Fishburne School Year Starts With Honors
Cadet Leaders form up in front of the soon-to-be-unveiled Blue Star Memorial marker at Fishburne Military School (VA).
Waynesboro, VA — Fishburne Military School officially opened for the 2015-2016 Academic Year with the annual First Formation ceremony. It is this First Formation which officially convenes the Corps of Cadets at Fishburne Military School (US Army JROTC Cadet Command 4th Brigade) for a new session. Cadet leaders officially took charge of their units as each company’s guidon was issued to the Company Commander by 2015-2016 Battalion Commander, Cadet Brian Draper (Washington, DC). Draper then addressed the Corps as a whole and challenged them each to strive to make this the finest session yet at FMS.
Cadet William Curt (Port Republic, VA) took command of Alpha Company; Cadet Camden Teubner (Clearwater, FL) assumed command of Bravo Company; Cadet Min Chang Kang (Seoul, Korea) took charge of Charlie Company; and Cadet Jakob Harrison (Boulder, CO) accepted leadership for Band Company. Battalion Executive Officer is Cadet Larkin Petrelles (Falls Church, VA) and the Battalion Sergeant Major is Cadet Luciano Dolfi (Stuarts Draft, VA).
Fishburne Superintendent, COL Gary Morrison (VA), FMS Class of 1981, noted, “This is a remarkably talented group of young men. Their
COL Morrison accepts the marker on behalf of Fishburne Military School and reads the inscription to the assembled Corps of Cadets
dedication to their school, its traditions and their fellow cadets is truly exemplary. These young men have consistently performed in keeping with the highest traditions of Fishburne Military School. I can say, without reservation, that the Corps of Cadets is in fine hands.”
At the conclusion of First Formation, the first official act of the school year was the dedication of a Blue Star Memorial Highway marker that will stand permanently outside Hobby-Hudgins Hall. The Blue Star Memorial Highway began in 1945 and has been continued by the National Garden Clubs ever since to honor and remember all those who have ever served in the uniforms of the United States’ military forces.
LTC Robert Hunt USA(Ret), Fishburne’s Senior Army Instructor, noted, “To be chosen as the home for a Blue Star Memorial is an incredible honor and it reflects highly upon the FMS Corps of Cadets, both past and present. This is an especially great way to welcome in the 100th anniversary of Army JROTC at Fishburne Military School.” FMS was first awarded an Army JROTC Unit in 1919 and has been a perennial leader within the 4th Brigade.
Photo Galleries available: HERE
Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college-acceptance rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.
