Worried for RMA—and Disheartened by Religious Division

I am very saddened to see that the middle school at RMA is closing.  Two of my three children who have been through RMA attended middle school.   The faculty and staff were wonderful to them and cared not just for them but for all the students.   I find it interesting that when I saw the numbers at the school, they were closing it.

The upper school doesn’t have the reputation of the middle school. Since they lost the AFJROTC and decided to make it up as they go along, things have gone really downhill. The students wear Marine Corps uniforms, and they have a retired Marine Corps Col. on staff. It befuddles me why they haven’t reached out to the USMC to do their JROTC.

There’s more I would like to say but my big mouth has gotten me in trouble up there before.  I will stay quiet, but there are changes that need to be made up there, as it is a dying school.  I don’t want to see the school closed as it has benefited my children and the other students with leadership opportunities and academic opportunities.   That school opened the year my paternal grandfather was born (1892), and it would be sad to see it close in 3-5 years because the board has not made good decisions.

Secondly, in regards to that long letter regarding Christendom College: I don’t have a dog in that fight, but it amazes me how much anti-Catholic sentiment is in this town.  For the record, the priests at St. John’s never encouraged that fight with the library and they have said so multiple times.  I feel that it’s up to the parents to police what their children check out of the library, not a group of individuals.  Sometimes, when I see these types of letters, it makes me think back to the founding of our country when only Maryland and South Carolina took in Catholics.

I feel bad that they have so much hatred towards a religion.  I don’t hate other religions but maybe that’s just me.   I’m sure I know who Ms. Hunt voted for as I guess she can figure out who I voted for.  I just wonder if she would ask any other community with a college or university in town as to what they’ve done for them lately?  Or is this, as I guess is just an opportunity to show her hatred towards a religion she does not like.

Terri Hammersmith
Warren County, VA

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