be accepted to the academy. A lengthy application, letters of recommendation from representatives, and an outstanding GPA are just some of the requirements to be fulfilled.
Roberts and Smalley were roommates during their first year at MMA and both had a deep interest in the Air Force Academy. Roberts says he and Landon were able to motivate each to strive for acceptance to the school.
Roberts received an email acknowledging his acceptance, and Smalley received the news from MMA president MajGen Robert Flanagan. Roberts had it a little easier than Smalley, as MajGen Flanagan broke the news in a more nerve-wracking manner. He called Smalley to his office for a meeting with MMA Executive Officer LTC Jim Medley (USAF, retired) and himself and convinced Smalley that he was in some sort of trouble.
Roberts (left) and Smalley (right) receive the news of their appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
The act did not last long, however, as MajGen Flanagan and LTC Medley cracked smiles and made him aware of his achievement.
Roberts and Smalley are the second and third cadets in the last three years to be appointed. Luis Gonzalez '10 is currently a junior at the Academy.
MajGen Flanagan (left) and LTC Medley (right) tried to pull a fast one on Smalley, but it was hard to resist telling him the good news.
2012 Spring Sports Banquet
Missouri Military Academy honored its spring sports teams at a special banquet on campus. MMA's baseball, tennis, track and field, golf, Raiders, and Middle School track teams convened in Barnard Hall for Friday night's dinner. Athletic Director LT John Noel began the night with a few comments recapping the season, including MMA's unprecedented season sweep over Wentworth Military Academy in all competitive events in 2011-2012.
Coaches of their respective sports recognized players who contributed the most on the field and on the track this spring. Most Valuable Player, Best Sportsmanship, and Most Improved Player were just some of the honors bestowed on the athletes. Varsity athletes were also given their letters.
Noel also presented the yearly awards to the most outstanding athletic cadets.
Photos from Friday night's banquet can be seen by clicking here.
LT Noel presents Santiago Bou '12 with the Most Valuable Player award for golf.
MMA Announces 2012-2013 Leaders
Missouri Military Academy has named a new leader of the Corps of Cadets for the 2012-2013 school year. John Dillon '13 of Colorado Springs, Colo. will serve as the Battalion Commander. Previously a staff sergeant, Dillon was also promoted to Second Lieutenant during Friday's designation ceremony.
To see the special order listing each new leader, click here.
The 2012-2013 Battalion Staff, led by John Dillon '13 (pictured at far left)
Company officers for 2012-2013.
Happy Birthday!
MMA wishes all of our cadets born in May a very happy birthday!
Front row (L to R): Jose Estrada '16, Yun Jeon '16, Samuel Udeh '12, Ethan Rogers '18, Tristan Bisch '17, Jacob Conyers '16
Second row (L to R): Zeyuan Zhang '12, Austin Grosjean '13, Gabriel Blatty '14, Roy Grabowski '14
Third row (L to R): Rick Massey-Scott '13, Kaeshon Adams '14, Tao Chen '12, Noah Agne '14
Fourth row (L to R): Dalton Blackwell '14, Austin Teague '14, Nicholas Mabbs '14, Tavian Willits '14
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.