2022-23 in Review: Top 10 MMA Highlights

Niche.com ranks Missouri Military Academy among the 2023 Best Private Schools in America, reflecting the Academy's strategic focus and cadets' achievements. Below, learn about the 134th Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets' notable successes during the 2022-23 academic year. 

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1. 134th Missouri Military Academy Graduating Class Celebrates Commencement

The graduating class for the 134th Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets took part in commencement ceremonies on May 20. Richard Dehlinger, MMA Class of 1993, served as the commencement speaker. The Class of 2023 has been offered more than $5.2 million in college scholarships, and they will attend schools such as the University of Notre Dame, Missouri University of Science & Technology, United States Naval Academy, Texas Tech University, and more. See Class of 2023 college selections here.

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2. Cadet Success: U.S. Naval Academy Appointment, Acceptance to Notre Dame University, and a 4-year Army ROTC Scholarship

Among our graduates' top achievements this year, MMA Cadet Anthony Melick was appointed to U.S. Naval Academy (learn more in the video above). Cadet Battalion Commander Marco Afane from El Salvador achieved his goal of acceptance into Notre Dame, and Cadet Gage Blanton received a four-year, full-tuition Army ROTC scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Missouri in the fall of 2023.

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3. MMA Fusileers Take National Title

The Missouri Military Academy Armed Fusileer Drill Team traveled to Denver, Colorado, to compete in the Rocky Mountain Drill Classic National Championship held on April 15, 2023, where they won the national championship for overall armed drill. Read about the win here.

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4. Fifteen MMA Cadet-Athletes Qualify for State Competition in 2022-23

Missouri Military Academy cadet-athletes enjoyed top competitive seasons during the 2022-23 athletic year. Fifteen cadets qualified individually or as part of a team for Missouri State High School Activities Association competition at the state level and participated in 19 events in cross country, swimming and diving, track and field, golf, and tennis.

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5. Two MMA JROTC Rifle Teams Advance to Sectionals at Camp Perry, Ohio

Two MMA JROTC rifle teams qualified for competition at the 2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) 3PAR (3 Position Air Rifle) Sectionals Championship in Camp Perry, Ohio, February 9-11, 2023. Of all Army Camp Perry sporter teams competing, the Colonels A team ranked 6th of 20 teams when the competition concluded, and the Colonels B (rookie) team landed 16th overall. Cadet Marco Afane made it to the finals and finished 8th out of 104 Army sporter shooters. Learn more about the sectionals competition, and click here for a list of team and individual achievements during the 2022-23 season. 

6. Missouri Military Academy Provides Community Service to 20+ Local Organizations

MMA middle school and high school cadets, plus faculty and administrators, positively impacted their community this year through multiple coordinated volunteer efforts, from Tyronn Lue Community Day of Service to Spring Service Day. Throughout the year, MMA cadets served as community role models through the Lunch Buddy Program, and during the holidays, cadets prepared donation boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

MMA cadets contribute roughly 8,000 hours of community service annually. An important component of MMA's core values and 360° Education at MMA, community service provides an early understanding of philanthropy and a sense of direction and belonging for cadets. It promotes empowerment, self-worth, and empathy, and it develops social, emotional, and physical skills.

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7. MMA Cadets Earn Medals at 45th National Military School Band and Choir Festival

MMA musicians had a remarkable year – not only did they earn notable medals at the National Military School Band and Choir Festival, but they also ranked "outstanding" at District 18 MSHSAA Large Ensemble Festival and “exemplary” at the MSHAA State Music Festival.

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8. MMA Scouts Complete 140+ Merit Badges, Advance in Rank

Since the start of the academic year, 31 members of the troop successfully earned promotions and satisfactorily completed the requirements for over 140 merit badges (read details). Badges were earned from a variety of activities which included canoeing, camping, cooking, first aid, hiking, swimming, and a visit to a nuclear reactor. Cadets also attended Merit Badge University twice – once at Mizzou in October, and again on campus in March when MMA hosted the 2023 Merit Badge University.

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9. Improvements Made to Calvert Baseball Field

Colonels baseball fans and visiting guests enjoyed more capital improvements at Calvert Field this spring. This progress is part of a three-phase plan to overhaul Calvert Field. Phase 1 (completed in 2021) included creating a larger field, improving irrigation and adding a new chain link fence, scoreboard and parking lot. Phase 2 is now complete, which included construction of home and visitor dugouts, restrooms, a concession stand and press box and the addition of concrete pads for bleachers. Phase 3 will include the installation of lights. To help support phase 3 of the project, please click here.

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10. MMA Brotherhood Supports Cadet Scholarships

During Homecoming 2022, the MMA Brotherhood made a concerted effort to increase scholarship support at MMA. Twenty-two donors made one-time donations of $17,145, and 26 new monthly pledges will raise an additional $6,293 over the next year. Since the fund’s inception in 2018, MMA has received $113,100 in support of the 1889 Scholarship Fund, helping make MMA education possible for deserving cadets in need. Read details.