The tale of a boy, a girl, a game, and the shifting dynamics of modern suburbia.

In the modern age, where everyday life often passes in a blur, poetry offers a momentary pause to reflect. And sometimes, that reflection comes from the most unexpected places. In this case, a cadet from R-MA named Van Damiani has shed light on the everyday lives of those “Lost in Suburbia.”

Damiani’s poem captures a series of vignettes – the boy with his basketball under the hot sun, a girl pondering by her window, a soccer game in progress, and more. These snippets of life are rich with detail, evoking a sense of familiarity with places and moments we might have witnessed or experienced.

Central to the poem’s theme is the search for authenticity amidst a world teeming with distractions and pretenses. The boy reading a book while subtly observing a nearby plastic table, the man overwhelmed by his self-importance, the nobody chafing at the attitudes of the pretentious – all paint a vivid picture of a society where true connections can sometimes be hard to find.

In a particularly poignant stanza, Damiani delves into the supermarket experience, where people are “Oppressed by fluorescent lights” and only “half realize it.” This encapsulates the feeling many have of being trapped in routines and structures, yet not always fully grasp the gravity of it.

Further on, the verse discusses the dynamics between different generations, as children play far from the slides, and the reactions of older ones vary from scoffing to sighing. This perhaps mirrors the way different age groups perceive and engage with the world around them.

Damiani’s eloquent portrayal of suburban life is a testament to his keen observation and ability to express intricate details of mundane life in an evocative manner. This young poet’s work, which has already been featured in publications such as The WEIGHT Journal and the Apprentice Writer, promises to be just a glimpse of more literary excellence to come.

In a world where it’s easy to get lost amidst the noise, Cadet Van Damiani reminds us of the beauty, complexity, and, sometimes, the superficiality of our surroundings. As readers, it’s a chance to stop, think, and perhaps see our own world a bit more clearly.

Lost in Suburbia

Hot sun does not deter the boy shooting a basketball in the driveway

Past the hoop, green leaves are still on a cloudless day

A block to the left and three up four polos engage in semantics

The party meanders on around them

A boy sits in the chair on the lawn reading a book,

At the same time eyeing the plastic table at the other end of the yard

Not for what’s on it but for those who reside in its vicinity

The mosquitos shatter the idyllic scene and the boy turns the page

Elsewhere, a girl looks out of her window

The pool she did not dig lies outside

Her thoughts betray a deep desire, as deep as the pool

Yet she turns from the window nonetheless and retreats to her desk

Scared of what would be exposed should she end her ensconcement

In the East, there is a field

A game is being played

The players ebb and flow around the ball

The parents look on, before notifications overwhelm their parental sensibilities

In the West there is a house on a street

A gray wall marks the end of its yard

But it can’t keep out the sounds of hundreds of cars

In the center of town, a man, always a man, sits

He hopes to laugh at what he hears but he is always shocked

Overwhelmed by his own self importance

He is run over and lost in it all

In the supermarket, the people walk for hours

Oppressed by fluorescent lights

Pained as they may be, only half realize it

The cart gesticulates across the reflective floors,

Jumping over its own broken wheel

In the park the children play

Far from the slides, in their own world

The older ones scoff when they pass,

The much older ones sigh

In one house,

A house with an uneven yard,

A nobody chaffs at the attitudes of those surrounding them

A garden party life is not one they will accept

Regardless of whether or not they realize their quest is based on vanity

They wish to turn into somebody, anyone at all

Lest they become what they fear the most:

The bargain-brand, stripped-down equivalent of whatever they aspire to be

These people are the kind where no matter their direction, can never reach the end of either side

To the nobody, they are simply fake

Whether or not the nobody is correct, only they can determine

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Celebrating a local Warren County family and cadet! We’re thrilled to announce this week’s Athlete of the Week, none other than the incredible Michael Jr. DeMato! Michael attended Mountain Laurel Montessori school during his younger days. Mom, Meg DeMato is currently a Middle School Teacher & Co-Director at Mountain Laurel Montessori, and dad, Michael DeMato is the R-MA Music Director. At just the second match of his high school career, Michael showcased his remarkable talent by becoming the leading runner for the Men’s Cross Country team!

In a thrilling performance, Michael and his teammates pushed their limits and helped secure a fantastic second-place finish at the GPAC meet in Charlottesville! Michael, your dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship are truly commendable. Keep reaching for the stars and inspiring us all!

Learn more about Randolph-Macon Academy: www.rma.edu

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This week, we proudly honor our Athlete of the Week, who happens to be a remarkable member of our Women’s Cross Country team. Ruth Teferi, a standout runner, played a pivotal role in securing a first-place victory for the Girl’s Cross Country team at the first GPAC meet of the season. This achievement marked a significant milestone for Ruth as she placed 3rd overall, her personal best in GPAC standings.

Ruth’s outstanding performance mirrors the team’s exceptional track record from last season, and they’ve kicked off this year with even greater momentum and determination.

Learn more about Randolph-Macon Academy: www.rma.edu

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In the world of sports, there are athletes who stand out not just for their skill, but for their sheer determination and ability to adapt. This week, we shine a spotlight on Chidera George, a rising star on the R-MA Varsity Soccer Team, who has left a mark on the field.

Chidera George, known for his basketball skills, took a leap of faith by joining the R-MA Varsity Soccer Team. While he had dabbled in soccer during his youth, questions emerged about his transition. Would his readiness on the basketball court transfer to soccer? Could he regain the touch and match the game’s speed? Was his body prepared for the physical demands of soccer? And perhaps most importantly, did they even make size 16 soccer cleats? All these questions are answered with an emphatic “YES!” His remarkable journey from basketball to soccer has been nothing short of inspiring.

Chidera George is not just a player, he’s a leader on the field. This season, he has become the top goal scorer for the R-MA Varsity Soccer Team. He approaches every match with a burning passion for competition, and his athleticism and grit consistently produce high-quality results.

Chidera George, you are a winner in every sense of the word. Your coaches and teammates are not only proud of your achievements but also inspired by your journey. Take a moment to reflect and revel in your contributions to R-MA. You have shown us that with dedication, perseverance, and an unyielding spirit, any challenge can be conquered.

Find out more about the R-MA difference! Visit us out at www.RMA.edu.

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Randolph-Macon Academy showcased its exceptional athletic talent at the recent state meet, with 18 dedicated athletes representing the school. Half of the qualifiers displayed their prowess by securing medals, while many others achieved remarkable personal bests and advanced to the finals in their respective events.

The day commenced with the jumpers and throwers taking center stage. Alhenn Jean ’23 showcased his skill in the long jump, finishing a commendable 6th out of 23 competitors. In the triple jump, he secured 8th place out of 18 participants. Leslie Malin ’23, an outstanding athlete, competed in the long jump and achieved a distance of 13-11.50, earning her a respectable 4th place in the triple jump out of 13 contenders. Malin’s exceptional performance also led to her receiving the Girls Track & Field Most Valuable Athlete award in a recent ceremony at Randolph-Macon Academy.

Toni Ogunlade ’25 demonstrated her remarkable skills in the long jump, securing a spot in the finals with a distance of 14-10.75. Ogunlade was recently honored with the title of Female Most Distinguished Athlete for Randolph-Macon Academy’s spring athletic season, highlighting her outstanding contributions to the team.

The throwers from Randolph-Macon Academy displayed great determination and started the competition on a strong note. Ira Tumenta ’23, despite finishing in 5th place initially, managed to secure a spot in the finals with a personal best throw of 41.06, an impressive achievement. Bridgitte Notewo ’25 exhibited her throwing prowess with a distance of 24.09, showcasing her dedication and skill.

As the meet progressed to the running events, two standout athletes from Randolph-Macon Academy took the field. Ryan Barber, ’26, a first-year student, participated in the discus throw, missing out on the finals by a mere 3 feet. Nevertheless, Barber’s tremendous improvement was evident, with his final throw measuring an impressive 112.09 feet, a 16-foot increase from his initial seeded throw of 96 feet. Kaitlyn Morgan ’23, a senior, participated in the shot put event, where she delivered an exceptional performance. Morgan’s throws earned her a well-deserved 1st place in the girls’ shot put competition, solidifying her status as a formidable athlete.

Ryder Perkins ’24 represented Randolph-Macon Academy as the sole distance runner in the 3200-meter event. Perkins exhibited his endurance and determination, completing the race in 11 minutes and 24.25 seconds.

The sprinters from Randolph-Macon Academy electrified the crowd with their outstanding performances. Toni Ogunlade achieved an impressive 11th place, and Bridgitte Notewo secured the 12th spot in their respective events. Ogunlade also showcased her versatility by participating in the 200-meter sprint, where she finished 10th.

Iman Vactor ’25 displayed her speed and agility in the 400-meter sprint, crossing the finish line with a time of 1 minute and 5.56 seconds. The girls’ 4×100-meter relay team from Randolph-Macon Academy, consisting of Leslie Malin, Iman Vactor, Bridgitte Notewo, and Toni Ogunlade, impressed with their coordination and teamwork, securing a commendable 2nd place in the event.

The boys’ 4×400-meter relay team, comprising Julian Honeyville ’26, Jake Graham ’25, Nolan Kirabo ’27, and Aubin Kambanda ’23, displayed their synergy and clocked an impressive time of 4 minutes and 7.07 seconds. Randolph-Macon Academy’s 4×800-meter relay team, featuring Cole Sauvager ’25, Tanner Abikoff ’27, Jake Graham ’25, and Ryder Perkins, showcased their endurance and teamwork, finishing 10th out of 19 teams with a time of 9 minutes and 29.80 seconds.

The boys’ 4×100-meter relay team, consisting of Brian Nnaji ’24,  Patrick Brewer ’23, and Mayowa Ojutolayo ’23, and Bade Fadamitan.

Individual sprinting events also saw remarkable performances from Randolph-Macon Academy athletes. Bade Fadamitan ’24 secured an impressive 9th-place finish in the 200-meter sprint with a time of 23.59 seconds. Aubin Kambanda ’23, participating in the 400-meter sprint, showcased his speed and determination, completing the race in 55.27 seconds.

The boys’ 4×100-meter relay team, consisting of Brian Nnaji ’24, Bade Fadamitan, Patrick Brewer ’23, and Mayowa Ojutolayo ’23, delivered an exhilarating performance. Missing out on 1st place by a mere .01 milliseconds, the team secured an impressive 2nd place finish with a time of 43.98 seconds. In the individual 100-meter sprint, Patrick Brewer achieved 11th place, while Bade Fadamitan’s impressive run earned him 3rd place with a time of 11.49 seconds.

Mayowa Ojutolayo, Randolph-Macon Academy’s standout sprinter, showcased his dominance on the track. With a spectacular performance in the 100-meter sprint, he secured 1st place in both the preliminaries and the finals, clocking an impressive time of 11.01 seconds. Ojutolayo continued to impress in the 200-meter sprint, where he achieved a personal best time of 21.89 seconds, earning him a spot in the Virginia top 25 rankings. Ojutolayo’s outstanding contributions to the team were recognized with the Boys Track & Field Most Valuable Athlete award at a recent ceremony.

Randolph-Macon Academy’s athletic program continues to showcase excellence, offering a superior university-preparatory curriculum along with an elite Air Force JROTC program. With a remarkable track record of 100% university acceptance for their graduates and millions of dollars in scholarships awarded, Randolph-Macon Academy continues to stand out as an educational institution dedicated to academic and athletic success. To learn more about the unique experience offered at Randolph-Macon Academy, visit their website at www.RMA.edu .

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Randolph-Macon Academy girls won their soccer game on Thursday, March 23, at home against Quantico — 4-1.

“The girls played as a team, hustled, and won as a team. They showed great sportsmanship, never let their guard down, and came out on top.” – Coach Reynolds

#gojackets

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