Final Assembly for the 2024-25 Academic Year — Congratulations, Cadets!

Missouri Military Academy wrapped up the 2024–25 academic year with its final All-Academy Assembly on May 16, 2025.

The event recognized cadet achievements, staff excellence, and 8th-grade promotions. To view more photos from the Final Assembly, visit our Flickr album: Final Assembly 2025.

The awards and their recipients recognized at the 2024–25 Final All-Academy Assembly are as follows:

8th-Grade Promotion

The following eighth-grade cadets were promoted to high school. By undertaking the challenge and responsibility of being MMA cadets, these young men have surpassed the accomplishments of many of their peers through academic excellence, physical development, personal motivation, leadership, and character development.

• Xavier Bay Ancona
• Jesus Beltran Gonzalez
• Samuel Benjamin Brewer-McGhee
• Federico Cordero Montemayor
• Spencer Jayden Davenport
• Ethan Njoroge Gachuhi
• Leo Hardy McCormick Gilberg
• James Caden Grace
• Eli James Lamb
• Ethan Spiro Levey
• Robert Sina Naimi
• Bryan Opemipo O’Dwyer-Moore
• John Frances Paolucci

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Commandant Awards

Paul Petit Award for the Best International Relations – Cadet Xavier Bay and Cadet Federico Cordero

Presented to two 8th-grade cadets who have improved international relations in the middle school. This award is given in honor of Paul Petit, Class of 1985 alumnus, MMA Hall of Fame member, and current admissions representative in Mexico.

Petit Fellowship Cup – Cadet Eli Mumm (photo above)

Awarded to the middle school cadet who exemplifies the highest level of fellowship throughout the academic year. Also given in honor of Paul Petit, Class of 1985 alumnus and dedicated MMA supporter.

Richard White Improvement Award – Cadet Bryan O’Dwyer-Moore (photo above)

Presented to the middle school cadet demonstrating the most significant all-around improvement since enrollment. This award is named after Richard White, MMA Class of 1947, a generous supporter of the Academy.

Thomas Wittman Plaque – Cadet Eric Shellabarger

Awarded to the cadet who best displays faith through actions. This award honors Lt. Col. Thomas E. Wittman, USA (Ret.), Class of 1975, former class valedictorian and Athletic Hall of Fame member.

Auxiliary Patrol of the Year – Cadet Luis Rey

Presented to the most outstanding Auxiliary Patrol member of the year.

Stribling Cup for Highest Efficiency in Middle School – Cadet Bryan O’Dwyer-Moore

Awarded to the cadet with the best efficiency record for the entire middle school.

Meritas Discipline Plaque 

Awarded to cadets who completed the academic year with no tours.

This year’s recipients are:

• Xavier Bay
• YiChen Chen
• Michael Emminger
• Levi Evertson
• Ulis Gordon Jr.
• Dallas Grantz (photo above with President Geraci)
• Kam Ho Liu
• Samson Moorer
• Clayton Reich
• Eric Shellabarger

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Athletic Awards

Red Ireland, Class of 1941 Award – Cadet Ryan Miles (photo above) 

• This award goes to a loyal and courageous cadet in the athletics department. James “Red” Wesley Ireland, Jr., Class of 1941, was a WWII and Korean conflict veteran.

Alex Ebersole Selfless Service Award – Cadet Bryce McIlwain

• Awarded to the cadet who exhibits courage and grit in the face of overwhelming adversity. Ebersole played football, basketball and golf at MMA. He battled cancer his senior year and passed away in October of 2018.

Babe Ruth Award – Cadet James Grace (middle school) and Cadet Michael Pfeifer (high school)

• Awarded to a middle school and high school cadet who shows good sportsmanship, great integrity, and good character.

The Bohm Award – Cadet Avin Hernandez

• Awarded to a cadet for being an outstanding MMA Athlete. This award is given in honor of Dr. Wilbur Harrison Smith Bohm, Class of 1912, who was an osteopath and athletic trainer. He was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

Major George L. Piper Outstanding Middle School Athlete – Cadet Ethan Gachuhi

• Given in honor of Major Piper, who was a middle school faculty member, the athletic director and the commandant between 1943 and 1979.

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FBLA State Recognition

Recognizing those who qualified for the 2025 State Future Business Leaders of America competition, the following cadets were honored:

Receiving their first-year bar:

• Cadet Daniel Bravo (photo above with FBLA advisor Peggy Reynard and President Geraci)
• Cadet Dallas Grantz
• Cadet Deonte Kerns
• Cadet Jacob Pehle
• Cadet Gunnar Ward

Receiving their second-year bar:

• Cadet Marcus Miller
• Cadet Tiago Ruas

Receiving their third-year bar:

• Cadet Malachie Imrie
• Cadet Michael Pfeifer

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Business Department Awards

William F. Enright, Jr., 1937, Memorial Award – Cadet Marcus Miller

Presented to the cadet demonstrating exceptional proficiency in business and computer studies. This award honors William Enright, MMA Class of 1937, and former Ameribanc chairman.

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Math Department Awards

Colonel Derrill S. Kuhlman Award for Extraordinary Academic Achievement in Mathematics – Cadet Tiago Ruas Deluca

Awarded to the cadet selected by the math department as the top student in mathematics. This award is named in honor of Colonel Derrill S. Kuhlman, who served MMA from 1946 to 1986 in roles including instructor, coach, counselor, principal, and headmaster.

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English Department Awards

Lyle C. Wilson Journalism Award – Cadet Luis Sass-Zaragoza

Presented to the cadet who excels in journalism and yearbook production. This award is named for Lyle C. Wilson, MMA Class of 1917, a national correspondent and former vice president of United Press International.

Senator Thomas F. Eagleton Plaque – Cadet Ulis Gordon Jr. (Junior Class), Cadet Dallas Grantz (Senior Class)

Awarded to one junior and one senior for excellence in English. Senator Thomas F. Eagleton served as a U.S. senator from 1968 to 1987.

Major William Bryan Essay Award – Cadet Kruze Hagan

Presented for excellence in writing in memory of Major William L. Bryan, a respected member of the MMA English faculty.

Davison Broadcasting Award – Cadet Cooper Johnston

Awarded to the cadet broadcaster who has made significant contributions to telling the MMA story through audio and video communication. This award honors George Davison, MMA Class of 1968, a television and radio broadcaster.

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ESL Department Awards

Syl Mansfield Memorial Award – Cadet Nguyen Minh Duc Ho

Presented to the high school or post-graduate cadet with the highest ESL grade, best classroom behavior, fewest disciplinary tours, most positive class participation, and notable improvement.

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Social Studies Department Awards

Senator John C. Danforth Plaque – Cadet Alexander Jones

Awarded for outstanding knowledge and appreciation of constitutional government. Senator John C. Danforth served as a U.S. senator for Missouri from 1976 to 1994.

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NSTEM Awards (National STEM Honor Society)

The National STEM Honor Society’s mission is to recognize outstanding students who excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. High school awardees must complete four STEM courses with a B average within one academic year. Middle school awardees must complete three STEM courses with a B average within one academic year.

Middle school NSTEM cadets:

• Levi Evertson
• Ethan Gachuhi
• James Grace
• Ethan Levey
• Creed Martin
• Eli Mumm
• Robert Naimi
• Bryan O'Dwyer-Moore
• Kie Portuallo-Lopez

High school NSTEM cadets:

• James Aldendifer
• Aaden Bado
• Batbileg Batta
• Erick Bond
• Kenneth Burle
• YiChen Chen
• Rfred Cordero
• Mateo Eaton
• Aaron Elford
• Josiah Emminger
• Michael Emminger
• Amarbayasgalan Enkhbaatar
• John Farley
• Emilio Gomez
• Dallas Grantz
• Kruze Hagan
• Avin Hernandez
• Malachi Imrie
• Blake Krull
• William Larson
• Kam Ho Liu
• Aidan Maristany-Diaz
• Sean Mumm
• Gihana Favour Nziza
• Jacob Pehle
• Michael Pfeifer
• Valentino Ramirez
• Clayton Reich
• Luis Sass-Zargoza
• Eric Shellabarger
• Oliver Sparks
• John Trippe
• Jonny Valesa
• Gunnar Ward

NSTEM officers:

• President: Malachi Imrie
• Vice-President: Kruze Hagan
• Treasurer: YiChen Chen
• Secretary: Emilio Gomez

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Top Cadet Awards

Highest Scholarship Awards

Highest scholarship awards go to the cadets who have attended MMA the entire school year and who have the highest cumulative GPA in each grade. Senior highest scholarship awards, along with the salutatorian and valedictorian, will be recognized at commencement.

7th grade: Cadet Levi Kyle Evertson
8th grade: Cadet James Caden Grace
9th grade: Cadet Luis Alberto Sass-Zaragoza (photo above)
10th grade: Cadet Kam Ho Liu
11th grade: Cadet Clayton Cooper Reich

The 28+ Award – Cadets Daniel Drabinski, Miles Matthews, and Christopher Song

The 28+ Award recognizes cadets who score a 28 or better on the ACT test. A score of 28 places the cadet in the top 10% of all test-takers nationwide.

Class of 1968 Freshman Leadership Award – Cadet John Farley

Presented to a ninth-grade cadet who displays leadership qualities, shows promise of campus leadership, and maintains a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Selected by the freshman class advisors.

Dr. Gregory “Doc” McDonald Memorial Award – Cadet Eric Shellabarger

Awarded by sophomore class advisors to a 10th-grade cadet who conducts himself with honor. Dr. McDonald was a respected faculty member and coach at MMA from 2007 to 2015.

John W. Fritsch ’49 Award – Cadet Ulis Gordon Jr.

Awarded by junior class advisors to an 11th-grade cadet who exemplifies honor, good discipline, academic excellence, and service to the Academy. Named in honor of John Walter Fritsch, MMA Class of 1949 and former Board of Trustees member.

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Rotary Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship awards

Rotary Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship – Cadets Xavier Bay and James Grace

• These awards are presented to middle school cadets who have shown a willingness to contribute to the community, who excel academically and who have shown great leadership qualities.

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JROTC Awards

Major Jerome G. Harris Award for Most Soldierly Qualities in ROTC – Cadet Kruze Hagan (High School), Cadet Creed Martin (Middle School)

Presented to one senior cadet and one middle school cadet who possess the most soldierly qualities, as recommended by faculty. Named in honor of Major Jerome G. Harris, professor of military science and tactics who served in both World Wars.

Richard Benton Hall Class of 1976 Memorial Award – Cadet John Farley

Presented to the underclassman cadet who best exemplifies a true gentleman. Named in memory of Richard Benton Hall, MMA Class of 1976 and Echo Company Commander, who passed away due to health issues while a cadet.

Steve Walker Memorial Award – Cadet Luis Rey (photo above)

Awarded to the most outstanding first-year cadet. Cadet Charles Steven Walker tragically died in a car accident in 1956. The recipient is selected by the faculty.

Hal Heyman Memorial Award / All-American Boy Award – Cadet James Grace

Presented to the middle school cadet who, in the opinion of the faculty, best embodies the characteristics that promote American values. Named in memory of Cadet Harold David Heyman (1939–1952), who died at age 12 in a car accident.

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Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS) Award

Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS) Award – Cadet Aaden Bado (photo above)

Presented by the Scottish-American Military Society, a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to preserve and promote the customs, traditions, and heritage of the Scottish and American Armed Forces. This year’s award honors Cadet Bado, a top up-and-coming JROTC cadet.

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Staff and Faculty Awards

Years of Service Awards

Missouri Military Academy is proud to recognize the dedication and commitment of several faculty and staff members for their years of service. Their contributions play a vital role in the success of our cadets and the strength of our community. The following employees were honored during this year’s Final Assembly ceremony:

5 years: Keith Fuller
5 years: Chuck Rentschler
5 years: Don Tollett
10 years: Mike Koontz
15 years: Cassandra Brooks (photo below)

Company Leadership Advisor of the Semester – Cpl. Craig McMillen (USMC)

Presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and guidance provided to cadets throughout the semester.

Faculty of the Semester – Melba Lackey

Awarded for exceptional dedication to academic excellence and support of the Missouri Military Academy mission.

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Bravo Zulu Awards

One of the highest compliments paid in the U.S. Naval forces is the Bravo Zulu. The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags is a naval signal, typically conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio, meaning “Well Done” regarding actions, operations, or performance. This award symbolizes the achievement of excellence.

• Chris Scarlet
• Wayne Welander
• Christopher Landrum
• Graeme Goodwin
• Nicole Morris
• Don Tollett
• Lori Vandercrake
• Kayla Ransdell (photo above)
• Melissa Miller
• Jennifer O’Donley
• Chuck Rentschler
• Glessie Chavez
• Ted Brauker
• Cameo Wells
• Stuart Mackenzie
• Robert Rosenbaum

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President’s Award for Excellence 

President’s Excellence Award – Mike Hamilton, Sage Dining (photo above)

Recognized for your outstanding leadership and support as Missouri Military Academy's Food Service Manager.

President’s Excellence Award – Mike Kulas

Recognized for your technical expertise and support of the staff, faculty, and cadets as the Senior Help Desk Analyst.

President’s Excellence Award – Brian Meny

Recognized for your outstanding leadership as Athletic Director, guiding and improving the Academy's athletic programs.

President’s Excellence Award – Jason Landrum

Recognized for your outstanding leadership as Chief Information Officer, guiding the Academy through a critical transition period to upgrade all aspects of its information operations.

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President’s Gold Star Award

The President’s Gold Star award is the highest award an individual employee may receive. This award is given at the president’s discretion for outstanding achievement and performance consistently and substantially exceeding the expectation or making an important or significant contribution towards the mission and vision of the Academy. 

President’s Gold Star Award – Dan Burton (photo above)

Recognized for outstanding performance as a valued member of the facilities and maintenance team. Your exemplary work ethic, selfless commitment, and dedication to Missouri Military Academy have significantly contributed to the accomplishment of the Academy’s mission.

President’s Gold Star Award – Bernard Strunk

Recognized for your leadership as Director of Facilities and your guidance in maintaining campus facilities in superb condition. Your selfless commitment and dedication to Missouri Military Academy have greatly contributed to the success of our cadets and the Academy’s mission.

President’s Gold Star Award – Larry McClarey

Recognized for your outstanding performance as a highly valued member of the faculty. Your academic expertise and dedication to Missouri Military Academy have significantly contributed to cadet success and the overall mission of the Academy.

President’s Gold Star Award – Elliot Goodwin

Recognized for your exceptional work as Activities and Recreation Specialist and Varsity Soccer Coach. Your dedication and commitment to Missouri Military Academy have greatly contributed to cadet success and fulfillment of the Academy’s mission.

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The following awards recognized employees who demonstrated exceptional work ethic, dedication, and collaboration throughout the 2024–25 school year. Their commitment to excellence made a lasting impact on the Missouri Military Academy community.

Coach of the Year – Elliot Goodwin (photo above)

Recognized as the 2024–25 Coach of the Year. Coach Goodwin led this year’s state-ranked soccer team and has been the driving force behind its success for the past four seasons. He consistently motivates cadets to perform at their highest level. This season, MMA’s soccer team finished as state runner-up in the MSHSAA State Final Championships with a final record of 17–5. Several Academy records have been broken under his leadership. Coach Goodwin was also named Class 1 Coach of the Year by the Missouri Soccer Association.

Commandant Employee of the Year – Tracey Forrest (photo above)

Recognized for outstanding dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the mission of Missouri Military Academy.

Employee of the Year – Rodrigo Padilla

Awarded for exceptional performance as International Cadet Relations Specialist. Rodrigo’s professional skills, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and dedication to recruiting and supporting international cadets, as well as his involvement in cadet activities and sports, have significantly contributed to the fulfillment of the Academy’s mission.