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Stories in this issue:
- Fork Union Military Academy Honors Local Heroes at Annual First Responders Parade
- Fork Union Military Academy Takes Biology on the Road
- Happy Birthday to the Summer Babies!
- CPO/USN Jim Rooney Recognized as Teacher of the Term for Term 4
- Fork Union Announces Cadet and Cadet Leader of the Term for Term 5
- Upcoming Admissions Events
- Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Fork Union Military Academy Honors Local Heroes at Annual First Responders Parade
Fork Union Military Academy hosted its annual First Responders Parade on Friday afternoon, celebrating the dedication and service of local heroes. The event was a heartwarming display of appreciation for the men and women who keep Fluvanna County and surrounding communities safe.
Members of the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Rescue, Arvonia’s Fire Department, and even Virginia Beach’s Sheriff’s Department participated in the parade. The impressive turnout highlighted the strong network of first responders who work tirelessly to protect lives and property.
Before the parade, Fork Union welcomed all attendees to enjoy a delicious lunch. This provided a valuable opportunity for cadets and first responders to interact and build relationships. The afternoon culminated in a spirited parade, where the Academy community proudly saluted the bravery and commitment of these essential personnel.
“This annual event is a cherished tradition at Fork Union Military Academy,” said Commandant of Cadets GySgt Charlie Coulter, USMC (Ret.). “It allows us to express our deepest gratitude to the first responders who put themselves on the line every day to ensure our safety and wellbeing. Their courage and dedication are truly inspiring.”
Fork Union Military Academy will host its final parade of the 2023-2024 academic year Friday, May 24 when the Academy honors the Class of 2024 at 2 p.m.
Fork Union Military Academy Takes Biology on the Road
This past week, Fork Union Military Academy's PVCC Biology 101 Dual Enrollment Class held a unique learning experience! They ventured off campus to Piedmont Community College (PVCC) to conduct a series of labs in their state-of-the-art science facilities.
According to senior Tyler Manglicmot, the trip was a valuable opportunity for the class. "PVCC was very welcoming and had lots of equipment for us to use," he said. Cadets participated in three exciting labs:
- Bacterial Growth Lab: Cadets investigated the effects of different substances on bacterial growth. They prepped potato mixtures and observed how various components like catechol, phosphate buffer, and water impacted bacterial activity.
- Enzyme Activity Lab: This lab delved deeper into the fascinating world of enzymes. Cadets conducted experiments to measure enzyme activity and gain a better understanding of how these biological catalysts function.
- DNA Extraction and Gel Electrophoresis Lab: In this lab, cadets extracted DNA samples and utilized gel electrophoresis to separate the DNA based on size. This technique is a cornerstone of modern biology and has countless applications.
Beyond the academic enrichment, the trip fostered camaraderie and team spirit among the cadets. After their successful lab experiments, they enjoyed a well-deserved meal at Raising Cane's followed by some delicious ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.
This off-campus learning experience provided Fork Union Military Academy's Biology cadets with invaluable exposure to advance scientific equipment and techniques. The opportunity to conduct labs in a professional setting undoubtedly deepened their understanding of the subject matter and fueled their scientific curiosity.
Happy Birthday to the Summer Babies!
Fork Union Military Academy celebrated all cadets, staff and faculty who have birthdays in May, June, July and August with prayer, cupcakes and fellowship at the Social Center during the morning break on Thursday, May 23.
A huge thank you to SAGE Dining who continues to surprise us with amazing desserts each month.
Happy Birthday to:
STAFF/FACULTY
- John Jackson
- Cathy Hitchcock
- James Benson
- M. Gray Kendall
- Kate Goad
- Alton Terry
- Brynn Welch
- Stephen Plumb
- Frank Arritt
- John Hurley
- Alex Grant
- Kelly Barnette
- Bill Hooper
- Joshlyn Resek
- Tripp Billingsley
- Mike Goad
- Nicole Adams
- Joseph Kenny
- Melanie Amos
- Bonnie Martin
- Chris Panos
- Steven Wilson
- Casey Mayhew
- Clarence Bates
- Joseph McDaniel
- Jose Rodriguez
CADETS
- Laith Haddad
- Cameron Gray
- Hunter McDonnell
- Sebastian Espino Jimenez
- Benjamin Block
- Kaydan Whiteside
- Isaiah Kittrell
- Elijah Hunt
- Dustin Lamadrid-Burkett
- Kenneth Radtke
- Tucker Miller
- Edgar Gomez
- Gavin Petelle
- Phillip Johnson
- Seth Cella
- Everett Amos
- Dominic Jackson
- Solomon Brown
- James Cluff
- Levi Jones
- Christian Lopez
- Joshua Kennedy
- Jayden Anderson
- Nicholas Coleman
- Tyler Hill
- Ethan Wells
- Tyson Morris
- Pranav Puchakayala
- Jafar Bah
- Abdul Gueye
- Dylan Rwagasana
- Taylor Williams
- Nhan Hoang
- Prince Abraham Oluwaseyi Ajao
- Jaxon Brooks-Powell
- Ian Nizeyimana
- Aaron McDaniel
- William Girod
- Adrian Gomez
- Elijah Watson
- Jaydn Pieron
- Zhichen Xie
- Dallas Berry
- Cooper Williams
- Peyton Cottey
- Maddox Caddell
- Clayton Rosen
- Eeziyah Velez
- Vu Tran
- Ever Castillo Vecino
- Matthias Moyer
- David Eaton
- Zaden Cottam
- Ethan Schroyer
- Sean Hurley
- Brady Moring
- Jaheim Scott
- Carmelo Spaulding
- Miles Graybill
- Balin Frerichs
- Javier Rosa
- John Parks
- Nicholas Willis
- Levi Wikoff
- Niv Patel
- Jaimin Woods
- Jayden Ginty
- Austin Knowlton
- Brendan Smith
- Rohan Jonnala
- Laine Luke
- Francisco Ortiz
- Josiah Johnson
- Robert Callahan
- Val Kelestyn
- Haggai Dulo
- Sheldon Kates-Offord
- Malachi Walsh
CPO/USN Jim Rooney Recognized as Teacher of the Term for Term 4
Fork Union Military Academy congratulates CPO/USN Jim Rooney for being named Teacher of the Term for Term 4 of the 2023-2024 academic year. Cadets submit nominations for the Teacher of the Term at the conclusion of each grading term. The cadet nominations are reviewed and evaluated by the Teacher of the Term/Year Committee, which is comprised of non-academic staff members. After considering cadet nominations, the Committee announces the Teacher of the Term.
Chief Rooney has served the Academy for an impressive 17 years. Arriving in 2006, he brought his passion for languages to the Foreign Language Department. Beyond the classroom, he has also enriched the cadet experience by coaching soccer and basketball.
During Term 4, Chief Rooney taught Honors German 3. The positive impact he made is evident in the nominations submitted by his cadets.
Rooney received nominations that stated:
"He's a fun teacher. He also keeps us focused and ensures we complete assignments. He makes sure we understand the material before moving on. Chief Rooney is a great man and teacher who has poured his heart into FUMA for many years. With this being his last term before retirement, I felt he truly deserved this award in recognition of his incredible work and dedication."
"Chief Rooney is an exceptional teacher. He goes beyond simply teaching the language. He immerses us in the culture and history of the country as well."
Congratulations to Chief Rooney on this well-deserved honor!
Fork Union Announces Cadet and Cadet Leader of the Term for Term 5
In a proud tradition of recognizing excellence and leadership among its cadet corps, Fork Union Military Academy recently unveiled the standout cadets for the term. GySgt Charlie Coulter, the Commandant of Cadets, proudly announced the Cadet Leader and Cadet of the Term, recognizing their dedication, exemplary conduct, and outstanding leadership qualities.
For Term 5, the honorees are c/SFC Cameron Gray of Charlie Company, who has been named the Cadet Leader of the Term, and c/PVT Caleb Barber, from Bravo Company, who has been awarded the Cadet of the Term.
Cadet Gray, the son of Monique Gray, is a freshman from Windsor, Connecticut and is in his second year at the Academy.
Cadet Barber, a first-year cadet, is the son of Lisa and Christopher Barber of Maryville, Tennessee.
The selection process for these prestigious titles is rigorous and comprehensive. Each company conducts an internal review and nominates one cadet for each of the two categories. Category 1 encompasses cadets from Privates to Corporals, while Category 2 is designated for Cadet Sergeants to Captains.
The board, held on Wednesday, May 8, was composed of esteemed members, including Command Sergeant Major Glenn Sidwell and four senior cadets from the Battalion Staff. Cadets faced a thorough examination, donning their Class A uniforms adorned with all awards and decorations, as they were grilled on various aspects including the Academy’s history, core values, Cadet Regulations (Blue Book), leadership traits and the Honor Code.
Throughout the interview, candidates were evaluated across seven distinct areas, with a maximum of points allocated to each:
- Personal Appearance, Bearing, and Self-Confidence (max 20 points)
- Oral Expression and Conversation Skills (max 15 points)
- Knowledge of Current Events (world affairs) (max 15 points)
- Achievements-Academy Standing, Awards, and Demerits (max 20 points)
- Awareness of Military Subjects (max 15 points)
- Room and Bed/Wall-locker Displays (max 10 points)
For their exceptional performance across these criteria, both Cadet Coleman and Cadet Preston will be honored with a $25.00 gift card and the opportunity to participate in the Cadet/Leader of the Year board. This recognition not only celebrates their individual achievements but also serves as a testament to their commitment to excellence and leadership within the Fork Union Military Academy community.
“Congratulations to Cadet Gray and Cadet Barber on their well-deserved accolades, and may they continue to inspire their peers with their dedication and exemplary conduct,” said GySgt Coulter.
Upcoming Admissions Events
The best way to learn about Fork Union Military Academy is to schedule an appointment with our Admissions Office and come for a family visit and receive your own individual tour of the campus.
We also schedule a number of Admissions Events on campus and in various cities and regions throughout the year.
Monday, May 27, 2024 | Open House on Campus
- We would like to invite you to our Memorial Day Admissions Open House on the campus of Fork Union Military Academy on Monday, May 27th, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. You will be able to go on a cadet-led tour of our campus, participate in an information session to learn more about the Academy, speak directly with members of our admissions team to get answers to all of your questions, and enjoy lunch in our dining facility. Registration to this event is required.
Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Are you a young man in the 7th to 12th grade? Do you want to be a man known for integrity, respect for yourself and others, faith, character, and discipline?
We encourage you to fill out an application for enrollment and join our cadets here at Fork Union Military Academy.
Thank you!