The Sabre Magazine: Winter-Spring 2024

The Sabre

Randolph-Macon Academy Winter-Spring 2024 A Falcon Foundation School

THE SABRE Magazine

Published by

RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY

200 Academy Drive

Front Royal, VA 22630

540-636-5200 www.RMA.edu

Editor: Jenny Walton

Photography: Misti Walters, Jen Avery, John Paul Glotfelty ‘22, and Li Chen

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. Harry G. Austin, III ‘75

Chairman

Ms. Lucy Williams Hooper

Chair-Elect

Mr. John Simar ‘68

Vice Chairman

Ms. Patty Keenan

Secretary

Mr. Alonzo Neese, III ‘01

Treasurer

Mr. Eric Anderson ‘88

Dr. Bill Bersing ‘85

Major General Mark A. Brown, USAF, Retired

Mr. Brian Bogart

Ms. Heather Grossman, P’16, ‘18, ‘21

Dr. Tess Hegedus

Mr. Doug Huthwaite ‘69

Mr. David Link ‘85

Mr. Ed Morris ‘97

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

CONTENTS

4 General’s Greetings

6 Rise Inside

Fall Sports Report

Service Before Self: R-MA Students Give Back

Middle School Robotics: Lego League Success

10 Feature Articles

One R-MA: The Character & Leadership Development Program

Homecoming & Reunions 2023

20 Rise Beyond

Giving Tuesday: Generosity Powers Athletics

Class Notes

Remembering Charlie McFall ‘66

Final Roll Call

GENERAL’S GREETINGS

Welcome to this latest edition of The Sabre , where we provide an update on the Character & Leadership Development Program’s first year of operation!

What an amazing achievement this has now become, a pivot worthy of our work at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when we transitioned from 120+ years of in-person instruction to a worldwide synchronous virtual classroom in just 72 hours. Working with professionals who can make these incredible changes to preserve sound, faith-based education for our students is one of the greatest privileges of my professional life.

What has your team accomplished now? They took a Service-based Junior ROTC program that had been in place since 1917 and, over the course of the summer, built and fielded a comprehensive program of leadership and character instruction, grounded in military values that is now the centerpiece of campus life: the Character & Leadership Development Program (CLDP). Does it work? My unequivocal answer is yes! I’ll explain why and urge you to come see for yourself. If you can’t get to campus, speak with an alumnus who attended this Homecoming’s Memorial Parade - it was Final Parade quality...in October!

First, CLDP rests upon the standards and culture that have made R-MA a premier military prep school for decades. Genuinely good human beings, knowledgeable and caring, set and enforce those standards and they embody that culture daily, so that new students from around the globe learn to live by these standards and perpetuate this culture, for the good of all who live and study here on The Hill.

Frank Carlucci and Todd Freiwald (our Commandant and his Deputy) modified the existing program to meet the needs of our Corps and campus! A group of experienced cadets designed the new uniforms (proudly displayed at Homecoming - see page 15 for an overview) and revised the Corps structure, based on the Regimental model. In every way I can see, this is now their Corps and their campus . They take pride in their own unit, their

dorm hall, and their uniform in ways I’ve not seen during my tenure.

And this is only the beginning! CLDP will only get stronger as it is refined (with student input) to become the best of its kind in our country. Is that really an attainable goal? Well, we’re rapidly attaining it today. As I write to you, more than 50 R-MA graduates are current students at the Nation’s five Service Academies . Do you know of another high school that could boast even half that number, or even 10? The Service Academies are among the most competitive institutions of higher education in America today, and R-MA graduates go there in numbers no other high school can dream of. In January, we learned of Carver Bull ‘24’s appointment to West Point and we’re looking forward to several more appointments as this Sabre goes to the printer!

Other places? The list of R-MA college acceptances in the past five years includes: UPenn, Harvard, MIT, Duke, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Northwestern, and Boston University, among many other great colleges and universities. And we know, because we prepared them, that most of our students are ready to excel at that work and the careers that await them on the other side. These young people face a job market of unprecedented complexity and constant change...and they were built to thrive in that maelstrom, here at R-MA.

I’ve worked in a lot of places, served in the deserts of Kuwait and Egypt, walked the halls of Congress, worked in the White House and in a number of foreign capitals, but I’ve never known a devotion or a level of commitment like that shown by every member of our team, from Housekeepers, Groundskeepers and Maintenance pros, to teachers and cadet/student life supervisors, to the staff that supports them all! God brings us the most amazing students, my friends, and we have the most incredible team to help them learn and grow! Come see us soon - you will be so proud!

David C. Wesley

Brigadier General, USAF, Retired President

RISE INSIDE

FALL SPORTS REPORT

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball finished this season with a 5-12 record marked by individual excellence and collective resilience. Berkley Bennett ‘24 earned both the team’s Most Valuable Player award at R-MA’s athletic awards ceremony as well as a spot on GPAC’s 1st Team AllConference, and Lilly Felton ‘24 and Arielle Shepard ‘25 both earned spots on GPAC’s 2nd Team All-Conference. These recognitions underline the team’s strength and talent!

CROSS COUNTRY

The Cross Country team had an outstanding season, securing first or second place in nearly every meet. The team’s hard work has produced several standout runners, including Michael DeMato ‘27, who placed in the top 20 in the state at the VISAA state meet in his debut season; and Ruth Teferi ‘25, who led the girls’ team to claim the top spot in the GPAC and earned the highest individual cross country placings (for a female R-MA athlete) in many years.

FOOTBALL

The Yellow Jacket football team showed unwavering grit and secured a much-celebrated victory over Girard College School at Homecoming! Senior Clay Athey ‘24 led the team with exemplary effort and encouragement, while Izunna Okoye ‘25 emerged as a key player with versatility and scoring prowess. On defense, the combined efforts of Will Francis ‘24 at linebacker, Christian McCauley ‘25 at corner/ safety, and Kearyn Eloi-Smith ‘25 at nose tackle, contributed to the team’s success on both sides of the ball.

BOYS SOCCER

Boys soccer finished with an 8-4 record this season and as runners-up in the GPAC Conference, and ranked 13th overall in the VISAA Division II competition. Coach and R-MA parent David Damiani was instrumental in leading the team to a successful campaign. Individual honors included: Valentino Levy ‘26, 2nd Team All-State VISAA, 1st Team GPAC AllConference; Chidera George ‘24, 1st Team GPAC AllConference; Brian Nnaji ‘24, 1st Team GPAC All-Conference; and Ronan Way ‘25, 2nd Team GPAC All-Conference.

GIRLS TENNIS

Girls Tennis finished third in conference play, with an overall 4-6 record. Standout players this season were Isabel Ioffe ‘24 and Yiannah Kats ‘26; Ioffe finished with an 8-0 record in the conference, was voted the GPAC Player of the Year, and made the VISAA All-State 1st Team. Kats finished with a 7-1 record in conference play and was voted 1st Team GPAC All-Conference.

SERVICE BEFORE SELF R-MA STUDENTS GIVE BACK

From Veteran’s Day ceremonies to planting trees and food drives, both Middle School students and Upper School cadets contributed to the community this fall!

The Yellow Jackets provided support for Front Royal’s annual Festival of Leaves celebration on downtown Main Street. The Falcon Scholars helped vendors set up tables and carry supplies, and assisted the Anti-Litter Council by distributing recyclable to-go containers to food vendors. R-MA also provided a Color Guard for the Festival, and Falcon Scholar Caleb Sparks ‘24 sang the National Anthem.

The Middle School Interact Club (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Warren County) hosted a food drive for the House of Hope, a program that supports homeless men in Warren County. Students then delivered the collected items and learned more about the program as they toured the facility. Club members also helped clean up litter along Kendrick Lane.

The Art Club volunteered to design and paint a mural for the Francis Burrell Brooks, Jr. Community Park on East Criser Road (pictured top left). The mural was designed by Shiloh Avery ‘25 and depicts a colorful forest with wildlife and mountains, and was completed over two Saturdays.

Veterans Day weekend was a busy time for our cadets, with color guard units posting the colors at multiple ceremonies, including the American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony at the Warren County courthouse, an event for the Lake Frederick Veterans Association, and another for Dynamic Life Church. The band attended the American Legion Ceremony as well, adding a patriotic atmosphere to this special day. Meanwhile, R-MA’s Falcon Scholars assisted the Front Royal Tree Stewards during a Tree Giveaway at the Main Street Gazebo, handing out over 360 native trees to local community members in honor of our veterans. As a special thank you, they were even given several saplings, which they planted along the road by the main entrance to the Academy.

To cap off a wonderful semester of service, the senior class wrote Christmas cards to the residents of the Senior Center of Warren County. A group of cadets delivered the cards themselves, along with warm R-MA holiday wishes! They were graciously received, and they look forward to making another visit soon.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS LEGO LEAGUE SUCCESS

Three Middle School robotics teams represented R-MA in FIRST Lego League competitions this fall, going all the way to the state tournament!

Lego League competitions are centered around a Challenge, based on a real-world scientific topic. Each challenge has three parts: the Robot Game, the Innovation Project, and the Core Values. Teams participate in the Challenge by programming autonomous robots to score points on a themed playing field (Robot Game) and developing a solution to a problem they have identified (Project), all guided by the FIRST Core values.

The three teams (Full STEAM Ahead - Dean Lim, Sloan Diem, Felix Trask, Daniel Winter, and Antonio Mendez; Ninjoggers - Austin Lohfeld, Khan Chong, Anthony Yoder, Teni Abegunde, and Sam Enloe; and Jelly SquidsZidane Aidara, Cooper Kulpreyawat, Gabe Akingba, and Brionna Dunston) headed into their first competition in November - and not only did Ninjoggers take second place, all three teams qualified for the state tournament!

A month later, the three teams traveled to Harrisonburg, VA for the big day...and all three walked out with scores of 250+ points, and two trophies: a Judges Award, and a second place in Innovation!

NEW YEAR.

NEW PROGRAM.

ONE R-MA.

Randolph-Macon Academy was founded by the Baltimore Conference of the United Methodist Church and opened the doors of its Front Royal campus in 1892. Its second chapter added the military program via the National Defense Cadet Corps in 1917-18; the third saw the transition to the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in the 1970s. Now, the Academy’s fourth chapter is beginning with the launch of R-MA’s independent program: the Character & Leadership Development Program.

Five days a week this fall, R-MA cadets assembled for morning formation on the front roadway. On command, they raised their hands in salute as the American flag was raised and Reveille and then the National Anthem rang out from the balcony.

It was the same scene that has played out each morning at R-MA for years...with a few differences. Today the Corps is organized into companies rather than flights, and in place of blue flight caps, the cadets wear black berets bearing R-MA insignia. Most significantly, instead of heading into the academic buildings to begin their day, the Corps marches on to the Character & Leadership and Development Program (CLDP).

In keeping with these long-standing hallmarks of an R-MA education, each and every cadet begins his or her day in CLDP. This mandatory, for-credit class is taken with their unit, rather than by class year - a system that enhances unit cohesion, creates leadership and mentorship opportunities, encourages common objective setting, and reinforces the importance of followship as essential to effective leadership.

To provide cadets with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond, the Character & Leadership Development Program focuses on self-discipline, holistic health and fitness, emotional resilience, the Code of Conduct and citizenship, drill and etiquette, teamwork, applied and adaptive leadership, and ethical decision-making.

Cadets follow four tracks during each week:

CODE OF CONDUCT, MILITARY COURTESY, & DRILL

Cadets develop a shared understanding of what a code of conduct means in a community and create a roadmap to ensure accountability. They learn military traditions and courtesies and why they are relevant in life, and work on Drill commands and execution. They also practice public speaking and presentation skills.

PHYSICAL FITNESS & WELLNESS

This track addresses cadets’ physical and emotional well-being. Cadets develop personalized fitness routines based on their goals, learn about the importance of emotional resilience and how to develop it, and focus on nutrition and its importance for a strong mind and body. Cadets also receive training in First Aid.

GPS FOR SUCCESS

GPS for Success is a nationwide life skills and prevention program that empowers cadets to become intrinsically driven, self-aware, focused, resilient, and committed to staying substance-free. Over the course of this module, cadets identify their life goals and build an individualized “mission” to guide their actions and progress towards those goals, including

examining the importance of quality friendships and mentors and harnessing the power of positive perspective.

PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP

Cadets learn four modules in this track, including The Synergy of Followship and Leadership: Unlocking the Power of Effective Collaboration; Ethical Decision-Making: Navigating Moral Dilemmas with Integrity; Adaptive Leadership: Navigating Change; and Creating a Positive Team Culture: Building Collaboration and Success.

Together, these four tracks ensure that every cadet shares the Academy’s longstanding dedication to military values.

NEW TRADITION: PASSING THE BOARDS

As part of the Character & Leadership Development Program, all cadets must complete a new rite of passage - successfully passing the Boards.

Administered by Cadre members (overseen by adult staff), the Boards consist of a series of tests with questions about R-MA’s history, traditions, campus, notable alumni, and more with the goal of demonstrating cadet knowledge of R-MA history, standards, and culture. Each cadet must pass in order to earn the R-MA patch worn on the uniform beret - an honor that contributes to a positive culture of pride in themselves, their unit, and the Academy.

STRUCTURE OF THE CORPS

Today, the Corps uses a regimental structure organized into battalions, companies, and platoons.

SERVICES

Services Company Commander

Colors Platoon Commander

Band Platoon Commander

Band Staff Sergeant

Acting Drill Platoon Commander Chapel NCO

FIRST BATTALION

Battalion Commander

Battalion Sergeant Major

ALPHA COMPANY

Company CMDR Company 1SGT

FIRST PLATOON

1st Platoon CMDR

1st Platoon SGT

SECOND PLATOON

2nd Platoon CMDR

2nd Platoon SGT

BRAVO COMPANY

Company CMDR Company 1SGT

FIRST PLATOON

1st Platoon CMDR

1st Platoon SGT

SECOND PLATOON

2nd Platoon CMDR

2nd Platoon SGT

REGIMENTAL STAFF

Regimental Commander

Regimental Executive Officer

Command Sergeant Major

HEADQUARTERS BATTALION

Battalion Commander

Battalion Sergeant Major

Company Commander

Adjutant

Academic Officer & Staff Sergeant

Operations Officer & Staff Sergeant

Supply Officer, Assistants, & Staff Sergeants

Public Relations Officer & Assistant

Cadet Life Officer, Assistant, & SSTS

SECOND BATTALION

Battalion Commander

Battalion Sergeant Major

CHARLIE COMPANY

Company CMDR Company 1SGT

FIRST PLATOON

1st Platoon CMDR

1st Platoon SGT

SECOND PLATOON

2nd Platoon CMDR

2nd Platoon SGT

DELTA COMPANY

Company CMDR Company 1SGT

FIRST PLATOON

1st Platoon CMDR

1st Platoon SGT

SECOND PLATOON

2nd Platoon CMDR

2nd Platoon SGT

UNIFORMS OVERVIEW

ALL IN THE DETAILS

Both the service dress and duty uniforms are designed to honor the history of R-MA’s military program. For example, the service dress uniform fastens with classic R-MA buttons and includes grey slacks with a black stripe - details that date back to the Academy’s time under the National Defense Cadet Corps.

SERVICE DRESS DUTY

RANKS & RIBBONS

During the transition to CLDP, one frequently-asked question was whether the cadets would keep the ranks and ribbons they had worked hard to earn. The answer is yes! Cadets wear their ranks and ribbons in both the service dress and duty uniforms, and ranks in the utility uniform.

MEET THE CLDP TEAM

COMMANDANT: FRANK CARLUCCI

Ö Veteran, Lieutenant Commander, Intelligence, United States Navy

Ö History and Social Sciences Teacher

Ö BS, Georgetown University of Foreign Service

Ö MA, Georgetown University

DEPUTY COMMANDANT: TODD FREIWALD

Ö Veteran, United States Marine Corps

Ö Retired Federal Agent (Secret Service, ATF)

Ö Graduate, Virginia Military Institute

SR. ENLISTED ADVISOR: CRAIG STANLEY

Ö Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, Retired

Ö USMC Drill Instructor (7 years)

Ö MBA, Walden University

ASST COMMANDANT: ANTHONY MILLS

Ö Assistant Commandant for Accountability

Ö Retired Fairfax County Firefighter

Ö Certified Paramedic

Ö Former R-MA weekend officer in charge

INSTRUCTOR: PERCY DUNAGIN III

Ö Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force, Retired

Ö 24-year career as a pilot with 4000+ flight hours and nearly 400 combat hours

Ö Graduate, United States Military Academy

Ö Masters, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

INSTRUCTOR: JOSEPH PLEMMONS

Ö Methodist Minister

Ö Learning Support Teacher

Ö Former Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor

INSTRUCTOR: DR. CONNIE RICHARDS, PHD

Ö Licensed clinical social worker

Ö PhD, Walden University - General Psychology

INSTRUCTOR: CHRISTINE GEORGE

Ö Veteran, United States Marine Corps

Ö Marine Corps K9 Handler and Martial Arts Instructor

Ö BA, Bridgewater College

Ö Current R-MA Parent

INSTRUCTOR: WESLEY BARBARA

Ö Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force

Ö Graduate of the Virginia Military Institute

Ö Falcon Scholar Fitness Instructor and R-MA program coordinator

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR: GILES KYSER

Ö Colonel, United States Marine Corps, Retired

Ö Graduate, United States Naval Academy

Ö Awards including Legion of Merit (2), Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism,and Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor (2)

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR: JOHN MORASH

Ö Major, United States Air Force, Retired

Ö Intelligence officer; prior enlisted service

Ö United States Air Force Academy Instructor

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR: JEFF BULL

Ö Chief Warrant Officer, United States Navy, Retired

Ö Special Warfare Instructor, SEAL Team Leader

Ö Awards including Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor (5) and Purple Heart

Ö Current R-MA Parent

RISE TOGETHER HOMECOMING 2023

Held on October 18-19, Homecoming & Reunions 2023 included multiple alumni events to welcome R-MA alumni and families back to campus. Classes ending in 3’s and 8’s celebrated milestone reunions this year, with alumni from 1953 to 2023 in attendance!

With registration packets collected and a tour of the Upper School campus complete, Friday’s attendees joined General Wesley and the leaders of the Cadet Corps (including C/Col Caleb Wilson ‘24, C/LTC Jackie Charlifue ‘24, and C/CSM Jake Graham ‘25) for an update on the Academy and an introduction to the Character & Leadership Development Program (see pages 10-16 for details). The cadets then assembled in Melton Gym for a special Homecoming Pep Rally! That evening, alumni and guests assembled for the Homecoming Celebration Dinner at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. Attendees enjoyed beautiful views of the course, a delicious meal, and conversation and fellowship, as well as the Alumni Association’s annual silent auction.

Saturday began with a Community Coffee Hour co-hosted by the Parents and Alumni Associations, complete with hot beverages, breakfast sandwiches, and donuts under the tent on the sidelines of Riddick Field! Attendees were ideally placed to watch the next event: the outstanding Homecoming Memorial Parade. Cadets marched onto the field while the band played, the flag corps (Middle School students) presented international flags with honor, the Color Guard was sharp, and our rifle team shared a 21-gun salute in perfect timing, to honor the Academy’s fallen alumni. This year’s Homecoming flag was presented to Mr. Jonathan Ezell in honor of his many years of service to R-MA as an esteemed member of the faculty, principal of the Middle School, Upper School Academic Dean, Interim President, and Vice President of the Academy. Mr. Ezell retired

from R-MA in 2019. Joining him to receive the flag was his grandson, Beowulf; together, they oversaw the pass in review alongside General Wesley.

Another special moment was the pinning of the Boomer’s Run streamer onto the Delta Company flag! At the beginning of the school year, each of the companies of the Cadet Corps competed in the annual Boomer’s Run competition (named for one of R-MA’s most distinguished alumni, General Walt Boomer, UMSC, Retired ‘56). The competition focuses on teamwork, communication, and fitness and challenges each company to apply a variety of tactical skills including strength, logic, and grit. Under the command of C/CAPT Maddox Norris ‘24, Delta Company took the win this year. (Fun fact: C/Capt Norris is General Boomer’s grandson!)

Following the parade, alumni gathered under the tent for the Homecoming Lunch and the Alumni Association’s annual meeting. Joining the Alumni Association this year is new Director Steve Miller ‘86! The Association also approved the slate of officers for 2023-24, and presented the Staff Recognition Award to Deputy Commandant Todd Freiwald.

Next up: the Homecoming football game. The Yellow Jackets took the field against Girard College Prep High School and emerged with a 20-6 victory! The team celebrated and presented the game ball to Head Coach John Lacombe. Congratulations, Jackets!

Special thanks to the Town of Front Royal for giving a warm welcome to R-MA alumni by turning the pole lights on Main Street yellow, in honor of R-MA’s colors! Thanks also to the multiple local businesses that supported Homecoming this year, including: R-MA alumni co-owned Melania’s Gourmet, which created a custom Yellow Jacket tart; R-MA familyowned Element Restaurant, which whipped up a special dessert again this year; and R-MA familyowned The Apple House, which sponsored wine at the

Alumni Celebration Dinner and provided decorations and crafted gorgeous floral centerpeices, complete with bees and hives! Thanks also to the following businesses, which contributed items for the Parents Association Silent Auction: Dusty’s Country Store, White Picket Fence, Ole Timers Antique, Ottowork Greeting Cards, and Vibrissa Beer & Kitchen!

RISE BEYOND

GIVING TUESDAY

GENEROSITY POWERS ATHLETICS

More than 110 members of the Yellow Jacket community - alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends! - banded together to support this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign for R-MA Athletics!

Held on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, this annual campaign typically raises $25,000 for the department - but thanks to these generous donors, the final total came in at more than double that amount: an incredible $60,232!

In addition to supplementing the Athletics budget to help cover the cost of uniforms, transportation, equipment, tournament fees, etc., donors funded a number of much-needed items, including a portable soccer scoreboard, baseball home run fence, wrestling crash pad, and a new Sting mural for Melton Gym.

A few families deserve a special thank you, including current R-MA parents Kevin and Tara Abikoff. The Abikoff’s chose to fully fund a high jump pit, standards, and cross-bar in honor of Eileen Reinish,

Tanner Abikoff 27’s supportive and beloved grandmother, who passed away on November 19, 2023. The Academy is honored to have received this gift in her memory. In the recent past, the Track & Field team has forfeited points at the start of each meet because they were unable to compete in the high jump event - but thanks to the Abikoff’s, the team will be back on an even playing field this spring!

The Academy would also like to thank current R-MA parents Timothy Martin and Lupe Vea-Martin, who have done amazing things for R-MA Athletics this fall! With donations of time, equipment, and an expert crew from Eastern Supply Inc, L. Reyes Concrete LLC, and United Rentals of Winchester, the Vea-Martin family enabled the Academy to renew the baseball and softball fields and track & field throwing pit by adding more than 18 tons of infill dirt (many thanks also to Doug Huthwaite ‘69 and the Virginia Military Institute for the donation of field skins that will keep the fields in tip-top shape), patch and repair the Turner Hall tennis courts in preparation for resurfacing, and add a golf driving range!

CLASS NOTES

Theodore Grossman ‘57, who currently lives in Punta del Este, Uruguay, shared that his paintings were featured at the Luxembourg Art Fair in September, as well as the Van Gogh Art Gallery in Madrid, Spain!

Harold Robinson ‘68 shared that he recently published a book, The Best of Times with the Best of Friends in the Best of Places: Growing Up in Washington, N.C. Congratulations, Harold!

You never know where you’ll meet another Yellow Jacket! Last August, Cory Christman ‘96 shared an update -he ran into Cory Cilia ‘97 at NASIC at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (pictured top right).

Emma Faust ‘19 graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and has commissioned into the United States Army Infantry (middle right). Emma was also selected to appear in a photoshoot collaboration for the Under Armour Freedom collection last spring!

JJ Banek-Gabelle ‘21 returned to R-MA in January to speak to the assembled Corps about his experience at the United States Coast Guard Academy and to offer his advice to those considering applying (bottom right).

Two alumni have opened businesses in Front Royal! Ryland Greenhouse ‘03 is the co-owner of pastry shop, chocolaterie, and boho cafe Melania’s Place, while Dillon Knighting ‘15 and his mother run a sandwich and sweet shop called Poppy’s Place.

Recent campus visitors include John Fisher ‘58, who stopped by on his way to Skyline Drive; and Talaat Bahjat Hamooh ‘15, who is now a physical therapist and recently moved to Madrid, Spain to begin a Masters Program in Physical Therapy!

REMEMBERING CHARLIE MCFALL ‘66

WRITTEN BY JOHN SIMAR ‘68, BROTHER-IN-LAW

Charles Lyle McFall, Jr. ‘66 passed away at age 75 in September 2023 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Martha Gray, son Chuck, and three grandchildren. Charlie’s R-MA and professional career mirrored that of his dad’s, Colonel C. Lyle McFall ‘35, who was teacher, coach, Athletic Director, and dining room supervisor at R-MA for 34 years. Charlie grew up on the R-MA campus and attended R-MA from eighth grade to graduation. Named “Best Athlete” his senior year, he was Battalion Second in Command, a member of the Student Council, Sabre staff and Randomac yearbook staff, Drill Team, and Glee Club. He captained the football and basketball teams, and also played varsity baseball for four years. The coach in all three sports: his father.

Both father and son graduated from Randolph-Macon College. Charlie was hired at Collegiate School in Richmond right after graduating from R-MC in 1970 and over his 43 year career at Collegiate he became a legendary teacher, coach, and Athletic Director. Yes, like his dad, he also supervised the lunchroom, and when he retired from Collegiate in 2013, the building was named for him!

Throughout Charlie’s life he was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. As a leader he was a true model of servant-leadership, giving more than he demanded. He had enough heart for everyone and shared it unconditionally. Quick to smile and with an ever-present sense of humor, just the mention of his name always evokes a smile on those who knew him.

The following is taken from Charlie’s Richmond Times Dispatch obituary; beautifully written by longtime Collegiate colleague and friend, Weldon Bradshaw:

“During his 21-year tenure as head varsity football coach, his teams amassed a record of 127-66-1 and won four VISAA [Virginia Independent School Athletic Association] and five Prep League championships. In 19 years, his varsity baseball teams won one VISAA and five Prep League titles. McFall Hall, a cafeteria and multipurpose building on the Collegiate campus, was named in his honor in 2013. He was inducted into Collegiate’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. More important than records, championships, or personal honors, Coach McFall embodied all that is good in high school athletics. He was a loyal friend possessed of a delightful sense of humor, a wise and trusted mentor, a sportsman of the highest order who never saw a contradiction between his fierce competitive spirit and fair play, and a skilled tactician and strategist who had a gift for summoning the best from his athletes, empowering his coaches, and placing all of them in positions to succeed.”

Well done, Charlie!

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 January 10, 2024 are not included in this list.)

Samuel A. Wilson ‘45

July 31, 2023

Arthur Wadleigh ‘50

July 1, 2023

Lawrence S. Hutchison, Jr. ‘51

December 15, 2023

George S. Lux, Jr. ‘52

December 21, 2023

Mory W. Ranck ‘52

February 15, 2023

Phillip M. Landrum, Jr. ‘54

February 15, 2023

James S. Meatyard ‘55

April 14, 2023

F. Lewis Wilson, Jr. ‘57

June 27, 2023

S. Russell Cotton, Jr. ‘57

January 12, 2023

Henter L. Blevins ‘58

September 14, 2023

David F. Johnston, Sr. ‘58

December 1, 2022

Homer S. Willie, Jr. ‘58

December 3, 2023

Charles B. Strauss ‘59

December 16, 2019

Philip P. Gullion, Jr. ‘66

May 22, 2022

Thomas H. Bevan ‘63

November 27, 2023

Charles L. McFall, Jr. ‘66

September 21, 2023

W. Allen Tomlinson, Jr. ‘66

April 4, 2021

William W. Tubman, Jr. ‘66

December 5, 2023

H. Terry Aylor, Jr. ‘68

September 7, 2023

James A. Henderson, Jr. ‘68

November 16, 2023

Clinton B. Faison, Jr. ‘69

January 8, 2023

Talaat Bander Hamooh ‘15

March 4, 2023

Patricia L. McManus

Past R-MA Employee

June 12, 2023

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 540-636-5343 or at alumni@RMA.edu.

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Led by their class officers, the Class of 2027 carries their class brick to Turner Hall, where it will rest in the display case until they gradu ate.