Niche.com ranks Missouri Military Academy among the 2024 Best Private Schools in America, reflecting the Academy's strategic focus and cadets' achievements. Below, learn about the 135th Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets' notable successes during the 2023-24 academic year.
1. Missouri Military Academy’s 135th Graduating Class Celebrates Commencement
The 135th Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Corps of Cadets celebrated commencement on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. in MMA's Centennial Gymtorium. The class of 37 seniors and three post-grads has been offered more than $4.9 million in college scholarships and plans to attend such schools as the University of Notre Dame, Virginia Military Institute, Loyola University Chicago, University of Missouri, Baylor University, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School. Every member of the Class of 2024 has achieved college acceptance. Read more.
2. Fusileers Finish in Top 4 in Nation at 2024 Drill Team Competition in Daytona
The Missouri Military Academy Fusileers Drill Team competed in the U.S. Army Cadet Command JROTC Drill Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida, on May 3, 2024. The Fusileers Color Guard finished third in the nation, out of 21 teams competing in the advanced division. The team finished 4th in Armed Exhibition (advanced division). While at the competition, Cadet Edwards was presented with a check for a four-year ROTC scholarship valued at $69,600. Read more.
3. MMA Cadet-Athletes Succeed at State Competitions
MMA Cadet Trae Griffiths ’26 and Cadet Ryan Miles ’25 competed at the Class 1 state wrestling championship February 21-22 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. Cadet Griffiths medaled by finishing fifth out of the top 64 wrestlers in the 157-pound weight class, and Cadet Miles placed thirteenth in the 150-pound weight class. Read more.
In the state swimming meet, Cadet Tiago Ruas Deluca finished fourth in the state in the 200-freestyle with a time of 1:43.43 and second in the state in the 100-butterfly. Cadet Pereira placed 12thin the state in the 100-breaststroke. The Colonels 200-medley relay team finished 28th overall in the state. Read more.
Cadets Gerardo Quiroga ’25, Ryan Miles ’25, Michael Pfeifer ’25 and Malachi Imrie ’25 were selected as 2023 Cross Country Academic All-State athletes. Read more.
4. Niche Ranks Missouri Military Academy Among 2024 Best Private Schools in America
For the fourth year in a row, Missouri Military Academy (MMA) has ranked as a 2024 Best School in Niche.com’s annual ranking. Using rankings based on dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews, Niche creates profiles for schools and universities across the U.S. and assigns each institution an overall grade based on the collected data. MMA earned an A+ in the 2024 Niche ranking. Read more.
5. Missouri Military Academy Receives 2023 Commerce and Industry Award
The Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce honored Missouri Military Academy (MMA) with the 2023 Commerce and Industry Award at the 38th annual Commerce and Industry Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, October 19, 2023, hosted on MMA's campus. The Mexico Chamber annually presents this award to recognize local organizations for their outstanding civic responsibility and generous contributions to advance the growth and welfare of Mexico, Missouri. Read more.
6. Missouri Military Academy Cadets Participate in Spring 2024 Community Service Day
The MMA Corps of Cadets participated in a community service day on March 22, 2024, volunteering at McMillan Early Learning Center and Northeast Park, Missouri Veterans Home, Arthur Hills Golf Course, Presser Performing Arts, Little Dixie Fire Protection, Optimist Club, Audrain County Children’s Center, Audrain Country Children’s Center, Eugene Field Elementary School, YMCA and MMA’s back campus and stables. An important component of cadets’ 360° Education at MMA, community service provides and early understanding of philanthropy and a sense of direction. It promotes empowerment, self-worth and empathy, and it develops social, emotional and physical skills. Read more.
7. Over 600 From Across Midwest Attend MMA’s 2024 Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University
Missouri Military Academy (MMA) hosted its annual Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Over 600 Scouts, leaders and family members from seven states attended, doubling the number of attendees from 2023. During the Merit Badge University, Scouts — including cadets from MMA’s Troop 1889 — completed badges, supported by MMA staff and faculty and local/regional Scout volunteers. Read more.
8. MMA Cyber 1 Cadets Triumph in AJROTC Cybersecurity Capture the Flag Competition
On November 15, 2023, Missouri Military Academy Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AJROTC) Cyber 1 Cadets participated in a capture-the-flag competition against five other AJROTC cyber programs across the United States. The timed competition required cadets to use deductive reasoning and research skills while working in a high-stress environment. It covered wireless technology, web browsing, data storage, risk assessment, peripherals, mobile devices, malware, hardware/hardware security, cyber warfare/defense, CIA triad and cyber history. Read more.
9. MMA Cadets Medal at 46th Military School Band & Choir Festival and Cadet Brooks Makes U.S. Military School History with National Progression Award
Missouri Military Academy (MMA) band and choir competed in the 46th Military School Band & Choir Festival, held February 16-18 at Virginia Military Institute. Accompanied by Pipe Major Stuart Mackenzie, Choir Director Ted Brauker, Band Director Brad Smith and Activities Director Elliot Goodwin, the cadets performed well, earning several medals for their performances. Read more.
In February, MMA Cadet Mason Brooks ’25 from Henrietta, Texas, became the first cadet from any high school or college-level military school in the United States to win a National Progression Award for piping. After years of practice in bagpipe theory, practical skills and performance, Cadet Brooks successfully passed level 2. Read more.
10. MMA Future Business Leaders Attend 2024 State Conference
Competitors from the Missouri Military Academy Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter joined attendees from nearly 400 chapters at the Missouri State Leadership Conference on April 14-16, 2024, in Springfield. Eleven MMA cadets qualified to compete at state during the district competition held in February. Congratulations to MMA's Sales Presentation team for finishing in the top 10 in their event at state! Read more.