General's Greetings

I greet you shortly after the departure of R-MA’s 130th graduating class -- what a wonderful group of young people!

Their achievements over the past few weeks are stunning. This class is our fifteenth consecutive graduating group with 100% college acceptance, and they are going to some of the finest institutions in the world. In total, these 59 seniors and Falcon Scholars amassed $16.6M in competitively-awarded merit scholarships - our highest total ever - with five members of the class earning scholarships exceeding $1M each. In addition, 16 students earned 20 appointments to U.S. Service Academies. Watch them celebrate at RMA.edu, and be sure to turn up the sound!

This type of performance is fueled by the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students, supported by committed families (our Parents Association has been incredibly helpful this year!).

In a world where there is sometimes too little to be encouraged about, Yellow Jackets are finding a great path forward, building on the heritage so many of you helped to forge. They are growing in faith, stature, and knowledge. They are swimming against the tide of world events in a culture of mutual respect and common purpose -- to make leaders who will improve humanity! It is a privilege to be here with them, watching that timeless light take hold in the minds of young people we are certain will change the world for the better!

And: more of you are seeing that effort and deciding to be a part of the ongoing work here on The Hill. Giving Day 2022 was one for the record books, with 168 donors contributing more than $218,000 in just 24 hours! This is what it takes to compete in the challenging economy you see around you every day. The pandemic and economic headwinds are surely a threat to us, but based on the ways our community has responded this year, I know we will continue to deliver on the investment you and those who share your values are making in R-MA. America and our world need schools like the Academy, so that there will always be young people, filled with energy and moral courage, to light the way to a better future for all of us.

Please visit us soon...you’ll be proud, just like this year’s graduates are, to be in a place where that light still burns brightly!

God bless you, and GO JACKETS!

David C. Wesley Brigadier General, USAF, Retired President