Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony Program

MMA Board of Trustees

R. Stribling Koster, chair

Ann Koster Antoniou

Bob Bailey

Dean Davison ’78

Robert English

Dan Erdel

Chris Gentry ’88

BG Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret)

Jeff MacLellan ’66

Jim Obenshain ’86

Mary Patrick Seigfreid

Dr. Victoria Snider Thompson

Academy Leadership

President: Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret)

Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Mr. Robert Silbaugh

Commandant: COL R.L. Grabowski, USMC (Ret)

Academic Dean: Mr. Mike Harding, M.Ed., M.A., B.A. (Hons), PGCE

Athletic Director: Mr. Brian Meny

Director for Enrollment Management: LTC Greg Seibert (MMA)

Director for Business Operations: Ms. Joan Cotton

Director for Human Resources: Ms. Melissa Miller

Director for Marketing & Communications: Ms. Jennifer O’Donley

Director for Maintenance and Facilities: Mr. Bernard Strunk

Chief Information Officer: Mr. David Wilkins

Commencement Program

Processional, Marche Militaire (Franz Schubert) MMA Band, Director Mr. James Garrett, Mace Bearer MAJ Peggy Reynard (MMA), followed by Class of 2023

Invocation .............................................. Battalion Sergeant Major-Elect Cadet Gabriel Iglesias Osorio

Pledge of Allegiance Battalion Commander-Elect Cadet Bradley Thumbi

Welcome/Remarks President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret)

Faculty Award ................................................................................................................................................ President Geraci

Company and Cadet Awards ..............................................................Academic Dean Mr. Mike Harding; Commandant COL R.L. Grabowski, USMC (Ret); President Geraci

Valedictorian’s Remarks

Introduction of Keynote Speaker ..............................................................

Cadet Anthony Melick

Cadet Patricio Bravo Knobloch

Keynote Speaker Mr. Richard Dehlinger ’93

“Edinburgh Castle” MMA Band and Bag Pipes

Awarding of Diplomas..............................................................................................................................President Geraci

“Old MMA” (see back cover for lyrics)

MMA Band and Cadet Lucas Sydlewski

Benediction Battalion Sergeant Major-Elect Cadet Iglesias Osorio

Recessional, Marche Militaire (Franz Schubert) .......................................................................... MMA Band

Keynote Speaker

Richard Dehlinger ’93

Fusileers Drill Team Coach Deputy Commandant for Support & Quartermaster Service

Rick Dehlinger entered Missouri Military Academy as a sophomore in 1990, graduating three years later as battalion commander, the highest-ranking cadet in the MMA corps. Among the honors bestowed on him in the Class of 1993, Dehlinger received the Don Hooten Fellowship Cup, which recognizes the cadet senior deemed most valuable to the institution. Twentyfive years later, Dehlinger returned to his alma mater where he currently serves as deputy commandant for support and quartermaster and coaches the national champion MMA Fusileers drill team.

Dehlinger began his college career at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia before leaving school to serve as a submariner in the U.S. Navy. He spent 10 years on Trident nuclear submarines, serving on the USS Tennessee 734 Gold. Dehlinger was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals, a Battle Efficiency ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He also received the Submarine “Dolphins” Warfare pin, a Nuclear Deterrent Patrol pin with seven stars and Sailor of the Quarter Award. After nearly a decade in the Navy, Dehlinger was honorably discharged as a petty officer second class.

Returning to civilian life, Dehlinger enrolled at Florida State College in Jacksonville, where he earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in digital media and graphic design. He spent several years as marketing director for Jones Technical Institute in Jacksonville before returning to MMA in 2018 as director of cadet activities. His first order of business was to revive the Scouting program at MMA. He served as Scoutmaster for MMA’s Troop 1889 for three years.

Under Dehlinger’s leadership as drill team coach, the MMA Fusileers placed first in the 2021 All Service Nationals Master Level and the U.S. Army Drill National Championship. Most recently, the Fusileers took first for overall armed drill at the 2023 Rocky Mountain Drill Classic National Championship in Denver, Colorado.

Dehlinger’s stepson, Blake Morais, will graduate with MMA’s Class of 2023.

The Class of 2023

Valedictorian: Cadet Anthony Melick

Salutatorian: Cadet Gage Blanton

Class President: Kellan Mugisha

Marco Jose Afane Giammattei*

San Salvador, El Salvador

University of Notre Dame

Guillermo Bañuelos Lozano Jr.

Arandas, Jalisco, México

St. Charles Community College

Batkhuu Batatrina Bataa

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Bellevue College

Tsengeg Bayasgalan*

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Indiana University Bloomington

Pablo Francisco Belmonte Gutiérrez

Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

St. Charles Community College

Gage Michael Blanton*

Newburg, Missouri

University of Missouri

Gabriel Edward Canonico*

Falls City, Nebraska

Northwest Missouri State University

Charles Leon Davidson

Mexico, Missouri

University of Missouri

Ernesto Jesus De La Maza Vejar

Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

Universidad Panamericana

Peter Elijah Didicher

Hinsdale, Illinois

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Wayland Blake Evans*

Dallas , Texas

Texas Tech University

Ian Hunter Findley

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Henderson State University

Luis Galindo Van Zeller†

Lisbon, Portugal

Universidad Internacional de la Empresa

Charles William George

Dallas, Texas

Southern Methodist University

Benjamin Huynh*

Overland Park, Kansas

Kansas State University

Roy Kaloki Kioko*

Nairobi, Kenya

Saint Louis University

Emiliano Loredo Valdueza

México City, México

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Roman Nathaniel Lowder

Dallas, Texas

University of Texas at Arlington

Temuulen Michael Manlai*

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saint Louis University

Prince Enock Manzi Runazi

Kigali, Rwanda

Norwich University

Anthony Robert Melick*

Overland Park, Kansas

United States Naval Academy

Brett Alexander Miles

Dallas, Texas

Houston Christian University

Blake Anthony Morais* Mexico, Missouri

University of Central Florida

Lucas Moreira Dos Reis Almeida

Itupeva, São Paulo, Brazil

Westminster College

Kellan Nziza Mugisha*

Kigali, Rwanda

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Cyprian Kahuuma Mutinyu

Kampala, Uganda

Norwich University

Albert Ogutu

Las Vegas, Nevada

University of Nevada, Reno

Derek Paredes*

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Bryson James Powell

Anchorage, Alaska

Western Washington University

Victor Javier Salinas Garcia

Mission, Texas

South Texas College

Alexandre Tristan Snyder*

St. Louis, Missouri

Pennsylvania State University

Christian Michael Stamp

Cape Coral, Florida Florida Southwestern State College

Lucas Robert Sydlewski

Houlton, Wisconsin

United States Military Academy Prep School

Ethan James Tincknell-Hersh

St. Louis, Missouri

Ozarks Technical Community College

Table Rock Campus

Gorka-Aitor Yarte-Zertuche

Lisbon, Portugal

Missouri University of Science and Technology

*Delta Phi Honor Society member. Italics denote National Honor Society member.

†December graduate (permitted due to special circumstances; mid-year graduates will not be allowed in future)

2022-23 Missouri Military Academy Faculty

Mike Harding | Academic Dean. M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Missouri; M.A. in Creative Writing, Canterbury Christ Church University; B.A. (Hons) in English and American Literature, University of Kent; Postgraduate Certificate, Education, Canterbury Christ Church University; Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, University of Cambridge; ACT Certified Instructor

1SG Dale Land, USA (Ret) | Assistant Academic Dean. Ed.D. in Administrative Leadership, Carson-Newman University; Ed. Specialist in Administrative Leadership, Carson-Newman University; M.A. in Teaching, Austin Peay State University; B.S. in Criminal Justice, Troy University

Joshua Allison | English Language Arts Instructor, Foreign Language Instructor. B.A. in International Studies, Union College

CPT Joseph Balvanz, USA (Ret) | JROTC Department Chair, Senior Army Instructor. B.A. in General Studies, Columbia College

Vicki Briggs | Chemistry Instructor. B.A. in Chemistry, William Jewell College; AP Chemistry Certification, Truman University

Michelle Camargo | Spanish Instructor. Ph.D. in Romance Languages Spanish, University of Missouri; M.A. in Romance Languages, University of Missouri-Kansas City; B.A. in Education, Universidad Surcolombiana, Colombia

Wei-Yun Chien | English Language Learners/ Foreign Language Department Chair, ELL and Chinese Instructor. M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language, Pennsylvania State University; B.A. in Applied Foreign Languages, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan

Elizabeth Clement | English Instructor. M.Ed. in Secondary Administration, William Woods University; B.S.E. in Secondary Education English and B.S. in Business Marketing, HannibalLaGrange University

Rob Dalton | English Department Chair, Instructor. M.Ed. in Teaching and Technology, William Woods University; B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Texas Wesleyan University

Danielle Dorks | English Instructor. B.A. in English, Illinois College

Cheryl Emminger | Mathematics Instructor. M.S. in Elementary Education, Drury University; B.S. in Elementary Education, Southwest Baptist University

James Garrett | Band Director. M.Ed. in Administration, Lindenwood University; B.S. in Music Education, Lincoln University of Missouri

CPT Arnold Kip Jacobsen, USA (Ret) | JROTC Army Instructor. M.A. in International Business Administration and M.A. in Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management; B.A. in Management, National American University; Certification in Career and Technical Education

Cynthia Kemp | Mathematics Instructor. M.A.E. Mathematics and B.S.E. Mathematics, Truman State University; ACT Certified Instructor

Mark Lucas | Learning Specialist and Guidance Counselor. Ed.D. in Leadership, Policy and Administration, Rutgers University; M.A. in Education Administration, Western Michigan University; B.S. in Health and Human Development, University of Maryland

2022-23 Missouri Military Academy Faculty

Stuart Mackenzie | Bagpipe Instructor. Piping Accreditation (B.A. equivalent), Senior Teaching Certificate in Bagpipes, Graduate in Piping Certificate, Pipe Majors Certificate, Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Greg Maximovitch | Website Design Instructor. B.S. in Business Administration, William Jewell College

Stephen Maziarz | Mathematics Instructor, Piano Instructor – Private Music Lessons. Postgraduate Studies, The Dietrich von Hildebrand Institute, Gardone, Italy; M.M. and B.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Southern Methodist University; M.S. in Secondary Education Mathematics, Teaching Certificate in Secondary Mathematics, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

MAJ Lawrence McClarey, USA (Ret) | Social Studies Department Chair, Instructor. M.B.A. in Management, Webster University; B.S. in Social Science, University of Illinois

Sheila Meny | Reading Specialist. M.A. in Administration, Quincy University; B.A. in Education, Culver-Stockton College

Chad Miller | Mathematics Department Chair, Instructor. B.A. in Mathematics, Eastern Illinois University; ACT Certified Instructor

MAJ Keith Morgan (MMA) | Business and Technology Chair, Computer Science Instructor. Th.M. in Systematic Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary; B.A. in Economics, University of Memphis

Cheryl Morris | Fine Arts Department Chair, Art Instructor. B.F.A. in Fine Arts and Business, William Woods University

Ryan Nowlin | Middle School History Instructor. Ph.D. in Leadership and Management, St. Louis University; Ed. Specialist in K-12 Educational Leadership, University of Central Missouri; M.E.A. in Administration and B.E. in Social Studies and Language Arts, B.S. and M.S. in Education Administration, Missouri State University

Michael Pemberton | Science Department Chair. M.Ed. in Science Curriculum and Instruction, University of Missouri; B.A. in Zoology, Southern Illinois University; A.S. in Biological Sciences, Rend Lake College

MAJ Peggy Reynard (MMA) | Business Instructor. M.Ed. in Secondary Education, Lincoln University of Missouri; B.B.A. in Business Administration, West Texas A&M University

William Roundey Jr. | Director of College & Career Placement. M.Ed. in School Counseling, Winona State University; B.Ed. in Secondary Education, Concordia University Nebraska

1st Sgt. Christopher Scarlet, USA (Ret) | JROTC Army Instructor. A.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies, Grantham University

Chris Schafer ’89 | Engineering and Science Instructor. M.Ed. in Secondary Education, Regis University; B.S. in Geological Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; A.A. in Business Administration, Johnson County Community College; Certificates in Management, Leadership, and Finance, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University; ACT Science Certified Instructor; PLTW Certified Engineering Instructor

Roger Siwak | Business and Mathematics Instructor. B.S. in Marketing, University of Missouri; Certifications in Physical Education, Mathematics and Business Education

2022-23 Missouri Military Academy Faculty

Traevonne Smith | Physical Education Instructor. B.A. in Science of Coaching, Westminster College

Sarah Stott | English Instructor. B.A. in History, University of Alabama in Huntsville

Christina Stout | Choir Director, Vocal Music Instructor. M.S.Ed in Instruction and Curriculum, Northwest Missouri State University; Performer Diploma in Opera, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; B.M. in Vocal Performance, University of Missouri

Conya Thompson | Fine Arts Instructor. M.F.A. in Costume Design, Western Illinois University; B.F.A. in Theatre, Culver-Stockton College

Rachel Wallace | Science Instructor. B.S. in Earth and Space Science Secondary Education, Southern Illinois University; ACT Certified Instructor

Anthony Yannielli | History and Social Studies Instructor. B.S. in Education and Social Studies, Hannibal-LaGrange University

Our Mission

Missouri Military Academy empowers young men to unlock their potential through a program of academic excellence, character, social development and leadership training within a structured environment.

Our Motto

Love, Honor, Truth

“Old MMA”

No school shall dim thy fame

No son shall give thee shame

No son forget thy name

Old MMA

Our hearts are bound to thee In love and loyalty

Steadfast thy sons shall be For MMA

Photos of graduates and award presentations will be taken during commencement. Photos will be posted and available for free download at flickr.com/missourimilitaryacademy

Questions? Please contact Matt.Jackson@MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org.

Missouri Military Academy

204 North Grand Street, Mexico, MO 65265 www.MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org