MMA Cadets Help Mexico Neighbors with Snow Removal

While many local students enjoyed a snow day, a group of Missouri Military Academy (MMA) cadets were hard at work helping the Mexico community deal with the aftermath of the winter storm. A group of MMA middle and high school cadets shoveled snow around the community this afternoon, doing their part to ease the burden caused by the storm.

Cadets were returning to campus after winter furlough when the January 2025 winter storm hit. While many families navigated flight and travel delays across the country that hampered some cadets' return, approximately 45 cadets had returned to campus by Tuesday.

While the Academy leaders have shifted some plans for cadets as they await the full corps of cadets' return to campus, education remains a priority, even without formal classes in session. Cadets put their commitment to service into action, demonstrating the core values instilled at MMA.

"(Shoveling snow) really stands for what we do here — we're always just trying to help the community out, to do whatever we can to help," said Cadet Dominic Roberts, a high school junior from Sullivan, Missouri.

The community service activity allowed cadets to serve their Mexico, Missouri, neighbors and engage in meaningful physical activity.

"It'll be fun to hang out outside and get some exercise," added Cadet Eric Shellabarger, a high school sophomore from Mexico, Missouri. "The City of Mexico has the priority of using snow plows around the streets, so we get to help out individuals by doing their driveways and allowing them to have a clear pathway out to the car to the vehicle before heading into work."

Each year, MMA cadets contribute roughly 8,000 hours of community service, and today’s snow removal is just one example of their dedication to positively impacting the community. 

"As a boarding school, we do not experience traditional snow days as public and other private schools are forced to during inclement weather," says MMA Academic Dean Ranae Clement. "Our boarding cadets are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our 360° Education provides them multiple opportunities for challenge and growth — through academics, athletics, leadership or character development through community service, such as today's snow shoveling. We keep them engaged, so there's no loss of any type of academic time. Our middle school and high school cadets are constantly being engaged to grow."

NOTE: We received several requests for help with snow removal. Cadets helped with as many as possible but could not respond to all requests.

Led by MMA Activities and Recreation Director Elliot Goodwin, the following cadets helped with snow removal on January 7, 2025:

• Lukas Joiner ’26 from Sullivan, MO
• Nguyen Minh Duc Ho ’26 from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Alexander Kruse ’30 from Kaneohe, HI
• Eric Shellabarger ’27 from Mexico, MO
• Alden Grossardt ’27 from Edwardsville, IL
• Raymond McDonald ’26 from Austin, TX
• Dominic Roberts ’26 from Sullivan, MO
• Jesus Beltran Gonzalez ’29 from Otsego, MN
• Ethan Prentiss ’27 from Grand Junction, CO
• Thien Nguyen ’27 from Binh Duong, Vietnam
• Tri Ong ’25 from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Christopher McGrath ’27 from Hanna City, IL
• Jameson Karigan ’29 from Ellisville, MO
• Eli Lamb ’29 from Mexico, MO