Eight days until the Upper School Graduation. Six days until the Middle School Graduation.
I remarked today that when I arrived in the middle of July, the end of school seemed so far away. I had time to get out and around, meet everyone, get into all the classrooms, buildings, walk the entire campus, meet with Trustees…and today I would do anything to put another week in the schedule (don’t tell my staff) so that I could give more attention to all the “spinning plates” in view.
This was, as you can imagine, the most challenging week of the school year.
There are many who expressed deep concern for all of us at Fork Union Military Academy. We are stronger today as a result of the trials we endured, and there is a sense of unity that speaks well for next year. I’ve told my colleagues and friends outside the school that while I am no stranger to tragedy and tough times, I have never seen so many people who work at an institution so deeply affected by one incident, yet I’ve also never seen an organization learn so quickly and its people lift each other up so well.
We have two more parades this season…this Sunday the parade is dedicated to Greenbrier Military School (GMS). We’ve been working closely with Greenbrier alumni since 1994, and they provide scholarship funds for cadets, and assist us in finding the best students to attend Fork Union Military Academy. GMS closed down in the 70’s, yet their alumni remain active and are incredibly tight-knit. When I asked one of their alums how they got their alumni to be so active and engaged, he told me it didn’t happen until after the school closed. No, thank you….
I look forward to a strong, active, and involved alumni…coexisting with a strong, active, and vibrant school. With that goal in mind, this weekend we will honor our partnership with GMS, and honor their support for FUMA.
While it is probably no surprise to blog readers, because you’ve heard my incessant praise of our track team…Fork Union won the Virginia Prep League Championship last Saturday. Congratulations…and while the events of this week kept the team from bringing me the trophy, I’m excited enough that next week I’ll walk down and pick it up myself.
On Sunday we honored the mothers of all cadets. The cadets made everyone proud during the pass in review…and the pictures will reflect that more than a few cadets couldn’t resist an “unmilitary” peek to make sure their mothers were watching…
Much time was spent this week working the details of the Middle School graduation activities, and the details of the Upper School graduation. Our website calendar is up to date, and all parents and friends are welcome at all awards ceremonies and graduation ceremonies. Please call us if you have any questions about parking, packing out, or other details. We look forward to seeing everyone on campus.
This year we have six countries represented in our graduating class, and look forward to displaying all the flags at graduation. We invited a past graduate, Vincent McDowell, to sing the National Anthem and a “special selection.” His brother is graduating this year, and we look forward to seeing Vincent back on campus for this special day.
This past week I also met with the Upper School Valedictorian and Salutatorian to assist with their graduation speeches…so that we could align our comments. Needless to say, this was the highlight of a long week. What a humbling experience to engage these two bright young men who exemplify “Body, Mind, and Spirit.” When I asked the Salutatorian, an international student from Korea, how he spent his summers in the United States (he hasn’t been home for 10 years), he told me he spent the time studying for his SAT’s. His reward is an acceptance to Notre Dame, where he will study finance.
I followed the articles and video from this week’s Coast Guard Academy Commencement. As I said once before, I was with the USCGA Class of 2012 for three years. I am proud to have had a part in educating, developing, training, and inspiring these newest ensigns in the United States Coast Guard, and hope many will visit FUMA to provide a measure of inspiration for the young men here who aspire to attend Service Academies. Congratulations!
There is no more rewarding responsibility than leading others who prepare young people for their future. Our alumni are extraordinarily successful. I believe that is because they are surrounded by leaders who love them, and because everyone here knows our mission is to educate, develop, and inspire young men in a college preparatory, Christian, residential environment where cadets learn confidence, responsibility, leadership and discipline in a positive atmosphere of mental, physical, and spiritual growth.
This may be best said by a member of our Class of 1962, who recently wrote:
“Much of my success I owe to the lessons learned at FUMA: steady effort will almost always beat inconsistent effort and sudden spurts of enthusiasm…Stand up for yourself and others regardless of the consequences. Do something positive every moment of the day...
Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability and don’t beat yourself up if, in spite of your best efforts, someone surpasses you; it is bound to happen and you are honor bound to congratulate them. Athletic activity is as important as academics in life. Success in life depends upon success in both arenas. And looking back I have discovered over and over again that the Boy Scouts are right on this point: If it is to be, it is up to me.”
I was about to close this blog with Psalm 30, which was sent by one of our faculty members, COL Chris Nothnagle, to comfort me this week…but when I checked my email “one more time” before going to sleep, I read another note of encouragement from the parent of a 9th grade cadet.
I’ve been impressed by the support of parents as we’ve gone through this storm, and will end with scripture provided from 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
Go Graduation! Go FUMA!
