Cadets Compete in 2025 W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Public Speaking Contest

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) hosted the 93rd annual W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Public Speaking Contest on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Presser Arts Center in Mexico, Missouri. 

Each year, MMA cadets participate in this longstanding tradition by delivering original speeches that showcase the argumentative techniques learned in their English Language Arts classes. This contest highlights the Academy’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and character development.

The contest was established in 1932 by Judge W. Wallace Fry, MMA Class of 1903, who introduced the W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Cup for Excellence in Speaking. This prestigious award is given to the cadet whose speech best exemplifies exceptional delivery, content, and depth of thought.

This year's contestants included the following cadets:

High School Speakers

• Mirko Kilby, Class of 2026, from Wilmington, Massachusetts
• Roberto Lavalle Arellano, Class of 2026, Teziutlan, México
• Eric Shellabarger, Class of 2027, Mexico, Missouri
• Gunnar Ward, Class of 2027, Union, Missouri

Middle School Speakers

• Hudson Keen, Class of 2030, Leander, Texas
• Ethan Levey, Class of 2029, Longmont, Colorado
• John Paolucci, Class of 2029, Arvada, Colorado

Cadet Ethan Levey, Class of 2029, from Longmont, Colorado, 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 recognizes the middle school cadet whose speech demonstrates outstanding charisma and oratory skill. Below, Cadet Levey is pictured with MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret).

Cadet Eric Shellabarger, Class of 2027, from Mexico, Missouri, was awarded the Winston Churchill Memorial Award, presented to the cadet who speaks most persuasively on behalf of a just cause. Below, Cadet Shellabarger is pictured with President Geraci.

Cadet Gunnar Ward, Class of 2027, from Union, Missouri, won the W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Cup for Excellence in Speaking. Cadet Ward is pictured below with President Geraci.

Judges for the 2025 W. Wallace Fry, Jr. Public Speaking Contest included Mr. Dan Erdel, MMA Board of Trustees member and attorney at Brett and Erdel Law Firm; Mr. George Davison ’68, retired radio news professional and college professor; Mr. Justin Hamm, poet and elementary school librarian; Ms. Barbara Adams, retired educator; and Ms. Marie Davis, district supervisor with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.