The Sabre Magazine: Winter-Spring 2023

The Sabre

Randolph-Macon Academy

Winter-Spring 2023

A Falcon Foundation School

Published by RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY

200 Academy Drive Front Royal, VA 22630

540-636-5200 www.RMA.edu

Editor: Jenny Walton

Photography: Misti Walters

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. Harry G. Austin, III ‘75 Chairman

Mr. John Simar ‘68 Vice Chairman

Ms. Patty Keenan Secretary

Ms. Lucy Williams Hooper Treasurer

Mr. Eric Anderson ‘88

Dr. Bill Bersing ‘85

Mr. Brian Bogart

Ms. Heather Grossman, P’16, ‘18, ‘21

Dr. Tess Hegedus

Mr. Doug Huthwaite ‘69

Mr. Ed Morris ‘97

Mr. Alonzo Neese, III ‘01

Ms. Katie Tewell ‘97, P’22, ‘25

Ex-Officio Members

Mr. Bryan V. Moore ‘84

Ms. Valerie Wilson, P’24

Rev. Dr. Victor Gomez

PRESIDENT

Brig Gen David C. Wesley, USAF, Retired

The Sabre is published for alumni, parents, and friends of the Academy. Send any comments or suggestions to: jwalton@rma.edu

To unsubscribe from The Sabre, send your name and address to: alumni@rma.edu

Pictured left: Cadre members tackle an obstacle course at Virginia Military Institute, practice teamwork with Boomer’s Run, and make lasting friendships during Leadership Training in August.

GENERAL’S GREETINGS

It is an honor to offer you this latest edition of the Sabre. Its release comes in the middle of our strongest enrollment growth in many years, with athletic success and academic progress attained across your Academy.

All of these accomplishments are the work of the entire R-MA community, and while we celebrate, I’d like to recognize some folks who are doing even more to propel us forward. The Parent’s Association has long been a strength for our campus and this year’s team is remarkably adept at supporting student and faculty alike! Giving their time to one-of-a-kind events like the Homecoming Dance and raising critically needed funds to support campus projects has always been a part of the PA arsenal, but the quality and volume of work done this year is without peer in my tenure. On behalf of all who wear our colors, THANK YOU to our Parents Association!

I mentioned Homecoming - as those who attended already know, this was something truly special! The number of returning alumni and the programs they participated in with our students gave voice to the Power of Rise in new and powerful ways. Major General Brown’s keynote address on “The Power of Grit” in the lives of our students and cadets was enthusiastically received by the Corps of Cadets, and Pawnshop kings did a superb job of entertaining our alumni at the Celebration Dinner on Friday night.

As we look to the spring of 2023 and beyond, it is clear that to sustain the positive growth our Academy is enjoying, we will require more teachers, and they will need a place to live. I am honored to share that an anonymous and incredibly generous donor has stepped forward to build Memorial Hall, a new faculty and staff townhome development on campus.

Individual units will be available as naming opportunities to recognize past heroes of the R-MA faculty and staff, and you are invited to help name these units, to memorialize the work those leaders did to foster your education. At the anonymous donor’s request, funds raised for these naming opportunities will be used to maintain Memorial Hall in perpetuity (see pages 14-15).

So exciting to think about all that the 131st R-MA class will build on the foundation laid by our recent graduates! I hope you enjoy this edition of the Sabre, and that you will join us for Commencement 2023 in May.

GO Jackets!

David C. Wesley Brigadier General, USAF, Retired President

RISE INSIDE

R-MA CROSS COUNTRY WINS BIG

The fall season was a great success for R-MA Cross Country!

With a victory over Foxcroft and Highland, the girls team ended their GPAC season undefeated, taking home their first conference championship. Team members Ruth Teferi ‘25 (top left) and Iman Vactor ‘25 earned All-Conference Team honors. The team next headed to the VISAA state meet, where they finished in 6th place. Teferi ran a personal best time of 22:48, taking 13th place out of 111 runners, and earning a place on the AllState team. Coach Don Williams was named Girls Coach of the Year based on the team’s achievements! The boys team also had a strong showing this year, finishing as conference runners-up for the second year in a row and 10th at the VISAA state meet. Ryder Perkins ‘24 and David Reynolds ‘25 earned All-Conference Team honors.

JOINING THE TEAM FRANK CARLUCCI

Frank Carlucci joined R-MA in August of 2021, teaching Aerospace Science through that academic year. He assumed the role of Commandant in July, taking on responsibility for the operation of the Corps of Cadets, student services, residential life, the aviation department, and athletics. He also serves as a mentor, and as head coach of the girls basketball team.

A former Naval Intelligence Officer and then Corporate Officer in the technology industry, Mr. Carlucci is also a licensed history and social studies teacher. He has traveled to over fifty countries and all but three states. He and his wife, Yvette, reside in Stephens City, Virginia with their two dogs. They have two daughters, one a student in college and the other a fifth-grade mathematics teacher.

FLYING SOLO KUNNIAN ZHAO ‘23

On Wednesday, November 2, Kunnian Zhao took to the skies around the Front Royal airport. After waiting a day for calmer winds, it was his day to fly alone. Kunnian successfully completed three solo traffic patterns in an R-MA Cessna 172 - a milestone in his aviation training. His next goal is to earn his private pilot’s license.

A senior from Beijing, China, Kunnian has been at R-MA for nearly four years. In addition to the aviation program, he holds the rank of C/1LT and is a member of Cadre, and has repeatedly made the Dean’s and President’s lists for academic performance.

ADMISSIONS UPDATE ENROLLMENT ON THE RISE

The Admissions Team has been hard at work, creating the Academy’s biggest year-over-year enrollment growth in 8 years!!

Director of Upper School Admissions and Financial Aid, Amy Harriman (pictured top right), has spearheaded efforts to maximize enrollment data while leveraging admissions trends to catapult efforts for Financial Aid Optimization. Her extensive research has had far-reaching effects in attracting and retaining talented students, while spreading awareness of the unwavering support the Academy has received from donors like you. R-MA’s Upper School classes are as dynamic as ever, and Amy’s efforts have directly contributed to shaping future classes here at R-MA.

Director of International Recruitment and Middle School Admissions, Pam Cole (pictured bottom right), recently visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as well as Seoul, South Korea to meet with some of the Academy’s longest-standing international alumni and parent communities. Hosting three distinct events, Pam also met with prospective families, government officials and recruiting partners to maximize our international efforts for a variety of constituents. Pam’s efforts have also led to a growth explosion in the Middle School, which now boasts healthy and stable enrollment across all grade levels.

On the marketing front, the Academy’s website, YouTube videos, social media presence, and unique online campaigns are industry-leading indicators that have put R-MA at the head of the pack for independent school brand awareness and promotion. Enrollment Management’s latest production includes the Portrait of a Graduate brochure and online experience. Featuring R-MA students and recent graduates, the brochure showcases the embodiment and ideals every R-MA graduate endeavors to attain.

Be sure to check out the Portrait of a Graduate, new videos and pictures from our travels, and Admissions pages to Meet Our Students!

Go Jackets!

Sung Chu Vice President & Director of Enrollment Management

PORTRAIT OF AN R-MA GRADUATE

A graduate of Randolph-Macon Academy will be a broadly educated, adaptive leader of character, ready to pursue a life of meaning and success emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Featured left: Malachi Ham ‘22

Malachi served as President among Senior Class Officers and was a member of the Cadre Leadership Group. He received the President’s Award for Academic Achievement and the Senior Mile Award. Malachi was active in several National Honor Societies and received over $1 million in college scholarships.

R-MA CADRE 2022-23

Every year, R-MA juniors and seniors are given the opportunity to become the next leaders of the Cadet Corps. Through a rigorous selection process requiring faculty recommendations, interviews, and more, a select group are chosen to serve on the Cadre leadership team. They must possess high standing in academics, character, and in their leadership ability and potential, and must have a reputation for trustworthiness, cooperation, initiative, and teamwork - because they have an important job to do. Cadre members are responsible for pulling the Cadet Corps together - helping all cadets to grow as scholars, guiding them to compete and achieve, and encouraging each and every one to take full advantage of their time at R-MA.

Leading the Corps this year are Group Commander C/LTC Henry Scott ‘23, Deputy Group Commander C/MAJ Tyra Mairura ‘23, and Command Chief C/CMSGT Caleb Wilson ‘24. Scan the QR code to see videos featuring these tremendous young leaders!

GROUP COMMANDER

C/LTC HENRY SCOTT ‘23

Originally from Marshall, VA and now living in South Carolina, Henry has been attending R-MA for seven years. His position as Group Commander represents the ultimate level of responsibility and dedication to the Corps. Henry is also a member of the National Honor Society, the German National Honor Society, the English National Honor Society, and the wrestling team. One of his proudest accomplishments is his solo flight from Marshall, VA to Oshkosh, WI in an ultralight aircraft at the age of just 14!

DEPUTY GROUP COMMANDER C/MAJ TYRA MAIRURA ‘23

The oldest of three girls in her family, Tyra is from Phillipsburg, NJ. Tyra cites her role as Deputy Group Commander as one of her greatest accomplishements of her time at R-MA. She is also President of the senior class, Vice President of the Interact Club, and founder of the Connect Club, which celebrates the incredible diversity found here on The Hill. The group meets weekly to discuss relevant current and global events, and last year hosted an International Night, featuring food, dress, and music representing R-MA students from all over the the world.

GROUP COMMAND CHIEF C/CMSGT CALEB WILSON ‘24

Caleb is a junior at Randolph-Macon Academy. When he was in seventh grade, he and his mother moved from Houston, TX to Front Royal to allow him to attend R-MA. In his time on the Hill, Caleb has excelled in academics, athletics (he is a member of the Track & Field and Cross Country teams), and within the Corps. He lists his two biggest accomplishments as becoming Group Command Chief, and earning the Boy Scouts rank of Eagle Scout at age 13!

RISE TOGETHER HOMECOMING 2022

R-MA alumni from across the country and around the world returned to the Academy over the weekend of October 21-22 to celebrate Homecoming and Reunions!

Homecoming 2022 kicked off in Boggs Chapel, with words on “The Power of Grit” delivered by Major General Mark Brown, USAF, Retired. Maj Gen Brown asked the gathered Corps and visitors to think about what was different about R-MA – what students learn here that allows them to earn a 100% college acceptance rate and average scholarship awards of more than $100,000 each, year after year. His answer was simple: “The biggest predictor of success is grit... put differently, don’t ever quit.”

Later that evening, the Yellow Jackets gathered for the Alumni Celebration Dinner at the Shenandoah Lodge and Athletic Club. General Wesley gave opening welcome remarks, thanking attending current and past members of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and offered his perspective on The Power of Rise: “Our students learn to take risks, to succeed, and yes, sometimes to failbut always to move forward, aim high, and achieve.” Attendees enjoyed conversation and fellowship during dinner, as well as a special performance by Pawnshop kings.

Festivities continued the next morning with a coffee hour hosted by the Parents Association and an Academics Open House in Stan Fulton Hall, followed by the Homecoming Memorial Parade. This year’s Homecoming Flag was presented to Mr. Steve Turner and Ms. Pam Smith, accepting on behalf of their mother, Mrs. Lois Turner. Mr. Turner and Ms. Smith were also invited to oversee the parade along with General Wesley.

Following the Parade, alumni gathered under a tent adjacent to Riddick Field for the Homecoming Lunch

and the Alumni Association’s annual meeting. The Alumni Association approved the slate of officers for 2022-23 and added a new Director, Emma Bunker ’16. The Alumni Association then presented the Staff Recognition Award to Mr. Eric Barr and the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Mr. George D. Mathias ‘54. Mr. Mathias was also honored by the Board of Trustees for his nearly 50 years of service to the Academy. Acting on their behalf, General Wesley explained that the Board will be renovating SonnerPayne Hall’s Map Room, which will be renamed The George D. and Marilyn Mathias Conference Room, and presented Mr. Mathias with a bronze plaque to mark the occasion.

With official business concluded, the Yellow Jackets took the field for the Homecoming game, facing the Perkiomen Panthers. While the Jackets didn’t take the win (final score was 46-28), Coach John Lacombe said, “It was terrific to see so many football alumni come share wisdom and encouragement with our players. We work towards our season finale with anticipation of continued growth and momentum in the offseason.”

Several classes gathered for individual reunions on Saturday night. The Class of 1957 enjoyed dinner at Regions 117, the Class of 1962 at Element Restaurant, the Class of 1972 at the Clubhouse at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club, and the Classes of 1965-70 and 1997 were hosted by George McIntyre ’69 and Katie Tewell ’97.

Scan the QR code to see Homecoming videos, and visit RMAphotos.com to see more photos from the weekend. Visit RMA.edu/alumni/homecoming for information about Homecoming 2023 (coming soon!).

CAMPUS NAMING OPPORTUNITY DONOR CREATES MEMORIAL HALL

In addition to a shared belief in R-MA’s vision, making leaders who will improve humanity, one of the Academy’s most powerful attractions for faculty and staff is its safe, affordable campus housing. These facilities invite employees and their families to enjoy the vibrant culture found here on The Hill, and become an integral part of campus life – to the benefit of the Academy’s young men and women, 80% of whom are boarding students. The Academy’s expanding enrollment (see pages 8-9) has brought over 330 students to campus for the 2022-23 school year, and so the ranks of the faculty and staff must expand as well. While R-MA’s existing units provide 44 employee families with on-campus houses, townhomes, apartments, and even dorm rooms, there are another 17 employee families on the waiting list already – and as more employees join the R-MA team, that need will only grow.

Memorial Hall will be sited along the gravel road adjacent to the football practice field. The above image indicates the planned location of the townhomes relative to West Main Street, Academy Drive, and Chowning Hall Drive.

In a tremendous step toward overcoming this challenge, an anonymous donor has come forward to assist the Academy in constructing a complex of six 3-bedroom townhomes for faculty and staff members and their families. This complex will be called Memorial Hall, with each townhome to be named for a distinguished R-MA teacher or staff member.

Memorial Hall will sit west of the Academy’s existing faculty housing, across the gravel access road from the football practice field, providing a beautiful view of the mountains and easy access to the rest of campus. Construction will begin this spring.

Individuals or groups wishing to endow one of the six units and name one or more of the townhomes in honor of a current or past member of the Academy’s faculty or staff should contact Jenny Walton, Director of Advancement, at jwalton@RMA.edu or 540-6365343. At the anonymous donor’s request, contributions to these naming opportunities will be placed into a fund that will maintain the townhomes in perpetuity, ensuring that Memorial Hall will deliver excellence for R-MA for decades to come.

Further on-campus expansion of faculty and staff housing is planned for the next two years, and the Board of Trustees will review those options as part of the new Strategic Plan, projected for release next fall. These investments demonstrate the Board’s commitment to matching our great faculty and staff with facilities and equipment that will enhance the Academy’s programs, and thus the performance of our graduating classes, well into the next century.

Final designs for Memorial Hall have not been selected as of the publication of this edition; however, the above facades are representative examples of possible facades.

CONTEST-WINNING ESSAY WHAT FREEDOM MEANS TO ME

In 2020, Mr. George W. Meeks ‘53 created an essay contest for Upper School students. The challenge: to think deeply about what freedom is, and to reach a conclusion in just 500-700 words. Each year, he provided a choice of topics, and chose the winning essays himself.

In 2021, the options were: freedom deriving from God’s grant of free will; freedom based on those given by God and protected by the US constitution; freedom granted by our family and/or school; how we earn more freedoms as we grow in age and responsibility; and freedom versus license and how we differentiate the two.

Mr. Meeks selected the following essay as a winning entry for 2021 - the last time he’d do so, as he passed away in July of 2022.

THE AGE FREEDOM PARADOX

BY CALEB WILSON ‘24

Humans start out as babies, helpless and dependent on their parents to survive, yet the transformation from baby to adult is truly an incredible feat. The transition from a dependent baby to a fully independent adult and back again to a dependent elderly person is an ironic cycle.

A baby is dependent on their parents for food, shelter, and mobility. They have limited freedom and rely on

their parents to do just about everything for them, including bathing, eating, and yes - even cleaning them after they use the bathroom. As a baby grows over time, they learn to walk and talk, which comes with a person’s first form of freedom - the freedom of speech.

As children grow and go out into the world to school and other social settings, they begin to develop their

own personalities and independent thoughts. This starts to shape who they are and what responsibilities they may take on in the future. Children grow and mature and start to learn more life skills such as how to cook, clean, or do laundry. As they grow they begin to question their freedoms and seek independence especially in their teenage years.

Teenagers are at the age where they begin to question and push back on their freedoms and try to discover their boundaries and limitations. This creates the image of teens being rebellious or annoying, but being a teenager is one of the most important seasons of a person’s life. Teenagers start to take on more responsibilities, such as getting a driver’s license or a job, and learning the ways of the world. Teens also learn how to interact with people better and may start dating, but during this convoluted stage of life they are also working towards a high school diploma, so that they can enter the workforce or pursue higher education.

After high school when teenagers become young adults, they will begin to fully experience the real world without as much guidance from their parents or caregivers. They must use their knowledge and newfound freedom to survive and thrive based on the knowledge they have acquired to that point, keeping always at the forefront of their minds to never stop learning and questioning.

During their lives, adults gain more freedoms taken on in the form of responsibilities. They may get married and raise a family and must balance their work with their family responsibilites. Ironically, with more freedom often comes more stress and more responsibilities, because it comes with more choices and required agendas. Children see adults as those with the most freedoms. We often cannot wait to “grow up,” not realizing the restrictions placed on adults’ freedoms because of the burdens they carry, even welcomed burdens like a family.

As adults reach the twilight of their lives and their children are grown and they retire from the workforce, one would think this is the point that a person would have and enjoy the most freedom. But, as adults grow older they start to get weaker, limiting their mobility. With restricted mobility, the elderly can become dependent on someone else to take care of their most basic needs; as if they were a baby. Along with their mobility, they may begin to lose themselves as their brain starts to decay and who they are as a person can be lost. The irony of aging and gaining more freedoms is that the further in life one goes, the more our freedoms are taken away as we revert back to childlike dependencies.

When people grow and mature, we long for more freedoms and we take on the responsibilities that come with them. However, as we travel on this quest we start to lose some of the freedoms we had earlier in life, like the freedom from problems, from decisions, and from worry we experienced as babies. We don’t know what freedoms we have until we lose them. So today, think about what freedoms and responsibilities you have and utilize them to their fullest potential.

SERVICE BEFORE SELF R-MA STUDENTS GIVE BACK

This fall, R-MA students have been finding ways to give back to our local community through intramurals, clubs and more. As part of the community service intramural, one group chose to support Serenity Farm, an animal rescue non-profit located in Berryville. Their activities included a puppy food collection drive, a pumpkin collection after Halloween - they learned that farm animals love eating pumpkins - and socializing puppies to help prepare them for new homes, as well as cleaning out storage spaces to allow the rescue to store its hay for the winter. With geneous support from the R-MA Parents Association, the Art intramural also designed and created original centerpieces for a Habitat for Humanity gala, with the theme “everyone deserves a decent place to live.”

At both the Middle and Upper School, the Interact Club also looked outward this fall. Projects conducted so far this year have included cleaning up litter around campus and nearby neighborhoods, and preparing bags of food for families in need. R-MA Upper School students mentoring Middle School students via the Big Brother/Sister program also assembled and delivered “thank you” gift bags for R-MA faculty and staff.

At the Middle School, all seventh graders participate in Global Quest, a class that follows a leadership curriculum provided by Lead4Change. Teams of students identify local non-profit organizations that they would like to support, and work together to collect donations. Selected projects and organizations this year included refurbishing the R-MA garden, House of Hope for Homeless Men, the Humane Society of Warren County, the Winchester ASPCA, Able Forces, and more. As in previous years, each project concludes with an entry application into the Lead4Change contest, with winners to be announced in summer 2023.

RISE BEYOND

CELEBRATING HISTORY

1925 R-MA SCRAPBOOK

Recently, Randolph- Macon Academy was fortunate enough to get back a little piece of its history.

Mrs. Shonna Canter of Richmond, Kentucky found an old scrapbook from 1925 in a bundle of boxes she had purchased from an estate sale. As she flipped through the well-preserved pages, she realized that she had memories of brothers Matthew Dier Hume Clay ‘25 and Neal McClure Clay ‘25 in her hands. She knew she had to know more - so she and a friend drove to the Academy and delivered the scrapbook in person.

The scrapbook contains photos, report cards, sports programs and tickets, receipts for class rings, and much more. Special souvenirs have survived the years including a lifeguard’s ring patch, wings from a uniform, and pins. Most remarkably, it also contains the original negatives for many of the photos inside.

Born to Matthew Hume Clay and Mattie Neal of Winchester, Kentucky, the Clay brothers attended the Academy’s sister campus at Bedford, Virginia. The Bedford campus had been established in 1890 and merged with the Front Royal campus in 1934. Newspaper clippings in their scrapbook laud them for their many accomplishments. Neal was announced as the recipient of the “loving cup” for proving himself “of most value to the school through the year,” and was also captain of the state championship-winning basketball team, Matthew was described as “a star player” on the basketball team, and earned the right to wear a monogram for his performance on the swim team.

Unfortunately, little is known of the Clay brothers beyond their time at R-MA - by 1954, they were listed in the alumni directory as inactive - but with the addition of this scrapbook to the Academy’s archives, their legacy will live on for years to come. To see more pictures from the 1925 scrapbook, visit RMAphotos.com.

#JACKETSGIVE SUCCESS SUPPORTING R-MA ATHLETICS

Thanks to the generous support of more than 100 Yellow Jacket alumni, parents, and friends, this year’s #JacketsGive campaign was a tremendous success and raised nearly $25,000 for R-MA Athletics!

This year’s campaign included special videos featuring current R-MA athletes. These young men and women reflected on what they’ve learned during their time on our courts and fields, and how it might serve them in their lives going forward. Scan the QR code to watch them all!

Ruth Teferi ‘25 represented the Cross Country team for #JacketsGive. “One thing my coach always used to say [about this sport] is that it’s 90% mental and 10% physical, meaning that it’s all in your head,” she said. “I want to be a lawyer one day, and mental toughness will help me in the courtroom as I’m dealing with difficult situations.”

Chidera George ‘24 is the center for the boys basketball team. “I want to be a dental surgeon,” he shared. “I feel like having good shape of character and teamwork skills is going to be important.” Grant Leasure ‘24, a forward for the Yellow Jackets, agreed. “The two main characteristics I gained from playing

basketball here are leadership and teamwork. That will play a big role in my life as I’m leading a company or troops in the military.”

Henry Scott ‘23 aspires to become a combat rescue officer. As a member of the wrestling team, he says he’s learning grit and fortitude: “I’m fighting the battles on the wrestling mat before I fight them in the real world.”

Shawn Starling ‘23 is on the wrestling and soccer teams. “These sports have taught me so much about determination, dedication, and fortitude,” he said. “This will help me in my future when I’m becoming a systems engineer.”

Even if you missed Giving Tuesday, you can still contribute to R-MA Athletics! Make your gift at RMA.edu/alumni/support and use the Athletics designation. Your donation will make an immediate difference for R-MA athletes and coaches!

CLASS NOTES

Theodor Grossman ‘57 shared that he is living in Punte del Este, Uruguay and was recently featured in a one-man art show at the Centro Cultural in Maldonado. He was also selected as an April 2022 Artist of the Month at Camelback International Art Gallery.

Jim Shoemaker ‘61 has written his second book, entitled “The History of Norfolk Naval Shipyard” (now available on Amazon!). The books tells the story of the shipyard from 1967-present. Jim credits his R-MA English teacher, Mr. Herb Wyatt (affectionally known as “Herb the Verb” and the dedicatee of the 1961 Randomac) for his writing ability. “He was one of those teachers you never forget,” said Jim. “He was a big influence on me, and I am sure on others whose lives he touched.”

Harold Robinson ‘68 was formally inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame in August. A native of Washington, North Carolina and former Williamstown High School football coach and athletic director, Harold led his team to 239 game wins in 24 years, including 1A state titles in 1995 and 1999, and four other trips to the championship game. His teams also won seven conference titles, and WHS won 10 Conference Cup trophies during his time as athletic director. Harold has been honored with many awards during his career, including Coach of the Year from the Associated Press in 1999, Greenville Daily Reflector in 1983, 1996, and 2000, and the Washington Daily News in 1982, 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2002. He served as President of the North Carolina Football Coaches Association in 1994-1995, and on the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors. Notably, he is credited with founding the statewide North Carolina Shrine Bowl Combines. “It is an unbelieveable honor to be chosen,” Harold said. “The most accomplished coaches and athletes in our state are part of this, and I’m amazed and humbled to be joining them.”

David Weaver ‘88 retired from the US Air Force as a Major on March 1, 2022 after 32 years of service. David served active duty deployments during the first Gulf War and in US Operations in Somalia, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Horn of Africa, and more. As a loadmaster and pilot, he accumulated over 6,000 hours of flight time in the C-5M Super Galaxy. He earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. In his civilian career, David flew the Cessna Latitude for NetJets Airlines before moving to Vista Jet Airlines, flying the Challenger 350. He recently took a position with Atlas Air, where he will be flying the 747; he also served as an Air Force ROTC instructor with the 890th Cadet Wing at the University of Virginia. He has three children, Shiloh (11), Brooklyn (9), and Teddy James (7).

Josh Ryner ‘93 and his wife Gabi moved back from Germany in 2019 and are now living in Colorado, where Josh is a contractor for the US Air Force. He and Gabi are enjoying the empty nester lifestyle, spending as much time as possible vacationing at beach destinations. From Josh to his classmates: “See you all at our 30th reunion in 2023!”

Chris Flynn ‘94 shared in August that he would soon be retiring from the US Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant, after serving 24 years of active duty (10 as a mechanic on the AC-130(U) Gunship, and 14 in Air Force Recruiting). He plans to move back to Richmond, VA. Reflecting on all he has achieved, Chris credits R-MA with a vital role. “I floundered at Virginia Tech after graduation,” he said. “My mother asked me when I was the happiest and [suggested that I] go back to that place...that place, for me, were the years I spent at R-MA wearing the Air Force uniform. So I joined the Air Force. I got my head on straight and got a BS from Liberty University, and my MBA from William & Mary. It was the discipline that began at R-MA that helped me...thank you, R-MA, for providing the foundation for me as well as my family and my Air Force career.”

LtCol Mike Starling, USMC, Retired ‘88 met up with fellow R-MA alumni during a recent visit to the Virginia Military Institute! From left to right are: Rana Diallo ‘19 , Nate Sylvia ‘19 , LtCol Starling ‘88 , Nate Stewart ‘19 , and Dang Khoa Le ‘21 .

Urenna Okoye ‘20 has written a book entitled “Design Your Dream Life: The Young Adult’s Guide to Building Your Life Using Money” (now available on Amazon). Ure is currently studying Economics and Finance at Duke University.

Erin Vandale ‘22 (now attending the US Naval Academy) and Cecilia Paredes ‘22 (now attending the US Military Academy) met up at the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia on December 10. While the Black Knights took the win, the real victory was this enduring R-MA friendship!

Got

an update to share with the Yellow Jacket family?

Submit your class note to advancement@RMA.edu!

FINAL ROLL CALL

Since the publication of the last issue of The Sabre, we have received notification that the following members of the Randolph-Macon Academy family have passed away. They are greatly missed, and they will remain in our hearts forever.

(Please note: Notifications received after December 14, 2022 are not included in this list.)

George H. Applegate, Jr. ‘42

July 9, 2021

Robert F. DeGise ‘44

November 6, 2021

James A. Watson, III ‘45

November 3, 2022

Charles F. Cowell, Jr. ‘46

June 7, 2022

H. Marshall Dixon ‘46

March 14, 2022

Glenn P. Kellam ‘48

December 31, 2021

Joseph S. Downes ‘53

November 11, 2022

George W. Meeks ‘53

July 27, 2022

John L. Vaughan ‘58

May 20, 2022

Ernest R. Bowler, III ‘59

October 19, 2022

Chris Rogers ‘59

April 30, 2022

Thomas E. Reynolds, Jr. ‘61

November 6, 2022

Morton Riddle, IV ‘61

August 31, 2022

James R. Matlack ‘64

August 14, 2022

Robert E. Horn ‘65

September 24, 2022

Arthur P. Rawlings ‘67

August 9, 2020

Charles A. Roach ‘67

July 4, 2022

John H. Bentley ‘68

October 24, 2022

Frank M. Grimaldi ‘68

June 3, 2021

William Sherman ‘68

November 25, 2022

John E. Young ‘69

July 30, 2022

G. Gilbert Pope ‘70

February 19, 2022

Robert P. McCord ‘77

December 8, 2020

Scott Hertzog ‘80

August 22, 2021

Mack C. Stocks ‘80

April 14, 2021

Marietta Schmidt ‘82

April 28, 2022

Maria Puray-Morefield ‘84

June 13, 2022

David W. Dennis ‘89

November 10, 2017

Samantha J. Lehmann ‘89

March 7, 2018

Jason R. Allen ‘93

September 3, 2022

Michael J. Quinn ‘98

August 8, 2022

David Harris ‘02

April 21, 2020

Jason C. Medlin ‘04

October 4, 2013

Ulyana Svonik ‘09

November 16, 2022

Amani A. Chambe ‘16

June 12, 2022

The Sabre

RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY

200 Academy Drive

Front Royal, Virginia 22630

For parents: if this issue is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer lives at home, please notify R-MA of the new mailing address at 540-6365343 or at alumni@RMA.edu.

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