Fishburne Government Classes Hit the Road

Fishburne Military School Working to Develop Informed Citizens and “Life-long learners”

Waynesboro, VA — Fishburne Military School’s Government classes have begun the final set of field trips for their course. Throughout the year, the Cadets and their instructors have been travelling throughout the state in order to learn first-hand about the history and workings of Virginia and US Government. The students have gleaned important and useful information by getting hands-on with the subject matter, going as far as to volunteer as polling place pages throughout Waynesboro during recent and presidential elections.

“We know that young men learn best through hands-on experience. This series of trips serves to reinforce the lessons learned in the classroom while also cultivating a respect for our individual duties as citizens of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” explains Chief Warrant Officer Phillip Lacey, FMS Government instructor. “By stressing the fact that learning and curiosity don’t stop at the classroom door, we hope to create a life-long love of learning in our young men.”

These cadets began the year in November as Election Pages to the four Waynesboro voting wards in support of the Virginia General Election.

Over the Winter, they toured the Commonwealth’s Supreme Court, Governor’s Mansion, and the General Assembly–where they met with local Delegate Dickie Bell, and even passed mock legislation in the House of Delegates in accordance with that House’s rules and procedures.

The Cadets went on to tour the Federal White House, Congress, Supreme Court, and Pentagon (Department of Defense).

Now, they are in the process of touring the local government of Waynesboro City over three Fridays during their normal class periods. Last Friday, they were introduced to the duties of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Real Estate Assessor, Building and Zoning, and the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. At that last office, cadets were taught how to research and locate deeds (using Fishburne’s own as the examples), marriage and wills registries, and zoning maps.

This Friday, the Cadets will tour City Hall, including the chambers of the City Council, and hopefully meet with the City Manager Michael G. Hamp II. Next Friday, they will meet with Sheriff Joe Harris, Jr., and tour the courtrooms and Sheriff’s Department.

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built on the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS has been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation that is accredited by US Army Cadet Command.