News & Blogs

Last Chapel Service

Submitted by RADM J. Scott Burhoe on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 11:42am

This will be my final blog of Fork Union Military Academy’s 115th Academic Year.  I will blog occasionally over the summer.  I will close this year with the message I delivered this morning at the Last Chapel Service of the year:

Sometimes I sit in the back of Wicker Chapel to see the service from the "cadet perspective" rather than over on the side with the faculty and staff...

...I also come here when the Chapel is empty...and sit in the front row listening first to the silence...and next for God to provide support and answer my prayers.

During the week I stop whatever I am doing to be here at 1015 on Tuesday and Thursday...and come occasionally at 0930 on Sunday.

This is a wonderful Chapel...approaching its 80th year here on the campus. 

To many alumni, this is a place where they found peace and support; making sense of their lives at Fork Union and at home, in the same way I do...

...I believe with all my heart that we were each placed on this Earth to serve God, and we serve Him by serving others.

I really like it when we concentrate our prayers on one person or goal...there is great power in prayer...and even greater power when many pray for the same thing.  I pray for each of you often.

It is hard enough to come up with just one message, so I continue to be impressed by how well Chaplain Benson can come up with three different messages each week.  Let's take a moment to recognize what a terrific job he's done this year...

It is tradition that the President speaks at the first and last Chapel Service.

I tend to live in the future...a world of what can be...what should be... and what will be.

I see a very bright future for Fork Union Military Academy.  A future that is bigger than any one of us in this room.  A future unconstrained, yet guided by our past.

I see a place where everyone does the right thing because it is the right thing...not because they'll get punished if they don't...or get rewarded if they do.

I see a place where everyone gets along and supports each other, because they understand that relationships are everything.

Last year I spoke about what it means to be a Fork Union Man...

...that a Fork Union Man works for his future.  He sacrifices a little fun today to secure his tomorrow.  He looks after and supports his fellow cadets.  There are many examples in the Chapel today.

I've learned over these last two years that one of the biggest gifts this experience gives each of you is lifelong friends and brothers.

A Fork Union Man is respectful, honest, faithful, and disciplined.  He demonstrates character.  Aristotle said that "We are what we repeatedly do."

I can look around this Chapel and remember who didn't make it through this school year.  Those who couldn't delay gratification no matter what it cost...and those who weren't willing to do what was right...

I believe that there is a top 10%, a bottom 10%, and a middle 80%.  And that everybody deserves equal time and attention.

We did our best this year to treat the Corps like the top 90% deserve to be treated...

Jacobson Hall, the Social Center, and other privileges reflect that.

Our goal is to have the top 90% lift up the others...and eventually we'll have a top 100%...or at least 99%.

I am very proud of the Corps of Cadets this year.  This year was better than the year before...but not as good as next year will be.

I am proud of you because you endured long speakers without complaint...because of your performance on the drill field during formal reviews, and the way you won on the athletic fields with grace and dignity...

I am going to tell one story that may best summarizes what I saw in you this year...

Last Wednesday we were visited by 3 older gentlemen, one a 1952 graduate of Fork Union Military Academy.  One of the visitors dropped his full tray and everything crashed onto the floor.

At nearly every other school in America there would have been clapping or snickers...but not here.  Five cadets jumped up from their seats to help...they picked up the mess, and asked him if he was okay.

He wrote the Dean saying that not only did that impress him and his friends, but how touched they were by how each cadet during their entire visit looked them in the eye and greeted them with respect and enthusiasm.

When it was time to shine, you let your light shine.  I saw it hundreds of times this year.

I have been proud to represent this Corps of Cadets and this school in the community, to its alumni, and to our Board of Trustees...and I look forward to doing it again next year.

This is the last Chapel service of the 115th academic session..

I pray that all of you have a terrific summer, whether you work or play.

Remember that people will judge you and the school by your actions...

As the Corps goes, the Academy goes...

We are all in this together.

As you know, normally I end my remarks by saying Go FUMA!...today I would like to do something a little different.  Today I will say 1-2-3 and you...the Corps of Cadets, Faculty, Staff...all of us together will say Go FUMA! Like we mean it...

Ready, 1-2-3...

Go FUMA!

Fork Union Military Academy Admissions in Fairfax, at the Marriott at Fair Oaks, Saturday,May 18,2013

Submitted by maceks on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 7:20am

Fork Union Military Academy will have representatives at the Fair Oaks Marriott this Saturday, May 18th from 9am-noon.  LTC Steve Macek, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid LTC Dr. Robert Grant, Director of Guidance and Mrs. Grant, the Academy's Quartermaster will be on hand to discuss our summer and fall programs.  

Dr. and Mrs. Grant bring a unique perspective to this event in that they are the parents of an alumnus of FUMA.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about our exceptional summer school program which starts June 30th, 2013, as well as learn more about our unique "One Subject Plan" of college preparatory study.

If you have a son or know of someone who might benefit from attending Fork Union, please stop by Saturday morning.

For Details on this and other upcoming admissions events, please follow this link.

http://www.forkunion.com/admissions/admissions-fairs.html

If you live in the Northern Virginia area, but cannot make this event, remember that Fork Union Military Academy has a kiosk located in Tysons Corner Center mall every Saturday and Sunday through the end of June.  The kiosk is located in the mall, just outside of Macy's second floor entrance.

Middle School Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced

Submitted by admin on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 1:58pm

The Valedictorian of the 8th grade class at the Academy's Middle School is Cadet LTC John ("J.D.") Buchholz.  J.D. is the son of Ms. Lee Buchholz of Lake Tahoe, NV.  He is also supported and encouraged by his uncle and aunt, Lewis and Carla Martin of Charlottesville, VA.  Completing his third year at the Academy, J.D. is the Battalion Commander of the Middle School Cadet Corps.  During each of his years at the Middle School, J.D. has earned President's List, Excellent Conduct, and Meritorious Conduct.  During his 7th grade year, he was recognized for having the highest academic average.  This year J.D. earned the Battalion Commander Award and was recognized as the M.V.P. of the Middle School lacrosse team.  During his years at the Middle School, J.D. has lettered in J.V. and MS football, basketball, indoor track, baseball, and lacrosse.

The Salutatorian of the 8th grade class at the Middle School is Cadet SSGT Dalton Fowler of Carrollton, TX.  A member of "Alpha" Company, Dalton is the son of Mr. Gary Fowler (deceased) and Ms. Katie Smith.  He is completing his second year at the Academy.  As a 7th grade cadet, Dalton earned Honor Roll for the year.  This year, Dalton made President's List and Excellent Conduct for the Year and earned awards for his achievements in Spanish and music.  He was also recognized as a Johns Hopkins Scholar through the Center for Talented Youth program.  Dalton has lettered in cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, and lacrosse while a cadet at the Academy.  He has also been active in the Academy's choir.

Leave A Legacy

Submitted by RADM J. Scott Burhoe on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 12:07pm

Major Brooks Berry served with humility, integrity, and showed us all what it means to be a "Fork Union Man."  He gave the Chapel lesson last week, and his major point was that "...leaving a legacy is not optional."  He spoke of Saul, of Winston Churchill, and of a few Fork Union alumni.

He talked about the impact FUMA had on him as a cadet, and how attending Fork Union allowed young men to leave a more meaningful legacy on the world.  We are proud of Brooks Berry for being selected as The Covenant School's next Athletic Director.  We will miss him, and wish him much success.

I held a number of meetings to follow up on the Board's direction, including a final review of plans to provide wireless access to all our classrooms for our one-to-one laptop initiative.  This includes a system that will allow us to monitor student activity in each classroom, and while "wired" in the barracks.  We will use LanSchool, a classroom management and monitoring system that "enhances learning in a computer lab by replicating the teacher's monitor to all computer monitors as well as allows a teacher to control a student's computer."

Our goal is to create digital citizens; young people who understand the proper use of available technology, digital etiquette, including rights and responsibilities, as well as their own digital health, wellness, and self-protection.  This comes with some risk, but far more benefit to our graduates.  We believe the rewards for enhancing the learning environment will outweigh these risks.

One of our Middle School cadets, Cadet Scott Meadows, earned the Purple Heart Scholarship awarded by the Association of Military Colleges and Schools in the United States.  We had a ceremony that included Dr. Rudy Ehrenberg, the Executive Director of AMCSUS, and Scott's parents surprised him by attending the mid-week ceremony.

Friendship........Fellowship........and Food

Submitted by mcilnayc on Mon, 05/13/2013 - 2:21pm

Our friends and partners from Grace Chinese Baptist Church in Shortpump, VA, joined us on Sunday, May 5, 2013 to help FUMA celebrate Alumni Weekend. Beautiful weather greeted them as they viewed the cadets in parade formation. Afterwards, they treated FUMA Chinese cadets to a special Chinese meal they prepared. Broad smiles and wonderful fellowship abounded.

We are so very excited about this partnership and so are the FUMA Chinese cadets. Those that wish to, will be involved in mission work and community service projects working alongside the church members. The church members will also help in mentoring the cadets and providing "Chinese hospitality" to boys so far away from home.

Alumni Weekend 2013

Submitted by admin on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 10:11am

Class of 1963 Passes In Review during Alumni Day Parade.

Beginning with the Reunion BBQ on Friday evening and culminating with the Class of 1963 passing in review at the conclusion of the Alumni Day Parade, the 2013 Alumni Weekend was a smashing success according to all reports. Hundreds of alumni attended a variety of weekend events including the barbecue dinner, the golf tournament, the Alumni Association Dinner, the Veterans Memorial Service, and the Alumni Day Parade. Members of FUMA classes back to the 1940s gathered to catch up with old friends, swap stories, and check out the new barracks on campus, Jacobson Hall. It was great to have the campus alive with so many memories and so much enthusiasm for the Academy and its mission.