R-MA graduates to loud celebrations

View larger image Graduating seniors share smiles and tears after commencement at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Graduating seniors line up outside before the beginning of the commencement service at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Graduating cadets listen to the Commencement Service at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Retired U.S. Army General J. H. Binford Peay III, Superintendent of VMI and guest speaker, delivers his speech during the Commencement Service at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Cadet Whitney Lee stands beside her aunt, Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, after the Commencement Service at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Cadet Colonel Max Ramundo, Corps Commander and Valedictorian, delivers his speech to the 2010 graduating class during the Commencement Service at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily

By Preston Knight - pknight@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- If Randolph-Macon Academy ever wanted to turn its graduation ceremony into a cheer competition, the battle for first would be fierce.

As each member of the 87 graduates in the class of 2010 had his or her name called Saturday morning, the anticipation of the level of enthusiasm that would follow from the crowd become one of the most interesting aspects of the hour-long event. There was loud applause for everyone, but mixed in throughout were shouts, standing ovations, an air horn and even one group of supporters with the name of their graduate spelled out on a number of signs, one letter written on each.

Since at many graduations people in attendance are told, although they rarely listen, to hold the applause until the end, the level of excitement for all of the academy's seniors was refreshing and a reminder of what the mood of this day should be like. After all, as keynote speaker Gen. J. H. Binford Peay III, superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, said, they had just completed an intellectually and physically demanding load at R-MA.

"When you look in that mirror tonight," he said, "always see a citizen armed with virtue."

The class of 2010 amassed $6.15 million in scholarships, which is a school record, said Max Ramundo, the valedictorian and corps commander. For a student to hold those two titles in itself is rare. Ramundo is heading to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall.

He told the audience that he found his graduation speech to be like life -- you get only one shot at it, and if you mess up, it's "all on you."

Peay, however, might be one of the exceptions. Just two weeks ago, he took part in VMI's commencement. Peay drew comparisons between VMI cadets and R-MA's graduates, noting that both groups have been instilled with the values of individual responsibility and respect for others.

He spoke of what attributes great leaders have, and he would seem to be an expert on the topic -- among his achievements is assuming command of the 101st Airborne Division of the Army in 1989 and leading it throughout Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf and later being named commander-in-chief of U.S. Central Command an MacDill Air Force Base in Florida in 1994. Peay has led VMI since July 1, 2003.

Great leaders have vision, competency in their daily duties, a care for others, a quiet excellence with "absolutely" no ego and are steady under pressure, he said.

"You're young. You're vigorous. You're confident," Peay said. "The future is yours."

For Matthew Walsh, the destination is Saint Louis University, where he plans to study aviation management and become a pilot. First things first, he had to finish his career at R-MA, and he admitted that there was little sleep to be had Friday night.

"It's like sleeping before Kings Dominion," Walsh said.

There were no roller coasters Saturday, though, and with every cheer and blow of the air horn from the crowd during the ceremony, there didn't seem to be many emotional ups and downs, either. It was simply time to celebrate.

"Everybody is one big family," said Mary Sadler, of Front Royal. "It's a small, diverse community. It's easy to get along with everybody."