Randolph-Macon Academy’s 125th anniversary

Randolph-Macon Academy will celebrate its 125^th Anniversary with events ranging from the most formal of gatherings to a come-one-come-all free community party.

Founded as a college prep school in 1892, R-MA added a military component in 1917; that means that not only is the school celebrating its 125^th founding, but it is celebrating a century of adhering to military values such as integrity, duty, honor, and self-discipline.

The 125^th Anniversary will permeate all that happens during the year, such as Young Alumni Day on January 4 when our students currently in college or in the working world return “home” to campus, the wrestling tournament being held at the Academy on January 7, 2017, and the 125^th graduation ceremony being held on May 27, 2017. However, there are also events being planned specifically to honor the Academy’s history and heritage, as well as its place in the local community.

The first major event will be the 125^th Anniversary Gala held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, VA. The location was chosen upon the recommendation by R-MA Board of Trustee and Gala Chairwoman Donna Bogart, with the idea that it would be more accessible for alumni from the Northern Virginia, Baltimore, and Richmond areas.

Highlighting the events of the gala will be a presentation by wounded warrior, war hero, and quadruple amputee Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, USA, Retired. Mills’ story is featured in the book Tough As They Come and his book has just been contracted to become a major motion picture. Learn more about Mills’ incredible story at https://www.travismills.org, or view a promotional video at https://youtu.be/bEKbsDpY0sw.

The gala committee is currently seeking partners to sponsor the gala. Any proceeds above the cost of the event will go into the Academy’s endowment, which is used to provide scholarships for students to attend R-MA. For more information, contact Kittie Abell, Vice President of Development and Alumni Programs, at kabell@rma.edu or 540-636-5206.

At the end of April, the entire R-MA community will gather for a free community event, open to the public, to celebrate the 125^th Anniversary. This campus-wide event, Founder’s Weekend, will take place April 28-30, 2017. It will kick off on Friday, April 28^th, with a special demonstration by the R-MA drill team, followed by a plethora of R-MA home sports events, including varsity girls’ soccer, varsity baseball, varsity lacrosse, and varsity tennis. At 7:30 pm, the R-MA band, chorus, and handbells will present their spring concert. All events are free and open to the public.

On Saturday, the 29^th, the day will begin with a 5K Run, open to the public, and an alumni lacrosse tournament. A free community celebration will be held from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. This celebration, while still in the planning stages, is set to include rides, games, special presentations, and music. Already scheduled are a hot air balloon, Amazing Grace the Mule, a corn hole tournament, Turbo the Flying Dog, hay rides, face painting, and community vendors. In addition, media partners WINC 92.5 and WZRV The River 95.3 will be conducting remotes from the event. There will be also lessons on how to march, bounce rides, and free cake and ice cream! Watch www.rma.edu/founders-weekend-community-celebration for more information.

The weekend will wrap up with a chapel service on Sunday, April 30^th, followed by refreshments for all attendees.

Because this is a free event, open to the general public, R-MA is seeking sponsors to help offset the cost of the event. Those interested may contact Christine Meyer, Director of Development and Alumni Programs, at cmeyer@rma.edu or 540-636-5485. Community businesses interested in hosting a booth at the Community Celebration event may contact Celeste Brooks, Director of Public Relations, at cbrooks@rma.edu or 540-636-5482.

Information about sponsorship opportunities for both of these April 2017 events can also be found online at www.rma.edu/125th-anniversary-schedule-events.

The celebration won’t end in April; R-MA’s 125^th Anniversary will be celebrated during graduation, a community service weekend, and of course at Homecoming October 6-8, 2017.  For information, contact R-MA at 540-636-5482.