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News Archive: August 2005
Welcome Back from Pat & Renee Fraley
Welcome to FUMA - Take heart we have all been new parents!
For those parents who do not know us, we are Pat and Renee Fraley of Studio City, CA. Pat and I have four sons and we have served as the FUMA Parents Association Chairs for over 3 years. Three of our sons have attended FUMA. Our youngest, Ford Fraley attended the Middle School last year and starts his first year as an Upper School cadet this week. Our second born, Harrison, graduated this past May and is about to begin college at Savannah School of Art and Design with a partial scholarship.
Harrison's career at FUMA began here in the Middle School – half way through 8th grade. He was a very reluctant cadet. As Pat puts it, "He volunteered to go to FUMA. You could tell by the splinters under his finger nails from holding on to his bed at home." Harrison’s first month at school he wrote home and stated:
Dear Mom and Dad,
You have made a big mistake. You don't know what you've done!
Well, his grades improved drastically. He grew much in character and in his relationship with God, and his fellow cadets. He thanked us at graduation for hanging in there and putting up with him. I was nearly in tears as he confessed that without his FUMA experience he would have never learned to persevere in studies, sports and achieve his goals of attending Art School.
Take heart - we will all drive out the gates today. Just remember our sons are in very good hands, and in the Hand of a formidable Lord, who is up to the task of setting these young men on a course of growth, integrity and academic excellence.
A quick cure to start you thinking in the right direction will come to those of us who ache at leaving our sons as we leave. Ask yourself, what would my son be doing right now if he were home? Know that you are not sending your son away, but you are providing a profound opportunity in these times when discipline is hard to come by.
As the Parent Chairs, we encourage you to join the FUMA Parents Association. Your $50 dues is an important weay of supporting the investment you have made at FUMA. This year we are raising money to replace the aging speaker system in the Chapel and provide scholarship opportunities for worthy cadets returning next year. Unlike traditional Parent Associations, we do not have a host of fundraising events - your dues in and of itself raises funds. The Spaghetti Dinner on October 21st during Parents Weekend is a way for you to meet other parents and also meet faculty and staff. One of the highlights of the weekend is our son's first dress parade on the lower field. Apart for the Spaghetti dinner, there will be a Silent Auction in the spring. Last year was very successful in it was the first time cadet companies participated in donations for the Auction. More information will be sent to you in the future and plan on supporting the school for this very popular event. Any questions regarding assisting the Parents Association can be addressed to myself or the Development Office at FUMA. I would be happy to answer any personal or mom questions that come up. The boys will do well and welcome back.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:39 PM
General News
Message from Alumni Board President
As the new incoming President of the Alumni Association Board, let me first say it is truly an honor to be in this position. I look forward to serving the Board and the FUMA alumni over the next two years and continue the great traditions that Fork Union Military Academy has built over the last 107 years.
One of my most important duties as President is to encourage all alumni to support the school with their words, their time, and their gifts.
Spread the word!
One of the first ways you can support the Academy is to send us new cadets. Tell your story to others, recommend the Academy to parents you know who are searching for an excellent education for their son. Word of mouth remains our strongest marketing tool. Spread the word about Fork Union Military Academy, tell others that "success stories begin here."
Come back!
Next, we want you to come back to Fork Union and share your time with current cadets and your fellow alumni. Come see what's happening on campus today!
Alumni Weekend is held each year the first weekend in May and offers a chance for alumni to reunite and attend many events the Academy has to offer. It is a time to revisit the campus and share with others all that has happened at the school since your graduation date.
Alumni Speaker Day is held in February each year and gives alumni a chance to speak with cadets on their success after graduating from FUMA. It is an opportunity to share your experiences in life and how FUMA shaped you as a cadet and finally as a young man.
The Senior/PG Dinner is another way in which the Alumni Association Board tries to "give back" to the young men who will be graduating each year. It has become a tradition for seniors and postgraduates to be recognized for their accomplishments at the Academy and to commend them for their "job well done."
Share the load!
Tuition does not cover all the costs of educating a cadet at Fork Union Military Academy. The rest of the money needed for running the school each year comes from donations, most of it from alumni. It's true today, it was true when I was a cadet, and it was true when you went to FUMA.
Those of us who received the benefit of a FUMA education should understand that this was only possible because of the financial gifts from the alumni who came before us. This has been true since the very beginning days of the school. Alumni, it's time to give back financially as well.
Annual Giving: In a few weeks, you will receive the Annual Giving Letter from the Development Department. When it arrives, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the value of what was given to you by other alumni. I hope that you will follow in their footsteps and pledge to support the Academy with your annual gift to help today's cadets receive that same benefit. Your annual gift will also help support FUMA's exciting and ambitious Capital Campaign.
Phonathon: The cadets at FUMA today absolutely love participating in the annual Phonathon. They are excited about talking to you, sharing that bond that crosses through the years. This past year many alumni contributed to the Phonathon as first time donors and over $66,000 was received from this effort.
Thank you for "giving back!"
The Academy has stood the test of time while many other military schools have closed their doors. This is because the Academy has remained true to its mission, and because throughout all of its years it has been able to rely on the strength and support of its alumni.
Thank you for continuing to "give back" in any way you can.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:04 PM
Alumni
Middle School Battalion Staff 2005-2006
The Middle School announces their Battalion Staff for the 2005-2006 school year.
Capt. Doug Shotwell
Battalion Staff: 2005-2006
Battalion Commander: Capt. Doug Shotwell
Executive Officer: 1st LT. Harry Pagan
Supply Officer: 2nd LT. Joe Beckley
Color Guard Commander: 2nd LT. Mike Smith
Provost/Athletic Officer: 2nd Lt. Spencer Hurteau
Command Sergeant Major: John Nash
Company Staff: Alpha
Company Commander: 1st Lt. Travis Milde
Platoon Leaders: 2nd Lt. James Park, Alfonso Chavez
First Sgt. Pierce Firth
Sgt. 1st Class: Samuel Hwang, Thomas O'Connell
Staff Sgt. David Merialdo
Company Staff: Bravo
Company Commander: 1st LT. Seong Yong Seong
Platoon Leaders: 2nd LT. Anthony Bailey, Dan McMurtrie
First Sgt. Jongseuk Lim
SGT. 1st Class Hyun Kang, Yuvraj Taneja
Staff Sgt. Andre Malouf
Sgt. 1st Class: Zach Jones
Sgt. 1st Class: Russell Bodine
Sgt. 1st Class: Mark Shuman
Buck Sergeant: Josh Campbell
Posted by , Monday, August 29, 2005 10:44 AM
General News
FUMA Prep team routs Fluvanna 49-0
Although billed as a scrimmage, the annual season opener between FUMA's prep football team and the Fluvanna County Varsity team is a big home-town rivalry played under the lights at the Fluco stadium, complete with marching band, play-by-play announcer, concession stands, and crowds of cheering fans on both sides of the field.
FUMA kicked off to start the evening and the Fluco's first offensive play of the night saw the Fluvanna team complete a long pass deep into FUMA territory, with the points-saving tackle made on about the 2-yard line. FUMA's defense held strong, however, and forced Fluvanna to attempt a field goal when they were unable to move the ball into the end zone. Jamal Schulters sprinted in from the left side to block the field goal and give FUMA the ball. That was Fluvanna's last serious chance at scoring on the evening.
FUMA put on an awesome display of defense and offense for the rest of the evening, holding back Fluvanna's attacks, intercepting key passes, and putting touchdowns on the board with runs, receptions, and key plays by a wide range of FUMA players including Schulters, Stephen Palmer, Brandon Caleb, Pierce Mackey, and several others, racking up a 49-0 shutout.
Photos are posted in the photos section.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Friday, August 26, 2005 10:00 PM
Athletics
Junior Prep Football Scrimmages with Fluvanna
The Junior Prep football team scrimmaged with Fluvanna County's JV team at FUMA this afternoon. The teams alternated running their offense for a number of plays with the coaches on the field directing and correcting their team's play. The teams also played a number of downs in game conditions, advancing for the first down or punting away to a fair catch.
Fork Union held Fluvanna scoreless on the afternoon while putting several touchdowns on the board themselves. Photos from the scrimmage are available in the photos.forkunion.com section of the website.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Friday, August 26, 2005 09:55 PM
Athletics
Jeff Schrad '02 excels at UVa
FUMA alumnus Jeff Schrad received front page treatment in the Charlottesville Daily Progress Sports section today with a large photo and prominent article detailing how his experience at Fork Union helped him succeed at University of Virginia.
An offensive lineman who walked on to the UVa team, Jeff's hard work did not go unnoticed and Coach Al Groh rewarded his efforts recently by awarding him a football scholarship.
Reporter Sean McLernon's full article from the Daily Progress can be found at this link.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Wednesday, August 24, 2005 12:45 PM
Alumni
Football Players Return
Football Players Return
This week the football players returned to Fork Union Military Academy ready to tackle another season. On Sunday, over 90 players returned to the campus of Fork Union and within two days were out on the field practicing. This year the prep team looks very promising and many of the players are excited about their return.
FUMA has three football teams: Junior Prep (9th and 10th grade); Prep (11th and 12th grade); and Varsity (Postgraduate).
Prep Team
One of FUMA's attention getters is Brandon Caleb, a cadet since the 8th grade. He is a top-ranked recruiting prospect in the Class of 2006. Ranked in the Top Ten wide receiver prospects nationally, Caleb also excels in track and basketball, and set the state record in the triple jump while leading the FUMA track team to their 18th state championship in a row.
Other key returning players for 2005-06 include Donovan Astwood, senior; Josh Avery, senior; Sylvester Bryce, senior; Paul Dandan, senior; Carl Daniel, senior; Jonathan Foote, junior; Philip Hylton, junior; Tienne Jefferson, junior; Pierce Mackey, senior; Donny Outlaw, senior; Zack Rector, junior; Jamal Schulters, senior; and Steve Palmer, junior.
Tripp Jones, a senior playing defensive end and center, said he is glad to return to the Academy, but he definitely needed to get used to the heat again. Robert Hembrick, a junior returning for his second year at FUMA, is also excited about being back at school and agrees practice is off to a good start.
"The guys are looking good," said Receivers Coach Mike Hooper. "They are quickly getting back into the routine and are pumped for another season."
The football teams practice in the morning from 8:30 - 10:30 on the field, and then work out in the weight room in the afternoon. They return to the field in the evening after dinner until 8:00 or 8:30 p.m.
PG Football
Coach John Shuman is confident this year's team will be another outstanding one. Over 60 players arrived Wednesday and were out on the field on Thursday morning sweating through a grueling practice.
Paul Young, from Woodbridge, VA, is working as a kicker this year. "It is my first year at Fork Union and I am looking forward to it. The team definitely looks better than my high school last year." Paul said he came to FUMA because his father's friend had told them about the success of FUMA's postgraduate program. "I am looking at colleges like UVA, Bowling Green and JMU," said Young.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Friday, August 19, 2005 12:02 PM
Athletics
General Jackson appears on radio in DC
LTG John Jackson, FUMA's president, was a guest on the Mark Bisnow show on Fox News Radio in Washington, DC (WMET 1160am). General Jackson spoke about FUMA and answered the host's questions in this 10-minute interview that aired beginning at 8:50am this morning during prime drive time on this popular talk radio station.
General Jackson's interview can be heard in its entirety here.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Thursday, August 18, 2005 09:46 AM
General News
Caleb Makes Verbal Commitment to Oklahoma
Brandon Caleb made a verbal commitment to Oklahoma on Thursday, August 12th, accepting their scholarship offer to play football for the Sooners.
See Scout.com coverage here.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Friday, August 12, 2005 04:30 PM
Athletics
Caleb Narrowing His Choices?
Recruiting website Rivals.com writer John Talman reports that Brandon Caleb may have narrowed his college choices down to a final three schools...
Those three schools are Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech.
Caleb, who will report for football practice at FUMA next week, has been visiting college campuses and gathering information as to how he might fit into each school's program.
Currently ranked as the #3 or #4 prospect in Virginia and the #7 wide receiver prospect nationwide, Caleb feels no rush to make a quick commitment and will continue to pray about his decision and discuss it with his family members, including his older brother who went through a similar recruiting experience previously to play college sports.
Talman's full article can be found on the Rivals.com site here.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Monday, August 8, 2005 07:14 PM
Athletics
, Athletics
Caleb Visits Oklahoma
Brandon Caleb, a rising FUMA senior and top football recruiting prospect, visited the campus of Oklahoma University recently. Rivals.com writer Josh McCuistion caught up with Brandon and got some of the details of his visit. Caleb stressed the role of academics in his decision and how the progress he made academically at FUMA was important in shaping his thinking about college choices. Read all about it in the article on Rivals.com at this link.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Sunday, August 7, 2005 07:32 PM
Athletics
, Athletics
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