that at least in this place we had laughter every day. In the words of actor Charlie Chaplain, ‘A day without laughter is a day wasted,’ and I know that here I had no wasted days.” Kang Sik Lee, band squadron commander, joked about having to get a “trendy R-MA haircut” when he first arrived. “I have learned many things from R-MA. The most important thing I learned from R-MA was discipline. With many strict rules and schedules, R-MA helped me to organize myself,” he said. “As an international student, I can tell you that R-MA really helped me to adjust to American school life.” Kang Sik was followed by Andre Butler, who spoke of what he had learned from his peers. “You see, I come from a small town where most look back upon their high school experience as a leatherjacket-clad, inebriated, house-party-filled spurt of glory, and had I not come here perhaps I would too. Fortunately, though, my years at R-MA have been so much more fulfilling than that, as each and every one of you has taught me something important.” Andre emphasized what he had learned from several individuals in his class, then added, “But most importantly, all of you have collectively taught me that the world is filled with great and wonderful things, and that all of them and all of you are worth fighting for and if necessary dying for.” The last speaker for the Senior Luncheon was Marianne NellTascon. “As in life, you choose to succeed, and I chose to succeed at R-MA,” she said. “Nevertheless, my success would never have been possible had R-MA given up on me during my more ‘volatile’ years. It was here that I’ve cried and laughed throughout so many pivotal turning points in my life, and it is here that I have fashioned relationships, friendships, and family that will surely last me a lifetime. I have gained an immeasurable amount of leadership, discipline, and self-confidence, which can—to those who don’t know me as well—be deceiving at times; it was here that I have had my creativity and passion fostered.”
Graduation
When introducing valedictorian Max Ramundo, Upper School Academic Dean Jonathan Ezell commented that only two other times in his 23-year career at R-MA has there been a valedictorian who was also the corps commander. Ramundo was unique, and he didn’t disappoint his classmates, providing a speech that was both inspiring and entertaining. “As graduates from R-MA, we have been given a very special opportunity, one that comes only once in a lifetime,” stated Ramundo. “We have been given an education, a set of values, and a family that we can always rely on. Not many people in the world have been given this opportunity, and we should consider ourselves to be very fortunate to be a part of the R-MA class of 2010. It is now our job to build on what we have, to go out into A few of the graduates of 2010--Elizabeth the world, and make it Brown, Jillian Phillips, Max Ramundo, and count.” Marianne Nell-Tascon--gather together for Ramundo admitted one last photo. that he was intimidated when he first came to R-MA, leaving behind his family and friends and familiar life in Michigan. “So you will understand that I never really imagined on my first day that I would have an even harder time leaving this place at the end of four years than I did leaving home four years ago,” he commented. “But… this place is still our home. Here, we learned the values of service, integrity, and hard work, and we
grew together as a family.” The commencement speaker was General J.H. Binford Peay III, U.S. Army (Retired), the Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute (VMI). “Graduation is a time of great joy…and yet it is a sad time saying farewell to friends,” he observed. “It is also a time for reflection on what you have gained as Randolph-Macon cadets. You have grown intellectually and acquired useful knowledge. You have had many opportunities to develop your leadership skills within a military organization because one of the main features of a military school is that cadets “early on” are given responsibility for much of the day-to-day operations of the Corps. You have developed self-discipline that will benefit you for years to come in a variety of situations. You have developed confidence in yourself. Your experiences have instilled in you character traits that set Randolph-Macon Above, Class Academy cadets apart President Margaret from others and certainly Strain shakes hands will strengthen you with commencement as you reach for your speaker Gen J. H. potential in life.” Binford Peay III, “A few years ago U.S. Army retired, we heard much of “the the superintendent of Greatest Generation” VMI. At right, Strain that grew up in the Great gives an ecstatic grin Depression and won to the camera after victory in World War II,” the Final Parade. Gen Peay reminded the students. “But I say that every generation has an opportunity… and the responsibility… to become a “Great Generation.” Each moment in the history of our great country, each new development in our society, each turning point along the way requires greatness. But what is greatness? Greatness is achieved by action – taking a stand and leading – and not by sitting back and leaving it to others. Greatness is knowing how to “work with others” and, when the opportunity arises, “how to lead people” to great accomplishments. Greatness is achieved by men and women of character, conviction, honor, and courage. And, in displaying that courage, we need leaders that do so with civility…an ingredient that regretfully has been lacking in our society.” “You are entering a complex world environment today,” Peay told the graduates, “a world filled with opportunities and yet dangers …equal to those of the past. But you are well prepared. You are “young and you are vigorous and confident”. The future--yours and the nation’s--“lies before you.” You have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference because the education you have received at Randolph-Macon Academy has prepared you well for such a life filled with challenges.” With a confidence borne by success already achieved, the Class of 2010 received their diplomas and readied themselves for the next phase in life. Yet as valedictorian Ramundo stated, “No matter where we go next year for college and no matter where we go in the future, we can all say that we came from the same place, from the same family, the R-MA Class of 2010.” 5 The Sabre Summer/Fall 2010