THE SABRE
Randolph-Macon Academy I Summer-Fall 2026
A Falcon Foundation School
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THE SABRE Magazine
Published by RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY
200 Academy Drive Front Royal, VA 22630 540-636-5200 www.RMA.edu
Editor: Jenny Walton
Special thanks to our cadet photography team for all of their work capturing this year’s events and activities!
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
Chair: Ms. Lucy (Williams) Hooper
Vice Chair: Mr. John Simar ‘68
Secretary: Ms. Patty Keenan
Treasurer: Mr. Alonzo Neese, III ‘01
Mr. Harry Austin, III ‘75
Dr. Bill Bersing ‘85
Dr. Mark A. Brown
Mr. John Demers
Mr. Chris Gabelle P’21, ‘27
Dr. Tess Hegedus
Mr. Doug Huthwaite ‘69
Dr. Margaret Konkel
The Hon. W. Revell Lewis, III ‘69
Mr. David Link ‘85
Mr. Ed Morris ‘97
Ex-Officio Members
Rev. Kyungsuk Cho
Mr. Andrew Pfister ‘08
Ms. Erin Sauvager P’25, ‘28
PRESIDENT
Brig Gen David C. Wesley, USAF, Retired
The Sabre Magazine is published for R-MA alumni, parents, and friends. To share any comments, or to unsubscribe, please contact: advancement@RMA.edu.
Randolph-Macon Academy admits persons of any race, gender, color, religion, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
R-MA does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its administrative policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
GREETINGS
Welcome to this latest edition of The Sabre!
I’m proud to introduce you to this inspiring installment, providing an update on the terrific spring we’ve been blessed to enjoy together here on The Hill! Like every generation of Yellow Jackets before us, we faced serious challenges and our cadets and the faculty delivered results that testify to the commitment and tradition we’ve inherited from your class and your generation. A few examples:
We lost an incredible teacher and leader in the passing of Cindy Michael. She was loved and trusted by so many of us, relied upon to deliver excellence and kindness, and a central feature of our community for 33 years. The faces of young cadets, who until that moment had expected to take an exam in Cindy’s class that morning, displayed every emotion you can imagine: disbelief, horror, fear...uncertainty. We met in our Mentoring groups to discuss Cindy’s long and faithful service and the example she provided to so many of us. Some of us visited Cindy’s classroom to talk about the many ways she had helped each of us. And then we did what Cindy always did: we went back to the work of the day. I was never more hurt for our cadets, and never more proud of the way they responded to genuine, tragic loss.
Then, we got one of those calls they make movies about, when the Town of Front Royal asked us to serve as the lead unit in a parade for the King and Queen of the United Kingdom. No one believed it could be true and we had eight days to prep for a sudden “new” parade on the day before Apple Blossom. Supervised by our terrific Band Director, Mr. Michael DeMato, the cadets once again rose to meet the challenge in sterling fashion. The pride on the face of the Regimental Commander Rania Husted ‘26 shows what kind of day they had (see pages 8-9 for details)! Perhaps more meaningful to those of us who have worn the cloth of the Republic: there was no letdown in Winchester over the next two days, as the Yellow Jackets showed off just as sharply as they had in NYC a few weeks before. These young leaders finish what they start, and they do so with the class and maturity so rare in our world today!
The seniors closed this incredible year with superb college placement results at places like Stanford and UPenn...and 16 Service Academy appointments. On the back cover of this edition, you’ll see how they memorialized their graduation year -- by capturing one of Cindy Michael’s greatest passions: Snoopy. As they left, they handed us a check for $4,000.00 toward the scholarship established in Cindy’s name. It’s not nice to make an old General cry.
Please come to campus and see us soon -- we’re getting the hard work done, every day, and I think you’ll love what you see from our teachers and cadets!
David C. Wesley Brigadier General, USAF, Retired President
SHAPING LEADERS OF CHARACTER
At a time when independent schools across the country are working hard to sustain enrollment and strengthen their mission, we are often asked a simple but important question:
Does Randolph-Macon Academy still shape young people into leaders of character?
As we close out the academic year, we the Board of Trustees can respond with a resounding yes! The class of 2026 abounds with examples – in this communication we will highlight a few.
Pelumi Ibrahim, R-MA’s Class of 2026
Valedictorian, heads to Stanford University this fall, completing his R-MA experience with a 4.438 GPA, 16 consecutive semesters on the President’s List, an AP Scholar with Honors distinction having completed 10 AP courses, and a National Merit Scholarship Commendation. While his accomplishments are impressive alone, he credits R-MA with helping him develop adaptability, discipline, confidence, and responsibility, qualities that he believes will serve him well in college and throughout his life.
Salutatorian RJ Bamfo agrees. “R-MA has taught me discipline, accountability, and most of all the importance of consistency,” he said, as he prepares to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business in the fall. Bamfo earned a 4.430
GPA while making the President’s List for 16 consecutive quarters and completing 10 AP courses. Alongside his academic work, he volunteered with the organization I Vote for Me and explored his growing interest in technology and business through software development projects, including work on an AI-powered restaurant chatbot and a website focused on reducing prescription medication costs.
Ibrahim and Bamfo are only two examples of a much larger set of accomplishments for the Class of 2026. As of this writing, the Class has earned more than $16 million in scholarship offers from some of the most competitive universities and service academies. Every one of the 42 graduates has one or more college acceptances. Two graduates will join 13 Falcon Scholars with appointments to service academies, while 5 more will attend universities with ROTC scholarships.
All of these big moments make us extraordinarily proud! And there are equally powerful moments when nobody is looking that are important to share. This spring, we received an unexpected letter addressed to the Academy from visitors passing through Front Royal. They had no connections to R-MA – they were not prospective families, donors, or alumni. Rather, they witnessed something extraordinary.
While at a local laundromat, they noticed several
students wearing Randolph-Macon Academy uniforms. One student in particular caught their attention.
Without prompting or recognition, she quietly left her friends to sit beside an elderly gentleman who was alone. Introducing herself as Addison, a Falcon Scholar at R-MA, she spent more than forty-five minutes speaking with him – listening patiently as he repeated stories, showing genuine interest and compassion throughout the conversation. The writers shared that they overhead the gentleman say he had not had anyone take the time to talk with him since his wife passed away.
They wrote to us: “We felt it was important that you know what your student chooses to do when no one is watching, when there is no recognition to be gained, only an opportunity to show compassion … In a world that often moves too quickly, her willingness to slow down and truly see someone is remarkable. You should be very proud of the character your school is shaping.”
So, yes. We believe that, more than ever, Randolph-Macon Academy shapes young people into leaders of character – in big moments and small.
As Trustees, faculty, and alumni, we share a responsibility to ensure that this mission continues – not only by preserving the Academy’s legacy, but by strengthening enrollment and expanding opportunities for students who will carry R-MA’s values into the world. Today, we invite you to help us continue shaping the next generation of leaders:
• Share Randolph-Macon Academy with families who may benefit from a valuesdriven education
• Stay engaged with the Academy community
• Consider supporting the Falcon Scholars program or the Annual Fund
With gratitude for your continued commitment to Randolph-Macon Academy. Go Jackets!
JOINING THE LEADERSHIP TEAM PATRICK KYLE
Patrick joined Randolph-Macon Academy in March 2026 as Director of Finance, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across accounting, finance, and business operations.
Born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia, Patrick graduated from George Mason University with a degree in accounting. He spent most of his professional career in the commercial real estate industry, holding leadership roles with JLL and Cresa, where he helped guide financial strategy, operational planning, and organizational growth initiatives.
Patrick resides in Virginia with his wife, Alisa. Together, they have five children and one daughter-in-law. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking in the Shenandoah Valley, and playing golf, though his scorecard rarely reflects his enthusiasm for the sport.
CADETS SHINE AT SPRING EVENTS
Spring is always a busy time for the RandolphMacon Academy Marching Band and Regimental Staff, as cadets participate in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then the Winchester Apple Blossom Festival - and this year, there was a very special last-minute addition to the schedule.
With just a few days’ notice to prepare, the Band and Regimental Staff learned that they would be featured in a parade down Main Street before King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as part of a grand 250th birthday Celebration for the United States. Hosted by the Town of Front Royal, the event would take place on Thursday, April 30, as one of the final stops of the royal couple’s State Visit.
“It was a little surreal,” said trumpet player Faith Asamoah-Mono ‘26, in an interview with WHSVTV Harrisonburg-Staunton, which came by campus to cover the band’s preparations. “I didn’t know if I believed it at first because it felt so out of the realm of reality, but once it kind of sank in,
I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, the royals are coming to Front Royal.’ That’s kind of crazy.”
The event was open to the public, and by 9:00am, the line of attendees waiting to pass through security had wrapped around downtown. Their Majesties arrived at approximately 1:40pm, exiting their motorcade at the gazebo, where block party guests including elected officials and local community organization and business representatives (including George McIntyre ‘69 and Katie Tewell ‘97, who had been invited to share some of The Apple House’s most popular menu items). And then, it was time - the R-MA Band and Regimental Staff led the parade down Main Street, followed by bands from Warren County and Skyline High Schools.
R-MA cadets performing for the Royal couple spoke powerfully of the unique experience. Regimental Commander Rania Husted ‘26 said, “I feel incredibly honored that R-MA was included in such an historic event. More than anything, I feel proud of my fellow cadets. Their hard work and
dedication were evident in our performance, and I hope we made our Front Royal community proud as well.”
“I was proud to represent R-MA in front of the King and Queen,” said Anthony Yoder ‘28. “I could show others what R-MA had taught me about drill and discipline, and I’m happy that I was chosen to be a part of the color guard for this historic event.”
Media followed the Royals’ every step, and in reporting on their activities in Front Royal, the Academy received a great deal of attention, with pieces appearing in The Northern Virginia Daily, WUSA-ABC News Washington, WHSV-TV Harrisonburg-Staunton, and Yahoo News.
“To welcome Their Majesties in a setting that celebrates service, scholarship, and young people rising to meet the future is both a privilege and a moment of enormous significance for our Academy, our town, and our region. This event showed the world what Yellow Jackets mean by ‘the Power of Rise’!”, said Board Chair Lucy Hooper.
Even following Their Majesties’ departure, the busy schedule continued, as the Band prepared for Apple Blossom. As always, they performed with excellence at the Firefighters’ Parade and the Grand Feature Parade, with additional cadets serving as escorts for various parade guests and officials. When the results were released, the Band brought home the title of Outstanding Military Band for both parades, as well as Outstanding Drum Major for Renae Omondi ‘26’s performance at the Firefighters’ Parade.
“All of our cadets put in a lot of hard work and represented our school very well,” said R-MA Band and Music Director Mr. Michael DeMato. “I am especially proud of this year’s group because they were able to push through and be successful after having [performed at the Royal Block party].”
Randolph-Macon Academy congratulates all participating cadets, and thanks the supporters who made their success possible.
“I feel incredibly honored that R-MA was included in such an historic event. More than anything, I feel proud of my fellow cadets.”
ATHLETICS UPDATE
R-MA Athletics was in full swing for the spring season!
Varsity Baseball battled through a challenging schedule and showed significant improvement as the season progressed, finishing strong with several key victories late in the year (including a 15-4 win over Massanutten Military Academy and a 19-0 win over Fork Union Military Academy). On Varsity Golf, the Yellow Jackets continued to make steady progress throughout the season, competing well and putting together several strong team performances. Varsity Girls Soccer showed resilience and growth throughout the season, while earning notable individual recognition as Misgana Reynolds ‘27 was named 1st Team All Conference. Varsity Boy’s Tennis finished with a strong season, highlighted by several victories and an overall 8-4 win-loss record. Varsity Track & Field continued to build momentum throughout the season across sprinting, distance events, and relays. Isaac Kucia ‘30 took home a first-place finish in the 3200m at the Woodberry Forest School meet, and Ade Tajudeen ‘26 (100m), Anthony Yoder ‘28 (200m and 400m) and Isaac Kucia ‘30 (3200m) all brought home first place wins at the Wildcat Last Chance meet in May. Congratulations to all our Yellow Jacket athletes!
Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, R-MA Athletics will transition into updated conference alignments:
Virginia Independent Athletic Conference (VAIC): 8-man football, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball, Baseball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer
Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC): Boys Tennis, Girls Tennis, Swimming Golf
As the Yellow Jackets continue to grow and evolve, these changes will create new opportunities for competition and continued development across all athletic programs.
Go Jackets!
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
ALEX KERSHAW
PRESENTS ON
THE BEDFORD BOYS
On May 6th 2026, the R-MA Corps of Cadets was given a riveting presentation on The Bedford Boys, a book by New York Times best-selling author, Mr. Alex Kershaw.
The Bedford Boys tells the true story of 38 young men from the small town of Bedford, Virginia who served together in Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division during World War II. R-MA Board of Trustees Vice Chairman John Simar ‘68, who also serves on the Board of Directors of The Bedford Boys Tribute Center, describes them as “everyday Americans, mostly farmers, who made the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day in order to save Europe from the Nazi tyranny of Germany.”
Kershaw’s book focuses primarily on D-Day and the assault on Omaha Beach. On the morning of D-Day, many of the Bedford soldiers were among the first Americans to land under intense German fire. Within minutes, 19 were killed or wounded before they could even leave the beach. Because Bedford was such a small community (with a total population of ~3,200 in 1945), the loss of so many young men in a single battle devastated the town; indeed, Bedford saw the greatest proportional losses of any town in the United States, with 23 men giving their lives.
Mr. Kershaw combines battlefield history with personal stories, showing who these men were before the war: sons, athletes, workers, and
friends who grew up together during the Great Depression. The narrative follows their training, their bond as soldiers, and the emotional impact their deaths had on their families and hometown, and it highlights how deeply war can affect an entire community when so many serve together. A central theme is remembrance: the idea that ordinary people can display extraordinary courage under impossible circumstances. It is both a military history and a tribute to sacrifice, courage, and small-town America during wartime.
Mr. Kershaw is the Resident Historian for the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the author of several additional books, including The Longest Winter, The Liberator, Avenue of Spies, The First Wave, Against All Odds, and his latest book, Patton’s Prayer (2024). A graduate of University College, Oxford, his journalism has appeared in many magazines and newspapers since 1990. He has also worked as a screenwriter and in television, penning an award-winning 2004 documentary on Bobby Kennedy. He is an honorary colonel in the 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. Since 2012, he has led many battlefield tours of Europe; he will be leading tours for the Friends of the National World War II Memorial in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg this September. This was his second visit to the Academy; his first took place in October 2025, when he addressed R-MA’s Falcon Scholars and a group of distinguished guests.
CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT
On Saturday, May 23, the 55 members of the Class of 2026 followed in the footsteps of 133 classes before them, to become the Academy’s newest graduates.
Following the invocation offered by Chaplain Monica Reynolds, the scripture lesson read by R-MA Board of Trustees Chair Mrs. Lucy (Williams) Hooper, and the Prayer of St. Francis read by Assistant Dean Mr. Derrick Leasure, General Wesley welcomed the R-MA community to Commencement, and addressed the Class of 2026 directly: “The future is calling you, young men and women of the Regiment. Your country needs you. Our world needs you, and we know that that is what you are prepared to do. Well done, ladies and gentlemen.”
Class of 2026 Valedictorian Pelumi Ibrahim: “No mistake matters as much as how you move forward.”
Academic Dean Ms. Tracey Ramey then welcomed the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Pelumi Ibrahim, to the podium. During his time at R-MA, he earned a 4.438 GPA, made the President’s List for 16 consecutive quarters, completed 10 AP courses, earned an AP Scholar with Honors distinction, received a National Merit Scholarship Commendation, and pursued an independent research project focused on developing machine learning models for diabetic retinopathy. He will attend Stanford University in the fall, where he plans to study Electrical Engineering.
While he knew he planned to push himself academically when he arrived at R-MA in 2022,
“You have the opportunity to write the book that is your life...live as the words that tell your story.”
VALEDICTORIAN
PELUMI IBRAHIM ‘26
Ibrahim reflected that, “most, if not all of us came to R-MA knowing absolutely nothing about how the next four years of our lives would look...we took the risk of coming here and looking at the class in front of me, I think it’s safe to say that risk paid off.”
He spoke about the changes and challenges the Class of 2026 had endured, including the loss of Ms. Cindy Michael (“one of our most remarkable teachers”), and noted that “I can’t promise you that after you walk this stage and snatch the diploma out of General Wesley’s hands, that any of that randomness is going to disappear. If anything life is only going to get harder to predict...with that being said, my question to you, the Class of 2026, and everyone else listening is: if you know how different tomorrow can look, then why fear today?”
He concluded by challenging his classmates to take risks: “As you go on
to this new chapter of life, don’t make the rest of your life a liminal space between surviving and living...and don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to be easy. There are going to be times where you feel small, times where giving up feels easier. But I promise you, if you live morally, live intentionally, and live freely, you’ll figure it out, just like you always have...You have the opportunity to write the book that is your life. So don’t live as the space between the lines, live as the words that tell your story.”
Commencement Speaker: Brigadier General Linell Letendre, USAF, Retired
General Wesley then introduced this year’s Commencement speaker, Brigadier General Linell Letendre, USAF, Retired. General Letendre concluded a distinguished 29-year Air Force career as Provost and Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she led more than 750 faculty and staff and oversaw academics for 4,000 cadets. Under her leadership, the Academy rose from #39 to #5 among national liberal arts colleges, established the Martinson Honors Program, and generated more than 37 patents.
A 1996 distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy with a degree in Astronautical Engineering, she earned her law degree with high honors from the University of Washington and has since served in numerous senior legal roles, including as the Chief of Strategic Communication for the Judge Advocate General, Staff Judge Advocate, and the Air Force’s Chief Appellate Counsel, General Letendre is widely recognized as a thought leader on law, technology, and ethics, with extensive publications and international engagements.
The 55 members of the Class of 2026 (including 42 seniors and 13 Falcon Scholars) earned a 100% college acceptance rate, and:
$16 MILLION IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
She began by reflecting on her childhood ambition to become an astronaut, and recalled a day when she was six years old and met a real astronaut at her local library. “I had my paper and pencil, and I was ready to copy step by step instructions of exactly how I too was going to go to space. And this patient man smiled at me, and he looked me straight in the eye, and he said, ‘Do the job in front of you incredibly well, and that, in turn, will open up the next opportunity. Do that one incredibly well, and before you know it, you’re in space.’” It wasn’t the answer she’d hoped for (“I knew how to become an astronaut...All figured out. I was a first grader.”), but his advice proved correct. “I did the job in front of me really well, and that opened doors - doors I didn’t expect, nor ever contemplate.”
Now, years later, when asked for advice by young men and women about which door they should open or opportunity they should pursue, her advice is always the same: “Do the job in front of you incredibly well, and that in turn will open up another opportunity for you. For you see, I do not believe that there is actually only one right path for you. I think that there are many potential ones. It just requires that you have the courage to open one of those doors, do the job incredibly well, and see where it leads you.” She added that she does believe that there are three absolutes that must be adhered to while on that path to success: “character, service, and gratitude.”
The first of these, she noted, matters “because when someone hears you say something, they
16 SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTEMENTS
(14 USAFA, 1 USNA, 1 USMMA)
5
US NAVY ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS
know they can count on it. That it is the truth. Because when they meet you and they learn that you graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy, they know that they can trust you implicitly.”
Service, she observed, “means lifting others up to their best possible selves.” The Class of 2026 had a tremendous example in Ms. Cindy Michael, who dedicated many years of her life to the education of R-MA cadets, and General Letendre admired the Class’s reflection of that service in donating toward the scholarship established in her name, calling it “an act of service and generosity that will impact this community for years to come.”
She implored the Class to carry gratitude with them on their journeys, because “irrespective of the path that we are on or the door that we open,
Scan this QR code to see the full list of the Class of 2026’s college and university acceptances!
we have never gotten there alone.” In particular, she encouraged them to adopt the habit of sending handwritten thank-you notes (a gesture that costs little but is always appreciated), and called upon the Class to stand and thank their families, friends, and supporters.
As the graduating class prepared to walk across the stage, she asked them to remember these three absolutes. “It is my fervent hope...that every time you take it out or look at it on your wall, you will remember that there are many pathways on which you can be successful, many pathways with which you can fulfill Randolph-Macon Academy’s mission of developing leaders who will improve humanity...armed with this, I have no doubts about your future success.”
CADET SPOTLIGHT
MICHAEL ‘27
Each year, rising R-MA juniors and seniors are given the opportunity to become leaders of the Cadet Regiment, called Cadre. Through a rigorous application process, an outstanding group are chosen to serve at the top of the command structure..
Serving as Regimental Commander for 2026-27: Michael DeMato, Jr. ‘27.
Where are you from, and why did you choose to come to R-MA?
I am from Front Royal, VA, and I have been a cadet at R-MA for 5 years. Because my father is a teacher at R-MA {Michael DeMato, Sr., Band and Music Director], I have had memorable experiences at this school long before I was a student. From attending basketball games, to the Candlelight Service, to decorating Boggs Chapel at Christmas, R-MA has always been a part of my life. As I got older, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a part of all of that as a cadet. It was an easy decision for me, no other school offers what R-MA does.
How has R-MA helped you develop as a leader?
R-MA offers so many different opportunities for leadership, and the product that comes from those opportunities is always impressive. Things like being a Cadre member, or being a part of the R-MA Honor Council, help develop young cadets’ leadership skills. These skills include things like building relationships, quick decision-making, and time management. As a result of this, many cadets grow into better people. This is the overall goal of almost, if not all, of the programs that R-MA offers.
What do you hope to accomplish as a Cadre leader?
In the upcoming year, I hope to simply continue to make the school better. It has been 3 years since R-MA has introduced the Character and Leadership Development Program. The past three classes of Cadre have done well in getting the school accustomed to this new program. I hope to build off of their great success, and to help continue to lead the school to new heights.
Why did you decide to apply for a Cadre leadership position?
I wanted to be a part of the change that I wanted to see. Very often, I would hear people talk about things that they wanted done differently at R-MA, and the best way to make those things happen is through Cadre. It is a great opportunity for students to learn a higher level of leadership and how to navigate certain aspects of being in charge of larger units. Being a Cadre leader has prepared me well for problems I will encounter well past high school.
“The most important thing I have learned in my time at R-MA is the importance of integrity...It is a character trait that I believe I only could have learned at this school.”
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your time at R-MA?
The most important thing I have learned in my time at R-MA is the importance of integrity. I had the honor of serving for 3 years on the R-MA Honor Council, and in that time I was taught how this school operates in terms of academic honesty. It is a character trait that I believe I only could have learned at this school. Without this system, R-MA would lose some of its best values, and become just like any other school.
Who has been your biggest supporter at R-MA?
My biggest supporter at R-MA has been my father, Michael DeMato, Sr., who is also my music teacher and Cross Country coach. He has helped me achieve many of the things that I have accomplished in my time at R-MA, and from what I have seen, he has that impact on all of his students and athletes that he interacts with. He has motivated me to push through the stressful parts of school and sports that end up helping me grow as a leader and as a person.
What’s your favorite class at R-MA?
It is hard to choose one class because they are all so unique and different in ways that make them all great. For me, it comes down to two classes from two vastly different programs at R-MA. The first class is Physics...it is one of the first classes I have taken in a long time that truly challenges the way one thinks about certain problems. The other class is Band. The music program at R-MA is one of the best things that is offered. It builds a strong sense of community, and the Band class itself is perhaps the most fun and enjoyable class in the school.
What are you involved in at R-MA, outside of classes?
I have done Cross Country, Basketball, and Track & Field for the past three years, and in my junior year, I set the school record in the 5K. I play guitar in the Praise Band, a group that plays music every Wednesday morning for our Chapel Services, and drums in a jazz band that plays at events like the Military Ball. I have also been in the Interact Club for the past two years, where I have participated in many community service events.
Outside of Cadre, what accomplishment have you been most proud of as a cadet at R-MA?
Outside of becoming Regimental Commander, the accomplishment I am the most proud of is winning the Outstanding Musician Award at the Military School Band and Choir festival. Because music is such a big part of my life, I was incredibly proud of an achievement such as that. After three years of going to this competition and auditioning against other great trumpet players - two of whom were my fellow classmates - I finally received this award in my junior year. It was the result of hours of practicing, and improving year by year on my own personal skills.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place on the R-MA campus is Boggs Chapel. I am catholic, and I take my religion and my relationship with God very seriously. I find it to be a place of calmness and serenity. Although sometimes, when playing guitar in the Praise Band for services, it can be the most energetic and fun place in the school, and that is another reason that I love it. Nowhere else on campus, or really anywhere, can make one feel all of those different ways. It is truly a special place and I can guarantee that many other cadets feel the same way that I do about the Chapel.
What’s your favorite R-MA tradition?
My favorite R-MA tradition is one that I am guessing only cadets at R-MA are aware ofthe “senior door” at the band room. It is quite a minuscule thing, but to me, and many others, it holds great meaning. As 9th graders, it is seen as this cool, unique, niche part of the school. Now, heading into my senior year, it is one of the smaller things that I am very excited about.
What advice would you give incoming cadets?
The best advice I would give to incoming cadets would be to just trust the process. The first few weeks as a cadet at R-MA can be overwhelming, but the Cadre and teachers are very good at helping people adjust to this lifestyle. The best thing a new cadet can do is ask questions, learn how the system works, and find out how to best succeed with what they are given. Being a new cadet a R-MA is a great experience because there are so many things that are fun to experience for the first time. It is nothing to be afraid of, but not something that should be taken lightly either.
What are your personal goals for 2026-27? Any longer term goals you’d like to share, like college or career aspirations?
In my senior year, my goal is to uphold the high standards that the Regimental Commanders before me have set. After my time at R-MA, I hope to attend The United States Air Force Academy and major in physics. This has been a goal of mine for several years, and R-MA has done a fantastic job at putting me in a position to achieve that goal. I also hope to continue to improve my musical talent, and perhaps one day write something of my own.
Bijou Kebbay ‘27 will join Michael in leading the Corps as Regimental Executive Officer (the secondhighest ranking senior).
Bijou was previously highlighted in the Summer-Fall 2025 issue of The Sabre, when she was selected to serve as Command Sergeant Major.
You served as Command Sergeant Major for 2025-26. What did you learn from that experience, and how did you balance the expectations and responsibilities of leadership?
Serving as Command Sergeant Major was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at R-MA. The position challenged me to lead by example, support my fellow cadets, and help maintain the standards and traditions of the Academy. I learned that leadership is not about authority - it’s about service, accountability, and earning the trust of others. Balancing the expectations and responsibilities required strong time management, discipline, and communication. There were times when the pressure was high, but I learned the importance of staying organized, listening to others, and remaining focused on the bigger picture. The experience taught me how to handle challenges professionally and how to motivate others while continuing to grow myself.
What are your goals for the future, and how has R-MA helped prepare you for them?
For the 2026–27 school year and beyond graduation, my goal is to continue pursuing academic excellence while preparing for college and my future career. I hope
to attend a university where I can continue developing my leadership skills and explore opportunities in a field that allows me to make a positive impact on others. I am very excited to begin my journey to becoming a doctor and I’ll always carry with me the lessons I’ve learned at R-MA. R-MA has prepared me by teaching me discipline, resilience, responsibility, and confidence. The Academy has challenged me academically and personally, helping me develop skills that will be valuable in college, my career, and everyday life.
Are there things you can do now that would have intimidated you when you first arrived at R-MA?
Absolutely. When I first arrived at R-MA, I would have been intimidated by public speaking, leading large groups of people, and making decisions that affect others. Today, those responsibilities feel much more natural because of the opportunities I’ve had to practice and grow. The change came from stepping outside my comfort zone and learning from both successes and mistakes and the great leaders that came before me. R-MA encouraged me to take on challenges rather than avoid them, and each experience helped build my confidence and leadership abilities.
If a prospective family asked you what makes R-MA different, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that R-MA is different because it focuses on developing the whole person. It’s not just about academics; it’s about character, leadership, community, and personal growth. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, support one another, and become the best version of themselves. The close-knit community is one of the main things that makes R-MA special. Teachers, staff, and fellow students genuinely care about your success and help you reach your goals.
Anything else you want people to know about yourself or the Academy?
R-MA has had a significant impact on who I am today. It has helped me become more confident, disciplined, and prepared for the future. The Academy provides opportunities that push students to grow, and if you are willing to embrace those opportunities, you can accomplish far more than you may have imagined when you first arrived. The lessons I’ve learned here will stay with me long after graduation, and I am grateful for the experiences, friendships, and leadership opportunities that have shaped my journey.
Camilo Medina Palmieri ‘28 will join Michael and Bijou in leading the Corps as Command Sergeant Major (the highest ranking junior).
Where are you from and how long have you been at R-MA?
I’ve lived a lot of places, but I’ve stayed the longest here in Front Royal. I’ve been at R-MA since sixth grade, so five years now.
What made you choose to come to school here?
My parents had heard about the school through a friend, and out of curiosity asked what I thought of it...I loved the military aspect of it and how the school had a reputation for graduating cadets that received appointments at the United States Air Force Academy. I personally wanted to go into the Naval Academy, and so a school that yearly had students get into service academies was a huge factor...Whether somebody wanted to become a pilot, or wanted to go into the military, or get into a great college, the school had a path for most, and that’s what stood out to me so much when I was looking at R-MA.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at R-MA?
The value of discipline and time management. Both those things often go hand-in-hand, and R-MA has all sorts of areas that test your strength in those qualities. I’ve learned how to be further disciplined at R-MA through consistency. A really great example of consistency at R-MA is from all the students here who decide to wake up at 0500 to work out and improve
themselves in the weight room. I participate in High Flight at R-MA, which is a group led by Mr. Freiwald that focuses on HIIT workouts to improve ourselves. We all practice discipline by waking up so early on those mornings consistently. I’ve learned the value of time management at R-MA in countless places...Academics at R-MA are more challenging than other schools, and along with all the other commitments someone could have like clubs, sports, or different military aspects of life at R-MA we have to be disciplined and practice time management constantly.
How has R-MA helped you develop as a leader? What about as a person?
As a leader I’ve grown to take more initiative. Before I was comfortable sitting in the back and not putting myself out there when someone was needed to do something. Over time at R-MA I learned to take the initiative and get what needs to be accomplished done. As a person, I’ve learned to be more confident and outgoing.
What are your goals for 2026-27? Any longer-term goals you’d like to share?
One of my biggest goals is to get a 1400 or higher on my SAT. Another goal I have to earn a spot as 2nd seed on the men’s tennis team in the spring. My biggest long-term goal is to be accepted into the Naval Academy and graduate as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Up until this point I’ve thought about doing all that I can to make myself stand out of the many applicants applying to the USNA. After I serve in the military for some time I’m not sure what I want to do. I used to think of being an engineer, now my interests are in Pre-Med and possibly pursuing a career in the medical field after my time in the military.
What advice would you give incoming cadets?
Find a few things that you’re truly passionate about and get good at them. Being involved in too many different things spreads you out too much, and you never have time or experience enough to get good at any of them. Find a core set of things you’re passionate about, whether it be color guards, sports, class office, or clubs, and work to improve yourself and get good at what you do in those areas. That’s when you can make an impact on others and yourself by doing something you enjoy doing and doing it really well. You stand out, and you set yourself up for more opportunity in something you love to do and want to pursue.
MICHAEL MYERS & JAMES TAAFEL ‘05
EARN ADVANCED DEGREES
Please join the Academy in congratulating two members of our esteemed faculty who completed advanced degrees this spring:
Mr. Michael Myers (top right) earned an M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology from The Pennsylvania State University - The Fox Graduate School: World Campus. His coursework focused on learning theory, instructional design, and the use of technology in classroom, workplace, and virtual classroom settings. In addition to creating a portfolio of instructional artifacts (among them, a prototype mobile app designed to help students with executive functioning challenges improve their prioritization skills), Myers wrote a paper on the ethics of technological instructional tools, which focused on surveillance tools for administrators and teachers, usage of Course Management Systems (CMS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) in housing data, algorithmic bias in AI-generated data, and technology focused on engagement rather than content. “I would say the most meaningful experiences were being able to learn more about experiential learning and being able to incorporate that into an LMS for authentic virtual Project-Based Learning,” he reflected.
Mr. James Taafel ‘05 (bottom right) earned an M.A. in History from Slippery Rock University. “I’ve always been fascinated by the study of history - the human stories, the centuries-long trends that have shaped whole societies, and the contingent accidents that change the lives of millions. Several years ago, I resolved to strengthen my own relationship to history as an academic subject by completing a Master’s Degree in History. My colleague Paul Britner recommended Slippery Rock University, where he had also received his M.A. in History. I am so grateful to Paul for all the advice he gave along the way. The program’s small classes and challenging coursework were exactly what I was looking for. My studies were balanced between United States, European, and World History, though my most intensive work concerned research into a matter of local history: the struggle over school integration in Front Royal.” He extended his thanks to the whole R-MA community: “The whole R-MA community has been tremendously supportive. Earning this degree required years of long hours and hard work, but it helped to know that our community was cheering me on. I extend Michael Myers my sincerest congratulations for also completing his Master’s degree.”
IN MEMORIAM:
DAVID W. MOORE, SR. ‘53
WRITTEN BY R-MA PRESIDENT
BRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID C. WESLEY, USAF, RET
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of an R-MA legend: Mr. David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53, age 90, on June 15, 2026. Dave, as he preferred to be called, was one of the Academy’s greatest friends and advocates for decades, and his loss is keenly felt by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Betty; his sons, David, Jr., Lewis, and Bryan ‘84; and his cousin, Robert (Bob) Moore ‘50.
Dave’s story begins much earlier than his birth on July 30, 1935 -- it starts with his grandparents, Drewry Enoch and Alice Kallam Moore. Mr. Moore was born in 1860 and Alice in 1862 in Henry County, Virginia. Both had little formal education, but Drewry became a successful businessman, owning a flour and feed mill, and Alice a successful mother and housewife. They married
when Drewry was 21 and Alice 19, and had 14 children - among them, Dave’s father, Thomas Munsey Moore, who passed away in 1948, when Dave was 13. Dave’s mother, Bernice Thomspon Moore, passed away just five months later, leaving behind five boys. In this time of need, the family turned to R-MA, and it was decided that Dave, two of his brothers (Drew ‘51 and Tony ‘53), and his cousin (Bob ‘50) would attend the Academy.
Graduating in 1953, Dave became a multi-sport athlete, progressing from Mite to Midget to JV Football (as a senior, he was Captain of the JV Team, which was named “Team of the Year”), as well as a member of the JV and Varsity Basketball Teams, and Varsity Track. He also served as a waiter, and as Senior Class Treasurer. Dave would later say of his time at R-MA that “perhaps
the greatest impact on my life was the overall Academy approach. Each student was held responsible for his actions; intellectual as well as educational development was stressed; a religious atmosphere existed; the faculty was of a high caliber and was stable, and there was an everpresent spirit of competitiveness and cooperation.”
Following graduation, he attended Roanoke College and earned a BS in Economics/Business Administration, and then joined the US Navy, where he would spend 20 years serving his country, attaining the rank of Commander (USS Saginaw, a Navy LST) and being awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for valor in combat. He would also earn an MS in International Relations from George Washington University in 1972.
Following his retirement from the Navy, he pursued a successful career in business in the Virginia Beach area (including A1 Bike and Sport Center, Bike for Life Products, Electric Mobility Corporation, and Cuthrell’s Inc.) until his retirement. Dave was also a follower of Jesus Christ, an active and dedicated member and leader of the congregation at the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, and volunteered for many organizations, including Toastmasters International, Ruritan, and Rotary.
Dave met his better half in Betty Lewis Moore of Roanoke, VA. Together, they had three children - David, Jr., Lewis, and Bryan ‘84 (Bryan is also a Past President of the Alumni Association and a past member of the Board of Trustees).
Dave’s retirement from the Navy also gave him time to advocate for R-MA. By 1980, he’d become President of the Alumni Association; by 1983, he was a member of the Board of Trustees. He would ultimately serve more than 15 years on the Board of Trustees (1983-1993, then 1998-2014), notably as Chair of the Centennial Committee, then Chair of the Development and Marketing Committee. Dave and Betty would even move back to campus for two years to serve as staff representatives for
the Aim High Campaign in the late 1980’s, raising funds for the construction of Turner Hall.
Dave also served as a Class Ambassador, Alumni Chapter Leader (hosting many events for alumni in the Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area), and was a founding member of the Academy’s legacy giving club, the Society of 1892. At Homecoming in October of 2015, Dave was presented with the Alumni Association’s Byron C. Gayle ‘50 Dedicated Service Award. In 2019, the renovated library in Sonner-Payne Hall was renamed the Betty and David Moore ‘53 Enterprise and Leadership Laboratory (colloquially called “the MELL”).
In 2004, Dave and the Moore family established the Drewry Enoch and Alice Kallam Moore Scholarship at Randolph-Macon Academy, in honor of the grandparents who brought him, his brothers, and his cousin to R-MA. To date, the scholarship has made an R-MA education possible for 14 cadets, and thanks to Dave and his family, that legacy will continue in perpetuity.
In honor of Dave’s passing and his many years of service and dedication, the Academy will fly the American flag at half-staff over campus for three days. That flag will then be presented to the Moore family, in honor and memory of Dave’s staunch dedication to his beloved Academy.
IN MEMORIAM:
J. WILLIAM “BILL” CURL, JR. ‘66
WRITTEN BY ASSISTANT ACADEMIC DEAN
MR. DERRICK LEASURE
We all remember having great teachers in our lives who could not coach sports and great coaches who could not teach courses well. Bill Curl was one of those professionals who both taught and coached at the highest level. He was always Mr. Curl during the day and Coach Curl after school. Bill’s exceptional classroom and sports team leadership skills likely came through his own Randolph-Macon Academy experience, as he graduated with honors in 1966. He played many sports and held records in track and field. Heading off to Wake Forest University, Bill played baseball and graduated with a degree in English in 1970. Bill worked in the private sector for many years before settling on teaching, coaching and mentoring at R-MA from 1998 to 2018.
The first time I had the pleasure of watching Bill teach he had an English class write the “Biography of the Dollar Bill.” While it wasn’t meant to be an economics lesson, it was a clever way for students to look at every aspect of the dollar bill, to research its history, and create a personality for the currency in a creative presentation. I was hooked and had to go back and listen to what his students crafted. Students often report having learned more about the English language and proper writing skills in Mr. Curl’s 8th grade English class than they did in high school and beyond. While he employed interesting lessons, he stayed true to the basics of spelling, grammar, vocabulary and composition.
Stepping into Bill’s classes from then on was a treat because I had never seen a room full of students so well behaved and trained to execute the routines of the day. One day a student in the hall asked me to check his appearance. I asked
why and he responded that he has a presentation to give in Mr. Curl’s class, and he takes off points for looking slovenly. He did not want to disappoint his favorite teacher, and neither did I. Students recount every year during visits to “The Hill” how Mr. Curl helped them become a better student, person, and athlete with high expectations and consistent modeling.
Coach Curl loved all sports. If he wasn’t coaching one he would be attending games, meets and matches to root on the Yellow Jackets. Being a member of one of his teams was a special time for athletes. Not only did his teams have to exhibit the best behavior and best adherence to the rules, but they also had to look the best. Uniforms had to match, of course, but so did the team’s basketball shoes, golf bags, golf shirts and accessories.
Coach Curl’s success in transforming teams into strong winning communities yielded him Coach of the Season awards three times and he was named R-MA’s Coach of the Year in 2008.
One day before a home basketball game, I approached him in the hall while he was putting on his coat and adjusting his tie. I commented that he looked ready for another win. He responded that as with every coaching event he is always anxious before it gets started. He stated further something like “everything has to go right and it’s my job to make it that way. The kids deserve it.”
That was Coach Curl. It wasn’t just another game to complete and go home. He wanted everyone in that gym to enjoy the game and see his team of Yellow Jackets display great sportsmanship, earn respect and win. The crowning moment of Bill’s coaching career came in 2015 when he won his 200th victory in R-MA Middle School Boys’ Basketball. It was truly special with a school wide celebration and a tribute to Mr. Curl in the yearbook.
The most common term students use to describe Mr. Curl is that he was their “mentor.” Talking with students, listening to them and offering sage advice throughout the year was Bill’s specialty and what he loved the most. He conducted “pep talks” in the classroom, in the hall, in the cafeteria and always on the court. His strategy was also to speak “with” students so that they could arrive at their own solutions. His efforts earned him R-MA’s Mentor of the Year award in 2013. Former students always highlight the mentorship their beloved teacher and coach:
• Jacob Dodson ‘15: “Mr. Curl saw the potential in each of us and was willing to mentor his students and athletes to be successful. He was generous with his time and talents.”
• Emma Bunker ‘16: “To be taught, coached, and mentored by Bill Curl was to be taught, coached, and mentored by the best, ultimately making you better for it. He challenged people to rise higher than they thought possible and never accepted less than their best because he saw more in them than they often saw in themselves.”
• Benjamin Kopjanski ‘20, USN: “Mr. Curl was more than just a teacher or a coach; he was
a mentor. What he taught went beyond the classroom. He molded his students into the exemplary young men and women they are today.”
• Vincent Thibodeau ‘09, Salem University: “Often when you walked into a room with Coach Curl he would have what I would consider a serious face on, but the moment he made eye contact with you his resting face would quickly turn into a huge smile with eyes wide open and it would make anyone smile on the worst of days. That look, that smile, that’s the man and the coach I will remember. His impact, an ‘indelible’ one.“
Bill Curl’s classroom was a museum of pictures and plaques of former teams, mentoring groups and classes. All decked out on the black and yellow of Randolph-Macon Academy, the room was a testament to the Power of Rise we all share on this campus. Bill reveled in that spirit every day. His family is proud of his efforts to the school and its students. His wife Joan, his son Brad, his daughter Julie, his granddaughter Reagan ‘18, his grandson Ryan, and his grandson Gavin ‘27 credit Bill for their love of the school, a good education and an appreciation for living honorably through sports.
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 June 30, 2026 are not included in this list.)
George W. Seger ‘48 March 2, 2026
Ed Tolzman, Jr. ‘48 November 18, 2026
Norman H. Cole, Jr. ‘49 February 7, 2026
Thomas S. Jordan, Jr. ‘51 January 6, 2023
John E. Omps ‘51 September 27, 2024
David W. Moore, Sr. ‘53 June 15, 2026
Donald R. Bibb ‘57 June 16, 2026
William L. Robinson ‘57 February 11, 2026
William W. Oyler ‘61 June 28, 2025
James H. Patterson ‘61 February 21, 2026
James N. Fletcher, Jr ‘62 February 13, 2026
Barry A. Simonpietri ‘63 June 2, 2025
J. William Curl, Jr. ‘66 June 4, 2026
Lee E. Hemphill ‘66 December 26, 2023
Michael H. McCord ‘66 May 13, 2026
G. Benjamin Ligon ‘69 June 30, 2026
J. Padgett Severin ‘70 June 11, 2026
Chester D. Spielman, Jr. ‘70 May 11, 2026
Clayton K. Mote ‘71 January 31, 2025
Mark R. Ruebush ‘82 April 9, 2026
Got an update to share with the Yellow Jacket family?
Scan this QR code to submit your class note, or contact the Advancement Team at advancement@RMA.edu or at (540) 636-5206.
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 540-636-5206 or at advancement@RMA.edu.
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
The Class of 2026 painted this mural behind Sonner-Payne Hall in loving memory of longtime R-MA faculty member and devoted Snoopy fan, Ms. Cindy Michael, who passed away in December 2025.