2019 in Review: Top 10 Missouri Military Academy Stories

As 2019 draws to a close, here’s a look at our most notable stories of the year. After reviewing the past, take a look at MMA’s future — our strategic plan and annual fund campaign.

1. MMA Rifle Team Qualifies for JROTC Service Championship

For the second year in a row, Missouri Military Academy has qualified for the JROTC Service Championships. The MMA rifle team has grown it its success this year and several opportunities await our cadets (more info). Also noteworthy, MMA has been selected as the host site for the Missouri State Rifle Championships in Jan. 2020.

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2. MMA Honors Legacy Cadets

Legacy cadets — those who are sons, stepsons, brothers, grandsons, step-grandsons, nephews or cousins of an MMA alum who completed at least one full year as at MMA — are a proud tradition at MMA, founded in 1889. A new recognition for these cadets and families was introduced during Homecoming 2019.

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3. MMA Color Guard Participates in Truman Presidential Library and Museum Ceremony

The MMA Color Guard was honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for a major renovation at the Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri on September 5, 2019. MMA Color Guard opened the ceremony with a parade performance, proudly displaying the flags during the national anthem and throughout the ceremony. Missouri Governor Mike Parson specifically congratulated the MMA Color Guard for their discipline and bearing during his speech.

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4. Generous Alumni and Friends Support MMA

Cadets have benefitted from several noteworthy gifts from MMA alumni, friends and foundations this year. Click links below to learn more about each.

• Missouri Military Academy Receives $25,000 Gift in Support of D’Cherion Nelson Scholarship
• MMA Alumnus Charles O. Terrill ’48 Honors His Cadet Years with $300,000 Estate Gift
• AP Green Foundation Supports Memorial Chapel Restoration at Historic Missouri Military Academy
• Brotherhood, Family Legacy and MMA Pride: Parents Jeanne and Chris Gentry ’88 Support MMA Baseball with Financial Gift
• Alumni Award Winners and Recognitions at the Alumni Awards & Donor Recognition Banquet
• Sanders Roth ’04 Lifts Up Missouri Military Academy with Gift for Maintenance

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15. Class of 2019 Commencement Ceremony Recap

Missouri Military Academy celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2019 surrounded by family, faculty and friends in Centennial Gymtorium on Saturday, May 25. All 52 graduates were accepted to college, and the class earned approximately $5 million in college scholarships.

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6. Qualifying Missouri Military Academy Cadets Get Head Start on College Through Triumph Program in 2019-20

Through MMA’s College Triumph program, in partnership with William Woods University, qualifying students may graduate MMA with both a high school diploma and AA degree, saving time and money toward their college degree and demonstrating to top colleges and universities their ability to successfully complete and master college-level work.

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7. MMA Corps of Cadets Receives Top Scores in JROTC Program for Accreditation Inspection

During the 2019 JROTC Program for Accreditation (JPA), the MMA Corps of Cadets received perfect scores in the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), Service Learning Project (SLP), Unit Report, Cadet Portfolios and Instructor Portfolios. The Academy maintained our Honor Unit with Distinction designation and gold star.

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8. MMA Fusileers Win First Place in the AMCSUS 2019 Annual Drill Competition

Competing in the Association of Military Colleges & Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) 2019 Annual Drill Competition, the MMA Fusileer Drill Team won first place against 29 other military schools.

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9. MMA Wins Competition at the 43rd National Military School Band and Choir Festival

For the second consecutive year, Missouri Military Academy was awarded the National Military School Band and Choir Festival Competition’s top honor – the Ronald L. Horton Award — at the 43rd annual event, held in Roswell, New Mexico in February 2019.

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10. BG Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret) Named 11th President of Missouri Military Academy

In February 2019, the Missouri Military Academy Board of Trustees named Brigadier General Richard (Rick) V. Geraci the eleventh president of the all-boys academy, following the retirement of Charles A. “Tony” McGeorge.