From High School to EMT: Cadet McDonald Graduates with Dual Career in Sight

When Cadet Raymond McDonald arrived at Missouri Military Academy in 2024, he knew he was taking on a challenge. What he didn't know was how the Academy would help shape his future. Two years later, on May 16, 2026, McDonald crossed the graduation stage with more than a high school diploma. During his time at MMA, he gained confidence, discovered a passion for emergency services, earned his emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, and positioned himself for a future as a first responder.

A native of Austin, Texas, McDonald spent his junior and senior years at MMA. While working as a lifeguard on campus, including assignments supporting MMA's demanding Crucible and Scouting America, he discovered that many lifeguards pursue careers in emergency medical services. The connection sparked his interest, and before long, he began pursuing the training needed to join their ranks.

His parents, Kendrah and Robert McDonald, say the Academy helped transform their son from a teenager uncertain about his future into a young man with clear goals and ambitions.

“At MMA, Ray became happier, more confident, and more mature. Each time we saw him, he had many ideas and dreams about the future. He has come a long way from where he was in May 2024,” said the McDonalds.

During his second year at the Academy, Cadet McDonald began taking command of his future and enrolled in an EMT certification program. The demanding schedule included online coursework, quizzes, hands-on training sessions every Wednesday, and 14-hour ride-along shifts on local ambulances to rack up vital field experience.

Balancing high-level emergency training with strict military school dynamics required coordination. Recognizing his drive, MMA staff stepped in to help him manage the logistics, granting McDonald a second-period study block to accommodate his clinical course load without letting his high school academics slip.

"It doesn't hurt to try and pursue another path," McDonald said, noting how receptive the Academy was once the logistics were ironed out.

That flexibility highlights a core piece of MMA’s modern mission: preparing young men for life after graduation, no matter what shape that future takes.

According to MMA Academic Dean Ranae Clement, one of the hallmarks of a Missouri Military Academy cadet is the willingness to step beyond what is required and embrace opportunities for growth and service.

“By taking on the challenge of EMT coursework while also volunteering to assist at Academy events, Cadet McDonald demonstrated initiative, selflessness, and a commitment to serving others,” Clement said. “His willingness to invest his time and talents in both professional development and community support reflects the character, leadership, and discipline we strive to cultivate in every cadet."  

Even with his eyes on first responder work, McDonald met the high academic standards required by the Academy, including securing acceptance letters to two higher-education institutions. That dual foundation ensures he heads into the world with maximum flexibility.

The emergency training itself frequently pushed McDonald in ways that felt remarkably familiar to barracks life. In one memorable Wednesday session, he worked alongside the South Callaway Fire Department on a vehicle extrication exercise, cutting open vehicles and practicing the intensive techniques first responders use to free victims from crash scenes. He points to that day as a major highlight of the program.

Ultimately, McDonald discovered that life as a cadet had quietly prepared him for the rigors of emergency medicine all along. The disciplined daily routine and structured environment built the endurance required to survive a 14-hour shift, and his time at MMA taught him how to communicate confidently with strangers, a critical skill when answering a 911 call.

"You have to deal with a lot of people who are having their worst day, and sometimes they can be verbally abusive," McDonald said. "MMA helped me toughen up, build thick skin, and stay calm under pressure. I think that'll help me out a lot in the EMT world."

McDonald’s long-term goal is to achieve dual certification as both an EMT and a firefighter. He plans to apply to a fire academy next, knowing his medical credential gives him a massive competitive edge, as the vast majority of modern fire calls contain a medical component.

For now, he has returned to Texas equipped with exactly what MMA aims to give every graduate: the discipline, resilience, and open doors to confidently take the next step.

Although Cadet McDonald has graduated from MMA, his family has left behind a special tie. In fall 2025, his parents, Kendrah and Robert McDonald, honored Kendrah’s late father, Vietnam veteran Sgt. Michael W. Hagar, with a generous gift to name the campus's Hagar Rappel Tower Pavilion.