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Stories in this issue:
- Fork Union Holds Successful Alumni Weekend
- Fork Union Military Academy Completes the Sidwell Leadership Campaign
- Fork Union Military Academy Celebrates Exemplary Conduct Cadets for Term 4
- Congratulations to Fleming Straughan for Winning the Sagamore Sweepstakes
- Fork Union's Band Wins Two Awards on a Busy Alumni Weekend
- Cadet Leadership Series Welcomes Allen Hill to Campus
- Upcoming Admissions Events
- Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Fork Union Holds Successful Alumni Weekend
This past weekend, Fork Union Military Academy buzzed with activity as alumni from across the years reconnected during our annual Alumni Weekend!
From the warm welcome at Friday's BBQ on Pruitt Lake to the spirited performances by the Corps of Cadets throughout the weekend, the event was a resounding success.
"The incredible support of our faculty, staff, and alumni, along with the dedication of the Corps, made this weekend truly special," shared Director of Advancement Tripp Billingsley.
Saturday was a packed day filled with friendly competition at the Cornhole and Golf Tournaments, an exciting alumni lacrosse game, and a chance to reminisce at the Alumni Dinner.
Sunday brought a change in scenery, with alumni veterans honored in a special ceremony. Class photos captured cherished memories, and the annual Alumni Parade, held at Fraley Circle due to a sprinkle of rain, culminated with the proud march of the Reunion Class of 1974.
"We are especially grateful to all our Reunion classes for their participation," concluded Billingsley. "Their presence added a special touch to the weekend."
Fork Union Military Academy Secures Funding for Command Sergeant Major Glenn Sidwell Endowed Leadership Scholarship
Fork Union Military Academy is proud to announce the successful completion of the Command Sergeant Major Glenn Sidwell Endowed Leadership Scholarship Campaign. This prestigious award, launched just seven months ago, will provide vital financial support for returning cadets who exemplify a strong commitment to servant leadership.
The campaign aimed to secure funding for the scholarship and establish a lasting tribute to CSM Sidwell’s distinguished military career and dedication to mentoring future generations of leaders. A key element was a matching challenge offered by the Congdon family, who pledged to double donations up to $100,000 received by July 1, 2024.
The campaign surpassed its initial goal thanks in part to a significant contribution from the Academy’s dedicated alumni. Heading into Alumni Weekend, a funding gap remained. During Saturday’s dinner, the Class of 2004, led by Dave Elliott, generously pledged the necessary funds to complete the matching challenge established by the Congdon family.
“This act by the Class of 2004 exemplifies the spirit of servant leadership that CSM Sidwell embodies,” said Director of Advancement Tripp Billingsley. “Their commitment to the Academy and their fellow cadets aligns perfectly with the core values instilled here at Fork Union.”
Established by Peter W. Congdon and his father, John R. Congdon, Jr., the scholarship honors CSM Sidwell’s lifetime of dedication to service. This prestigious award will provide crucial financial support for returning cadets who demonstrate a strong commitment to servant leadership.
CSM Sidwell, a West Virginia native, boasts an illustrious military career. His service includes tours in Vietnam with renowned units like Golf Company, 75th Rangers, and the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He also served with distinction stateside, earning the esteemed title of Distinguished Member of the Regiment with The Old Guard.
CSM Sidwell’s dedication is evident in his numerous commendations for valor and two Purple Hearts. His expertise and commitment are further highlighted by his Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and multiple other distinctions. Additionally, his pursuit of lifelong learning is reflected in his multiple master’s degrees.
To launch this scholarship, the Congdon family not only made a substantial initial contribution but also pledged to match all donations received before July 1, 2024, up to a remarkable $100,000. Thanks to the generosity of the FUMA community, the Academy successfully raised the matching threshold, prompting the Congdon family to contribute an additional $50,000 to the fund.
The Congdon family’s matching pledge effectively doubles the impact of every donation, honoring a man who has inspired generations of cadets, faculty, and staff. The Academy remains committed to building upon this scholarship fund, ensuring even more deserving cadet leaders can continue their education at Fork Union Military Academy.
Contributions to the Command Sergeant Major Glenn Sidwell Endowed Leadership Scholarship can be made online at www.forkunion.com/giving or mailed to:
- The Advancement Department
- Fork Union Military Academy
- 4744 James Madison HWY
- Fork Union, VA 23055
The Academy Honors Cadets with Exemplary Cadet Dinner for Term 4
In a celebration of exemplary conduct, Fork Union Military Academy recently hosted the Exemplary Cadet Dinner to recognize outstanding cadets who maintained four demerits or fewer during the fourth academic term. The event, held this past Monday at the Estes Dining Hall, welcomed 79 deserving cadets to the prestigious dinner.
The Exemplary Cadet Dinner is a special occasion where the dedicated staff and faculty of the academy come together to serve a gourmet meal to the honored cadets. Volunteers from the staff and faculty take on the roles of waitstaff, ensuring the cadets are served with excellence, from pouring their drinks to handling the cleanup.
As an added perk, cadets automatically become eligible for a raffle drawing during the dinner, offering them the chance to win exciting prizes generously donated by the academy's staff and faculty. The range of prizes is diverse, including gift cards, delightful goodie baskets, and exclusive FUMA merchandise, among other enticing items.
Heartfelt congratulations are extended to the outstanding cadets who qualified for the Exemplary Cadet Dinner in Term 4. Their commitment to excellence in conduct deserves this well-earned recognition.
- Daley Jon Lim Adams
- Mason Alexander Alson
- Everett Russell Amos
- Jayden N. Anderson
- Joseph Edward Athey
- Jafar Rahim Bah
- Caleb Scott Barber
- Ayden Bruce Bland
- Benjamin Aaron Block
- Nico Gaetano Brown
- Benjamin Burtram
- Robert Nicholas Spiak Callahan
- Seth Paul Cella
- Jacob Cook Clodfelter
- Nicholas Martin Coleman
- John Higbee Cottey III
- Gordon Scott Currey
- Francisco Jose Duarte
- David Eaton
- Ian Patrick Egbert
- Bilguun Enkhtur
- Jonathan James Farmer
- Jayden Hickman Ginty
- William Joseph Owen Girod
- Adrian Escobar Gomez
- Cameron Robert Gray
- Miles Jacob Graybill
- Seth Parker Groelz
- Laith Taurik Haddad
- Tyler Joseph Hill
- Nhan Trong Hoang
- Elijah Edwards Hunt
- Sean Scott Hurley
- Bowofoluwa Jaiyeoba Immanuel
- Preston Lee Inman
- Alex N. Jackson
- Dominic Xavier Jackson
- Josiah Levi Johnson
- Levi James Jones
- Elliott Christopher Jones
- Destin Marcos Lamadrid-Burkett
- Juan Leyva Saavedra
- Philippe Mumbere Lianavwa Jr.
- Christian Alexander Lopez
- Tyler Dale Manglicmot
- Nehemiah Jared Mayuga
- Aaron Joseph McDaniel
- Isaiah Joseph McDaniel
- Joshua McGuire
- Yannick Regis McLean
- David Julian Mehl
- Tucker Bailey Miller
- Noah Allen Miller
- Harry Kpaku Momolu
- Christian Rugamba Mukhisa
- Mason Ng
- Daouda Niang
- Benedict Christan Noller
- Kenny Manzi Nzamwita
- Cameron Edward Oppenheim
- Niv V. Patel
- Gavin Petelle
- Thinh Truong Pham
- Jaydn Tyler Pieron
- Joshua Larry Preston
- Ellis W. Roberts
- Pierce James Roberts
- Clayton Jacob Rosen
- Dylan Rwagasana
- Brandon Lee Scheel Jr.
- Ethan Jules Schroyer
- Kadin Lane Stremlau
- Vu Xuan Tran
- Eeziyah Velez
- Nicholas Ryan Venhorst
- Ethan Wayne Wells
- Elijah Thomas White
- Nicholas Caden Willis
- Zhichen Xie
The Band Shines at the Apple Blossom Parade
On Saturday, May 4, 65 members of the Fork Union Military Academy Band and Retan Rifles competed at the 97th Annual Apple Blossom Grand Feature Parade in Winchester, Virginia. The Academy came home with two awards, the Most Outstanding Military School Band, and the Most Outstanding Drum Major for the third-straight year in a row.
“This is an exhausting parade for any participant, but our cadets are a cut above the rest,” said Music Director John Warren. “Our cadets have spent multiple days over the last several months practicing. After an insane amount of demanding work on each cadet’s part, we were able to repeat the results for the third year in a row. This shows just how far each of our cadets have come, both for our drill team and our musicians.”
The parade is a grueling two-mile march where both units march together to represent the Academy. Schools from all over the East Coast were in attendance to perform. During the parade route, the cadets must always maintain forward motion, continuously playing and spinning rifles.
Fork Union’s Drum Major this year is senior Jonathan Farmer. Farmer is in his third year at the Academy and is the son of Jessica and Michael Farmer of Scottsville, Virginia.
During the weekend, not only did the Academy Band and Retan Rifles participate in this parade and win, but they were also included in the Queen Shenandoah Coronation escorting the princesses in all events and participated in the 2024 Alumni Weekend at the Academy.
Following the weekend, the Academy Band performed in its annual Fine Arts Festival on Thursday evening in front of the Corps of Cadets, staff, faculty and parents in the Estes Dining Hall. It was a spectacular evening filled with phenomenal music and good food.
Fleming Straughan Wins Sagamore Sweepstakes
We're thrilled to announce that Fleming Straughan is the lucky winner of the Sagamore Sweepstake! Huge thanks to Kevin Plank (Class of 1991) for his generosity in creating this amazing prize package.
Straughan will enjoy the following:
- Luxurious Staycation: A one-night stay in a Harbor View King room at the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore (valued at $369).
- Culinary Delights: A delicious meal with a $200 gift card to Nick's Fish House, a Baltimore staple known for its fresh seafood.
- Spirits Adventure: A tour for two at Sagamore Spirit Distillery, where he can learn about the distillery's process and sample their award-winning spirits.
Congratulations, Fleming! We hope you have an unforgettable Baltimore experience!
Allen Hill Addresses the Corps for the Fifth Christian Leadership Series
Fork Union Military Academy welcomed Allen Hill to campus on Wednesday morning for the fifth installment of its impactful Christian Leadership Series.
Established by academy trustee David Barrett, the CLS program invites successful Christian leaders to share their stories and inspire the Corps of Cadets. These speakers shed light on the powerful connection between faith, chosen careers, and effective leadership. Additionally, their visits help raise awareness of FUMA's mission to develop young men of strong character.
Mr. Hill, a native Virginian, excelled both academically and athletically during his youth. His faith became a cornerstone of his life when he married his wife Tammy in 1982. Together, they built a loving family with the birth of their daughter Rachel in 1988.
Allen's commitment to his faith is evident in his character, shaped by both blessings and challenges. His story aligns perfectly with the CLS program's core theme – showcasing successful individuals whose leadership journeys are rooted in their faith.
Stay tuned for the next Christian Leadership Series!
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.
Friday, May 17 | Admissions Event in Phoenix, AZ
- Interested in learning more about Fork Union Military Academy? An admissions team representative will be in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, May 17th, from 2 PM to 6 PM, for an Admissions Event held at Black Rifle Coffee located at: 4126 E Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018. Registration for this event is required. Click here to register by going to the appointment calendar for this event and selecting your preferred time slot on May 17th.
Saturday, May 18 | First Annual HBCU High School Football Camp
- Interested in learning more about Fork Union Military Academy? An Admissions Team representative will be attending the Arizona's First Annual Historically Black College and University (HBCU) High School Football Camp on Saturday, May 18th, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. This event will be held at the Higley High School Football Field located at: 4068 E Pecos Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85295. To learn more about this event: OrthoArizona to Sponsor State’s First HBCU Football Camp. Come see us!
Saturday, May 18 | Admissions Event in Mesa, Arizona
- Interested in learning more about Fork Union Military Academy? An admissions team representative will be in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, May 18th, from 5 PM to 8 PM, for an Admissions Event held at Black Rifle Coffee located at: 5105 S Power Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212. Registration for this event is required. Click here to register by going to the appointment calendar for this event and selecting your preferred time slot on May 18th.
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!