Missouri Military Academy Celebrates Cadet Talent at 2025 Spring Fine Arts Awards

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) honored cadets' creativity, dedication, and achievement in music, drama, and visual arts during the 3rd annual Spring Fine Arts Awards Assembly on April 29, 2025, in Memorial Chapel. Feature photo: Cadet Mbaye Diagne receives the High School Art Achievement Award from art instructor Cheryl Morris and MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret).

Cadet Dallas Grantz received the Stribling Dramateer Award, presented in honor of Charles Stribling III, a former MMA English faculty member, past president of the Academy, and longtime chairman of the Board of Trustees. Grantz was recognized for his dedication, work ethic, and performance in the community play at Presser Performing Arts Center.

Presser Arts Center Executive Director Lois Brace, Cadet Grantz and President Geraci 

In music, Cadet Jacob Stallone received multiple distinctions:

• The Philip Russell Outstanding Contribution to Chorus Award, named for Philip Russell ’68, an MMA alumnus.

• The Col. Paul F. Cherches Memorial Award, honoring Col. Cherches, MMA director of music from 1950 to 1989.

• The 3rd place tenor section and a featured soloist role at the National Military School Band & Choir Festival.

Additional top music honors included:

• Cadet Miles Matthews: John Philip Sousa Award, a national honor named after the famous American composer and conductor; Streep Brothers Band Award for 12th grade, honoring Byron Streep ’29, Foster Streep ’30 and Dale E. Streep ’41; and 1st chair bass clarinet at the National Military School Band & Choir Festival.

• Cadet Gunner Ward: Streep Brothers Band Award for 10th grade and 1st chair mallet percussion (highest score) at the National Military School Band & Choir Festival.

• Cadet Daniel Drabinski: Streep Brothers Band Award for 11th grade.

• Cadet Kruse Hagan: Lt. Commander Elmer R. Jackson Music Award, honoring Lt. Commander Jackson, who served as MMA band director from 1931 to 1950 and then in admissions until 1978; and winner of the drum major competition at the National Military School Band & Choir Festival.

• Cadet Mu Ye: Most Distinguished Service Music Award for dedication and improvement.

MMA also celebrated success at the Missouri State High School Activities Association District Music Festival. Cadet Heshun Xiao earned an outstanding rating for his instrumental solo.

Cadet Gihana Honour Neza was honored for his Northeast Missouri District Choir selection following a competitive audition process.

MMA Choir Director Ted Brauker, Cadet Neza, and President Geraci 

The Jack Meyers Cup, honoring John F. "Jack" Meyers ’39, a former ABC music producer and MMA alumnus, was awarded to Cadet Batbileg Bataa for excellence in music and visual arts. Bataa was also recognized for his volunteer piano performances during Vespers services.

MMA Band Director Brad Smith, Cadet Bataa, and President Geraci  

In the bagpipe program, the Pipe Major’s Awards were presented to cadets demonstrating commitment and excellence:

• Beginner: Cadet Luis Rey

• Intermediate: Cadet James Aldendifer

• Advanced: Cadet Adam Swenson, who was also named Best Piper at the National Military School Band & Choir Festival.

Pipe Major Stuart Mackenzie, Cadet Swenson, Cadet Aldendifer, Cadet Rey, and President Geraci

Visual arts awards included:

• Cadet Braxton Phasey: Larry Anthony Art Helper Award, honoring Larry Anthony (1956–2022), a valued MMA employee for 37 years and a true friend of the arts.

MMA Art Instructor Cheryl Morris, Cadet Phasey and President Geraci

• Cadet John Farley: Van Gogh Grit Award for determination and perseverance in art.

• Cadet Creed Martin: Middle School Art Achievement Award

• Cadet Mbaye Diagne: High School Art Achievement Award

• Cadets Nicholas Kavalenka and Jonathan Liberman: Creative Art Awards

• Cadet Aaron Elford: Senior Portfolio Award for exemplary long-term development in the visual arts.

• Cadet Buyankhishig Batbold: Alumni Association Award for Most Outstanding in Art, given in honor of Javier Campuzano ’82, artist of MMA’s bronze sculpture tributes.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from President Geraci and a social in Barnard Hall, where cadets and faculty celebrated the impact of the fine arts on cadet development and education.