Cadets Compete in 2024 W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Public Speaking Contest

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) held the 92nd annual W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Public Speaking Contest on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Centennial Gymtorium on MMA’s campus in Mexico, Missouri. MMA cadets participate in this annual contest by preparing speeches using rhetorical devices taught during English Language Arts lessons. 

Judge Fry, MMA Class of 1903, inaugurated the contest in 1932 with the presentation of the W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Cup for Excellence in Speaking, awarded to the cadet whose speech is judged to be the best based on delivery, content and depth of thought.

This year's contestants included the following cadets:

High School Speakers

• Aiden Bado, Class of 2026, from Warr Acres, Oklahoma
• Miles Matthews, Class of 2025, from Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
• Justyn Daigle, Class of 2024, from Huntsville, Missouri
• Jayden Poole, Class of 2027, from Yukon, Oklahoma

Middle School Speakers

• Gunnar Ward, Class of 2028, from Union, Missouri
• Humberto Junquera, Class of 2028, from Huixquilucan, México
• Rfred Cordero, Class of 2028, from Mexico, Missouri 
• Jayden Lewis, Class of 2028, from Mexico, Missouri

Cadet Humberto Junquera, an eighth grader, was awarded the Joy McGeorge Middle School Oratory Award. Given in honor of the wife of MMA's 10th president Charles A. "Tony" McGeorge, this award is presented to the middle school cadet whose speech is judged to be the best based on charismatic and knowledgeable oratory skill. Below, Junquera with MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret).

Cadet Justyn Daigle, a high school senior, was awarded the Winston Churchill Memorial Award, presented to the cadet who speaks most persuasively on behalf of a just cause. Below, Daigle with President Geraci.

Cadet Miles Matthews, a high school junior, won the W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Cup for Excellence in Speaking. Below, Matthews with President Geraci.

Judges for the 2024 Wallace Fry contest included Rev. Dr. Susan Presley, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church; Mr. Rodrigo Padilla ’15, Missouri Military Academy international enrollment counselor; and Mr. David Roland, Freedom Center of Missouri director of litigation and co-founder.

Below, the MMA Corps of Cadets watches the 2024 speech competition.

Fun fact! Six out of the eight contestants are enrolled in a music class at MMA. All three winners are music cadets —Cadet Matthews is in the high school band, Cadet Daigle is in the high school choir, and Cadet Junquera is a middle school bag pipes member.