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Newsletter No. 4 - September 24, 2004
Chapel was "Amazing" last Sunday!
 If you weren't at chapel last Sunday, then you missed
the beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” featuring a
quartet that included tenor plebe Matthew Hatrak ’08,
from E Battery. Matthew is one of 120 members of the
VFMA&C choir this year. Cecilia Beatty, the Choirmaster,
is thrilled by the number of new cadets who have joined
the choir this year. The choir sings both classical and
sacred music, along with many of the traditional
patriotic songs.
If your son is an Academy choir member, he is rehearsing
from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and if
he is in the College, he is rehearsing on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Cadets who play
sports attend specially scheduled rehearsals.
 In addition to singing on campus, choir members travel
and sometimes even get to sing with girls, including
during Holiday Vespers in December, when they are joined
by the girls from Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
in Bryn Mawr, PA. The VF choir will sing at a benefit
concert for MS Research at Carnegie Hall in New York
City on June 3, and probably the most exciting trip will
be
the festival cruise to the Bahamas! During Corps Weekend
in February, the choir will fly to Florida, enjoy a
three-night cruise and stop over at Disneyworld. Our
Cadets will perform on the ship one of the nights while
at sea. In addition, everyone is invited to a special
concert on October 2 at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Please
call Ms. Beatty at 610-989-1512 or email
cbeatty@vfmac.edu for more information.
If you are a parent of a member of the choir and would
like to assist the Mrs. Beatty in organizing events and
trips for the cadets, including the cruise, please
contact Mrs. Beatty at 610-989-1512 or
cbeatty@vfmac.edu. Mrs. Beatty is actively
recruiting parent volunteers.
And the Band Plays On…
If your son isn't singing, maybe he is playing an
instrument in the Regimental Band or Field Music.
Rehearsals begin before school call and band cadets are
working very hard as they memorize the
 Alma Mater,
Honors, and Bravura. They have performed at every formal
formation and function since school started! This
includes the half-time show at the football games and
music for the cheering crowds in the bleachers.
And what could be more exciting than marching down the
boardwalk in Atlantic City for the Miss America Parade?
On September 17, our band marched right behind all the
former Miss Americas from 1955 to 2003, but the real
thrill was meeting the beautiful ladies who competed for
the coveted crown! The band also performed at the Radnor
Fall Festival on September 19, and will perform at the
Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg on
October 24, an event which will be televised via a
delayed taping on ESPN.
Also watch for the Herald Trumpets, a select group of
brass players who perform every Sunday before Chapel.
Already, they have performed at a Make a Wish Foundation
event in Summit Hill, PA, and
 are scheduled to play at
many more prestigious venues throughout the year. Field
Music cadets are learning how to march and play their
instruments, in addition to getting ready for the first
Regimental Review. They will, undoubtedly, be performing
in many parades throughout the year as well. Be sure to
watch for both the Band and Field Music at the
Regimental Reviews, which begin on Sunday, October 10!
VF
in
the News
If you’re local, be sure to pick up the October issue of
“Philadelphia Magazine.” In their article on the Top 20
high schools in the Philadelphia area, Valley Forge
Military Academy was named as one of two “Surprise
Picks!” The listing was compiled by admissions officers
from the nation’s best colleges and universities, and
includes both public and private schools. Here’s a new
reason to brag to your friends about where your son
attends school!
In their Own Words
They’re in the home stretch now, with only two weeks to
go. Here’s what they’re saying:
“The system is very strict and everybody is treated the
same. We get rewarded if we do something right. It's
fine.” -- Edward Carley '10, from Weston, Connecticut
“I'm half way through and counting the days for the
plebe period to end.”
-- Sam Sholander '05, from
Auburndale, Florida
“I love you a lot Mom.” --Sergei Javier '06, from Costa
Rica
“I have a yellow star on my shirt.” -- Donald Nuckel
'08, from Saddle River,
New Jersey
"I
you Mom and Dad and my staff sergeants are awesome.”
-- Steven Michalos '05, from Towson, Maryland
“I love you Mom and Dad and Hillary.” -- Justin Davala
'05, from Blenheim,
New Jersey
“I'm taking Chemistry and Calculus. We have excellent
teachers who help us whenever we want. I can't wait to
get my capshield.” -- Dominic Kanou '06C, from Montreal,
Quebec, Canada
“The food isn't that bad. PT is great. We love our Tac
Officers.”
-- Steven Bettini '06C, Manalapan, New Jersey
“I love you Mom.” -- Garry Riddick '06C, from Waldorf,
Maryland
Cap Shield Update
The following cadets earned their cap shields this week.
Congratulations!
Bader Al-Fadala,
D Troop
Mohammed Al-Saleh, D Troop
Michael Amodeo, A Company
Aaron Ancrum, F Company
Darren Barrett, F Company
William Burke, F Company
Nicholas Calvanese, A Company
Louis Crist, F Company
Sean Delaney, F Company
Ian Doig, D Troop
Austin Dougherty, D Troop
Patrick Dunn, E Battery
Dodger Eaton, F Company
Brian Feeley, F Company
Jean Guzman, F Company
David Hartz, F Company
John Harvey, F Company
Andrew Hinton, D Troop
Ryan Holstay, F Company
Justin Irving, F Company
Diego Jacir, F Company
Rosser Jones, F Company
David Kang, D Troop |
Christopher Krajewski, F Company
Mark Lim, F Company
Philip Lim, F Company
Matthew Lynch, F Company
Mitchell Magloire, F Company
Patrick Marceau, F Company
Brian McKenna, F Company
Don Meador, F Company
Gary Meyers, F Company
Alexander Montgomery, F Company
Robert Murley, F Company
Samuel Onyeaka, F Company
Jeffrey Otah, F Company
Timothy Powell, D Troop
Adam Price, F Company
Andres Sandoval, F Company
Ricardo Sandoval, F Company
Grancis Santana, F Company
Joseph Skrinjorich, F Company
Jeffrey St. Felix, F Company
Liam Taylor, F Company
Allen Tsay, A Company
Brandon Wesley, F Company
Theodore Wiggins, F Company |
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Other Important News and Links
Recognition Weekend (Oct. 8-10)
– The full schedule was mailed to all parents last week,
but it’s also
posted on the website. If you have any questions,
please let us know.
Silent Auction (Oct. 8 and 10)
– The other highlight of Recognition Weekend is the
Silent Auction, which kicks off on Friday night with a
Cocktail Party at 7:00 p.m. in Mellon Hall, and
concludes on Sunday morning prior to Chapel. Please send
in your
RSVP if you plan to attend these events.
Halloween Goodie Bags
– Please bring a bag of wrapped Halloween candy on
Recognition Weekend. We will have bins to collect the
goodies in Mellon Hall on Friday night and on Sunday
morning. On Sunday, October 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Mellon
Hall, we will assemble the bags and distribute them to
all cadets at the Halloween parade during second mess
formation on October 28. Please contact
Pat Stanzione if you have questions.
Sports Scores and Schedules
– For the latest scores and schedules, click on the
appropriate links:
Academy Cross Country,
College Cross Country,
Academy Football,
College Football,
Polo,
Academy Soccer, and
College Soccer.
Photo Scrapbook
– Check out photos from the most recent campus events.
VF Calendar
– Please check the online calendar for the most
up-to-date information on campus events and activities.
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With only two weeks left until Recognition Weekend, we
know many of you are getting anxious. Stick with it,
though, the reward when you see your son will be great!
In the meantime, please feel free to contact any member
of the Parents’ Association Board if you have any
questions or concerns. You can find all contact
information on the
website.
Newsletter No. 3 - September 18, 2004
Marching onto victory!
 Your
son attended his first Academy football game last
Saturday. As is the Valley Forge tradition, the
entire Corps marched onto the football field before
plying into the bleachers for some hootin' and
hollerin'. VFMA won the opening season game over
Father Judge High School. It was a close one, but we
were victorious, winning 7 - 3. The College team won
its opening season game over Williamson Trade on
Saturday as well, 48 - 8. The full
Academy and
College football schedules are listed on the web
site, so be sure to check it out and come to some of
the games.
In addition, the Academy Cross Country team has won
two races and lost two races so far this season, and
the College team took second place at the Cumberland
County College Invitational on September 11. To see
the full
Academy and
College schedules for Cross Country, please also
visit the website.
The VFMAC Polo season kicks off tomorrow, September
18, against the University of Connecticut. The VF
Polo teams are consistently ranked among the top in
the nation, so be sure to check out the
schedule online and try to make it to a match.
News from the Classroom
According
to the Deans, cadets are getting into the classroom
routine. Schedules have been changed to accommodate
most of the cadets' requests for specific classes
and to allow the corps an extra hour of sleep every
night (the most precious gift!), and everyone is
settling in nicely. In addition to the usual
English, math, and history classes, many cadets are
taking programming, photojournalism, and art. A few
Middle School cadets are taking math classes in the
high school, and some College and Academy cadets
enjoy taking advanced classes at a local college.
For both Academy and College cadets, the college
rat-race is upon us. SAT Prep starts next week. The
first SAT is less than a month away, and Service
Academy deadlines are fast approaching. VF's
Guidance Staff will be in the "flat out" mode until
January.
If your son is a senior in the Academy, be aware
that the application process is the responsibility
of the cadet. Many applications are online now, so
cadets can often apply online from their room or
from home. COL Doyle's advice is this: "We cannot,
nor should we, monitor every action. Keep an eye on
things. Get involved in your son's applications.
It's often a frustrating process, but we have most
of the answers, so feel free to call us."
COL Doyle, the Academy's Dean, can be reached at
610-989-1360, and
Dr. Murray, Dean of the College, can be reached
at 610-989-1451, should you have questions.
In their Own Words
As the plebe period progresses, read what your sons
are now saying:
"C Company is the best Company! Discipline and
practice makes perfect."
-- Joshua Silk '06, from
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
"School's going well and hopefully will get even
better." -- Theodore Merisier '06, from Brooklyn,
New York
"It's been going well. I hope you're all OK. I think
this is the best for me, and after six weeks, it
will all be better." -- Toshimi Muniz '10, from
Miami, Florida
"It's a pretty good experience. I want to say 'hi'
to my girlfriend and parents. I love you and miss
you." -- Adam Atiyeh '05, from Schnecksville,
Pennsylvania
Cap Shield Update
Congratulations to the following young men for
earning their Cap Shields this week:
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John Abernathy, C
Company
Angellen Aguvayev, E Battery
Dale Arnold, F Company
Jessie Barnes, F Company
Chaz Batchelor, F Company
Edward Brady, B Company
Tyton Brunner, F Company
Christopher Chambers, E Battery
Matthew Ciurej, F Company
Christopher Corigliano, C Company
Adam Crown, F Company
Ryan Dean, F Company
Joshua Derrer, A Company
David Drobish, D Troop
Dennis Dunn, F Company
Michael Durkan, B Company
Dongwong Eun, A Company
Manuel Fisher, Field Music
Andres Gomez, Field Music
Kelby Heffner, B Company |
Parth Jobanputra, E Battery
Tristan Kelley, F Company
Matthew Kim, B Company
Andrew Levin, E Battery
Philip Lim, F Company
Brian McMenamen, F Company
Daniel Modlin, F Company
Robert Murphy, Band
Matthew Pieklo, F Company
Phillip Poggi, Field Music
Patrick Quigley, F Company
Michael Robinson, F Company
Joshua Seefried, F Company
Joshua Silk, C Company
Armando Tamargo, E Battery
Markus Taubenhansl, B Company
Crawford Thompson, D Troop
Ignadani Ventura, C Company
James Woolford, F Company
Matthew Zeiler, Field Music
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Other Important News and Links
First Parents' Association Meeting (Sept. 19)
- The first Parents' Association meeting of the
school year is this Sunday, September 19, at 9:30
a.m. in Mellon Hall. There are no requirements to
attend, other than your son being a cadet at Valley
Forge. This meeting promises to be informative for
all parents and will provide an opportunity to get
to know parents of other cadets. For other campus
events, be sure to regularly check the online
calendar.
Recognition Weekend (Oct. 8-10)
- The full schedule was mailed to all parents this
week (if you have not received it yet, you will in
the coming days), but it's also now posted on the
web site,
here. If you have any questions, please let us
know.
Silent Auction (Oct. 8 and 10)
- The other highlight of Recognition Weekend is the
Silent Auction, which kicks off on Friday night with
a Cocktail Party at 7:00 p.m. in Mellon Hall, and
concludes on Sunday morning prior to Chapel. We are
looking for 100% participation from all parents in
this annual fundraiser. Click
here
to read all about it and find ways to participate.
Halloween Goodie Bags
- Please bring a bag of wrapped Halloween candy on
Recognition Weekend. We will have bins to collect
the goods in Mellon Hall on Friday night and on
Sunday morning. On Sunday, October 24, at 9:30 a.m.
in Mellon Hall, we will assemble the bags and
distribute them to all cadets at the Halloween
parade during second mess formation on October 28.
Please contact
Pat Stanzione if you have questions.
Photo Scrapbook
- Check out photos from last Saturday's Plebe Parade
and other campus events.
VF Calendar
- Please check the online calendar for the most
up-to-date information on campus events and
activities.
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It may not feel like it, but you and your son have made
it halfway through the plebe period! Congratulations!
Just a few more weeks and you'll be able to hug and talk
to your son once again. Please feel free to contact any
member of the Parents' Association Board if you have any
questions or concerns. You can find all contact
information on the
website. You're in the home stretch!
Newsletter No. 2 – September 10, 2004
It's back to school at VFMA!
 Although
the College Cadets have been attending classes since
August 25, the Academy and Middle School classes kicked
off on Thursday. Every morning at 7:20 a.m., cadets line
up for School Call outside the barracks. The cadets are
dressed in School U, gray short sleeve shirts, gray
pants with black stripe, and an overseas cap. Important
announcements for the day are made and off they go for
the first 7:40 a.m. class! Academy cadets attend classes
in a newly renovated Shannon Hall and Middle School
cadets go to school at Lhotak Hall. The College cadets
walk to College Hill, which is, as you probably guessed,
a steep climb every morning.
To
commemorate the beginning of the school year, our cadets
attended Opening Day Ceremonies on Thursday afternoon.
Our cadets, members of the Board of Trustees, and
several alumni and parents looked on as the staff and
faculty marched into the Chapel, and then listened as
the Deans and Admiral Long spoke to the Corps about
motivation and striving for success throughout the
school year. Despite the humidity caused by frequent
rain showers, the Ceremonies were a success and were
fittingly concluded by the Regimental Band playing the
Alma Mater.
What else are they doing?
Studying for their Cap Shields, of course! Each Cadet is
required to learn and memorize the contents of the Cap
Shield Book and then appear before a Cap Shield Board,
where they are quizzed on the material they have
learned. As examples, they need to know the Alma Mater,
Cadet Oath, Honor Pledge, Cadet Prayer, and the names of
ranks.
The
great news is that a few cadets have already earned
their Cap Shields this week! Congratulations to
Austin Caroe in E
Battery and Michael Robinson
in F Company!
In their own words
 "I'm trying my best and I want to make you proud." --Michael
Reid ’05, from Philadelphia, PA
"It's
starting to get better. I like the school." --Cydney
Campbell
‘10,
from New York, NY
"It's
a big change and it's good. I'm taking reading, language
arts, English, earth science, and math." --Patrick Marrah '10, from Delray, FL
“School is really different and the teachers are a lot
more caring. My mom and dad are going to be proud of me
and are going to buy me a present. I hope it is a dirt
bike. Hint. Hint." --Mark Papuzinski '10, from Bayshore,
NY.
Other Important News and Links
First Parents’ Association Meeting (Sept. 19)
– Mark your calendars now for the first Parents’
Association meeting of the year on Sunday, September 19
at 9:30 a.m. in Mellon Hall. There are no requirements
to attend, other than your son being a cadet at Valley
Forge. This meeting promises to be informative for all
parents, with key staff available to answer your
questions, and will provide an opportunity to get to
know parents of other cadets. For other campus events,
be sure to regularly check the online calendar, found
here.
Recognition Weekend (Oct. 8-10)
– I’m sure it’s clearly marked on your calendar already,
but just in case, you will definitely not want to miss
this exciting weekend. In addition to being the first
time in six weeks that you’ll get to hug your son, you
will have the opportunity to meet his teachers and
guidance counselor, watch him march proudly in his first
parade, and of course, show off the Cap Shield that he
will have worked so hard to earn! Watch your mailbox in
the coming days for more information.
Silent Auction (Oct. 8 and 10)
– The other highlight of Recognition Weekend is the
Silent Auction, which kicks off on Friday night with a
Cocktail Party at 7:00 p.m. in Mellon Hall, and
concludes on Sunday morning prior to Chapel. In
addition, on Friday night there will be a few live
auction items that you will not want to miss! We are
looking for 100% participation from all parents in this
annual fundraiser. The money that we raise directly
benefits your son and will provide some fun activities
for him throughout the year. Please consider donating an
item or becoming a sponsor by filling out the
Donor/Sponsorship form, which is found
here,
and also ask your friends, family, and local businesses
to donate an item. Contact Amy Tennison at 610.989.1328
or
atennison@vfmac.edu
if you
have questions or to make arrangements to drop off a
donation.
Halloween Goodie Bags
– Please bring a bag of wrapped Halloween candy on
Recognition Weekend. We will have bins to collect the
goods in Mellon Hall on Friday night and on Sunday
morning. On Sunday, October 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Mellon
Hall, we will assemble the bags and distribute them to
all cadets at the Halloween parade during second mess
formation on October 28. Please email
Pat Stanzione
if you have questions.
VF Calendar
– Please check the online
calendar
for the most up-to-date information on campus events and
activities.
If you
have any questions about the Parents’ Association or the
school in general, please feel free to contact us. Our
contact information
is on the website. Don’t forget to keep sending your son
letters and goodies and encouraging him to do his best!
Newsletter No. 1 – September 7, 2004
What has your son been doing this week?
They are
very, very busy…
 Your son received his uniforms and is learning how to wear them.
Cadets receive “School U” consisting of gray pants, short and
long sleeve gray shirts, and his BDU (battle dress uniform).
Very soon he will receive his full parade dress uniform.
Your son is learning how to arrange and maintain his room. He
can now meticulously fold his tee-shirts and pajamas and put his
shoes where they belong. You’d be amazed!
If your son is a new college cadet, he has been in class for a
couple of weeks and is surely studying hard. Despite the
rigorous training schedule, he is undoubtedly working hard,
helped along by nightly study hall in his room. Study hall
allows him time to focus on reading and doing his homework with
faculty monitors available to make sure the distractions are
kept to a minimum.
Cadets
continue to learn how to properly salute and march, along with
polishing their brass and shining their shoes. Don’t be
surprised when you see your son if he instructs you on how to
really get a good shine on your shoes!
 Eating is another learning experience at Valley Forge. Cadets
“square off” their meals, which means sitting up straight,
looking ahead, and not dropping any food off the fork or spoon.
And lastly, they are learning how to march at the parades and
into Chapel. You will see them “swing it out” as they pass by.
This means extending arms out parallel to the ground. Our cadets
are looking sharp and snappy.
In their own words:
Cadets always have something to say…did we talk to yours?
“Push ups are fun, but shining shoes is more fun.”
- Collin Lyons ’08, Glenelg, MD
“I found how clean I can keep my room!”
- Peter Padden ‘05C, Westlake Village, CA
“I like the bacon. It’s really good. I want to learn to play the
snare drum.”
- Manuel Fisher ’08, Lancaster, PA
“Liebe Mama, Lieber Papa: Danke für alles was ihr für mich getan
habt. Ich liebe euch.” - Markus Taubenhansl ’06, Germany
“This plebe loves it here. Send more cookies.”
- Nick Rich ‘05C, Harpswell, ME
“All is well. I love you, Mom.”
- Corey Davis ‘05C, Baltimore, MD
Next Week:
School starts for the Academy and Middle School on Thursday, September 9. Plebes
are taking their placement tests and will be talking to guidance counselors and
selecting courses.
 The
Old Men return to Valley Forge on Tuesday, September 7, 2004. These are cadets
who attended Valley Forge last year and are returning again this fall. When they
come back, we will be 600 cadets strong on campus. Only Old Men can walk on Old
Man’s Walk, which is the shortcut from lower campus to the Main Area (the area
outside of Wheeler Hall). Plebes have to walk a different path and, if you
hadn’t already guessed, this path is longer. When your son returns as an Old Man
next year, he can take the shorter path.
Other Important News and Links:
First Parents’
Association Meeting (Sept. 19)
Mark your calendars now for the first Parents’ Association meeting of the year
on Sunday, September 19 at 9:30 a.m. in Mellon Hall. There are no requirements
to attend, other than your son being a cadet at Valley Forge. This meeting
promises to be informative for all parents, with key staff available to answer
your questions, and will provide an opportunity to get to know parents of other
cadets. For other campus events, be sure to regularly check the
online calendar.
Recognition Weekend (Oct. 8-10)
I’m sure it’s clearly marked on your calendar already but, just in case, you
will definitely not want to miss this exciting weekend. In addition to being the
first time in six weeks that you’ll get to hug your son, you will have the
opportunity to meet his teachers and guidance counselor, watch him march proudly
in his first parade and, of course, show off the Cap Shield that he will have
worked so hard to earn! Watch your mailbox in the coming days for more
information.
Silent Auction (Oct.
8 and 10)
The other highlight of Recognition Weekend is the Silent Auction, which kicks
off on Friday night with a Cocktail Party at 7:00 p.m. in Mellon Hall, and
concludes on Sunday morning prior to Chapel. In addition, on Friday night there
will be a few live auction items that you will not want to miss! We are looking
for 100% participation from all parents in this annual fundraiser. The money
that we raise directly benefits your son and will provide some fun activities
for him throughout the year. Please consider donating an item or becoming a
sponsor by filling out the
Donor/Sponsorship form, and also ask your friends, family, and local businesses to donate an
item. Contact Amy Tennison at 610.989.1328 or
atennison@vfmac.edu if you have
questions or to make arrangements to drop off a donation.
Halloween Goodie Bags
Please bring a bag of wrapped Halloween candy on Recognition Weekend. We will
have bins to collect the goods in Mellon Hall on Friday night and on Sunday
morning. On Sunday, October 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Mellon Hall, we will assemble the
bags and distribute them to all cadets at the Halloween parade during second
mess formation on October 28. Please email Pat Stanzione (pstanzione@litenet.net)
if you have questions.
Photos from In-Processing - Is your son pictured
here?
VF Calendar - Please check the online calendar for the most up-to-date information on campus
events and activities.
Your support and involvement is crucial to your son’s success at Valley Forge.
The Parents’ Association looks forward to getting to know each of you over the
coming year and hopes to see you on campus often. If you have any questions or
would like to talk to any member of our Board, you can find all
contact information
here on
the website. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to ask!
 VFMA&C
Director of Parent Relations &
Special Events:
Mrs. Amy Tennison
Development Department
Mellon Hall
(610) 989-1328
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