SRQ May/June 2022 | BrandStory-Sarasota Military Academy

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THE PASSION TO LEARN. THE COURAGE TO TRY.

SARASOTA MILITARY ACADEMY

EMPOWERING CADETS ALONG THE WAY An environment that provides structure, inspiration, and support. One that sets clear expectations and offers challenges to grow and learn. A place where lasting relationships develop and character is formed.

A school like Sarasota Military Academy.

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VALUES—THE HEARTBEAT OF SMA COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SPARKS ADVOCACY Selfless Service, a core value embedded in the JROTC and SMA curricula, culminates every year with five service learning projects. SMA cadets go beyond the Florida community service graduation requirement of 75 hours to average over 125 hours per cadet.

The selection process for each service project requires in-depth research and a needs assessment with a meaningful focus on community impact. One selected this fall was “Blankets on the Block,” a fundraising effort that provided over 200 blankets to those experiencing homelessness.

Giving back to one’s community and understanding the value that comes from volunteership, commitment, and bringing awareness to local community issues forms the foundation of an SMA advocate.

As the sun rises over formation, everyone is completely silent at attention and awaiting their Cadet Commander to give the order for the raising of the National Flag and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Peer cadet leaders inspect uniforms which are worn proudly as an outward sign of everything a cadet has individually participated in, accomplished, and earned. This series of events will play out every weekday on both SMA campuses.

THE STUDENTS AT SARASOTA MILITARY ACADEMY (SMA) ARE CADETS WHO SHOW A LEVEL OF RESPECT AND INTEGRITY NOT OFTEN FOUND IN YOUNG PEOPLE. THIS COMES FROM THE CORE ETHICAL VALUES OF THE JROTC PROGRAM THAT SHAPE THE EXPECTATIONS OF AN ACADEMY-WIDE CULTURE. Cadets learn how integrity is the foundation of their today and tomorrow regardless of the path they choose. “The path is not easy, but I was supported every step of the way,” recalls Jessiah Straw, Class of 2013. Each cadet’s journey in academics is strengthened not only by their determination, but with the knowledge that peers and faculty are there to lend support. “SMA will always have your back,” says Sophia Hoffman, Class of 2022.

Classes are 85 minutes long on a “4x4 Block” schedule in which cadets take four classes every semester covering a full year’s curriculum. The benefits are that it provides a deeper learning opportunity through enhanced lesson plans and fosters greater intellectual curiosity in more subjects. Most importantly, this unique schedule allows for the development of a stronger bond between faculty and cadet as stated by Jennifer Walcker, Class of 2023, “I want to be the impact that my teachers were for me!”

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A J O U R N E Y O F G R O W TH C/2LT AYLA EDWARDS, CLASS OF 2024 Ayla is a leader and started at SMA in the sixth grade and with each step of the way, she has earned more responsibility – and her potential continues to evolve. “SMA allows me to stand out and be who I want to be,” she says. Ayla’s goal after high school is to attend medical school and become a forensic pathologist.

C/LTC COOPER BOWDITCH, CLASS OF 2022 Cooper was awarded a fulltuition ROTC scholarship from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, but he hopes to attend the US Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy – totally in line with his passion to become an aviator in the military. He describes himself as “timid” when he first came to SMA as a 6th grader, seven years ago. The JROTC instructors enabled me to break out of my shell and comfort zone to find a goal and follow it. SMA helps you find who you are to use your traits in the best way you can,” he says. All cadets who start have mentors to look up to and as they grow, become that mentor they once looked up to. “I feel a real sense of accomplishment.”

JESSIAH STRAW, CLASS OF 2013 Jessiah went on to obtain a dual degree in Finance and Business Economics at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University on a full-tuition scholarship. He has since worked alongside leaders at technology companies, renowned investors, and early-stage entrepreneurs.Today, he is building his own business. He looks back at the relationships and experiences formed at the school with extreme gratitude: ”As I stood there with my diploma in hand and bound for university, I found that I was filled with optimism, knowing I was equipped to navigate the many challenges and opportunities that were waiting for me on the path ahead.”

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S M A TU R N S 2 0 The 2022-23 school year marks the 20th anniversary of Sarasota Military Academy. That’s twenty years of creating an inclusive, challenging and rewarding experience for countless young men and women–building a generation that has led with Honor, Integrity, and Respect.

“THIS IS THE START WHERE YOUR LIFE TAKES OFF, AND I’M GLAD I STARTED HERE.” –Sophia Hoffman,

Class of 2022 (grades 6-12)

Founded in 2002 on the original campus of St. Martha’s School in downtown Sarasota, SMA is a non-profit, tuition-free, public charter school for students in grades 9-12. A Middle School Campus for grades 6-8 was added in 2014 in East Sarasota. During its twenty years, SMA has educated over 20,000 cadets and is poised for continued growth.

“SMA HAS OPENED DOORS THAT

TH E N E X T 2 0 YE A R S

I DIDN’T KNOW WERE THERE.”

With an engaged Board of Directors, an exclusive philanthropic foundation to suppor t expansion initiatives, and the continued steadfast values underpinning our educational model, the future is even brighter for SMA.

–Akiel Reyes Melendez, Class of 2023

“I FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE TRANSFORMATION I HAVE UNDERGONE AS A CADET, AND I FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF LOSS FOR LEAVING BEHIND AN ORGANIZATION THAT EMPOWERED ME ALONG THE WAY.” –Jessiah Straw, Class of 2013

We will continue fostering a passion for learning and instilling the courage to reach a greater potential.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SARASOTA MILITARY ACADEMY, PLEASE VISIT: SARASOTAMILITARYACADEMY.ORG

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