Reveille - Spring 2024

Official Publication of Riverside Prep | SPRING 2024

BROTHERHOOD AT ITS BEST

80 YEARS ALUMNUS

CADET

CLASS OF 1949

CLASS OF 2029

SUMNER CAHOON

MAX VEGAS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

YOUNG MEN

PREPPED FOR COLLEGE.

PREPPED FOR

ANYTHING. Dear Riverside Family and Friends, As with any long-enduring institution or business, the Academy has evolved through the years to keep pace with technology, the ever-changing global environment, and the opportunity to provide the best possible educational experience for young men.

The campus and curriculum continue to change to meet these demands. However, visit campus any day to witness the atmosphere of brotherhood and mentorship that has underpinned the structure, discipline, leadership development, and academic achievement used to develop young men at Riverside for more than a century. It has been, and continues to be, an environment designed to challenge, inspire, and test young men, and ultimately, help them reach their potential.

Then and now, Riverside’s mission as a college preparatory academy preparing young men for success, has stood the test of time. One hundred percent of this year’s seniors have been accepted to college. Graduates continue to be accepted by top-tier colleges and universities and receive significant scholarship awards to attend.

Mentorship and brotherhood continue to be important components of the Riverside educational experience.

The relationships formed create a bond and respect for one another that is unparalleled in other schools.

This issue of Reveille is dedicated to that atmosphere of mentorship and brotherhood. These components of our educational model stem from interactions and bonds between faculty, TACS, coaches, and alumni with our cadets. To know that others, peers and alumni, have 2

REVEILLE | Spring 2024

RIVERSIDE CADETS THEN & NOW

CONTENTS 2

Message From the President

4

Then & Now

6

A Parent's Perspective: Nicole Baker

8

Learning at its Best

10 Standing Taller: Sulyman Daura 12 Riverside Athletics: Building Champions 14 Riverside Develops Rock Solid Young Men: Armand La Douceur, '24 16 The Rewards are as Great as the Challenge 18 Mentoring Excellence in the Classroom 20 2023 Commencement Highlights 22 Reaching His Potential: Alex Pombo, '23 24 Alumnus Spotlight: Andrew G. Temple, ’89 26 2023 Alumni Homecoming Highlights Cadets Octavio Mello Santos, ’30, & Ishaku Bagna, ’25, pose for the traditional shortest/tallest cadet photo.

faced similar circumstances as they learn to embrace every opportunity to reach their potential at Riverside reassures cadets.

28 Alumni Class Notes 30 Fall Parents' Weekend 31 Final Taps

SAVE THE DATE

Both small victories and brief setbacks are celebrated and embraced… that is what is meant by “the rewards are as great as the challenge.”

Read about cadets, parents, recent graduates, and alumni who share their experience with the Riverside phenomenon, what it means to them, and how cadets and graduates are using it to drive success in their personal and professional accomplishments.

Now, as then, Riverside’s mission continues to develop boys into great men prepared for whatever comes next.

With gratitude for your support of this extraordinary institution -

AUGUST 8, 2024 Colonel(R) Stanley C. “Staś” Preczewski, U.S.A., Ph.D. President scp@riversideprep.org | 678-628-4872 (cell)

Contact advancement@riversideprep.org for more information. riversideprep.org 3

THEN

Riverside stays committed to principles of LEADERSHIP | SELF-DISCIPLINE | ACADEMIC RIGOR

ESTABLISHED IN 1907, Riverside continues to use the military model of structure and self-discipline to prepare young men for college. Boys from all over the globe have learned that starting the day with a simple task such as making their beds is both a responsibility and an accomplishment.

The Academy incorporates the military’s structured approach and leadership principles of accountability, teamwork, and selfless service to teach responsibility, respect, and self-discipline.

Students earn the privilege of being called “cadets.”

They are formed into companies giving cadets the opportunity to earn leadership rank, with responsibility for themselves as well as for others.

From the moment they arrive on campus, students begin their transformation from boys into young men. Each starts as a Recruit on Campus (ROC) and within a month, learns about the rich history, value, ethos and the purpose behind the military educational structure, drill, and ceremonies. This is all achieved while still having to focus on the rigorous academic coursework and athletic practices and competitions that make up a majority of the daily schedule.

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ALUMNUS

SUMNER CAHOON CLASS OF 1949

CH

REW

EST 1907

& NOW

ALLENGE

ARDS

R

ERSID E

IV

PREP

... the SECRET SAUCE that continues to prepare thousands of young men for success.

THE REWARDS & THE CHALLENGE As cadets, students learn to do the right things, both as an individual and as part of a team.

Turning in homework assignments on time and being prepared for a company inspection lead to rewards. They realize that they can be successful, which incentivizes them even more. Throughout the process, they learn that self-discipline drives success. They become leaders of their peers, earn leadership rank, all while building self-confidence.

They are still adolescents and will make mistakes, sometimes causing them to lose privileges or leadership rank, but Riverside provides a safe environment for them to learn from those experiences and overcome.

With plenty of nurturing along the way, a typical young boy enters Riverside as a ROC, earns the title of “Cadet,” becomes a respected member of the brotherhood, is accepted into the college of his choosing, then sets out on his path to success in life.

This military-style educational model continues to be Riverside’s secret sauce. It has prepared thousands of young men for success, evolving through the years as the needs of families and students have expanded.

At Riverside, cadets are empowered to develop and learn autonomously, embracing both their achievements and setbacks. Through mentorship, brotherhood, and academic achievement, this military model transforms boys into young men: gives them the opportunity to reach their potential: and prepares them for success in college, or whatever they choose to do next.

The rewards truly are as great as the challenge, and the boys’ accomplishments set a trajectory for success at Riverside and beyond.

ALUMNUS

RUBEN BARAHONA CLASS OF 2021

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A PARENT'S

PERSPECTIVE. NICOLE BAKER

Caleb Baker, '25, was not your typical

eight-year-old. At an early age, Baker had high aspirations to attend a service academy.

He began researching different schools and came across information about Riverside.

Baker begged his parents to go, and when he turned twelve, the family decided they would allow him to begin his studies at Riverside as a day student.

O

nly two weeks into his Recruit On Campus (ROC) cycle, Baker’s TAC officer called the family to let them know Baker wanted to become a boarding student and live on campus. At first, his parents resisted, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they agreed to let him live on campus during his 8th-grade year.

independence. A pivotal moment for her was when she heard Baker speak at one of Riverside’s open house events.

“When he was a freshman, he stood up in front of a room of parents and potential families and answered a question.

At the end of his response, the parents stood up and applauded him... I remember thinking, ‘Who is this kid?’”

Baker’s mother, Nicole, said the growth in her son has been remarkable in the five years he’s been at Riverside.

“I dropped off a really great 12-year-old kid; I now have an amazing young man. My husband and I could not have done this without Riverside. He’s been given an opportunity to lead in situations he wouldn’t have had in a traditional school environment.”

Nicole also described the difference an all-male education has made for her son. “[Riverside’s] model is successful for two reasons: one, there are no girls. That’s huge in a teenage boy’s world, and the boys will tell you that. It also allows the boys to learn as boys,” she explained. “Two, the smaller classes and hands-on experiences have enabled Caleb to excel in his studies and push himself further than he thought he ever could.”

Allowing Baker to live on campus was a difficult decision for Nicole, but she knew he needed the opportunity to gain

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During Baker’s time at Riverside, he also learned to handle disappointments and setbacks. Nicole described the time

Parents, Nicole and Eric Baker, pictured with their son, Caleb.

when he was moved from the JROTC Raider “A” Team to the “B” Team after losing his place to a close friend. At first, Baker was crushed, but after being named B Team Captain, Nicole said he called and said, “You know what mom? I’m going to go win the National Championship as Raider B Team Captain.” And he did!

Another difficult lesson came when Baker reacted poorly to one of the cadets in his company. Baker immediately sought help from his mentors. “The adult leaders at the school took the time to help him understand what had happened and what he should have done. He learned to trust the people above him because they were there to help him,” Nicole said. “People hold [Caleb] to a level of accountability to help him become the person he needs to be to meet his goals.”

After five years as a Riverside parent, Nicole said the most important thing she would tell other families is to partner with the school. “It’s been a team effort from the very beginning. If parents will partner with the school, they’ll be right there with you,” she said. “Partner with the school and help your kid find their people, and that will lead you to your people.”

Anyone who meets Baker is immediately impressed with his confident and respectful demeanor. The 12-year-old boy who first came to Riverside has grown into a 17-year-old leader and mentor. Raising a teenage son is not easy, but Nicole said, “There are so many things that set [students] up for success in the Riverside model. It’s not easy letting your kid be away from you, but the job is to grow men, and the school has helped me grow an amazing young man.”

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R

iverside’s reputation for “best in boys’ education” does not come by happenstance, but rather more than a century of experience and continued professional development to understand what boys need and how they learn best.

For more than 10 years, Riverside has followed the teachings of Dr. Micheal Gurian, an American author and social philosopher who brings neurobiology and brain research into best practices for schools, homes, businesses, and public policy. As one of the world’s foremost gender experts, he provides both on-campus and virtual professional development and training for Riverside’s teachers, TACs, coaches, and staff.

During Parents’ Weekend in October, Gurian also presented helpful information on “The Mind of Boys” for Riverside’s parents through the Eagle Wise Family Forum, new parent programming offered to families this academic year. The informational session focused on how boys and girls differ in the way they learn and interact with others. Dr. Gurian presented scans showing the differences in

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male and female brain activity depending on varying situations. Gurian encouraged Riverside faculty and staff to continue utilizing hands-on teaching, humor, and movement when lecturing to keep young men engaged and ready to learn. He also emphasized the importance of masculine mentoring, highlighting the positive impact that Riverside can have on a young man’s development. According to Dr. Gurian, one of the benefits of Riverside is the focused all-boys environment for learning and development. Gurian’s studies have found that boys thrive in all-male educational environments because they can form lasting bonds with their peers without competing to gain attention from the opposite sex. “Using the information provided by Dr. Michael Gurian of The Gurian Institute, teachers at Riverside have been taught how boys best learn. By focusing our teaching methods on reaching

THE GURIAN MODEL HELPS EQUIP RIVERSIDE FACULTY AND STAFF WITH THE PRACTICAL TOOLS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND AND MEET YOUNG MEN WHERE THEY ARE. THIS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE, ESPECIALLY IN CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, FOSTERS THE PLATFORM FOR STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, PREPARING THEM FOR SUCCESS AT RIVERSIDE AND BEYOND. boys where they are, we are able to see more success and provide a better educational environment,” Assistant Academic Dean, MMCM Steven Hadaway, said.

Riverside’s reputation for “best in boys’ education” does not come by happenstance, but rather more than a century of experience and continued professional development to understand what boys need and how they learn best. #1 BEST ALL BOYS HIGH SCHOOL IN GEORGIA RECOGNIZED BY

A WELL RESPECTED ONLINE DATABASE FOR SCHOOL RATINGS AND STATISTICS.

'23 -'24

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SENIOR CADET HIGHLIGHT

SULYMAN DAURA

INTERN ATI O NAL S TU D E NT > N I GER I A

STANDING

TALLER A STUDENT’S JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH.

NIGERIA

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REVEILLE | Spring 2024

“ No words can express how

N

urses at Riverside knew something was wrong when Nigerian student, Sulyman Daura, visited the clinic for a routine sports physical in the fall of 2022. One of the nurses noted his shoulders were uneven and asked Daura if he had any discomfort.

For Daura, the pain was a normal day-to-day issue he had learned to endure.

care of me, take me to my appointments, and make sure everything was alright. All of the nurses were helpful.”

Daura’s symptoms began to worsen as he had difficulty doing simple tasks like standing at attention during drill and putting on socks and shoes. After a referral to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), he was diagnosed with scoliosis with a 63 percent curvature of the spine, a condition that would only worsen without surgery.

During his stay in the infirmary, Daura was not only cared for by Riverside nurses but also by his fellow cadets.

Multiple students visited during this time, encouraging Daura, bringing him snacks, and making sure he didn’t overexert himself. “As soon as I got back to school after surgery, the whole soccer team was there to support me, making sure I was doing well … we are a brotherhood, and we all have each other’s back,” he said.

Over the next several months, Riverside nurse, Analeigh Warwick, accompanied Daura to numerous doctor appointments and kept Daura’s parents informed of his condition. Through the tireless efforts of Warwick and Dr. Devito, a well-respected orthopedic pediatric surgeon at CHOA, the cost of Daura’s surgery was fully covered.

Daura’s parents applied for travel visas so that they could be with him for surgery, but unfortunately, their visas were not approved in time. Riverside’s Infirmary staff organized a schedule of care for his surgery and recovery. Daura’s parents were put at ease knowing their son was under the extensive care of Riverside’s nurses.

When Daura returned to the Riverside campus, he had to stay in the academy’s infirmary for several weeks.

“Sulyman never complained about the situation. It was amazing to see the way he handled it,” Warwick said.

AS A BOARDING SCHOOL, RIVERSIDE PREP PROVIDES FOR THE CARE OF ITS STUDENTS “IN LOCO PARENTIS,” IN THE PLACE OF A PARENT, AS NEEDED. WHETHER HELPING A NEW STUDENT OVERCOME BEING HOMESICK, TEACHING SELF-DISCIPLINE AND REINFORCING CONSEQUENCES THROUGH REWARDS AND CORRECTIVE FEEDBACK, OR CARING FOR A STUDENT’S HEALTH, RIVERSIDE CADETS ARE IN GOOD HANDS.

grateful we are to Analeigh Warwick, the other Riverside nurses, and our Riverside family.” - Daura’s mother

While most teenagers would be nervous facing such a serious surgery, according to Warwick, Daura remained calm and anticipated the day when he would be able to play soccer again. “I was calm through the whole process because I knew it had to be done,” he explained.

Following the extensive surgery in April of 2023 Daura spent several days in the hospital with Riverside nurses on rotation to keep careful watch 24/7. He expressed gratitude for Warwick and the other nurses, saying, “Mrs. Ana helped me so much. She was always there to take

“Parents entrust their kids to us – whether it’s giving them something as simple as a band-aid or having the opportunity to impact a cadet like Sulyman in a way that will alter his entire life,” Warwick said as she reflected on her role at Riverside. “They know they can come to us and be supported. We have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the boys,” she continued.

Now standing straight and four inches taller, Daura looks forward to the soccer season and pursuing the everyday activities of a typical teen. riversideprep.org 11

RIV

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Errol Bisso

1936 Riverside football team George Jefferson

RIVERSIDE ATHLETICS CONTINUES A CENTURY-OLD TRADITION OF WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MOLDING MEN. Throughout Riverside’s history, athletics has played an important role in the academy’s mission to build character and self-discipline among the cadets.

The core values of brotherhood and mentorship were just as important off the field as on, and in its early days, Riverside produced a significant number of on-field victories among its teams.

1966 Riverside basketball team, coached by Richard Nichols.

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Perhaps the first great success on the athletic fields came in 1936, when Riverside’s football team went undefeated, the first RMA team to do so. That 1936 team was among the first inductees into the Riverside Sports Hall of Fame.

Starting as early as the 1930s and lasting through the 2000s, a string of legendary coaches – E.J. Curtis, Bill Maginnis, Richard Nichols, Errol Bisso, and George Jefferson – led Riverside teams to unprecedented heights, including five straight wrestling titles from 2003 to 2007. Cadets at the time saw these men as mentors, pushing them to be disciplined on the field and in life.

Wrestler Armand La Douceur won a GIAA state wrestling title in 2023, the second wrestling title for the Academy in three years.

Tennis Coach Chase LeCroy talks with his team before a match.

That tradition continues today. In the last five years, Riverside teams and individual cadets have won state championships in wrestling, track and field, and tennis.

In 2020, just before the pandemic, Jonathan Chesser became Riverside’s first GHSA State Individual champion in the modern era after he stormed through the 220 lb. weight class in wrestling. The feat was repeated three years later – after Riverside moved to the GIAA – when Armand La Douceur also won a state wrestling title.

Jalen Freeman won an individual state title by winning the 400m race.

He was also a member of the championship 4x400m relay team.

A year later, it was track and field’s time to shine.

The school’s 4x400m relay team – Jalen Freeman, Caleb Baker, Anthony Chirombo, and Adrian Roberts – won the state title. Freeman followed that up with a win of his own in the 400m race.

Coaches such as Brian Baize '07 (wrestling), Mike Giuliano (soccer), Wayne Jones (track & field), and Chase LeCroy (tennis) continue the tradition of preparing Riverside students for competition on the playing fields. Just as those who came before them, today’s Riverside coaches are mentoring and instilling the values of structure, self-discipline, and leadership development to help cadet-athletes reach their potential on and off the field.

Jonathan Chesser was the 2020 state champion in the 220 lb. weight class at the state wrestling meet.

He became Riverside’s first GHSA State Individual champion in the modern era.

The Riverside Prep 4x400m relay team – Jalen Freeman, Caleb Baker, Anthony Chirombo, and Adrian Roberts – won the state title at the GIAA state meet in March 2023.

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RIVERSIDE DEVELOPS

ROCK SOLID YOUNG MEN T

he La Douceur family knew something needed to change when their son, Armand, began to struggle with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. La Douceur had always been bright, but his parents knew he needed more engaging instruction than what was available at his public middle school.

The family toured Riverside Prep and was immediately impressed by what the school had to offer. Their son began his freshman year as a boy, and now four years later, is a well-rounded graduate, avid rock climber, and confident young man. La Douceur graduated from Riverside near the top of his class in early December and will have his choice among several top tier universities where to attend in the fall.

Initially, La Douceur was not excited about cadet life, but he quickly succumbed to what he referred to as “The Riverside Syndrome.” He described this “syndrome” as the desire to perform well alongside other cadets in an environment of mutual accountability. “The culture makes you want to better yourself,” he explained. La Douceur’s parents could see a difference in the way he carried himself too. “Armand has always been an incredible student; however, online learning during the pandemic caused disengagement and boredom.

Riverside stated it would do everything possible to continue in-class instruction, and it did. Four years later, we see the results of this decision, and we are confident the right decision was made," said his mother, Natalae La Douceur.

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During his time at Riverside, La Douceur took advantage of the many opportunities available to students including tennis, drill team, JROTC Raiders, and the National Honor Society. He even won State in wrestling, beating an opponent he had previously lost to twice before.

Of all the activities he participated in, La Douceur said the Raider program had the most impact on him. “I made a very strong core group of friends at Riverside, and Raiders is basically what started these friendships.”

He went on to describe the brotherhood that formed as the team won first place in the National Championship in 2022, saying, “In Raiders, there’s no room to be mad at each other. I learned so much about mental toughness and pushing through when it gets hard.” After several years of competing in Raiders, La Douceur said it was a surreal moment to realize his influence as a mentor to the younger boys as the Raiders “A Team” Captain.“You become that person the younger guys look up to,” he said.

La Douceur not only thrived in athletics and leadership roles at Riverside but also excelled academically, taking multiple Advanced Placement (AP) and dual college enrollment courses. La Douceur attributed his success in the classroom to the small class sizes, relational teachers, and the opportunities for hands-on learning saying, “The Riverside model appeals to guys.”

The summer before his junior year, La Douceur discovered a new passion. He visited Utah with several Riverside friends and was introduced to rock climbing. The love for the sport was immediate and only grew from the mentorship of fellow rock climber, LTC(R) Scott Basso. “He really mentored me, not just with climbing but with mental toughness as well,” La Douceur said.

The grit and determination La Douceur learned during his time at Riverside have helped shape him and prepare him for success in life.

“He has learned the importance of self-discipline, accountability, and time management,” said Dale La Douceur, Armand’s father. When asked how he would encourage other students, La Douceur said, “Riverside has been great for me.

Reap the benefits.”

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THE

REWARDS ARE AS GREAT AS THE

CHALLENGE. riversideprep.org

At Riverside, we proudly implement a modified model of military education, refined and focused to bring out the absolute best in your son. Similar principles that are applied in the development of great military men are utilized and carefully optimized with the specific goal of building simply great men.

The experience is designed to identify the very height and breadth of potential, unlock and maximize strengths, craft exemplary character, and prepare students for a lifetime of leadership, accomplishment, and fulfillment.

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Here, your son will do much more than achieve academic excellence. Through tasks that test his courage and resolve, an unwavering commitment to self-discipline and mutual accountability, the immersion in a culture of mentorship, teamwork and leadership, and the building of brotherhood through shared, multi-dimensional learning opportunities, he’ll gain a true and complete understanding of everything he’s capable of. He’ll reveal his most complete, most authentic potential. He will build the integrity, tenacity, confidence, and intelligence to win in every aspect of life.

The Riverside experience is a unique and exciting challenge. But what’s far more exciting are the rewards that come from accepting it.

Experience Riverside for Yourself.

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MENTORING R EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM

iverside teacher Col Robert Cagle recently completed the Georgia Independent School Association’s (GISA) Master Teacher Program. The Master Teacher Program requires teachers to produce an extensive portfolio including three detailed examples of work, a video of one of their classes, and multiple letters of recommendation.

According to GISA, the program, “[bestows] well-deserved recognition to GISA Master Teachers who exhibit best practices in the classroom and a willingness to share and collaborate with other educators. GISA commends its Master Teachers who inspire excellence in the classroom, among colleagues and, especially, students.”

Cagle has been at Riverside for 21 years and is the science department chair. Cagle also teaches world history, U.S. history, and physical science. “I try to learn something every day; I always want to get better as a lifelong learner,” he said. “The program helped me think through collaboration and how we can work together to share best practices. As a department chair and senior member of the faculty, I want to mentor and help other teachers.”

Master Teachers in the Georgia Independent School Association were recognized at the 2023 GISA Annual Conference held at Strong Rock Christian School on Monday, November 6, 2023.

As Cagle continues to educate and invest in the young men at Riverside, his purpose remains the same, saying, “I want to bring out the best in the boys I teach. That’s always been my goal and will continue to be my goal.”

MENTORSHIP AT ITS FINEST

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MASTER TEACHER COL BOB CAGLE

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CORNELL YALE SC THE CITADEL GEORGIA VMI EMBRY2023 COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

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COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

PREPPED FOR

ABRAHAM BALDWIN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ADELPHI UNIVERSITY ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES ARIZONA STATE AUBURN AUSTIN PEAY BARRY UNIVERSITY BELMONT BRENAU UNIVERSITY CLEMSON CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CORNELL DREW UNIVERSITY EAST CAROLINA EASTERN NAZARENE EMBRY-RIDDLE FLAGLER COLLEGE FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL FURMAN GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE GEORGIA SOUTHERN GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY GEORGIA TECH HARTWICK COLLEGE HIGH POINT HOFSTRA HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY KEYSTONE COLLEGE LENOIR-RHYNE LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY LYNN UNIVERSITY MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY MISSOURI STATE NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY NORWICH UNIVERSITY NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY OLE MISS PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY PENN STATE PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA SAMFORD SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN SEWANEE UNIVERSITY SHORTER UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY STETSON SUNY OLD WESTBURY SUNY STONY BROOK TARRANT COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY THE CITADEL UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON WEBBER INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY WESTERN CAROLINA YALE YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE

A B R I G H T F U T U R E!

TECH

RIDDLE

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RECENT GRADUATE HIGHLIGHT

ALEX POMBO CLASS OF 2023

Riverside provides a safe space for young men to make mistakes and overcome them with the help of peers and mentors.

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A

lex Pombo, ‘23, can personally testify that finding your potential at Riverside is a process. It’s not always easy, but builds character and grit. Mistakes are likely to happen, but those setbacks are not the end of the story; you will learn and grow from them. Before Pombo came to Riverside, he was a struggling 8th grader and his mom was looking for a school with more structure. Within a short time at Riverside, Pombo began to acclimate and realize his potential. “I became a different person within a couple of months,” he explained.

Pombo continued to be promoted in rank during his time at the Academy, but admits there were multiple times he made poor decisions which led to losing his leadership position. Instead of retreating, Pombo used these experiences to learn and grow into the young man he is today. TAC Officer, Chief Paul Green, made a particular impact on Pombo. “Chief Green made sure I understood the consequences of what I did. He also saw that I had more potential and he didn’t want me to waste it.”

Though the life lessons were not easy, Pombo is grateful for what he’s learned, saying, “I had some pretty difficult setbacks and lost my leadership position, but I was given the opportunity to come back and try again.” Riverside provides a safe space for young men to make mistakes and overcome them with the help of peers and mentors. “That’s the special thing about the TAC officers at Riverside; they really know how to recognize potential in a leader. I’m really

glad that Chief Green recognized that in me because it gave me the opportunity to move forward instead of being set back and defeated,” Pombo explained.

Through mentorship, brotherhood, and academic achievement, Riverside provides every student the opportunity to reach his potential.

In the midst of highs and lows at Riverside, Pombo went on to earn an impressive four-year scholarship at Texas Christian University. In his freshman year, he is now a Chancellor Scholar in TCU’s Honors College studying marketing and hopes to pursue entrepreneurship.

When Pombo speaks with Riverside students, he reminds them, “Recognize your relationships with other people. You’re not on your own. For a really long time, I convinced myself that I was at Riverside on my own doing everything by myself, but that’s completely untrue. I had so much help from leaders and mentors along the way.” riversideprep.org 23

ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT

ANDREW G. TEMPLE CLASS OF 1989

2024 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

B

eing a Riverside cadet gave Andrew Temple the conviction there was nothing he couldn’t achieve.

He had the opportunity to do things that others in

public schools could only talk about. Now a Chief Operating Officer in the entertainment industry, Temple credits Riverside for laying the foundation and giving him the tools necessary to succeed personally and professionally.

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REVEILLE | Spring 2024

The year was 1984, and his mother and stepfather enrolled him as an eighth-grade cadet. He needed structure and a focus on academics. Despite his step-father being an alumnus and telling him the good that Riverside would do for him, Temple was nervous as the car turned onto Riverside Drive for the first time. But once they arrived on campus, something about it “just felt right.”

While at Riverside, Temple was involved in many clubs, sports, and activities that helped to provide him a well-rounded educational and boarding school experience. In addition to being battalion executive officer and senior class vice president, he participated on the drill team, Order of the Sabre, Brigadiers, Toast Masters, chorus, Muscle College, and was President of the Horton Society. He loved sports and excelled in football, track, and tennis. In fact, it was his desire to play college football that motivated him to focus on his grades. Although he got involved in many activities and held prominent positions of rank, he never wanted it to be all about him. Selfless service and helping others grow was a top priority for him. In fact, whenever he was having a bad day, he believed the best thing he could do to change his circumstances was to help someone else.

RIVERSIDE CAREER OUTCOMES ANDREW G. TEMPLE, '89

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR A GLOBAL MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

So what inspired this selfless service? Having strong mentors at Riverside helped mold him into that person.

According to Temple, “The faculty sacrificed a lot to teach us — to give us something we needed. They were tough, but as cadets, we knew they had our best interest at heart.”

Several names familiar to alumni played important roles in his life; perhaps one of the biggest influences was his football coach, George Jefferson. “He was an extraordinary coach and showed dedication and leadership that went beyond being a mentor. Coach Jefferson would elevate you in such a way that made you want to run through a wall for him.”

Today, Temple is the Chief Operating Officer for Allen Media Group (AMG), which operates 12 cable networks, including The Weather Channel and 27 broadcast television stations. As the third employee with the company that has now grown to more than 2,500 employees, Temple has been with AMG for over 27 years and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors. The success he’s achieved today has come in large part because of the skills he learned while at Riverside.

Andrew pictured with his wife, Maggie.

“ I WOULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS IF IT WEREN’T FOR RIVERSIDE. SELF-DISCIPLINE, PREPAREDNESS, AND HAVING A GOOD ATTITUDE WERE CORNERSTONES IN MY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, AND I STILL CARRY THOSE WITH ME TODAY.” Andrew Temple

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2023 ALUMNI

! e om H e Welcom 1 2

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HOMECOMING ’23

HIGHLIGHTS

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USTIN CROSSIE, ’90 and GEOFF HURDLE, ’87 J presented E.T. LOPEZ, ’84 a Riverside flag.

er Riverside tradition, the previous P year’s Distinguished Alumnus RUBEN BARAHONA, ’89 had the honor of pinning the new inductee, MAC MCLENDON, ’58, with the exclusive Distinguished Alumnus lapel pin.

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Riverside ALUMNI waited to buzz in during the trivia contest. embers of the CLASS OF 1966 posed for a photo with M Civil Air Patrol cadets, Colonel Preczewski, and Squadron Commander Major Johnston. Their generous donations made the purchase of a Redbird TD-2 flight simulator possible.

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2023 Distinguished Alumnus MAC MCLENDON, ’58 was presented the Distinguished Alumnus sword, while his wife Sue was honored with a beautiful bouquet of roses.

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Colonel Preczewski with Distinguished Alumni in attendance at the pinning reception: MAC MCLENDON, ’58, BERNIE FREEMAN, ‘58, FRED KENNEDY, ‘64, GEOFF HURDLE, ‘87, ZAK HAQUE, ‘01, RUBEN BARAHONA, ‘89.

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Sports Hall of Fame presentation: Front Row L-R: Marc Paglia, Colonel Preczewski Back Row L-R: BRIAN BAIZE, ’07, RICHARD BISSO, ’85, ANDY ZAGER, ’88, KENNETH PEEPLES, ’70, LeeAnn Nicholson, Miranda Bruce, Melissa Gorham, ERROL BISSO, ’61.

REVEILLE | Spring 2024

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Alumnus RON FENNER, ’66 took aim at the Marksmanship Competition.

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Brett Wilson, ’90 served as the alumni company guidon bearer during the march-on.

ALUMNI COMPANY, led by ERROL BISSO, ‘61, prepared for Pass in Review at the parade. They locked arms as a show of unity within the brotherhood.

CLASS OF 1963 celebrating its 60-year reunion made donations to fund new jerseys for the football team.

Pictured: Front Row L-R: RICHARD POTEKHEN, LES SMITH, STEVE CLASBY. Middle Row L-R: JEFF PARKER, DALY LAVERGNE. Back Row L-R: ROLAND MAYNULET, JERRY MCGEE, JIM SEARS ’65, (not all present).

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1 Victor Pacheco, ’01, Founder and CEO of Arajet Airline, received the award for best new airline at the CAPA World Aviation Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on behalf of the company.

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Max Weiner, ’13, was named the pitching coach for Texas A&M baseball.

ALUMNI

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CLASS NOTES 3

Zach Garrett, ’11, was named the Student Television Network 2023 Teacher of the Year.

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4 Osvaldo “Ozzy” Marcenaro, ’85, (right) was promoted to Brigade First Sergeant of the 1st Brigade, 87th Division in the Army Reserves.

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5 Chris Hinkle, ’06, was

promoted to CEO of TRG Datacenters in Spring, Texas.

6 Bud Oakey, ’75, has been commended by the Virginia General Assembly for his legacy of service as chair, founder, and managing director of Advantus Strategies, LLC. The assembly presented him with a resolution expressing its admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth.

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REVEILLE | Spring 2024

5 7 Eb Alfred-Igbokwe, ’18, a senior defensive end for the Colorado School of the Mines, helped lead his team to the Division II National Championship game in McKinney, Texas.

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9 Adam Blocker, ’91, retired

U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, launched a new business, Intelligence Support & Services (INTS2).

10 Steve Clasby, ’65, visited

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Michael “Mac” Sims, ’13, was promoted to Chief of IT Transformation for Air Force Logistics in Washington, DC. Since graduating from Riverside, Mac attended West Point (‘17), served as a platoon leader in the Army, and managed the logistics IT portfolio at Headquarters Marine Corps.

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Antarctica in December 2023, marking his seventh continent to visit. He is pictured with his wife, Susan. Keep on traveling!

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11 Taylor Larimore, ’43, recently

celebrated his 100th birthday. During his 100 years, he was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. In his civilian career, he worked as a life insurance underwriter, a revenue officer for the IRS, a chief of the Financial Division for the Small Business Administration in South Florida, and as a director of the Dade County Housing Finance Authority.

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Fall Parents' Weekend " As an eighth grader, I was glad that Isaiah was able to learn to apply himself at Riverside where the teachers and counselors provide a safe environment for learning, making mistakes, growing and evolving. His academic performance recovered, and he earned a gold star for the semester.”

“ Riverside Prep has provided a place for my son to flourish in his academics and a place for him to glean valuable lessons from setbacks in a nurturing and safe environment. This supportive atmosphere with positive role models has allowed him to grow resilient, turning challenges into opportunities for personal development.”

- PARENT VICTORIA SIMPSON

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“ This is our son’s fifth year at Riverside. He went from just attending school and doing minimum requirements to taking pride in his classes and his performance, and having a desire to accomplish and exceed his goals. Every promotion had to be earned, which made him appreciate it more. The structure and character development, rigorous academics, and learned resilience that Riverside offers will greatly help him as he transitions to college and adult life.”

- PARENT LIVINGSTON ROOT

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- PARENT MICHELE WILSON

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“ In just under two years, we’ve seen a dramatic change in our son’s way of life. Riverside has played a huge role in his maturity, academic achievements, honoring his daily commitments, and focusing on his responsibilities.

We are very grateful for the incredible opportunity and organization our son belongs to. It’s truly an extension of our family.”

- PARENT JOHN CAVALIERI

1 | Cadets were recognized for their academic excellence.

2 | Battalion Commander c/LTC Kolaiah Newkirk, ’24, received Pass in Review, which honored parents and guardians.

3 | Eyes right! Members of the Battalion Staff salute the Battalion Commander.

4 | Senior cadets proudly displayed their newly received class rings.

5 | ’23-’24 Parent Advisory Council.

Pictured from L-R: Maria Balz, Shea Ray, Lisa Li, Bill Hall, Victoria Simpson, Catherine Holton, and Amber Piccirillo, not pictured Jim Tortorelli

Reveille magazine is a collaboration of Advancement and Marketing/PR. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy. For questions, email: publicrelations@riversideprep.org.

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EDITO R IN C H IEF Ellen DeFoor, CFRE

LEAD WRITER Katie Martin

DESIG N ER Libby LeBlanc, Loud Mouse Design, Inc.

L E A D P HOTO GR A P HE R Natalae La Douceur

REVEILLE | Spring 2024

C O NT R I B U TO R S Mitch Clarke COL(R) Staś Preczewski, Ph.D. Jody Wilson

2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BOARD OF VISITORS

BG( R) Daniel J. Kaufman, Chairman Mr. Anthony M. Herdener, Vice-Chairman & Treasurer Mr. John W. Jacobs III, Secretary Mr. Foster W. Bachschmidt, ’06 Dr. Bryan T. Baldwin, ’96 Ruben A. Barahona, Esq., ’89 Mr. J. Jette Campbell, ’65 Mr. Felix Gonzalez Canto, '86 Mr. William B. Carr, Jr. Mr. Counte L. Cooley Mr. Drew W. Horner, ’78 Mr. Ernest T. Lopez III, ’84 Mr. Whitney H. Owens, ’79 Dr. L. Jeffrey Payne Jonathan A. Pope, Esq. Dr. William E. Russell, Sr. Mr. James R. Van Arsdale, ’79 Mr. Andrew C. Zager, '88

Mr. Whitney H. Owens, ’79, Chairman Mr. Leslie T. Smith, ’63, Vice-Chairman Mr. Dennis M. Agnelly, ’66, Secretary Mr. Alexander C. Deitch, ’98 Mr. Jonathan M. Dix, ’98 Mrs. Susan Graybeal Mr. James Griffiths Mr. Patrick H. Higdon, Jr., ’57 Mr. W.L. McLendon, ’58 Mr. John C. Sipple, ’69 Mr. Samuel D. Weil III, ’66 Mr. E. David Williams, ’65

EMERITI Miss Lucile E. Beaver † Mrs. Jerry B. Blackstock Mr. Paul A. Gross, ’56 LTC(R) Frederick J. Kennedy, ’64 Mr. Kenneth L. McKelvey Mr. O. Jon McRae Mr. Richard M. Nichols †

HONORARY MEMBERS Mr. Jerry B. Blackstock, ’62 (posthumous) Mr. P. Alexander Fraser Mr. Howard A. Kalmenson, ’49 Ira J. Middleberg, Esq., ’66 Abraham A. Mitchell, Esq., ’52

Riverside Military Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution. Board members are volunteers who serve without compensation or reimbursement of any expenses.

† Deceased

ALUMNI COUNCIL Dr. Bryan T. Baldwin, ’96, Chairman Mr . Zak Haque, ’01, Vice-Chairman Mr. Hector J. Laya, ’89, Treasurer Mr. Dennis M. Agnelly, ’66 Mr. Ruben Barahona, '21 Mr. Errol J. Bisso, ’61 Mr. Richard L. Bisso, ’85 Dr. John B. Delcambre, ’66 Mr. Christian Egizio, '95 Mr. Michael M. Freeman, '15 Mr. Zachary A. Garrett, ’11 Mr. Brian E. Greene, ’90 Mr. Jason J. Klein, ’08 Mr. Frank Piedra, ’87 Mr. Brett M. Wilson, '90

EMERITI Mr. Bobby W. Bush, Sr., ’49, Chairman † MAJ Charles Cook, ’74, Chairman Mr. Ron Fenner, ’66, Chairman Mr. Bernard M. Freeman, ’58, Chairman Mr. Jay Glazer, ’64, Chairman LTC(R) Frederick J. Kennedy, ’64, Chairman Mr. John B. McKernan II, ’88, Chairman Mr. Daniel “Bud” Oakey, ’75, Chairman Jud ge E. J. Salcines, ’56, Chairman Mr. Sumner Cahoon, ’49 Mr. Bill Glisson, ’78 Mr. Robert “Bob” Jones, ’56 Mr. Paul Posner, ’56 Mr. Seth Wagner, ’56 Mr. James C. Young, ’78 Mr. Nizar Zakka, ’85

Hugh L. Barnett, ’35 Jose A. Carreras, ’36 Lawrence F. Brabham, ’37 James A. Holmes, ’37 F. Leon Herron, Jr. ’39 Herbert A. Durham, ’40 Gerald Ravenscroft, ’40 Terry Galanoy, ’43 Leroy M. Raffel, ’44 Charles W. Felder, ’45 Robert L. Kosson, ’45 Bennet A. Satz, ’45 Mounce G. Smith, ’45 Henry Brisman, ’46 Joseph W. Ray, ’46 Girard Campbell, ’47 Gus T. Costis, ’47 Richard B. Friedbacher, ’47 John D. Gautier, Sr., ’47 Ronald Eisler, ’48 Donald A. Kirchner, ’48 Walter D. Leonard, ’48 Robert C. Couch, ’49 Joseph D. Settles, ’49 Edwin Solomon, ’49 James N. Crawford, ’50 Eugene Haber, ’50 Joseph G. Farrell, ’50 Theodore D. Griley II, ’50 Paul F. Martinez, ’50 Luis F. Rodriguez, ’50 Victor Cherico, ’51 Richard B. Christensen, ’51 Richard C. Hyatt, ’51 Leonard D. Kommit, ’51 Eric H. Johnson, ’52 Norman B. Millichamp, ’52 Alejandro J. Salazar, ’52 John Whelchel, ’53 William A. Laakko, ’54 James W. Ilderton, ’55 Samuel D. Matthews, ’55 Herbert A. Blondheim, ’56 Douglas M. Ford, ’56 Gregory F. Werd, ’56

Gordon R. Hobson, ’57 Jackson F. Wood, ’58 Wayne Perry, ’59 Hugh R. Shankey, ’59 Raymond R. Tucker, ’59 Robert L. Bache, ’60 Jesse C. Bennett, ’61 Peter A. Pierson, ’61 Frank J. Babiarz, ’62 James M. Glodt, ’62 Curtis T. Grant, ’62 Richard Paschal, ’62 Frederick W. Scott, Jr. ’62 Zell M. Setzer, ’62 Joel M. Smith, ’62 Jon O. Vander Weele, ’62 Michael E. Spaulding, ’63 Christopher B. Fagan, ’64 Marc A. Tessler, ’64 Gary M. Peterson, ’65 Eric M. Hill, ’66 Richard L. Roberts, ’67 Gary D. Dodson, ’68 Robert E. Osgood, ’68 Dennis B. McCauley, ’69 Robert S. Tait, ’70 Frederick de la Houssaye, ’71 Martin C. McSween, ’71 Ron S. Adams, ’72 Richard M. Stone, ’72 Kim E. Dodson, ’74 Kim Kanakis, '75 Robert J. Noa, ’78 Luis A. Tousent, ’83 Christian C. Arroyo, ’85 Ronald Bohlender, ’87 Danny Z. Fabian, ’87 Eric Varnado, ’88 Chauncey B. Spencer, ’92 John M. Hines, ’93 Nicholas J. Hewitt, ’02 Matthew D. Lewis, ’02 Allen Grabovetsky, ’10 Nicholas S. Treece, ’19

The academy has learned of the passing of these alumni since the 2023 spring edition of Reveille. riversideprep.org 31

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2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501 riversideprep.org

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RIVERSIDE, THE SAME, THEN & NOW.

Riverside, circa 1932

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Riverside Military Academy, established in 1907, proudly continues its rich heritage today as an all-male premiere preparatory boarding school offering structure, discipline, leadership development, and academic achievement in an atmosphere of brotherhood and mentorship.

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AUGUST 8, 2024

OCTOBER 4-5, 2024

OCTOBER 18-19, 2024

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