Top MMA Moments of 2023

As another year comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the triumphs, milestones, and exceptional achievements of Missouri Military Academy (MMA) and the corps of cadets in 2023. From 100% college placement and over $5.2 million in scholarships for the Class of 2023 to the resounding success of the Fusileers on the national stage, MMA has left an indelible mark on the landscape of academic and military excellence this year. See below for a few of our key highlights…

134th Missouri Military Academy Graduating Class Celebrates Commencement

The graduating class for the 134th Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets took part in commencement ceremonies on May 20. Richard Dehlinger, MMA Class of 1993, served as the commencement speaker. The Class of 2023 has been offered more than $5.2 million in college scholarships, and they will attend schools such as the University of Notre Dame, Missouri University of Science & Technology, United States Naval Academy, Texas Tech University, and more. See Class of 2023 college selections here.

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Cadet Success: U.S. Naval Academy Appointment, Acceptance to Notre Dame University, and a 4-year Army ROTC Scholarship

Among our graduates' top achievements this year, MMA Cadet Anthony Melick was appointed to U.S. Naval Academy. Cadet Battalion Commander Marco Afane from El Salvador achieved his goal of acceptance into Notre Dame, and Cadet Gage Blanton received a four-year, full-tuition Army ROTC scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Missouri in the fall of 2023.

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MMA Fusileers Take National Title

The Missouri Military Academy Armed Fusileer Drill Team traveled to Denver, Colorado, to compete in the Rocky Mountain Drill Classic National Championship held on April 15, 2023, where they won the national championship for overall armed drill. Read about the win here.

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MMA Cadets Earn Medals at 45th National Military School Band and Choir Festival

MMA musicians had a remarkable year – not only did they earn notable medals at the National Military School Band and Choir Festival, but they also ranked "outstanding" at District 18 MSHSAA Large Ensemble Festival and “exemplary” at the MSHAA State Music Festival.

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Niche Ranks Missouri Military Academy Among 2024 Best Private Schools in America

For the fourth year in a row, Missouri Military Academy (MMA) has ranked as a 2024 Best School in Niche.com’s annual ranking. Using rankings based on dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews, Niche creates profiles for schools and universities across the U.S. and assigns each institution an overall grade based on the collected data. MMA earned an A+ in the 2024 Niche ranking.

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Missouri Military Academy Receives 2023 Commerce and Industry Award

The Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce honored Missouri Military Academy with the 2023 Commerce and Industry Award at the 38th annual Commerce and Industry Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, hosted on MMA's campus. The Mexico Chamber annually presents this award to recognize local organizations for their outstanding civic responsibility and generous contributions to advance the growth and welfare of Mexico, Missouri.

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Nearly 300 from Across Midwest Attend MMA's 2023 Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) hosted its annual Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University March 24-26, 2023. Approximately 300 Scouts, leaders and family members from Missouri, Texas, Iowa, Arkansas and Illinois attended the Great Rivers Council Spring Breakout event at MMA’s Mexico, Missouri campus. In the photo above, MMA Cadet Mason Brooks, a then-high school sophomore from Mason, Texas, led attendees in the Scout Law and Scout Oath.

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Calvert Baseball Field Phase 2 Renovations Complete

Colonels baseball fans and visiting guests are set to enjoy more capital improvements at Calvert Field this spring! Phase 2 is now complete on Missouri Military Academy’s Calvert Baseball Field renovations. In addition to the construction of home and visitor dugouts, the recent phase of renovations included the construction of restrooms, a concession stand and press box and the addition of concrete pads for bleachers. 

We are excited to see our cadets benefit from these improvements. As we celebrate this capital improvement for the baseball field and continue to invest in cadet success, raising funds for soccer field lights is a top priority. To make a gift to support the installation of field lights, please click here or contact Vice President for Institutional Advancement Rob Silbaugh at 573.581.1776 ext. 230 or via email.

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MMA’s Swim Team Places in 2023 MSHAA Boys State-Class 1 Championship

In addition to securing 18th place out of 58 teams overall at the 2023 MSHAA Boys State-Class 1 championship, individual MMA swimmers placed and earned medals at the state level. Cadet Tiago Ruas Deluca finished fourth in the state in the 200-freestyle and placed second in the state in the 100-butterfly. Cadet Pereira placed 12th in the state in the 100-breaststroke. In a close race, MMA’s 200-freestyle relay team, consisting of Cadets Ruas Deleuca, Pereira, Iglesias and Imrie, missed the finals by 0.8 seconds. The Colonels 200-medley relay team finished 28th overall in the state.

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MMA Soccer Ranks 8th in the State of Missouri

This fall, the Missouri Military Academy Colonels soccer team achieved its most successful season since 2018, earning a team ranking of eighth in the state of Missouri. Cadets Hernandez and Ontiveros were also selected as Class 1 Region 2 athletes for the 2023 All-Region Teams. Cadet Hernandez made the second team in the 2023 Boys Class 1 All-State and Final Team selection, and Cadet Ontiveros received an honorable mention.