GMC News

GMC Service Academy Prep Scholars Celebrated in Matriculation Ceremony

56 members of the Georgia Military College Corps of Cadets completed their time at GMC during a matriculation ceremony celebrating the GMC Service Academy Prep Scholars. These Cadets have worked throughout the year to earn appointments to our nation’s United States Service Academies. Of the 56 that completed the GMC Service Academy Preparatory Program, 51 have earned appointments to their desired academies, with several more awaiting a decision.

At the time of the matriculation ceremony, 56 members completed the GMC program, with 51, including Self-Prep Scholars, having received appointments from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Merchant Academy in Kings Point, New York.

“This is a very exciting time for our Cadets as they leave Georgia Military College as leaders, continuing their education and beginning their service at one of our nation’s prestigious United States Service Academies,” said President of Georgia Military College, Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV, USA (Ret). “Each of these Cadets worked incredibly hard throughout the year and identified what area they needed to focus on to achieve their end goal of earning an appointment. Whether it was academics or physical fitness, these young men and women excelled and officially earned their spots at a U.S. Service Academy. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and commitment to serve our nation.”

The GMC Corps of Cadets Service Academy Preparatory Program is an affiliated prep school that prepares candidates in the academic, physical training, character development, and leadership skills needed for them to excel at any of the five military service academies. The 10-month-long Service Academy Preparatory Program has maintained an impressive success rate, with over 90% of Service Academy Prep Scholars being granted an appointment to their desired Service Academy. Instead of the typical maximum credit hours required each term, Prep Scholars must take a minimum of 18-24 credit hours in a rigorous program of studies that focus on STEM courses. GMC operates on a quarter system, so the workload requires time management and discipline – two of the many skills Scholars learn at GMC. They also endure a daily schedule of physical training, character, and leadership development, and taking time to serve others through community service.

Congratulations to the GMC Service Academy Prep Scholars that earned appointments!

U.S. Air Force Academy

Lydia Barnett – Portland, OR

Justin Beaudreau – Clifton, VA

Jessica Bosch – Mullica Hill, NJ

Izaiah Clinkscales (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Loxahatchee, FL

Maria Davison (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Cramerton, NC

Cole Haney (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – McDonald, TN

Chloe Hill – St. Augustine, FL

Lea Kendall – Andalusia, IL

Nova Kroll – Pittsburgh, PA

Aiyanna McGarrell – Kathleen, GA

Christopher Pombo – Brewster, MA

Annabelle Roberts – Whiteman Air Force Base, MO

Julianna Romano – Bordentown, NJ

Jacob Wielhouwer (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Eagle River, WI

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Jerry James Banek-Gabelle – Aurora, CO

Jackson Beal – Castle Rock, CO

Taylor Cole – Upper Marlboro, MD

Helena Farias (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Severn, MD

Miguel Flowers (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Waterford, CT

Molly Garrett (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Simsbury, CT

Gabriella Kraus-Rivera (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – West Linn, OR

Emily Mar – West Springfield, MA

Kimber Moring (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Folsom, CA

Aislinn Murray – MD

Jordan Prinner (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Citrus Springs, FL

Savannah Riera (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Cranford, NJ

Aidan Rostkowski – Farmington, CT

Jean Ryu – Suwanee, GA

Gina Sobinovsky – Martinsburg, WV

Lisa Sobinovsky – Martinsburg, WV

Piper Stephens – Melbourne, FL

Alaina Stonebraker (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Sandy, UT

Samson Tighe – Weatherford, TX

Tealani Wasson – Milledgeville, GA

U.S. Military Academy –West Point

Ron Chajmovic (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Chagrin Falls, OH

Heath Durfield (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Purvis, MS

Ty Ezell (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Sweetwater, TN

Jack Feightner – Wyomissing, PA

Rich Gash – West Point, NY

Kennison Harmon – Darien, CT

Ian Howell – Pelham, AL

Cooper Otalora (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Elizabethtown, KY

Ryan Toomey (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – St. Augustine, FL

U.S. Naval Academy
Michael Fisher – Sumter, SC
Warren Stephens – Mobile, AL
Jake Woods (also graduating with an Associate degree from GMC) – Cape Coral, FL

Self-Prep Scholars

Brian Beirne (received appointment to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) – Madison, CT
Nathan Corr (received appointment to U.S. Coast Guard Academy) – Boyceville, WI
Nathan Fitt (received appointment to U.S. Coast Guard Academy) – Newton, NJ
Aidan Garcia (received appointment to U.S. Coast Guard Academy) – Durham, CT
Brendan Straw (received appointment to U.S. Military Academy – West Point) – Astoria, NY

Additionally, three Cadets that were in the GMC Early Commissioning Program applied for appointments during their first year at GMC and all three received them. These Cadets were not affiliated with the GMC Service Academy Preparatory Program, but they were members of the 143^rd GMC Corps of Cadets like the Scholars. Each of these individuals will be going to the U.S. Military Academy – West Point this summer. Congratulations to:

Gregory Frazier – Jesup, GA
James Lahrman – Winter Park, CO
Jared Rhymer – Brooks, GA

Congratulations to all who earned appointments to U.S. Service Academies! Return with honor!