Forty-seven cadets received their high school diplomas in the 125^th Commencement Ceremony at Fork Union Military Academy Friday, June 2. It was a beautiful morning for an outdoor event at the Stadium Field with the sun shining as brightly as the smiles on the faces of the watching families, friends and alumni.

The Commencement Address was delivered by COL Bill Hitchcock, a beloved member of the Academy for the past 49 years who announced his full retirement this past spring. 

Hitchcock arrived on the Academy’s campus in 1974, accepting a faculty position to teach history and coach football. Although he only expected to stay one year, fortunately for the Academy and countless young men, it turned out differently. 

In his early years at the Academy, Hitchcock taught Geography to freshmen and eventually moved on to teaching government to juniors and seniors. He was instrumental in developing the AP and Dual Enrollment programs at Fork Union and eventually rose through ranks, achieving the FUMA rank of Colonel. Through the years he held other roles, such as Headmaster of the Middle School, Advisor to the Honor Council and coach of many sports, but always returned to his first love, classroom teaching.

COL Hitchcock is a recipient of the Ford Foundation Teacher of the Year Award and received a study grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

COL Hitchcock’s love of the Academy and love of mentoring young men showed in his speech as he stated, “You are about to invest in the most precious possession you will ever own, your reputation. Never forget that. The decisions you make today will impact the person you will be tomorrow. Accept that awesome responsibility of that man you seek to become.” He closed in saying, “May you have the courage to change what you can change, the peace to accept with serenity of that you cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Following COL Hitchcock’s address, the Academy’s Board Chair Mrs. Paige Lester Pruett announced, in recognition of a lifetime of service to the Academy which has benefited generations of young men, the creation of the William Hitchcock Chair of Excellence for Social Studies. 

Once fully funded, this Endowed Chair will stand in perpetuity to support the position of our Social Studies Department Chairperson and to create an enduring legacy in appreciation of the tireless work of COL Hitchcock.

In the Valedictory Address, Jackson Pretus told his fellow graduates, “This Academy is challenging and at some point, breaks all of us. Yet, I see nearly 50 of you sitting here this morning with many alumni in the audience who have made it through. Who stuck with it and persevered. Who earned this day. And we are better for it. As we savor this moment together, I wish to offer you the most valuable piece of wisdom I carried with me. My advice as to how we should go out into the world to live our lives as men created from the lessons we have learned by the mistakes, challenges and experiences here at this wonderful Academy.”

Jackson has been a cadet at Fork Union Military Academy for four years, arriving in the ninth grade as a Trustee Scholar and finishing his high school career with the highest academic class rank as valedictorian. 

Jackson was also one of the nine Honor Graduates in the Class of 2023. In order to earn the distinction of Honor Graduate, a cadet must have completed two years of study at the Academy between grades 9 to 12, must have completed his senior year with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and have met specific high standards in his conduct. The Honor Graduates of the Class of 2023 are:

Rece D’Alessandro, the son of Ben and Karen D’Alessandro of Charlottesville, Virginia. Rece attended the Academy in grades 9, 10 and 12 and has a cumulative GPA of 4.186. He will be attending the Merchant Marine Academy in the fall where he will be a member of the basketball team. 

Grant DeMorro, the son of Tina and John DeMorro of Fork Union, Virginia. Grant has attended the Academy since the seventh grade and has a cumulative GPA of 4.194 and served as this year’s Battalion Commander. Grant will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point this fall. 

Ousmane Dieng, the son of El Hadji Dieng and Nafi Ndiaye of Germantown, Maryland. Ousmane has attended the Academy since the seventh grade and has a cumulative GPA of 4.417 to be named this year's Salutatorian. Ousmane will be attending Vanderbilt University this fall. 

Justin Fraser, the son of Scott and Stacie Fraser of Palmyra, Virginia. He has attended the Academy since the seventh grade and has a cumulative GPA of 4.081. Justin will be attending Hampden-Sydney College in the fall.

Wesley Lay, the son of Angela Hensley and Mick Lay of Stafford, Virginia. He has attended the Academy since this eighth grade and has a cumulative GPA of 3.981. Wesley plans to attend Tennessee Tech in the fall. 

Jackson Pretus, the son of Jessica Neal and Michael Pretus of Charlottesville, Virginia. He has attended the Academy since the ninth grade where he entered as a Trustee Scholar and has a cumulative GPA of 4.781. Jackson will be attending the College of William and Mary in the fall. 

Isaac Rivera, the son of George and Amber Rivera of Palmyra, Virginia. He has attended the Academy since the tenth grade and has a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Isaac plans to return to the Academy next fall as a member of the postgraduate football team. 

Matthew Vinso, the son of Joseph and Libby Vinso of Stafford, Virginia. He has attended the Academy since the eleventh grade and has a cumulative GPA of 3.734. Matthew will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall. 

Lucas Yates, the son of Joe and Heidi Yates of Goochland, Virginia. He has attended the Academy since the seventh grade and has a cumulative GPA of 4.107. Lucas will be attending the US Merchant Marine Academy in the fall. 

All Fork Union Military Academy graduating seniors will have the opportunity to continue their education in college next fall as the Class of 2023 achieved the Academy’s annual goal of 100-percent college acceptance, receiving 4.1 million dollars in merit and athletic scholarships with seven going to senior military schools and one enlisting in the United States Navy with a $10,000 signing bonus.