September 14th, 2019
HARGRAVE
Upcoming Events
- Monday 16 Sept
- Hargrave Admissions at Boarding School 101, Charlotte Preparatory School (NC)
- Tuesday 17 Sept
- JV Soccer @ North Cross — 1700
- Varsity Soccer vs. SWVA Homeschool — 1700
- Wednesday 18 Sept
- End of Interim for 1st Marking Period
- Yearbook: Underclassmen Photos — Auditorium — 1330
- Thursday 19 Sept
- Interim grades posted
- Chapel — 0730
- JV Soccer @ Fork Union — 1630
- Varsity Soccer vs. Carlisle — 1630
- Cross Country @ New Covenant Invitational — 1630
- Friday 20 Sept — First Open Weekend
- Open Weekend Checkout — 1230
- Football @ Isle of Wight — 1800
- Saturday 21 Sept — Open Weekend
- Activity Trip to Virginia Military Institute Football Game with Alumni Tailgate
- 27–28 Sept — Weekend of Service (see below)
- Save the Date: Parents’ Weekend, 11–14 Oct. More details to follow. Events begin on Friday afternoon: Parent/Teacher conferences, College application seminars, New Cadet Pinning, Honor Rolls, Parade in Honor of Parents, etc.
Founders’ Day Celebration
On Saturday, September 7, Hargrave Military Academy celebrated the 110th anniversary of the founding of our great institution. By company, cadets competed in several events, such as obstacle course, dizzy bat races, tug-of-war competitions, and humorous skits about the founding of Hargrave. After working up a ferocious appetite, our cadets enjoyed a massive barbecue put on by Sage Dining Services. Cadets chowed down on grilled hotdogs and hamburgers served with all the best sides, and finished up with a generous portion of Founders’ Day cake cut by Colonel Brown himself.
Throughout the celebration, our entire Hargrave community: parents, cadets, alumni, staff, and faculty, reflected on their past, present, and future connections to Hargrave. The event instilled pride, connection, and respect within our current Corps of Cadets, helping them to understand the significance of their relationship with Hargrave Military Academy forevermore.
Local Churches Welcome Cadets
On Sunday, September 8th, the churches of Chatham opened their doors to Hargrave cadets. This was an opportunity for our cadets to connect with the town of Chatham, its people, and its history, as well as to engage with their spiritual lives outside of the Hargrave campus.
In the days leading up to the event, cadets were provided with a list of local churches that they could choose to attend. For the churches nestled within the heart of the Chatham community, cadets marched to the service. For those a bit further out, volunteer staff and faculty members provided transportation for cadets.
Pastor Chuck Warnock of Chatham Baptist Church said “The cadets are always welcome. Today’s visit was great.... We are happy to have cadets anytime.” Faculty member Debra Pugh, who is also a member of Chatham Presbyterian Church, enthused that the cadets “who came to the Presbyterian Church were gentlemen in every sense of the word” and that seeing the cadets at the service thrilled the members.
Upon returning to campus, many cadets expressed their eagerness to attend services next Sunday. Cadet Corey Walker, a Senior, attended Cornerstone Church of Christ and stated that he “had the best visit” and that the church members were very welcoming to the Hargrave cadets. “I felt like the president!”
College Fair and Military College Night
Hargrave’s annual College Fair and Military College Night was a roaring success this year! Our young men had the opportunity to meet with representatives from nearly 60 colleges/universities between both events. Schools in attendance included: Virginia Tech, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Florida, University of Alabama, High Point University, Virginia Military Institute, James Madison University, as well as the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Naval Academy.
During the Military College night, we were fortunate to have some returning alumni come back to encourage and challenge their brothers as college admissions representatives:
- Nicholas Mackenzie (Virginia Tech ROTC)
- Rob Englander (Virginia Military Institute)
- Cadet Kennedy
- Joseph Murray (Virginia Military Institute)
- Cadet Thomas
- Chandler Wilke (Virginia Tech ROTC)
- Cadet Benjamin
The following schools or programs were represented and gave the cadets an encouraging message about this particular college format and the variety of potential career outcomes (private civilian, government, and military careers):
- United States Military Academy (West Point)
- United States Naval Academy (Annapolis)
- Army ROTC option
- Navy/Marine ROTC option
- Norwich University
- New Mexico Military Institute
- Valley Forge Military College
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets
- University of North Georgia
2019 Weekend of Service
Each fall, dedicated alumni, families, and friends come to campus for a Weekend of Service. This annual volunteer event gives opportunity to serve alongside cadets, faculty, and staff in campus beautification projects. Alumni and friends who participate in this weekend, both through hands-on service or monetary gifts to support the expenses, often share that Hargrave was an important part of their lives and they want to “give back.” This event has significantly benefited the Hargrave community in past years, and this annual Weekend of Service will surely be no different!
Beginning on Friday, September 27th, this year’s Weekend of Service will kick off with a tailgate at Thompson Track before a home football game against QE Academy. Official check-in for service projects is held Saturday, September 28th, during breakfast in the mess hall. After breakfast, service projects will begin, including power-washing around Cheatham Chapel, painting in the Davis Gym and of the bleachers of the Dick Dyer Football Field, and landscaping around campus, particularly near the Lankford House Museum. Colonel Brown looks forward to thanking all volunteers for their support during the day’s finale tailgate at the Baker House (president’s quarters)!
We invite all parents, siblings, families, and friends to join the Hargrave community for this year’s Weekend of Service, which is coordinated through the Office of Development. Please find the full schedule on the alumni events page.
For our planning requirements, kindly RSVP to the Office of Development at [email protected] or 434-432-2692 by Monday, September 23rd, if you are planning to participate.
Regards,
Ben J. Wall '92
Director of Alumni Relations
New Staff
Rachael Carter
Hello! My name is Rachael Carter and I am the front receptionist for Hargrave Military Academy. I graduated with a B.S. in Hotel & Lodging Management from Johnson & Wales University. I man the switchboard and main number so there’s a pretty good chance you’ll talk to me when you call the school. I will answer general questions and concerns, or I’ll forward you to someone who can answer them in a more detailed fashion. I also provide direction when visitors come by and may need help. I take great pride in being able to help people get the answers that they may need and to keep people in the loop when it comes to information that may be pertinent to the situation.
Casey Brown
Hello, Tigers. My name is Casey Brown and I am excited to be the Sports Information Director and Physical Education teacher at Hargrave Military Academy. Raised in Florida and Indiana, I played collegiate baseball for Indiana State University and graduated with honors from Western New England University. For the past sixteen years I have enjoyed working at numerous independent boarding and day schools as part of the administrative team in the capacity as Director of Information Technology. During my career in private education, I have served as an advisor, dorm parent, baseball, football, and strength & conditioning coach. It has been my privilege to work with hundreds of student athletes and to lead several talented and hard-working teams to state titles.
When I have free time I enjoy fishing, traveling with my family, and spending time outdoors. I live in Chatham with my two daughters, Isabel and Zoe, our dog Hope, and my wonderful wife Nicole, who is the Dean of Students at Chatham Hall. Together we are committed in helping educate and develop great young men and women.
I hope to meet everyone on the athletic fields as we cheer on our fighting Tigers!