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It's Time to Schedule Senior & Cadet Portraits!
Make sure you take advantage of the autumn colors and schedule your senior and cadet portraits TODAY with Kristin Firewicz Studios!
Stories in this issue:
- Save the Date: Parents Day
- The Annual College Fair at Fork Union
- Meet our Director of College Placement Mrs. Kelsey Hill
- Photos: Cadets Enjoy Kayaking on the Rivanna River
- Two Cadets Earn National Recognition Program Awards from the College Board
- Bravo Zulu Awards
- Upcoming Admissions Events
- Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Save the Date: Parents Day
Each year, the Academy offers a special weekend designed for parents to spend time with their cadet. Families will have the opportunity to visit campus, meet the faculty and staff, and enjoy a fun afternoon with their cadet prior to an extended weekend leave. The extended weekend will go until Monday, October 24 at 7:00 PM.
Below is the schedule for Parent's Day.
Parent's Day | Friday, October 21, 2022
Following the Exam Day Schedule. The Final Exam for Term 1 will be from 7:45 AM to 11:30 AM.
- 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM | Parent's Day Parade on Stadium Field
- 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Teacher's Available for Parents for a Meet & Greet in the Estes Dining Hall
- 3:00 PM | Prep Football vs. Collegiate School on Stadium Field
- 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Parent's Day Cookout on Middle School Circle (Parents are invited! Please RSVP here.)
Notes to Consider:
Parents are invited to all events starting with the parade at 1:15 PM. Prep football athletes will not participate in the parade in preparation for their home game against Collegiate. It is yet to be determined if the parade and football game will be streamed.
Cadet parents and families are invited to the Parents Day Cookout. Please RSVP if you wish to attend.
Cadets who are not participating in athletic events throughout the weekend are eligible to leave campus with their families at 3:00 PM on Friday, Oct. 21. Cadets who are on the Prep Football and PG Football teams must wait until their event. Prep Football's home game versus Collegiate School should end approximately around 5:30 PM. PG Football's game at Bridgewater College is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2:00 PM.
Parent's Weekend Leave ends on Monday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 PM. All cadets must return to campus before 7:00 PM on Monday.
If a cadet needs FUMA Transportation Services for the Weekend Leave, private hires are only available starting Saturday morning on Oct. 22. Any cadets needing transportation to airports or train stations must request departure for Saturday, Oct. 22. Private hires are only available. The Academy will not offer shuttle services for Parent's Day Weekend Leave. Please put your requests in as soon as possible as there is limited availability. If you have any questions, please email transportation@fuma.org.
As always, all Leave Requests need to be made in the Orah Parent Portal.
The Annual College Fair at Fork Union Military Academy
This past Thursday, Fork Union Military Academy hosted its annual College Fair on campus. Cadets were able to meet with agents from 41 regional and national colleges. This outstanding informational experience gave the cadets the opportunity to meet face-to-face with college admissions representatives and ask various questions as they consider their post-high school options.
"The College Fair at Fork Union is always one of my favorite stops of the year," said a representative from the University of Richmond. "I know how hard these young men work to prepare themselves for high education. The dedication to bettering themselves as men, students and athletes is unrivaled. The Academy should be proud of the caliber of students they continue to produce year in and year out."
The event was organized by Ms. Rhonda White in the College Placement and Academic Services Department and hosted in the Estes Athletic Center.
Meet the Academic the Director of College Placement and Academic Services
Mrs. Kelsey Hill
Mrs. Hill enters her third year at the Academy. Mrs. Hill teaches as well as being the Director of College Placement and Academic Services.
Let's get to know Mrs. Hill!
What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy?
A former FUMA nurse (and friend from previous employment) informed me of a possible English position knowing I was looking to teach outside the public-school environment. It was at that time a current FUMA English teacher had announced he was going part time. It was "perfect timing"...
I am grateful every day that Col. Goad decided to take a chance on me.
What made you become a teacher?
I was returning to college after a quick visit home. I was in my second year of college and had declared English as a major. The radio played Alan Jackson's "When the World Stopped Turning" and Toby Keith's "Red, White, and Blue". I thought to myself "How cool would it be to have kids compare and contrast the tone/mood of these two songs in response to 9-11..." The next day I applied for the education program.
After about three years teaching 9th grade English, I developed a very strong passion of informing students that the preparation for post-high school plans starts the 9th grade year. I worked closely with the Corps of College Advisor representative at the school and presented with her to inform the students about the importance of 9th grade GPA and how to start planning so senior year is not so overwhelming. No matter what role -- educator or Director of College Placement and Academic Services ... I love what I do.
What is your favorite thing about teaching?
As cliche as it will sound ... I honestly love interacting with the kids. I love being able to help them with not just academics but with all aspects. I love learning from them as much as they learn from me. I love the stories and sometimes crazy comments students have that make me shake my head and laugh. It's cliche, I know, but it's the truth.
My parents always encouraged me to have a career and not a job ... I have tried different jobs, but teaching is my career.
What makes Fork Union special to you?
Many schools will claim they are a "family", which was never the case -- always the farthest thing from it (in my opinion). On one of my first days here, a wonderful person told me "We are like a family here. We don't always get along, but we work it out because we want to/know it's best." That might have been the realest statement I had heard about a working environment. To this day, that statement is still just as true as it was then. Every individual looks out for one another to ensure each person's success.
Not only that, but FUMA takes care of each other. FUMA does what it can to help each other out.
I also feel valued, heard, appreciated, and respected at FUMA. In the education world right now, that is not always the case.
What classes will you teach this year?
I am teaching Senior Seminar for cadets with the last names A-K (seniors and academic PGs). I work with cadets in grades 9-12 to set schedules and discuss post-high school plans. I did teach Resource and Honors English II in the past.
What other responsibilities do you have a FUMA besides teaching?
Direct of College Placement and Academic Services, Resource, Scheduling, and anything/everything college placement.
What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you?
I have never read/seen any of the Harry Potter series. I don't drink coffee, but I love the smell of it.
Fork Union Cadets Awarded with Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Programs
Fork Union Military Academy's Hunter McDonnell and Jackson Pretus excelled in College Board assessments and in schoolwork to earn these awards, which colleges use to identify academically competitive underrepresented students.
FORK UNION, VA -- Junior Hunter McDonnell and senior Jackson Pretus of Fork Union Military Academy have been awarded the National Rural and Small Town Award from the College Board National Recognition Program, the College Board announced last week.
These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process. In addition to the Rural and Small Town Recognition, colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National African American Recognition, Hispanic Recognition, and Indigenous Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service.
"These two students put great focus to their academics and post-high school plans," said Mrs. Kelsey Hill, Director of College Placement & Academic Services. "They have worked diligently to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. They use their time wisely in and outside of the classroom. Their perseverance and persistence are being rightfully recognized. These cadets have very bright futures ahead of them. I cannot wait to see what awards and recognitions they will earn next!"
Students who may be eligible have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.
Eligible students will be invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and will be awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Students will receive their awards in time to include them on their college and scholarship applications.
“We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs. This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor and it helps them plan for their big future.”
McDonnell is the son of Noel Orsak and Christopher McDonnell, while Pretus is the son of Jessica Neal. Both cadets have been enrolled at the Academy since the ninth grade.
Congratulations, gentlemen!
Does your cadet want to go to Italy?
Fork Union Military Academy cadets and chaperones can pay their way to Italy with Explorica Educational Tours. The new date for the Italy Trip is March 10-17, 2023. Ms. Regina Delman held an informational meeting back in May to inform parents of the trip. You can watch the meeting on YouTube here to learn all about the trip. All details remain the same, other than the date change. The enrollment deadline for the trip is November 20. If you have any questions regarding the Italy Trip, please reach out to Ms. Regina Delman at delmanr@fuma.org.
Check out the Italy Trip Itinerary here. Please make your own login to view the site.
For more information, click here.
This Week's Bravo Zulu Awards
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 Private Cyrus Boggs is a PG and first-year cadet in Alpha Company. He is a boarding student from Orange, VA. From day one, Cadet Boggs has had excellent room inspections with no visible room cleanliness infractions, and his marching, attention, and all column and formation movements are exemplary. He consistently takes initiative to complete his duties and sets a great example for fellow cadets. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Boggs!
Cadet Private William Searcy is a junior and first-year cadet in Bravo Company. He is a boarding student from Stanford VA. Cadet Searcy is an outstanding cadet in athletics and academics. He shows constant improvement on and off the field and made a 23-yard touchdown run in prep football last Friday. Cadet Searcy is working hard to become part of our cadet leadership team. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Searcy!
Cadet Private Jase McClung is an eighth grader and first-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Currituck, NC. Despite struggling with a leg injury, Cadet McClung volunteered to clean the entire youth space by himself during youth group. The adult volunteers at Fork Union Baptist Church praised his servant spirit and expressed how impressed they were with the caliber of young men that FUMA developed. Bravo Zulu, Cadet McClung!
Cadet Sergeant First Class Kelvin Montesinos is a junior and first-year cadet in HSC Company. He is a boarding student from Clermont, FL. Cadet Montesinos is Platoon Sergeant in 2nd Platoon and demonstrates outstanding dedication to those under his command. He shows great patience in high stress situations, careful deliberation of cadet issues, commitment to fulfilling his obligations, and constant communication with his chain of command. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Montesinos!
Cadet Private Ryan Conroy is an eighth grader and first-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Blacksburg, SC. Last weekend, Cadet Conroy assisted a staff member with cleaning up the Estes Athletic Center. His dedication to ensuring campus cleanliness is much appreciated. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Conroy.
Cadet Private First Class Kadin Stremlau is an eighth grader and second-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from McAllen, TX. Last weekend, Cadet Stremlau assisted a staff member with cleaning up the Estes Athletic Center. His dedication to ensuring campus cleanliness is much appreciated. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Stremlau!
COL Winston Brown, Health/PE Instructor and Cross Country Indoor and Outdoor Track Coach, organized The Invitational at Fork Union Military Academy cross country meet. The event welcomed participants from more than 50 teams and over 1,000 competitors. His preparation and hard work in advance of the meet ensured a great event for all. Bravo Zulu, Coach Brown!
Mrs. Jessica Farmer, Quartermaster Assistant and Seamstress, has extended her daily hours to ensure our cadet uniforms fit properly. We appreciate her flexibility to meet the needs of our cadets. Bravo Zulu, Mrs. Farmer!
Go FUMA!
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 Fairs in various cities and regions throughout the year.
Saturday, September 24 | Admissions Event in Fairfax, VA
- Come meet with our Admissions team representative to discuss enrollment opportunities for our current school year and the 2023-24 school year at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks. Information on our summer camp schedule will also be available.
Wednesday, September 28 | Admissions Event in Lexington, KY
- COL Steve McCoy will represent Fork Union Military Academy's admissions team in hosting an Open House Admissions Event on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Courtyard Lexington Keeneland/Airport, 3100 Wall Street, Lexington, KY 40513. Stop by and learn more about Fork Union Military Academy and our admissions process.
Thursday, September 29 | Admissions Event in Lexington, KY
- COL Steve McCoy will represent the Academy's admissions team at the Lexington School High School Fair from 3 PM to 5:30 PM. The Lexington School is a private school for grades PreK-8th Grade located in Lexington, Kentucky.
Monday, October 10 | Admissions Open House on Campus
- We would like to invite you to our October 10th Admissions Open House on the campus of Fork Union Military Academy. Registration 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!
Credits:
Photos by: Kelly Barnette, James Benson, Kristin Firewicz, Steve Macek, Tara Harkins & Malique Trumbo.