It was a history-making day as the 118th academic year at Fork Union Military Academy came to a close Saturday and ninety-three seniors and postgraduates crossed the stage to receive their high school diplomas and postgraduate certificates of achievement. In a month of May that had seen rainfall at least two out of three days, soaking the region with more than eight inches of rain and making an indoor ceremony seem certain, the day dawned bright, sunny, and warm. But more remarkable than the weather, what made the event really special and truly unprecendented in the school's history was the participation of two Deans from Richard Bland College of William & Mary in the ceremony. The Dean of Faculty, Vern Linddquist, and Tyler Hart, the college's Dean of Enrollment Services, were on hand to oversee the presentation of Associate of Science college degrees to three graduating seniors.
Cadet Nathanael James Bennett was the first of the three to step to the stage to receive both his high school diploma from Fork Union Military Academy and his Associate of Science degree from Richard Bland College of William & Mary. He was soon followed by his classmates Evan Linkous and Chase Ray, who each also received their two-year college degree on the same day they received their high school diplomas. This remarkable achievement was made possible by Fork Union's Early College Scholars Program, created in partnership with the Richard Bland College associated with the prestigious College of William & Mary. The Class of 2017 already has ten juniors enrolled in this accelerated academic program.
Having earned the highest academic average in the senior class, Cadet George Joseph Oscar is this year's Valedictorian at Fork Union Military Academy. He is the son of Ms. Jennifer Oscar of Arvada, Colorado. Cadet Oscar, Bravo Company's First Sergeant, has attended Fork Union for all four years of his high school career. While a cadet at FUMA, George was active in band as a bagpiper, he was a member of the Boy Scout troop as a Life Scout, and he was active in the Robotics Club. He has also been active in the Catholic Cadets' Association. For the past two years, he has been a member of the National Honor Society, this year serving as its President. George has earned the following awards during his enrollment at the Academy: the McDougall Science Award, the Cox Geometry Award, and the H.R. Kelly Foreign Language Award for his outstanding performance in German. He is an Honor Graduate in this year's graduating class. George has been accepted into the Colorado School of Mines for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.
The Salutatorian of this year's senior class is Cadet Ryan Andrew Thomas Weinstein of Rockville, Virginia. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Lisa Weinstein. Ryan, a member of "Alpha" Company, began his FUMA career in the Middle School as an 8th grader and attended the Upper School during all four years of his high school career. While in the Upper School, Ryan has been a member of the Catholic Cadet Association, the Retan Rifles drill team, and the Color Guard. He participated on the prep lacrosse team as a 10th grader, and for the past two years he has been the varsity swimming manager. This year he played on the varsity soccer team. Ryan will be attending James Madison University for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.