MMA LEADERDedicated to our Cadets - Leaders of Tomorrow

Birthday BallThe cadets were the true stars of the glamorous 46th Anniversary Birthday Ball held on Nov. 5. At the ball, which is also in observance of the 236th Anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, cadets made their parents and family proud as they participated in the traditional cake-cutting ceremony followed by the mother-and-son dance. To see more photos of this event, visit MMA-TX.org/News and click on the Photo Galleries tab.

November/December 2011Volume 25, Number 3

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Special Events Guest of HonorThe guest of honor for the 46th Anniversary Birthday Ball was Class of 1986 Alumnus Richard Moxley. Moxely, a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist and University of Texas at Austin graduate, is the co-founder and chief technology officer of Blackbird Technologies, Inc. in Herndon, Va.

MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY develops disciplined, morally strong,college-ready young men who are prepared for responsible leadership.

R ichard Moxley accepts an honorary gift from Battalion Commander Michael McGraw.

Superintendent Col Glenn Hill cuts the ceremonial cake with his sword.

Cadet Egdar Tejeda Garcia honors his grandmother with a dance.

Cadet Alejandro Valadez poses with his date before the ceremony.

Cadet Robert Lauzon finishes placing the corsage on his date and mother.

Richard Moxley

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MMA LEADER

Homecoming GameThe Leathernecks defeated the Monte Alto Blue Devils by a score of 50-7 at the MMA Homecoming Game on Nov. 4. The MMA Homecoming Game was the last game of the season. The Leathernecks ended the season with a record of 6 and 4.

Parent’s WeekendParents and family members from all over the globe visited the cadets on Parent’s Weekend, held Nov. 3-5. MMA kicked off the weekend with a Parent’s Reception on Nov. 3. On Nov. 4, parents attended the Morning Colors and then attended classes with their sons to meet and speak with the teachers. Parents later watched the cadets participate in the 46th Anniversary Birthday Parade and then gathered again to see the MMA Homcoming Game. The finale of Parent’s Weekend was the 46th Anniversary Birthday Ball on Nov. 5.

Special Events

Parents eagerly wait for the Morning Colors ceremony to begin.

Cadet Cody Hubbard joins his parents after the Morning Colors.

Golf Company salutes the flag during the Morning Colors ceremony.

Cadet Taric Pierre hugs his grandmother before class.

Parents attend Mrs. Guerrero’s Spanish I class with their sons.

Football Captain Michael McGraw leads the team in a pre-game prayer.

Cadet Andres Orjuela gets a little footloose during half time.

Cadets Daniel De La Garza, Jeremiah Ruvalcaba and William Bood hone in on the ball as the Devil’s quarterback calls the play.

MMA LEADER

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Birthday ParadeThe cadets impressed parents and visitors alike at the 46th Anniversary Birthday Parade on Nov. 4. The parade is not only a tribute to MMA, but to the U.S. Marine Corps, which celebrated its 236th birthday on Nov. 10. Parents and family members from across the country and around the world attended the parade held during Parent’s Weekend.

Veterans Day ParadeThe cadets held an honorable Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11. Well attended by the public, the parade featured performances by the Leatherneck Band and Silent Drill Team. Many veterans attended the parade, includuing several World War II veterans, and were honored at the event during the Pass in Review.

Special Events

Veterans line up for the Pass in Review at the Veterans Day Parade.

Silent Drill Team Commander Aboira Irumudomon completes the grinder walk-through.

The battalion commander receives the report from the attending companies.

(Top) Silent Drill Team Commander Aboira Irumudomon conducts the drill team inspection with Cadet Ian Eviston.

(Left) The battalion conduct of formation in preparation for the Pass in Review.

MMA LEADER

Nicholas G. BeallCivil Service Awd

Dillon A. BuckCivil Service Awd

Parker A. ChapinCivil Service Awd

Patrick R. ChurchOrienteering Ribbon

Zachary A. CianfloneOrienteering Ribbon

Christopher J. DunnOrienteering Ribbon

Alfonso Garcia GarzaCivil Service Awd

Cody I. HubbardOrienteering Ribbon

Emiliano L. Hernandez-SummersOrienteering Ribbon

Andrew T. HodgeCivil Service Awd

Michael J. Huang Orienteering Ribbon

Robert P. Lundholm, Jr.Athletic Participation AwdPhysical Achievement Awd

Jose M. Martinez GarciaCivil Service Awd

Jacob E. MooreCivil Service Awd

Mohammed S. MousaCivil Service Awd

Nikita A. Nemchuk Orienteering Ribbon

Hector S. Palma Fierro Civil Service Awd

Luis Rayet ContelCivil Service Awd

CongratulationsRecent ActivitiesCamp-out

The Troop 22 Boy Scouts par ticipated in a campout at the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area-Longoria Unit in Santa Rosa, Texas. Las Palomas is a wildlife preserve owned and managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

During the campfire, Cadet Zachar y Garner of Terrell, Texas supervised a proper flag retirement ceremony. Two Boy Scouts, Cadets Henry Frost of Dallas and Nathan Logan of Magnolia , Texas, chose to begin their Wilderness Survival Merit Badge and undertake Requirement 8: Sleep overnight in a shelter you construct of natural materials.

All members of Troop 22 worked together to meet the requirements for the Orienteering Merit Badge, which required them to find their way within the preserve.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 22 hold a proper flag retirement ceremony.

David C. RiceCivil Service Awd

Cole M. RoachOrienteering Ribbon

William J. TimpanyOrienteering RibbonCivil Service Awd

Humberto Valdez CaballeroCivil Service Awd

John C. VickersCivil Service Awd

Cole D. WarwickOrienteering Ribbon

James M. WelchCivil Service Awd

Jacob D. Williams Orienteering Ribbon

Emilio Zertuche VillarrealCivil Service Awd

Awards

CyberPatriot CompetitionOn Dec. 7, the Devil Dogs advanced to Round 3 in the CyberPatriot National High School Cyber Defense Competition. There are four total rounds in the competition, and the team will battle in Round 3 on Jan. 13 and 14. The object of the competition is to identify and correct all possible security threats to computers. The more vulnerabilities the teams can spot and fix,

the more points they will earn.

The Dev i l Dogs are Cadets Dylan Che of Sugar Land, Texas, Douglas Hodge of Richardson, Tex as, Daniil Murashov of St. Petersburg , Russia, Jose Rodriguez of Matamoros, Mexico, Scott Strauss of Spring Grove, Ill., team captain, and Logan Workman of Tomball, Texas.

Recent Activities

Cadet Douglas Hodge practices for the national CyberPatriot competition.

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MMA LEADER

Boy ScoutsIn the fall semester, eight Boy Scouts in Troop 22 completed their Eagle Scout Community Service Leadership projects.

Cadet Nick Haag of Orinda, Calif. built two bicycle racks for Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley in Harlingen, Texas and then lead a team to install the racks on Sep. 9. Leaves & Fishes offers food and shelter to the homeless and needy.

Cadet Robert Pearson of Las Vegas raised funds and then led a team that built four pieces of outdoor wooden furniture for the residents of La Posada Providencia in San Benito, Texas on Sep. 17. La Posada Povidencia offers refuge to needy immigrants, asylees and asylum seekers.

Cadets Zachary Garner of Terrell, Texas, John Hay of Sugar Land, Texas, and Logan Workman of Tomball, Texas, raised $700 for Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito, Texas on Oct. 1. Sunny Glen Children’s Home provides residential care to dependent, neglected or abused children from the Rio Grande Valley.

Cadets Michael Huang of Houston, James Welch of San Francisco a n d Ja c o b W i l l i a m s o f Sa n Antonio, Texas, raised funds and led individual teams to do minor repairs and upgrades to the fence and the outdoor play area of Sunny Glen Children’s Home on Oct. 22.

Congratulations

(L to R) Cadets John Hay, Logan Workman and Zachary Garner give a check to representatives from Sunny Glen Children’s Home.

Cadet Nick Haag (second from left) and his team install the bicycle racks at Loaves & Fishes.

Cadet Robert Pearson (second from right) and his team deliver the outdoor furniture to La Posada Providencia.

Cadet James Welch ( front) and his team finish refurbishing the fences at Sunny Glen Children’s Home.

Cadet Michael Huang ( front)and his team finish refurbishing the fences at Sunny Glen Children’s Home.

Cadet Jacob Williams ( front) and his team finish refurbishing the fences at Sunny Glen Children’s Home.

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MMA LEADER

Visitors & FriendsVirginia Military Institute

Junior and senior cadets attended a Virginia Military Institute (VMI) presentation on Oct. 19. Maj Jessica Hyde, assistant director of admissions, spoke to the Cadets and answered their questions about this four-year undergraduate college located in Lexington, Va. Founded in 1839, VMI is the nation’s first state-supported military college. Though all cadets must participate in the ROTC program, VMI does not require commissioning.

(L to R) Cadets Samuel Hudson, William Timpany, Travis Oard, Jarrod Royal, Jonathan Leary and Daniel Paulson pose with Maj Jessica Hyde of Virginia Military Institute.

Texas Department of Public Safety

Cadets Logan Workman (front) and Cody Brown interview State Trooper Johnny Hernandez.

The Texas Department of Public Safet y (DPS) worked w ith the Cinematography class to create a public service announcement (PSA) titled “Under 21: You have no business drinking.” State Trooper Johnny Hernandez came out on Nov. 16 for the cadets to interview and record him. The PSA was part of a semester-long class project, and the cadets finished producing it on Nov. 30.

Texas DPS will work with local television stations to try and get the message aired. To see the PSA, go to MMA-TX.org/News and click on the Video Galleries tab.

La Joya JROTCSeventy-two cadets from the La Joya school district Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps ( JROTC) experienced the Back 40 on Nov. 19. Cadets spent the entire day completing the high ropes, leadership reaction course, confidence course and circuit course. They also rapelled and ziplined.

A La Joya ROTC cadet walks the high ropes.

Rice

Shields

Robert Rice of Hillsborough, Calif. - Alpha CompanyRank: Cadet Second LieutenantGrade: 12, Activities: Aerospace and boxingFuture education goals: NROTC at a four-year collegeCareer goals: Marine Corps officer and California governor

Vincent Shields of San Antonio, Texas - Delta CompanyRank: Cadet CorporalGrade: 12, Activities: Football, basketball, boxing and trackFuture education goals: Earn a scholarship to TCU and play footballCareer goals: Join the Navy or major in sports medicine

Emiliano Hernandez Summers of Santa Rosa, Calif. - Echo CompanyRank: Cadet Staff SergeantGrade: 10, Activities: Drill team and weightliftingFuture education goals: Attend the Naval AcademyCareer goals: Be an officer in the Marine Corps

James Calcagnini of Darien, Conn. - Fox CompanyRank: Cadet PrivateGrade: 10, Activity: BoxingFuture education goals: Attend the Naval AcademyCareer goals: Become a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps

Andrew Gallo of Landenberg, Pa. - Golf CompanyRank: Cadet CaptainGrade: 12, Activity: WeightliftingFuture education goals: Earn a degree in protective servicesCareer goals: Military and security

Taric Pierre of Pembroke Pines, Fla. - Leatherneck BandCompany: Delta, Rank: Cadet PrivateGrade: 11, Activity: BandFuture education goals: Attend Full Sail University for music productionCareer goals: President of a multi-purpose school for the gifted and talented

Aboira Irumudomon of Heathrow, Fla. - Silent Drill TeamCompany: Delta, Rank: Cadet Second LieutenantGrade: 12, Activity: Silent Drill Team commanderFuture education goals: Obtain an MBA from George Washington UniversityCareer goals: Be a business owner

Cadet of the Month - September

MMA LEADER

Rice

Hernandez Summers

Calcagnini

Gallo

Pierre

Irumudomon

Shields

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MMA LEADER

Keelan Fitzpatrick of Rockwall, Texas - Alpha CompanyRank: Cadet CorporalGrade: 12, Activity: GolfFuture education goals: Major in architecture at theUniversity of TexasCareer goals: To be the next Bill Gates

Yizhou Ma of Bejing, China - Delta CompanyRank: Cadet PrivateGrade: 11, Activity: BasketballFuture education goals: To attend Syracuse UniversityCareer goals: To be a manager of business

Bruno Lopez Alvarez of Mexico City, Mexico - Echo CompanyRank: Cadet CorporalGrade: 10, Activity: BoxingFuture education goals: Attend college back in Mexico CityCareer goals: Be a busines owner

Humberto Váldez-Caballero of Monterrey, Mexico - Fox CompanyRank: Cadet CorporalGrade: 10, Activity: FootballFuture education goals: Attend TEC de MonterreyCareer goals: Be a business owner

Hector Palma Fierro of Reynosa, Mexico - Golf CompanyRank: Cadet Lance CorporalGrade: 11, Activity: SoccerFuture education goals: Medical schoolCareer goals: Surgeon

Nathan Logan of Spring, Texas - Leatherneck BandCompany: Fox, Rank: Cadet PrivateGrade: 9, Activities: Band, Boy Scouts and Rifle TeamFuture education goals: Major in business at Texas A&M UniversityCareer goals: Marine Corps officer

Igor Remenson of Boca Raton, Fla. - Silent Drill TeamCompany: Delta, Rank: Cadet CorporalGrade: 11, Activity: Color Guard sergeantFuture education goals: Attend the University of MiamiCareer goals: Become a medical doctor

Cadet of the Month - October

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Fitzpatrick

Lopez Alvarez

Váldez-Caballero

Palma Fierro

Logan

Remenson

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MMA LEADER

Cadet of the Month - NovemberMeng Wang of Taipei, Taiwan - Alpha CompanyRank: Cadet Lance CorporalGrade: 9, Activity: BoxingFuture education goals: Attend VMI and major in EngineeringCareer goals: To be a pilot for China Airlines

Rustam Shaykhutdinov of Kent, Wash. - Delta CompanyRank: Cadet PrivateGrade: 11, Activity: BasketballFuture education goals: Get into the University of New YorkCareer goals: Become a dentist

Javier Gil Humphrey of Altamira, Mexico - Echo CompanyRank: Cadet SergeantGrade: 10, Activity: WeightliftingFuture education goals: Attend college in Mexico CityCareer goals: Be a business owner

Robert Weedn of Tomball, Texas - Fox CompanyRank: Cadet Lance CorporalGrade: 9, Activities: BaseballFuture education goals: Attend the Naval AcademyCareer goals: Become a Navy officer

Preston Marquart of Washington, Mo. - Golf CompanyRank: Cadet Lance CorporalGrade: 11, Activity: BasketballFuture education goals: Graduate from West Point State Highway TrooperCareer goals: Obtain a degree in law from West Point

Zachary Garner of Terrell, Texas - Leatherneck BandCompany: Echo, Rank: Cadet SergeantGrade: 10, Activities: Band, Boy Scouts and trackFuture education goals: Attend Texas A&M UniversityCareer goals: Become a media specialist

Richard Farr of Schertz, Texas - Silent Drill TeamCompany: Fox, Rank: Cadet Lance CorporalGrade: 9, Activity: Color GuardFuture education goals: Attend a universityCareer goals: Become an engineer

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Wang

Gil Humphrey

Weedn

Marquart

Garner

Farr

Shaykhutdinov

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MMA LEADER

At what age should a student apply to college?Cadets begin to apply to the college of their choice the fall semester of their senior year.

What do colleges look for on a college application?All colleges and universities evaluate the same criteria, such as GPA, class rank, SAT and/or ACT scores, leadership ability and extra-curricular activities.

Does MMA host PSAT and SAT/ACT exams? Yes. MMA is a testing center for the PSAT as well as the SAT and ACT exams. MMA administers the PSAT in October, but only to its cadets. The SAT and ACT exams are open to the public.

Cadets take the PSAT every year except their senior year. The more times a young man can take a timed, standardized practice test, the better he will perform on the actual SAT and/or ACT.

How does a cadet’s course selection affect his acceptance into college?Colleges want to know that the applicant is “college ready” and will successfully complete his education. A cadet needs to take the most rigorous courses available to him because acceptance decisions are usually based on the quality of academic preparation in high school.

College Corner

In addition, admission officers at competitive colleges look beyond GPA and test scores and evaluate the pattern of course work, the rigor of classes (Honors, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit) and sequence of academic courses. They also look at the senior-year schedule. Admission officers are very aware of the “senior slide.”

Does the admission application for a service academy differ from that of a college? If so, how?Yes. Applying to a United States service academy is different in that:(a) the application is available the spring semester of the cadet’s junior year instead of the fall of the cadet’s senior year;(b) a cadet is required to apply for a nomination from his congressman and/or senator as well as the vice president; and(c) a cadet must pass a physical fitness test.

If accepted, the tuition for the cadet is covered by the United States military. After graduation, a cadet is an officer in the military and must serve a determined length of time on active duty.

The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. Applying to any of the service academies is extremely competitive.

Are there websites that explain how to get into a good college?

FAQ by Robin Farris

One of the most comprehensive websites is mystudentedge.com. This website offers career assessments, college major matching, college information, financial aid information, SAT practice tests and information for parents and guardians. Mystudentedge.com is a virtual “one-stop” college exploration and application website, and it is extremely user friendly.

A cadet can “Google” just about any question concerning colleges and admissions and numerous websites will pop up for his exploration.

Robin Farris is the College Placement director.

NominationBattalion Commander Michael McGraw of Dallas, Texas received a nomination from U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in November to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Michael McGraw

MMA LEADER

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Maj John H. Austin, USMC (Ret)

Joey D. Boykin

Marvin H. Cooper

Col William G. Crocker, USMC (Ret)

Charles E. Daycock

Frances Dudley

Jarryd Elliff

Col James A. Embry, Jr., USMCR (Ret)

Sgt David Fuller - 9th Marines, RVN

SgtMaj Harvey M. Gilmore, USMC (Ret)

Chris Heard - MMA ‘99

Capt Jeremy N. Henwood, USMC – MMA ‘93

Cpl Jack M. Hopkins - 12th Marines, KIA RVN

In Memory Of

Institutional Advancement

LtGen William M. Keys, USMC (Ret)

In Honor OfNew Year,

New OpportunitiesThe New Year is upon us, and with the New Year comes new opportunities to make positive changes in your life and in the life of others. This year, make a difference in the life of a determined young man and give to Marine Military Academy. Your donation will fund scholarships and other educational resources for our cadets. By giving to MMA, you are investing in the future leaders of America. There are many ways to donate to MMA, and your gift is tax-deductible. This year, choose to give. It will make a positive difference in your life as well as in the life of others.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.

Semper Fidelis,

LtCol Robert Grider

Ways to GiveMonetary Donation

Brick PaversMemorial Trees

ScholarshipsNaming Opportunities

IRA Rollover Extensionan Planned Giving

To learn more, call LtCol Grider at 956-421-9230.

Capt Enrique “Henry” Machado, USMC (Ret)

Olive J. Neuse

Glen H. Paine

Betty M. Rohrbach

Lt Harold W. Rowland, USMC (Ret)

Virginia Mae Schulte

Karl Schwab

Martin Sprey

SSgt Dennis Studenny - 5th Marines, RVN

Corinne Swaney

Lt Edwin S. Swaney, USNR (Ret)

Carl Lee Tanberg

Pfc Brian A. Thornton, USMC, KIA, ROK 1951

Wade Welch

To give in honor or memory of someone beloved, contact Ester Reyes at 956-421-9231 or reyes@MMA-TX.org.

AdmissionsSpring & Summer Applications

MMA is still accepting applications for the spring semester. The application and supporting documents must be submitted before Monday, Jan. 7, the day of check-in. Classes officially begin on Wednesday, Jan. 11. To download the application, visit MMA-TX.org/Apply. For more information, contact Jay Perez at 956-421-9251 or perez@MMA-TX.org.

MMA is also now accepting applications for 2012 Summer Camp and 2012 ESL Summer Camp. Both camps run from June 30 to July 28. For more information on either of these camps, call Admissions at 956-421-9252.

Snapshot: John TroxellClass: 1978Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Home: Chesterland, OhioOccupation & Employer: Self-employed artistHigher Education: Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio (1983) and The Academy of Realist Art in Seattle, Wash. (1992)

What did you enjoy most about MMA? I mostly enjoyed the close friendships I had with other cadets with many different backgrounds from all over the world.

What did MMA teach you? I really learned that there are two sides to every discussion and the importance of listening effectively in a conversation.

How has MMA helped you in your professional and/or personal life? Being an artist and self-employed, I continually rely on the routine and structured life I experienced as a cadet to create an environment where I can be productive and creative. I’ve worked on several large mural projects supervising students, assistants and volunteers and my leadership training from MMA helped a great deal with the final results.

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Important Dates• Jan. 7 - Check-In for Plebes, 8 a.m. to noon• Jan. 8 - Check-In for Returning Cadets, by 5 p.m.• Jan. 9 & 10 - Mi l i tar y Orientation for New Cadets (Plebes)• Jan. 11 - Spring Semester Classes Begin• Jan. 21 - SAT, 8 a.m.• Feb. 3 - Academic Awards Ceremony/Fall Sports Awards, 2:30 p.m.• Feb. 4 - M M A Parents Organization Meeting, 8:30 a.m.• Feb. 4 - Introductory Training Graduation for Plebes, 10 a.m.• Feb. 11 - ACT, 8 a.m.• Feb. 18 - Iwo Jima Parade, 10 a.m.

MMA FlagStefan Arnold (left) and Frank Walker, both Class of 1999, are the latest alumni to bear the MMA flag. The flag travels around the globe, passing from alumnus to alumnus. The two Marines are currently serving in Afghanistan.

Alumni Affairs

The MMA Leader is printed by

MMA LEADER

The MMA LEADER is a bi-monthly publication for the patrons of Marine Military Academy. To receive an electronic version

via e-mail, contact Maj Harold Compton at 956-421-9409 or

compton@MMA-TX.org.

Editor: Andi Atkinson956-421-9235

atkinson@MMA-TX.org

Marine Military Academy320 Iwo Jima Blvd.

Harlingen, TX 78550956-423-6006

To nominate an alumnus for a Snapshot, contact Graciela Salazar at 956-421-9222 or salazar@MMA-TX.org.

John Troxell