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Stories in this issue:
- Fork Union Holds See You At The Pole 2023
- Save the Date: 125th Celebration/Day of Giving
- Get to Know Our Teachers Segment
- Save the Date: Parent's Day/Weekend Leave
- This Week's College Acceptances
- Commandant's Department Recognizes Cadets at Commandant's Call
- The Conductor's Corner
- This Week's Bravo Zulu Awards
- Upcoming Admissions Events
- Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Fork Union Holds See You At The Pole 2023
Cadets and staff of Fork Union Military Academy gathered at the flagpole Wednesday morning to participate in the annual See You At The Pole worldwide prayer event. Those present prayed for God's saving grace and love to be with our school, our country, and all people of our world.
See You At The Pole is said to have started with a small youth group in Burleson, Texas, back in 1990 and it has grown into a worldwide movement in which students at schools around the globe gather for prayer on the fourth Wednesday of September. At Fork Union Military Academy, the event is led by members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participation is open to all cadets, staff, and faculty of the Academy.
This annual prayer event is notable at the Academy for another reason as well: it is perhaps the only time that cadets are permitted to be on the grass of Fraley Circle.
Join Us For Founder's Day!
Join us for the Academy's 125th Founder's Day, which is also our annual Day of Giving. In addition to us wanting you to join us for a weekend of celebration, we also invite you to make a birthday gift to Fork Union Military Academy and help us reach our goal of 200 Donors!
Our 125th Anniversary Celebration
This October, Fork Union Military Academy will mark the celebration of our school's founding in 1898 with a number of special events.
October 13th
- 3:00PM: Home Football Game
- 5:00PM: BBQ Cookout with live music from Bennett Wales, class of 2009
- 7:00PM: Fireworks Display
October 14th
- 8:00AM: Fork Union 4-Miler - Register for this event at: https://runsignup.com/foundersday4miler
- 11:30AM: Lunch
- 12:30PM: Military Spectacle
- 1:30PM: Snead Hall and Memorial Hall Cornerstone Ceremony
- 6:30PM: Gala at The Westin Richmond (Attire is Semi-Formal)
October 15th
- 10:00AM: Church service at stadium
- 11:00AM: Ribbon cutting at Press Box and Sabre Square
- 11:30AM: Group photos at stadium
- 12:00PM: Lunch
- 1:30PM: Parade and Change of Command Ceremony
After the parade there will be 125th Photo opportunity for all in attendance followed by a reception on Sabre Square.
Get to Know Our Teachers:
CPT Ben Godfrey
CPT Benjamin Godfrey enters his first year at the Academy. He will teach Eighth Grade Civics, Western Civilization II, and Pre-Algebra.
Let's get to know CPT Godfrey!
What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy?
I have lived in Fluvanna County almost my entire life. It was a dream to teach here at Fork Union Military Academy since I was a teenager.
What made you want to become a teacher?
There is nothing like when a student understands a concept or material for me. I want to help because of those moments and so I went into teaching.
What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing is engaging my students' minds, always being a learner, and seeing my students succeed.
What makes Fork Union special to you?
Fork Union holds a special place in my heart for two reasons. First, it has been my dream to teach here. Second, I have seen my own family impacted by the Academy. My little brother went from probably graduating with no plans after high school to graduating with a signed Letter of Intention to the US Navy. Fork Union helps young men find a direction for life after Fork Union.
What other responsibilities do you have a FUMA besides teaching?
I will be coaching JV Football and JV Basketball.
What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you?
I was homeschooled from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. My first day in a classroom environment was my first day of college.
Welcome to the Academy, CPT Godfrey!
Join Us for Parent's Day!
The Academy's annual Parent's Day Weekend is approaching fast! Please join us for an afternoon of festivities, prior to having a three-day weekend with your cadet, on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Below you will find the schedule of events:
Friday, October 20, 2023
- 1:00 PM | Parents arrive on campus
- 1:00 to 2:30 PM | Meet & Greet for Parents & Teachers in Dining Hall
- 2:30 PM | Parent's Day Parade
- 3:00 PM | Cadets eligible for leave
Monday, October 23 is not a class day. All cadets who depart campus are required to return by 7:00 PM Monday evening.
This Week's College Acceptances
It's that time of year again when our seniors get the exciting news of college acceptances!
Our goal each year is that 100% of our seniors gain college acceptance. Each year, our seniors work hard with the College Placement and Academic Services team under the leadership of the department's Director, Kelsey Hill, and the Assistant Director, Dr. James Benson.
Check out this week's acceptances!
Commandant's Department Recognizes Cadets at Commandant's Call
Each Friday, the Commandant of Cadets GySgt Charlie Coulter addresses the Corps of Cadets in the Wicker Chapel to cover all announcements, behavior issues and motivate the cadets to continue to do the right thing.
At the end of each session, the Commandant's Department recognizes cadets, who continue to "do the right thing" from each company. This week's cadets were:
Alpha Company
Bravo Company
Charlie Company
Delta Company
Keep it up, gentlemen!
The Conductor's Corner
Welcome to the Fork Union Military Academy Band’s weekly update! We have a lot that we are doing this year and a lot of extremely motivated students. Every two weeks, the Academy's Band Public Affairs Officer will be writing a short update on how things are going in the band, do individual spotlights or group spotlights. Keep an eye out in the Front & Center for the Conductor’s Corner to see what the band is doing from the cadets’ perspective.
So without further ado, here are the words from our Public Affairs Officer, Cadet Second Lieutenant Niv Patel.
The 125th is coming! The band is playing a huge part in the events next weekend. We have been up early on Saturdays practicing our field show, in the band room every morning practicing our music, and we even auditioned for a parade at Disney World this past weekend.
You will be able to come see us play multiple times starting with Thursday's Pep Rally. Our Honors Band will play during the Thursday night pep rally to get everyone hyped up for the events of the weekend. Friday, you'll be able hear the drumline right before lunch as they perform on the steps of Hatcher Hall for the Board of Trustees. After lunch, we have a football game where we will perform our first ever field show.
Then, on Saturday, we will perform some music for our Military Celebration to kick off our afternoon events around campus.
On Sunday, we will finish it off with our Pass and Review for the Change of Command. It's alot, but we have been hard at work getting ready for everything and we are excited to showcase our talents to everyone.
So, come on out and see us next weekend for the Academy's 125th Anniversary Celebration on Founder's Day Weekend!
This Week's Bravo Zulu Award Winners
Every Friday, the Fork Union Military Faculty and Staff meet to nominate a few who have exceeded the standards and demonstrated superlative performance. Whilst we have various awards and recognitions - a simple "Well Done!" we hope, is also appreciated. The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, i.e., Bravo Zulu, also referred to as "BZ," is a naval signal, typically conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio, meaning "Well Done" with regard to actions, operations or performance.
The following are the Bravo Zulu awards for this week:
Cadet Captain Jonathan Farmer is a senior and fifth-year cadet in Alpha Company. He is a day student from Scottsville, VA. As Drum Major of the Fork Union Military Academy Band, Farmer led the band to first place in the Fork Union Day Parade. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Farmer!
Cadet Captain Nicholas Willis is a junior and second-year cadet in Bravo Company. He is a boarding student from Ellicott City, MD. Cadet Willis recently offered mentoring to a cadet within his company. He showed a nurturing leadership style and was a great benefit to his peer. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Willis!
Cadet Captain Clayton Rosen is a senior and third-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Chicago, Il. Rosen personally organized and led a leadership training class for his non-commissioned officers and squad leaders. In doing so, he is a tremendous asset to his TAC Officer and company. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Rosen!
Mrs. Brynn Welch and Mrs. Maggie Gaeth worked closely with COL Goad to revise the master teaching schedule for Terms 2-5. Both teachers have not only been willing to adjust their own schedules but have also been willing to take on additional tasks to support the academic mission of the Academy. We appreciate their flexibility and dedication. Bravo Zulu, Mrs. Welch and Mrs. Gaeth!
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, October 9 | Admissions Open House on Campus
- Come visit our beautiful campus and learn about Fork Union Military Academy! 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. Open Houses are from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, November 13 | Admissions Open House on Campus
- Come visit our beautiful campus and learn about Fork Union Military Academy! 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. Open Houses are from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, February 19 | Admissions Open House on Campus
- Come visit our beautiful campus and learn about Fork Union Military Academy! 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. Open Houses are from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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!