Over 1300 JROTC teams joined the competition this year and Fishburne Military School is one of only 40 to qualify for the National Championships.

Waynesboro, VA — After advancing through two phases of online competition, the Fishburne Military School JROTC Leadership Bowl Team will compete in person at the Championship event in Washington, DC. The 2016 Army JROTC Leadership Bowl Championship will be held on the campus of The Catholic University of America, June 24-28, 2016. This event is sponsored by the Army JROTC and is conducted by College Options Foundation.

Fishburne’s JROTC team earned top scores out of the 1,378 Army JROTC teams that competed from around the world. The team is one of only forty Army JROTC Leadership Bowl teams in the nation to advance to the National Leadership Bowl competition, which includes an all-expense paid trip to the Championship event in DC. During the two fast-paced preliminary rounds, cadets were tested on their knowledge of current events, leadership values, and leadership skills.

Fishburne Military School’s Leadership Bowl team is comprised of: William Goshgarian ’17 (Virginia Beach, VA), Thomas Fosdick ’17 (Staunton, VA), Alexander Ralston ’17 (Nellysford, VA), Joshua Kovach ’17 (Crownsville, MD), Garrett Venn ’17 (Staunton, VA) and Jacob Randall ’17 (Stafford, VA).

The JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl (JLAB) is a nationally recognized competition created exclusively for JROTC students. By participating, cadets learn the values of citizenship, academic competition, and college opportunity. The competition creates tremendous opportunities for JROTC cadets by allowing them to demonstrate leadership and academic abilities.

The Fishburne Military School Corps of Cadets is recognized as an Honor Unit with Distinction within US Army Cadet Command’s 4th Brigade.  4th Brigade consists of 318 schools throughout West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

College Options Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them in their preparation for higher education. For more information about College Options Foundations, please visit: http://collegeoptionsfoundation.net/

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Fishburne Military School alumnus, Derrick Weaver ’99, offers advice about Computer Science careers during the annual FMS Career Fair.

Waynesboro, VA — Fishburne Military School hosted its fourth-annual Career Fair last week. Throughout the week, professionals from a wide variety of fields were invited to share their career choices and paths to success with our students.

Although the event was aimed at the junior class, all students were welcomed to attend. “We had thirty-eight cadets attend all three days of the event,” notes LTC Dan Baranik (VA), FMS Headmaster and organizer of the FMS Career Fair. “This event has gained momentum and interest over the years.”

Conference areas and classrooms throughout the Administration Building were given over to presentations and Q&A sessions geared toward supplying cadets with real-world advice and strategies regarding educational choices, career paths and daily life within the given industries. Presenters included local business leaders, area attorneys, law enforcement agents, health professionals, engineers, and military personnel.

Some of the presenters came from within the FMS family, itself, bringing an even more personal touch to their approaches.  Derrick

Fishburne Military School parent, Mr. Walter Curt, advises cadets on entrepreneurialism during FMS’ annual Career Fair

Weaver, FMS Class of 1999, spoke to cadets about opportunities, educational requirements and challenges in the Computer Sciences field. “Being an alumnus helps me to communicate with these cadets,” notes Weaver, “about real-life issues on a more personal and relevant level. I’ve been in their shoes and they respect that…they know I’m only here to offer my advice as an older FMS Brother.”

Other Fishburne famly presenters included successful businessman and FMS parent, Mr. Walter Curt, (discussing the ins and outs of owning your own business) and FMS Athletic Trainer Kwadwo Donkor (who highlighted the pathways to pre-med or nursing training).

“Many professionals were very gracious with their time as they shared their vocations with our students,” explained Baranik.  “Our goal is to cast a future vision for the Cadets.”

In all, over a dozen different career paths were outlined and explained to the cadets; and, for those still undecided about what path they’d like to pursue, former FMS Guidance Director, Mr. Russ Ingersoll, was on hand to lead a special discussion about selecting the right career and college.

“In today’s environment,” notes FMS Superintendent, COL Gary Morrison (VA), a 1981 graduate of FMS, “a college-prep program without a component like this would be doing a disservice to its students. As our school’s motto tells us: ‘Knowledge is Power’; and, we are hoping to empower these young men with the knowledge they will need to successfully pursue a fulfilling career.”

 Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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While most teenagers spend Saturday mornings sleeping in, the Fishburne Military School JROTC Raider Teams were up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, heading to their last meet of the season.  The “A” and “B” teams traveled to the annual Buckingham High School Raider meet to compete against other schools in an 8K Road March, Litter Carry, Logistics Relay, Physical Training Tests and other events.

The Caissons brought home the hardware, as both teams combined for 10 trophies and the “A” team emerged as the Overall Champion out of 11 teams. The “B” team finished fifth overall.

Cadet 1SG Hunter Wren-Russ ‘17 (Tehachapi, CA) commanded the “A” Team and Cadet SSG Jacob Randall ‘17 (Stafford, VA) commanded the “B” team for the first time. The best event of the day was the 8K Road March, where the Fishburne “A” Team beat the number two team by over 7 minutes with a time of 42:26. Congratulations to our Raiders teams for finishing strong!

A Team Trophies: 

4 First Place
Overall Champion
Litter Carry
Logistics Relay
8K Road March

3 Third Place
Vehicle Pull
Tire Flip
Physical Training Test

FMS Raiders “A” team: Wren-Russ commanding, Alex Ralston ‘17 (Nellysford, VA), Cody Chapple ‘17 (Grottoes, VA), James Monroe ’16 (Lexington, VA), James Kelly ‘16(London, KY), Alexander Isaacs ‘18 (Reston, VA), Zachary Smithley ’17 (Wilmington, NC), Denver Druey ’17 (Pompano Beach, FL) and Raymond Dua, Jr. ’17 (Union, NJ)

B Team Trophies:

2 Second Place
Litter Carry
Tire Flip

One Third Place
Logistics Relay

FMS B Team: Randall commanding, Ryan Curran ’19 (Carthage, NC), Samuel Belcher ’17 (Amelia, VA), Matthew Sim ’17 (Henrico, VA), Christopher Tunnell ’17 (Denver, CO), Joshua Beard ’17 (Aguila, AZ), Cody Wolfkill ’18 (Talbott, NC), David Eldredge ‘19 (Carver, MA), and Russell Rodgerville ’17 (Amelia, VA)

Fishburne’s Raider Teams are part of the school’s US Army JROTC program, which will celebrate its 100^th Anniversary this year. Fishburne will mark the milestone over Alumni Weekend, April 22 – 24. For more information about U.S. Army JROTC, go to http://www.usarmyjrotc.com/jrotc-history.

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college placement rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation that is accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Waynesboro, VA — Three times each school year the Fishburne Military School Caissons come together in Lawton Chapel to celebrate the successes of their athletic teams and to recognize individual efforts and achievements. The awards presentations are then followed by a special dinner prepared for the athletes.

With the rifle team earning another State Championship, six wrestlers earning medals at their State Championships, an FMS swimmer making an appearance at State Championships, JV Basketball earning a playoff spot, and the Varsity basketball team battling their way to another winning season, there was no shortage of things to celebrate. Each coach came forward to recap their season and recognize the outstanding dedication and commitment shown by members of their teams.

Once each coach had recognized his team’s standouts, the final and most prestigious of Fishburne’s athletics awards was presented. The Colonel James G. Hogg Award is presented three times per year to the cadet-athlete who best embodies the ideals of athletic and academic excellence. A plaque in the Fishburne foyer permanently displays the names of recipients. Cadet James Monroe ’16 (Lexington, VA) was presented with the Hogg Award by Rifle Team Coach MAJ Brandon Mawyer and Athletic Director MAJ Bryan Greene.

Photo gallery available HERE

The full list of FMS Winter Athletics Awards follows:

Varsity Basketball:
MVP- Kian Tate
Coach’s Award- Mesiah Woods
Leadership Award- Treavor Norman
Iron Caisson Award- Qua’Sean Napier
Caissons Hustle Award- Calen Owens
Most Improved Player- John Hendler
VIC 2^nd Team All-Conference Medals- Kian Tate, Treavor Norman, Mesiah Woods, Qua’Sean Napier.

JV Basketball:
Coach’s Award- Timothy Arndt
Leadership Award- Wally Harris
Caissons Hustle Award- Dylan Vaughan
Most Improved Player- Samuel Florimon-Valdez
2016 MVP – FMS JV Basketball (13 medals)

Wrestling:
MVP- Matthew Farrar
Iron Caisson Award- Matthew Farrar
Caissons Hustle Award- Matthew Sim
Most Improved- Thomas Fosdick
Coach’s Award- Aidan Davis

Rifle:
2015 VMSRL Rifle Team State Championship trophy/cup
2016 VMSRL Rifle Team State Championship trophy/cup
14 – 2016 VMSRL State Champions Medals
MVP- Jacob Owens
Coach’s Award- Joshua Beard
Iron Caisson Award- Tyler Long
Iron Caisson Award- Hunter Wren-Russ
Leadership Award- Brian Draper
Most Improved- Matthew Stepura
1SG James Hensley Award- Jacob Owens

Swimming:
Co- MVP- Matthew Thornton
Co- MVP- Charles Fessler-Krebs
Coach’s Award- Matthew Mercer
Caissons Hustle Award- Timothy Arndt
Iron Caisson Award- Gavin Flanagan
Leadership Award- Timothy Arndt
Co- Most Improved- Donovan Gomez
Co- Most Improved- Alexander Sponeman
Spirit Award- Evan Laquaglia

James G. Hogg Award: James Monroe

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Fishburne Military School Cadets demonstrate leadership and philanthropy

Baltimore, MD — The Fishburne Military School Key Club made their annual trek to the Capital District Convention (DCON) last weekend in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The theme for the 67th Annual Convention was “Our Service is No Myth” and celebrated the work of the Capital District’s 256 clubs while treating the over 1000 Convention participants to a weekend of civics made fun.

The Capital District is made up of 15,600 Key Clubbers from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC, and the annual convention serves as an opportunity for the representatives to caucus and vote for the District Governor, Treasurer and Editor. Throughout the 3-day event, Key Clubbers participate in a number of workshops focused on public speaking, leadership skills, planning fundraisers and Key Club basics for first-year attendees.

Thomas Fosdick ’17 (Staunton, VA) and Tyler Long ’17 (Beavercreek, OH), FMS Key Club’s President and Vice-President, served as the voting members of Fishburne Military School’s fifteen-man delegation.

FMS Key Club Advisor, Mrs. Debbie Todd, took particular notice of the way in which the FMS delegation conducted themselves during the caucuses. “I was incredibly proud of our young men,” she noted, “They did an exceptional job of asking intelligent and probing questions of the candidates.”

Each District within Key Club International is made up of several Divisions headed by Lieutenant Governors. During the District Convention, each Division announces and installs their elected leaders for the upcoming year. Fishburne Military School’s Division (9B), which represents nine schools (public and private), announced the retirement of their 2015 Lieutenant Governor, Luciano Dolfi ’17 (Stuart’s Draft, VA), and the installation of their 2016 Lieutenant Governor, Joshua Kovach ’17 (Crownsville, MD).

Kovach’s election to Lieutenant Governor continues an 11-year streak of FMS Cadets who have been voted to represent the nine schools of Division 9B. This decade of Caisson leadership began in 2005 when Christian Vargas was elected to hold the position.

The capstone events of the weekend, The Awards Banquet Dinner and The Parade of Checks, brought additional honors to the Fishburne Delegation. Tyler Long, who earned a spot in the top four finishers of the weekend’s talent competition, impressed the crowd with his rifle-spinning skills while the Cadets, as a whole, earned praise for their dedication and skill in fundraising.

“Although we are one of the smallest schools in the Capital District, we presented one of the largest checks for the Eliminate Project during The Parade of Checks at DCON. Our club was determined to raise over $1,000 for this worthwhile project and that they did,” explained Mrs. Todd.

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Fishburne Military School STEM Initiative Gets Hands On

Waynesboro, VA — This week Cadets in CPT Galloway’s classes waded a little deeper into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative at Fishburne Military School by learning the basics of using the scientific data accumulation program Logger Pro.

The software, which is used in college science departments throughout the world, provides students with the ability to record, chart, graph and compare data from a variety of different experiments. In this exercise, Cadets hung a spring over a motion detector using ultrasound to measure the position of the spring over time. They fed the data into their new software and then produced and compared various graphs. Using these tools and data, the Cadets then learned to calculate the change in distance and velocity while estimating the damping factor to be added to their equations.

After setting up their experiments, collecting their data and crunching the numbers, the Cadets were asked to formally present their findings to the rest of the class using trigonometric equations on a whiteboard.

“These types of experiments and exercises,” notes FMS Superintendent, COL Gary Morrison (VA), himself a 1981 graduate of FMS, “are the backbone of Fishburne Military School’s STEM initiative.”

” Instruction like this gives our young men hands-on experience with equipment and procedures that will serve them well throughout their future studies”, Morrison explains. “Having individual access to equipment like this, in a small classroom setting, with expert instruction from teachers like Captain Galloway is absolutely priceless. I have no doubt that our young men are leaving Fishburne Military School better prepared than ever to embrace the notion of being life-long learners.”

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Fishburne Military School Hosts Tea Dance for Old Dominion Cotillion

Waynesboro, VA — Military Schools and debutantes have gone hand-in-hand for generations throughout Virginia’s history. Fishburne Military School (Waynesboro, VA) hosted Old Dominion Cotillion on Sunday for a special Tea Dance.

Four years ago, the young ladies of the Old Dominion Cotillion (ODC) and their families found themselves in a lurch. Their signature event of the year was approaching and their official escorts from the Virginia Military Institute were no longer able to participate. The organizers of the Cotillion reached out to Fishburne Military School for assistance and the Caissons responded with a performance that landed them an immediate invitation to return.

This year, the Caissons, organized by Ms. Joan Byrne, decided that the time had come to host an event of their own in honor of their new friends at the ODC; and so, the 2016 Fishburne Military School Tea Dance was born.

In preparation for the dance, the cadets dusted off their FMS Protocol Guides and invited Mr. Don Dollins from the Waynesboro Parks and Recreation department to provide instruction in the Waltz, Foxtrot and Salsa.

On Sunday afternoon, over a dozen of this year’s ODC Post Debs, Debs, Future Debs and Pages arrived to a beautifully decorated Grand Foyer in Fishburne’s Alumni Memorial building. “We had a couple more boys than girls,” noted Byrne, “but it worked out fine as the chaperones filled in so all the boys were able to dance.”

The young ladies, who made the trip from Northern Virginia where they all reside, arrived in style courtesy of Reston Limousine.

The Old Dominion Cotillion, now in its 25th Year, was founded by Mrs. Sherry Presley “because we had a vision of something special we wanted for our daughters”. Over the years, the ODC has grown into a unique philanthropic and social organization which prides itself on “Volunteerism, Dedication, Integrity and Leadership”. Each year the young ladies of the ODC volunteer hundreds of service hours in support of the Katherine E. Hanley Family Shelter as well as the NoVA Fairfax Hospital Children’s Clinic.

“This Tea Dance,” Byrne explains, “is a wonderful opportunity for these two great groups of young people to discover and express a kind of inner elegance. It provides a chance for them to be (and to be seen as) ladies and gentlemen.”

Byrne and the ODC Director, Mrs. Francine Gallagher, are already hard at work making arrangements for the Caissons to travel to Reston in July for their, now annual, appearance at the Debutantes’ Ball on the 14th – 16th.

Photos courtesy of Old Dominion Cotillion – full gallery of FMS and ODC pictures HERE

The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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recap by Coach Galloway

The Fishburne Military School golf team earned a big win over three strong opponents yesterday. The Caissons came out ahead of Blue Ridge, Holy Cross, and Virginia Episcopal School Tuesday afternoon after a disqualification of a Blue Ridge player’s score and some steady playing by Fishburne.

The scores were 222 for Holy Cross, 212 for Blue Ridge, 204 for VES, and 203 for FMS.

Happy news, but we must continue to work on our short game to stay in the running. The team was much improved on the putting green but is still having trouble off the tee and getting to the green from 100 to 200 yards out. We will continue to work on that.

The Fishburne Military School Caissons were represented by Cadets Tyler Long ’17 (Beavercreek, OH), Garrett Venn ’17 (Staunton, VA), Blake Seydel ’17 (Highlands Ranch, CO), Gavin Overton ’16 (Sanford, NC), Kyle Churchwell ’18 (Herndon, VA), and Alexander Ralston ’17 (Nellysford, VA). Good job guys.

The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program.
FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four
Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Waynesboro, VA – Military schools have a long history of teaching ethics and honor as part of their JROTC curriculum, and Fishburne Military School upholds that tradition. This year, Fishburne is proud to announce that Cadet Jacob Owens, son of Ms. Angela Cuci of Suffolk, VA, was selected as the winner of the Staunton (VA) Rotary Club’s Code of Ethics Award. Owens, a senior at Fishburne, was selected by his classmates as the member of the senior class who best represents a superior standard of integrity, responsibility, dedication and hard work.

The award, established in 1930, was designed by educators within the Rotary Club to recognize and encourage high standards of ethics within the area’s high school communities. The Rotary Code of Ethics begins with the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” From this evolved a code for high school students that includes developing sound personal values, being trustworthy, giving your best in all areas, and showing commitment to physical, spiritual and intellectual growth.

A permanent plaque, engraved with the names of past winners, is located in the main foyer of Fishburne Military School’s Alumni Memorial Building. Owens, along with winners from other area high schools, will be presented with a special award during the Rotary Club’s May banquet.

For many recipients, the award has even deeper meaning because the winner is determined by a vote of their peers within the school. “It means a lot to me that my classmates would choose me for this award,” Owens noted. “I always try to put my friends and brothers ahead of my own interests, even when it’s hard. Everyone at Fishburne is my brother—I’ll help out anyone.”

Owens is the Battalion Strategic Officer (S-4) and is a member of the Key Club, captain of the Rifle Team, and participates in tennis and track. He has been chosen for the All-State Rifle Team two years in a row and is designated an expert marksman. During his career at Fishburne, Owens has also been named Cadet of the Month, Officer of the Month and Superior Cadet for his JROTC class.

“I am proud of the senior class for selecting Jacob as the Code of Ethics award winner,” said Fishburne’s Headmaster LTC Dan Baranik (VA). “He daily lives his life with the highest of character and it is nice to see that his peers recognize this quality in Jacob.  He represents Fishburne, military schools in general, and his family proudly.”

The plaque, to which Owens’ name will be added, will hang in the school’s formal foyer and reads: “Presented each year to the Senior who, in the opinion of his classmates, best exemplifies those qualities of Integrity, Responsibility, Dedication and Hard Work set forth in the Rotary High School Code of Ethics”.

The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org.

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The Oldest and Smallest of Virginia’s Military Schools Gets Big Air Through Technology

recap by Coach Galloway

Culpeper, VA — Cadets at Military Schools are generally expected to keep their feet on solid ground, but the Fishburne Military School Rocket Club just wrapped up a successful season with their heads in the clouds. The Caissons had their final launch of the season at the Tripoli Site in Culpeper last Saturday.

The day started well as the sun broke out and warmed the bare fields. Steam wafted along the newly furrowed ground and the temperature was ideal as our team launched a couple practice runs to get closer to the mark of 850 feet and 46 seconds of flight. They may have hit the mark but between the 2nd and 3rd launches a cold front moved through and the wind went from about zero to gusting to 20mph. This changed everything including chute lift, air density, altitude, and recoverability.

The Fishburne Rocket men were still able to get in three qualifying launches, but the scores are not likely to get us into the nationals at Haymarket in May. We lost one rocket to the power lines but the local utility was in the area and quick to cut it loose so we got our valuable parts and electronics back. Still, this year’s team came closer to qualifying for nationals than other FMS teams of past years. The Caissons just need a little more engineering and practice.

Lastly, a special Bravo Zulu to Mr. Steve Saltzman for attending our launches, providing many good photographs, and financially supporting us with many motors and other goodies. This is no small feat as he lives and works in Maryland. His help was immeasurably important as this freed me up to work more closely with the cadets to get things off the ground. Motors can cost $20 a piece and a typical launch crew can go through 9 or 10 a day.  Moreover, he has caught the rocket bug and has been launching his own rockets so I expect our teams will see more of him at our launches.

Until next year, sunny skies.

The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program.
FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four
Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Military Schools and Community Service

Waynesboro, VA — Military Schools and JROTC programs have a strong community service component of which many people are unaware. Fishburne Military School and its Key Club are doing their part to ensure that the word and, most importantly, the benefits filter out to the community. Six cadets from Fishburne Military School’s Key Club were on hand to help as Waynesboro Kiwanis Club held their annual All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast on Saturday at Westwood Hill Elementary School. The annual event serves as a fundraiser to benefit Kiwanis’ mission of serving youth and the local community.

Kiwanian and FMS Student Services Coordinator, Mrs. Kathy Berrang noted that the “Waynesboro Kiwanis Club does so much to strengthen our community and assist the children within our community. We believe in developing youth as future leaders and that by helping a child, it helps the world.”

“The Kiwanis and Key Club missions,” explained Mrs. Debbie Todd, Kiwanian, FMS Director of Alumni Affairs and FMS Key Club advisor, “dovetail so perfectly with Fishburne Military School’s mission to help young men grow in their sense of honor and citizenship. Our cadets love these kind of service projects and they reinforce the lessons cadets learn on campus…all the while, making life better for some of our community’s less fortunate.”

This event is unique given that many people purchase tickets and then donate them to the Salvation Army or other organization to pass along to others who may need this hot meal. “This is an opportunity for us,” noted Todd, “to serve the immediate needs of those who are less fortunate while also helping to support an organization that provides long-term benefits to the community.”

see full photo gallery HERE

The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Virginia Military Schools Come Together for Annual Inspection

Cadet Benjamin Weaver ’20 (Stuarts Draft, VA) stands inspection for team from VMI

Waynesboro, VA — All Army JROTC Units, including military schools, are required to undergo regular inspections in order to earn and maintain their status within US Army Cadet Command. On Wednesday, an inspection party from the Virginia Military Institute paid a visit to Fishburne Military School in order to conduct FMS’ annual Regional Formal Inspection (RFI). Four senior-ranking VMI Cadets along with Sergeant First Class Bean from the VMI Commandant’s Staff conducted this year’s RFI and, as expected, Fishburne Military School passed with flying colors to maintain their Honor Unit with Distinction rating.

The RFI began with Cadet Staff Officers giving a formal briefing about the state and health of JROTC at Fishburne Military School. Each FMS Cadet Staff Officer gave a brief presentation regarding their areas of responsibility and updated the inspection team on recent FMS achievements and areas of focus.

The inspection team then conducted a formal, in-ranks inspection of the entire FMS Battalion in their full parade uniforms; each inspecting officer stopping to quiz cadets on JROTC history and values while grading them on appearance and bearing. For nearly an hour, the Corps of Cadets stood in their company formations as the inspectors methodically worked their way through the Battalion.

The Fishburne Military School Color Guard was personally inspected by SFC Bean (VMI Commandant’s Office).

Following the in-ranks inspection, the Fishburne Miltiary School Corps of Cadets then marched in review on Anderson Field for their distinguished guests.

For this particular Review Parade, the Corps added and extra surprise: each company, in turn, performed a 15-count manual of arms drill, moving progressively and in unison through right-shoulder arms, left-shoulder arms, present arms, port arms and back to a position of attention. This maneuver, in particular, earned an enthusiastic round of applause from the reviewing stand.

In addressing the FMS Corps, SFC Bean praised the Cadets for their appearance and their precision on parade. He encouraged the Corps to continue their hard work and studies while noting that any cadet wishing to continue their military science studies had already established a solid foundation at FMS and was encouraged to apply to attend the Virginia Military Institute.

The day’s events concluded with a special performance from the Hudgins Rifles (Exhibition Drill Team).

Full photo gallery HERE

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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FMS archive photo. Track and field 2015.

Harrisonburg, VA — Fishburne Military School’s Track Team traveled to Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, VA on Saturday. Four of five field events and all of the relay races went the way of the Caissons. Babacour Sallah-Mohammed continued his outstanding performances this year with wins in the Long Jump (20’1″), the Triple Jump (41’2″), and the High Jump (6′). Vernady Desir also took first place in the Discus Throw (108’9.5″) and second in Shot Put (33’4″). Olatomiwa Pedro finished third in the Shot Put with a distance of 33’1″.

The Caissons swept the relay races. In the 4x800m relay, Avery Romp, Denver Druey, Alexander Isaacs, and Doug Marsh won in a time of 9:13.9 seconds. Romp, Marsh, Isaacs, and Tyler Long dominated the 4x400m relay, posting a time of 3:59.03. A questionable call on the final handoff disqualified the 4x100m team of Kian Tate, Sean Sidikou, Babacour Sallah-Mohammed, and Joshua Boyce who finished in a time of 46.44.

Boyce also won the 100m dash (0:11.76) and the 200m dash (0:23.6) with Tate finishing third in the 100m (0:11.84). Isaacs also won the 400m (0:57.93) and finished second in the 800m (2:26.73) with Romp finishing the 800m in third place (2:29.53). Druey finished second in the 3200m race (13:28.85) and Tyler Long finished third in the 300m hurdles (51:56) and scored a personal record of 17’2″ in the long jump, good enough for 4th place.

The Caissons have a busy week as they travel to Woodberry Forest on Wednesday and R.E. Lee High School on Thursday

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Waynesboro, VA — Two Fishburne Military School Cadets have been selected to compete at the JROTC National High School Drill Team Competition on May 1-3 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The FMS cadets invited are both 11^th-graders and members of the Hudgins’ Rifles Armed Exhibition Drill Team at Fishburne. It has been nearly 5 years since Fishburne Military School has had a dual team invited to the National Championships.

Jacob Randall, son of Ms. Jenny Margaros of Stafford, VA, and Tyler Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Paddock of Beavercreek, OH, will be performing as a dual team and as individual soloists at the National Championships.

Of the approximately 3400 JROTC Units world-wide (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard), only 123 teams have been invited to the National Championships. Only three schools in Virginia (Fishburne Military School, T.C. Williams and Loudon County High School) have teams that earned invitations to this event.

April 23rd marks the 100th anniversary of ROTC/JROTC training in the United States.

Fishburne Military School’s Senior Army Instructor, LTC Robert A. Hunt USA(ret), notes “These young men have put in a tremendous amount of time and practice to reach this level. Fishburne Military School is well-known as a leader in the [US Army JROTC Cadet Command’s] 4^th Brigade and this gives our young men a great opportunity to shine at a National level. We couldn’t be more proud of what these young men have accomplished.”

Cadet Long noted “We are both really excited about this chance to compete in Daytona Beach. All of the hard work is paying off and we can’t wait to represent Fishburne.” ____________________________________________________________________________________

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built on the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college placement rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation that is accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Fishburne Military School Eyes Post-Season

Waynesboro, VA–Nothing says spring like the crack of a bat on a baseball. That sound is something that Caissons baseball fans are hearing a lot of these days, as the Fishburne Military School baseball team has outscored its opponents so far this season 179:33.This single statistic illustrates both the hitting strength of the Fishburne lineup and the devastating stopping power of its pitchers.

Head Coach MAJ Brandon Mawyer points to the team’s versatility and depth as the keys to its success. “We have a solid program all around, and I feel comfortable that I can put any player in any situation and we will come out ahead,” Mawyer said. “Our pitchers have worked hard to make sure they dominate the game and our hitters have consistently added runs to give support to our pitchers.” Mawyer ‘s coaching staff includes long-time assistant coach Geoffrey Fosdick and Gary Owens.

“This is most talented team we’ve had in years,” noted Fosdick. “These players are a pleasure to coach and I anticipate finishing strong for the season and playing well in the post-season.”

As those who follow baseball know, it is a game of statistics. Here are just a few of the most impressive numbers generated by Fishburne’s ball players this season, all of which are well above the national average for high school varsity baseball teams:

Team batting average:  .410

Combined Earned Run Average (ERA) of FMS pitchers: 1.25

On base percentage: .494 (almost half of FMS batters get on base in a game)

Home Runs: 8

Stolen Bases: 59

Tuesday’s important conference match-up against rival military school Hargrave was rained out in the fourth inning, with Fishburne leading 2-1. The game will be rescheduled.  The Caissons have two more regular season games, Thursday at Massanutten Military Academy and Friday at Covenant School in Charlottesville.

Fishburne’s record coming into the final games of the season is 11-3, and the team is ranked 78th in the state among all high school teams, public and private. The Caissons are ranked 8^th in VISAA Division II and third in the VIC. After being denied a spot in post-season play last year by VISAA, Caissons’ coaches are confident that this team can earn a post-season berth.

“It’s a pretty simple plan. We know where we are located in the standings, we know where we need to move up to and we know who we need to beat to get there,” Mawyer explained.  “We will continue to work hard, play hard and win so that we have the best chance to make the post-season.”

The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. 

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As seen in Augusta Free Press (April 27, 2016)

Military schools and JROTC units around the world took a little time on Saturday to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of ROTC.

Every JROTC unit worldwide was required to host a 5K Fun Run in honor of the event. Fishburne Military School chose to take things one step farther by incorporating the Fun Run with the FMS Alumni Weekend events and adding a cake-cutting ceremony to the scheduled Review Parade.

If all of this sounds like routine, dry, army-style “fun” to you, then the Corps of Cadets and JROTC Department at Fishburne have a surprise for you. FMS chose to add an additional event to honor the centennial … a short, light-hearted, video birthday card was produced and sent along to US Army Cadet Command with FMS’ compliments.

In the video, Fishburne shows the lighter side of military schools as FMS cadets utilize their JROTC skills and training to successfully deliver the 100^th Anniversary cake on time to the celebration in the FMS Quadrangle. Appeal Productions (Harrisonburg, VA) proposed the story line and FMS JROTC took the cake and ran with it … literally.

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Cadet Luciano Dolfi (Stuarts Draft, VA) has been accepted to the American Legion’s Boys State this summer.

Waynesboro, VA – Fishburne Military School Battalion Sergeant Major, Cadet Luciano Dolfi (Stuarts Draft, VA), has been invited to participate in the American Legion’s 74th session of Virginia Boys State to be held at Radford University on June 19th-25th. The annual event brings hand-selected students from around the state together for a week-long, intensive session of practical training in the mechanics of citizenship and governance. Those invited must first be nominated by their school officials, then accepted by a local American Legion post before going on for final selection by the event organizers.

According to the Virginia Boys State website (www.vaboysstate.org) “Each level of government will be run by those delegates who are elected to serve. Instruction will be presented on the law and court system, parliamentary procedure and Virginia political history.” In 20015, over 600 of Virginia’s best and brightest rising high school seniors came together for the 73rd session.

Boys State was founded by The American Legion in 1935 as a counter-measure to the rising world-wide tide of Fascism and Nazism. Since then, young leaders have come together annually to form a 51st state…Boys State. In doing so, students are immersed in “the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.”

“This is such a rich and incredible experience for any young man who is consciously working to develop his own leadership style,” notes LTC Robert Hunt USA(ret), Fishburne’s Senior Army Instructor. “Mr. Dolfi is exactly the kind of young man who can take an experience like this and have it shape and inform his growth as a leader for the rest of his life. FMS couldn’t have made a better selection and, I think, The American Legion is going to be quite impressed by this young man.”

Hunt, along with the FMS Headmaster, LTC Dan Baranik (VA), recommended Dolfi to the local American Legion Post 340 who, in turn, enthusiastically nominated him to Boys State organizers. Post 340 chose to officially sponsor Dolfi’s attendance and will help cover to any associated expenses.

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Washington DC Cadet Earns the King Eagle Scout Award
Fishburne Military School Battalion Commander Adds to List of Honors

Scout Master Ricardo Brooks, Secretary Rumsfeld, and FMS Battalion Commander Brian Draper.

Waynesboro, VA – Fishburne Military School’s Battalion Commander, Cadet Brian Draper (Washington, DC) was honored with the Arthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship Award last week. Former Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, himself a Distinguished Eagle Scout, was the keynote speaker and personally presented the award medal to Draper.

Secretary Rumsfeld remarked how Draper’s Scouting career mirrored his own, progressing from Cub Scout through Boys and beyond. Draper earned his Eagle rank earlier this year.

Draper began his career at Fishburne Military School in the eighth grade and steadily progressed through the JROTC ranks to become the school’s Battalion Commander for 2015-2016. Earlier this year, Draper was honored by the DC Federation of Civic Associations by being selected to receive the 2015 George H. Richardson Outstanding Leadership in the Field of Civil Rights Award.

This King Eagle Scout award is sponsored by the District of Columbia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (DCSSAR). With continuing commemorations, programs, and other activities aimed at inculcating an appreciation of America’s Revolutionary heritage, particularly among young people, DCSSAR takes pride in its history of service to the Washington, DC community.

Each year, this program provides an opportunity for SAR to recognize outstanding Eagle Scouts all across America. The Program’s goal is to recognize Eagle Scouts’ achievements in the Boy Scouts of America and to invite each to compete for the title of “Outstanding Eagle Scout” of an SAR chapter or state society. Winners earn $14,000 in scholarships from the national society. As the DCSSAR’s contest winner, Draper’s essay will next be submitted to the National competition.

Draper resides in the historic neighborhood of Anacostia in Washington, DC and is a member of From the Heart Church Ministries (www.fthcm.org).

____________________________________________________________________________________

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built on the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college placement rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation that is accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org. ####

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Waynesboro, VA – At the conclusion of each athletic season, the Fishburne Military School Caissons gather in Lawton Chapel to recognize each team’s stand-outs and stalwarts. FMS Athletic Director, MAJ Bryan Greene, served as master of ceremonies and praised the Cadets for their “stick-to-it-iveness”.

“The purpose of this banquet is to recognize those who stuck with their teams and refused to quit. The refusal to quit is a characteristic we should all respect,” Greene noted. “The Spring Banquet is always special because it gives us a chance to honor those cadets who work all year for our JROTC teams. Those teams include the Color Guard, Regulation Drill Team, The Armed Exhibition Drill team (known as The Hudgins Rifles), and the Raiders under the direction of MSG Morton, 1SG Hensley, and LTC Hunt. As always, these teams brought great honor to their school throughout the year.”

Greene went on to outline several of the accomplishments of FMS’ Spring athletes saying, “Coach Summers and the Tennis team showed improvement all year and fought hard in every match; the Golf team broke 200 in their match against Eastern Mennonite and earned an appearance in the VIC Conference Championships on Monday; the Track & Field Team had strong showings in every meet as the field events and the relay teams anchored their success; the Lacrosse Team finished with a .500 record, the best performance in recent memory under first year head coach Matt Kirby; and the Baseball team continues to prove themselves as one of the best in the state.”

The MSG Michael Anson Caissons Coach of the Year Award, which was instituted in 2014 to recognize the coach who is voted by their peers as being a true advocate of the student-athlete, ended in a tied vote this year. Both MAJ Brandon Mawyer and MAJ Bryan Greene were named as recipients for this season.

The final and most prestigious award of the evening was the Colonel James G. Hogg Award. COL Hogg was athletic director, coach, and teacher at Massanutten Military Academy, Fishburne Military School, and Augusta Military Academy. The Hogg Award is presented three times per year to the cadet-athlete that best embodies the ideals of athletic and academic excellence. A plaque in the foyer permanently displays the names of recipients. Cadet Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed ’16 (Arlington, VA) was honored for his contributions to both the Soccer and Track teams.

The Spring Athletics Awards this year were unusual in that the Baseball awards will not be determined until after the Caissons complete their appearances in the VIC Championships (semi-final round begins today vs. Miller School) and their bid for an appearance in the State Tournament.

Photo gallery: HERE

The full list of recipients follows:

Golf
MVP- Tyler Long
Coach’s Award- Gavin Overton

Lacrosse
Overall MVP-Robert Palermo
Coaches’ Award-KiHoon Kim
Caisson Hustle Award-Jacob Randall
Iron Caisson Award-Charles Fessler-Krebs
Leadership Award-Logan Thaler
Most Improved-William Goshgarian

Tennis
Overall MVP- Jacob Fife
Most Improved- Alexander Sponeman
Coaches Award- Gideon Kinnard

Track & Field
MVP Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed
Coaches’ Award: Avery Romp
Most Improved: Garreth Romp
Iron Caisson: Justin Payne
Caisson Hustle: Benjamin Weaver

Raiders
MVP- Tyler Long
Coach’s Award- Brian Draper
Caisson Hustle Award- Alexander Ralston
Iron Caisson Award- James Monroe
Leadership Award- Jacob Randall
Most Improved- Raymond Dua

Exhibition Drill Team – Hudgins Rifles
Overall MVP- Jacob Randall
Coaches Award- William Goshgarian
Leadership Award- Tyler Long
Iron Caisson- James Kelley
Caisson Hustle- Thomas Fosdick
Most Improved- Alexander Ralston

Regulation Drill Team
Coach’s Award- Chase Dixon
Caisson Hustle- William Curt
Iron Caisson Award- Raymond Dua
Leadership Award- Jakob Harrison
Most Improved- Matthew Sim

James G. Hogg Award
Baboucar Sallah-Mohammed

Coach of the Year
Bryan Greene- Varsity Basketball, Varsity Soccer, Track & Field
Brandon Mawyer- Varsity Baseball, Rifle

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.

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Fishburne Military School Cadet Cpt. Min Chang Kang had some convincing to do before coming to the States for his high school years.

“When I was in middle school, my grades were upsettingly low, and I had no idea what I was going to do in the future,” said Kang, who will graduate on Saturday as the Class of 2016 salutatorian at Fishburne.

A teacher handed him an FMS pamphlet, and Kang sold himself on the idea of military school in the United States as the path that he needed to take.

Mom and dad were decidedly not sold at the outset.

“Convincing them was the most difficult thing in my life, but I was able to change their minds because I had a feeling that if I went to Fishburne, I would have a chance to better my life,” said Kang, who arrived at Fishburne not able to speak a word of English.

The four years to get from there to graduating second in his class passed by in a flash, Kang said.

“I had bad and good days at Fishburne. At the start, every day when I woke up from my bed because of that annoying Reveille, I wanted to get out of here as fast as possible,” Kang said. “It felt like I was a living automaton that was repeating the same day over and over. However, now that I’m about to graduate, in my head I can only think about the good times that I spent with my brothers, faculty, and staff.”

Story and video by Chris Graham

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