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Stories in this issue:
- Jackson Pretus Accepted into Notre Dame Leadership Seminar
- Have You Ordered Your Skirmisher?
- Retan Rifles Perform at the Capital Classic Lacrosse Tournament
- Henry Jackson Speaks at Alumni Speaker Day
- Col Macek's Chemistry Experiment with Dry Ice
- Parent & Alumni Notes
- Bravo Zulu Awards
- Upcoming Admissions Events
- Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Jackson Pretus Accepted into Notre Dame Leadership Seminar
Fork Union Military Academy junior Jackson Pretus will be attending the Notre Dame Leadership Seminar this summer in South Bend, Indiana. Pretus will study Global Issues: Violence and Peace in the Modern Age.
"I am very excited about this program," said Pretus. "To me, this represents the culmination of my academic efforts thus far, and more importantly, an amazing opportunity to challenge myself. I am grateful to the FUMA faculty and administration, as well as my family, who've all been so supportive in making this possible."
The Notre Dame Leadership Seminar program is a competitive, 10-day program on Notre Dame's campus for academically talented students who show impressive leadership within their communities. It is one of the most selective summer college programs in the country, admitting only 120 students each year. Notre Dame funds all costs of the program, including tuition, room, and board.
"I hope to learn as much as I can while I am there," added Pretus. "I plan to study International Relations in college and one day work in diplomacy, so my seminar in Global Issues: Violence and Peace in the Modern Era is of great interest to me. With events over the last several weeks, this topic is even more relevant and pressing for all of us, so it will be a valuable experience to study with Notre Dame's faculty, particularly at this time. Also, this is a Leadership program, and I am confident that it will help advance my skills as a leader equipped to serve our community in my senior year at FUMA, and in the college years beyond."
Pretus will attend the seminar on July 16-27, 2022.
Congratulations, Jackson!
Retan Rifles Shined at the Capital Classic Lacrosse Tournament
This past weekend, 21 cadets from Retan Rifles and the Fork Union Military Academy Band presented the Colors at the Capitol Classic Lacrosse Tournament in Washington, D.C. At the start of this year, both Retan Rifles and Band were just a small group of young men who wanted to represent the school in amazing ways. Led by cadets Grant DeMorro, Owen Girod, Ousmane Dieng, and Aiden Burgess, these two groups have grown into something amazing.
At the start of the year, these young men made it clear that they would build something that everyone would be proud of. Through countless hours of practice outside of class, sports, clubs, and study hall, they have done just that. Members of Retan Rifles can be seen outside of Jacobsen Hall every evening after dinner practicing individually and together, working toward perfection. The band can be heard every morning at 0645 practicing music for the next event.
"As the band director and coach of Retan Rifles, I can say I have been blessed to have these young men as a part of these groups this year," said ETN1(SS) John Warren. "Without their drive, dedication, and vision for a better future, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We look forward to seeing alumni, family, and friends at the events we have leading up to graduation. I know I speak for everyone on campus when I say we are proud of these cadets."
Have You Ordered Your Skirmisher?
Don't forget to reserve your copy of the school's yearbook, The Skirmisher, from Jostens for this year! Go to jostens.com/2022yearbook or click the button below. Don't delay, do it today.
Distinguished Alumnus Henry Jackson Featured on Alumni Speaker Day
This past Saturday, distinguished alumnus Henry Jackson addressed the Corps of Cadets on Alumni Speaker Day. Watch his speech below:
A 1975 alumnus, Henry O. Jackson arrived at Fork Union Military Academy as a freshman from Baltimore, Maryland in the fall of 1971. Jackson's father was an enlisted man in the United States Army and his mother was a schoolteacher. He enrolled at Fork Union for the 9th grade at the suggestion of a friend who attended the Academy, and, when he arrived on campus to check-in, he and his parents learned for the first time that Jackson was one of only four African-American students on campus—the very first African American students ever to be enrolled in the Academy's history.
Jackson distinguished himself by his performance during his four years at Fork Union Military Academy and was selected to be the first African American officer in the Corps of Cadets, serving as a Platoon Leader his junior year and Commander of C Company his senior year. Jackson quickly moved up to Battalion Staff his senior year, serving as drill officer with the rank of Captain. In 1975, he became the first African American to graduate from Fork Union Military Academy having attended all four years of high school.
After graduating from Lincoln University's Pre-Medicine program, he then moved into a career in finance, including investment banking, private placement, and money management. Jackson recently returned to his scientific academic roots, graduating from the Biotechnology Institute of Maryland in 2007. He currently works as Laboratory Manager at Towson University's Center for STEM Excellence.
He and his wife reside in Randallstown, Maryland, near Baltimore. Jared, his son, attended Fork Union Military Academy as a postgraduate football player in 2014. Jackson describes his proudest moment as being when his son Jared described visiting the Academy's museum and, seeing his father's photograph on display, realized the special role that his father had played in the life of the school.
It was the patient and quiet courage of a young high school student, facing a social challenge he had not expected and performing in an exemplary manner, that helped open the doors of this school to students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Fork Union Military Academy today has one of the most diverse student bodies of any private school in the nation. The school's initial success in moving toward this goal can be credited, in no small part, to that young arriving 9th grader named Henry O. Jackson, who stayed to face an uncertain experience at an uncertain time in our nation's history.
Following his message to the Corps, Jackson was the honorary speaker at the annual Senior & PG Dinner on Saturday. All seniors and postgraduates were joined by their families in the Estes Dining Hall for a special dinner and pinning ceremony. Check out the pictures below!
COL Macek's Chemistry Class Experiments with Dry Ice
After 17 years, COL Stephen Macek has returned to the classroom this term teaching chemistry. This past week, his class experimented with dry ice to observe the process of sublimation.
Parent & Alumni Notes
Alumni Weekend Registration Open!
Get ready to REVISIT, REFLECT, RECONNECT, and REDO the reunion you missed out on!
Mark your calendars for April 29th - May 1st for our biggest reunion to date! We'll be celebrating three years' worth of reunions in ONE WEEKEND! We're so excited to be able to come together again, and we can't wait to see you back on Fork Union's campus.
Visit www.forkunion.com/alumniweekend for hotel information, schedule of events, and to register!
Please submit your reenrollment documents for the 2022-2023 academic year!
May 31st is the deadline to submit your reenrollment contract and pay your registration fee for the next school year. If you have any questions please email our admissions team at admissions@fuma.org.
Summer School 2022
If you are interested in enrolling your cadet to Summer School, please contact the admissions office at admissions@fuma.org. Please note that all cadets will have met with Mrs. Kelsey Hill before the end of the school year to discuss their schedule for 2022-2023.
Ring Ceremony Set for April 1
Cadets who have ordered their class ring will be honored with the Academy's annual Ring Ceremony which is set for Friday, April 1 at 1:30 PM in the Wicker Chapel. Parents of the recipients are invited and there will be a small reception to follow.
The Annual Military Ball is Set for April 2, 2022
The Quadrille Club invites all ninth-grade through postgraduate cadets to the 2022 "A Night Around the World" Military Ball on Saturday, April 2.
Tickets are $40 per couple. Please see Mr. York to sign up. Invitations will be emailed once payment has been made.
Does your cadet want to go to Italy?
Fork Union Military Academy cadets have the opportunity to pay their way to Italy with Explorica Educational Tours in December 2022! Ms. Regina Delman will be holding an informational meeting in the Wicker Chapel on May 6 at 11:00 AM. Any parent interested in their cadet joining the trip should come to the meeting. The meeting will be live streamed for those who cannot attend.
Academy Day set for April 23
Senator Mark Warner invites high school and middle school students, their parents or guardians, and school counselors to Academy Day 2022: April 23 from 1000-1230. Attendees will have the opportunity to join virtual breakout sessions with representatives from the United States service academies for presentations and an interactive question and answer period.
On the main stage, you will hear from representatives from the Virginia congressional delegation about the application procedures for congressional nominations to the academies as well as speakers from the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, the University of Virginia ROTC pro- grams, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, the Virginia Military Institute, and the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University. There will also be time to speak in more detail with many of these representatives at their virtual resource tables.
If interested in joining, please sign up click on the link:
Parade Schedule for Spring 2022
- Sunday, May 1 | Alumni Weekend Parade | 1:30 PM
- Friday, May 6 | Mother's Day Weekend Parade | 3:00 PM
- Friday, May 13 | Military Appreciation Parade | 3:00 PM
World Language Offering Survey
We would like your opinion on Fork Union's World Language offerings. Please fill out the quick survey on what language Fork Union should add in the future.
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 First Lieutenant Sebastian Quinteros is senior and second-year cadet in Bravo Company. He is a boarding student from Fort Worth, TX, a member of Retan Rifles, and Bravo Company’s Second Platoon Sergeant. Cadet Quinteros continuously consistently sets the example for his peers, and due to his superior performance, he has been promoted to Executive Officer. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Quinteros!
Cadet Second Lieutenant Sebastian Antoine-Pompey is a senior and first-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Mitchellville, MD, and member of the football team. Cadet Antoine-Pompey’s excellent leadership resulted in his selection of platoon sergeant very early in the year. During his two academic terms as platoon sergeant, his platoon became the top drilled platoon in the corps of cadets. His leadership and compassion for those he leads led to his selection as one of the top leaders in Charlie Company. Cadet Antoine-Pompey was recently selected as Executive Officer of Charlie Company. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Antoine-Pompey!
Cadet Captain Grant DeMorro is a junior and fifth-year cadet who serves as the Commander of Headquarters and Service Company. He has spent this year focusing on breathing new life into Retan Rifles. This past week, he led 13 members of Retan Rifles to present the colors at Audi Stadium in Washington D.C. for the Capitol Classic Lacrosse Tournament. Not only were there over ten thousand people present, but many more watching on TV. He is an outstanding leader who has worked with each of his cadets in both Band and Retan to bring them to a whole new level this year. Bravo Zulu, Cadet DeMorro!
Petty Officer John Warren, CSM Glenn Sidwell and select members of Band, Retan, and Color Guard - Last Saturday, Petty Officer John Warren took select members of the Academy’s Band, Retan Rifles, and Color Guard to present the colors and perform the national anthem at Audi Stadium in Washington, D.C., prior to the Capital Classic Lacrosse tournament’s marquee matchup between UVA and Maryland. Performing in front of several thousand fans, the Band performed a flawless rendition of the National Anthem while the Color Guard and members of Retan coupled to deliver an inspirational presentation of our nation’s colors. Undoubtedly, this great performance was fueled by the guidance, hard work, and dedication of Petty Office Warren (Band and Retan) and CSM Glenn Sidwell (Color Guard). Bravo Zulu, Petty Officer Warren, CSM Sidwell, and members of the Band, Retan, and Color Guard!
Ms. Tara Harkins, HR Specialist, is recognized for her superb customer service. She has made it a priority to meet with each employee since her arrival. Last week, Ms. Harkins guided two employees through their medical process with the utmost care and concern. Her attention to detail and customer focus is unparalleled. Bravo Zulu, Ms. Harkins!
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. The available spaces at our upcoming admissions events have been filling up quickly with our Fairfax, VA admissions events.
Saturday, April 9 -- Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, February 19th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
Saturday, May 14 -- Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, February 19th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
Saturday, April 23 -- Admissions Event in Wayne, PA
- Join MAJ Gary Leydig on Saturday, April 23 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Courtyard Philadelphia Valley Forge/King of Prussia Hotel in Wayne, PA to learn more about Fork Union Military Academy. Our host and 2003 alumnus Joe Davidson will also attend this event. Click here to register for this event.
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: Kristin Firewicz, Dan Thompson, Kate Goad, James Benson