Fork Union Military Academy is a Baptist military school in Fork Union, Virginia. The school is more commonly known by its acronym FUMA (pronounced few-mah through the 70's and now pronounced phu-mah). The school has two academic "sessions", the summer session, and regular school session. Illustration of the backyards of a surburban neighbourhood Suburbs are inhabited districts located either on the outer rim of a city or outside the official limits of a city (the term varies from country to country), or the outer elements of a conurbation. ... A Baptist is a member of a Baptist church or any follower of Jesus Christ who believes that baptism is administered by the full immersion of a confessing Christian. ... There are three types of military academies: High school level institutions (up to age 19), university level institutions, and those only serving to prepare officer cadets for commissioning into the armed services of a state ( such as RMA Sandhurst ). United States usage The term Military School primarily refers to (middle... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ...

Mission

The official mission of Fork Union Military Academy is "to provide young men a college preparatory education in a residential, Christian environment. Using the best aspects of the military system, the Academy teaches its cadets responsibility, leadership, discipline, and pride by providing an atmosphere in which spiritual, mental, and physical growth can flourish." A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school (usually shortened to preparatory school, or prep school) is a private secondary school (or high school) designed to prepare a student for higher education. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Christianity. ...

Military instruction is used to organize the daily routine -- providing an environment with discipline, cooperation, and teamwork. While the Academy has no direct relationship with any branch of the military, this environment has proven successful for more than 100 years as the grounding for intensive classroom instruction, spiritual development, and a championship athletic program.

FUMA's crest shows a pair of crossed swords, a book and a star. These three symbols represent FUMA's bedrock of leading principles: body, mind, and spirit.

The hallmark of the Fork Union academic program is their One-Subject Plan. For more than 40 years, the strengths of this method of instruction have won praise from cadets, parents, and alumni. The One-Subject Plan immerses students completely in each of their subjects, as they take only one course at a time, focusing all their attention on that subject for seven weeks. The Academy's dedicated faculty work with small class groups of 10-20 students. Through the Plan, students gain a firmer grasp of difficult subjects and retain more of what they learn. A mandatory evening study period teaches them to concentrate and helps them learn to eliminate distractions and sharpen their focus on important goals. The One-Subject Plan provides the framework for students to learn self-discipline and study skills that will help to ensure their success through college and their adult lives.

Fork Union's English as a Second Language (ESL) program provides a strong job start for international students who wish to develop their ability to communicate in English. Content area classes challenge students to practice their growing language ability within the context of their academic studies. Combining ESL instruction with direct language immersion through school activities and daily life at the Academy, the program encourages non-native speakers to improve their English proficiency while providing the support they need.

The Academy also offers a five-week, non-military summer session including courses in English, History, Language, Mathematics and Science.

History

The school has been operating since 1898 in central Virginia since it was founded by Dr. William E. Hatcher. Over the years it has become the nationally accredited respectable military school that it is today, and it still provides discipline and education to students in grades 6 to post graduate. 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Generally, accreditation is the process by which a facility becomes officially certified as providing services of a reasonably good quality, so that the public can trust in the quality of its services. ...

The school has historically had many benefactors that have helped keep it up and running, and evidence of this can be seen in the names of its buildings. For example, the Guy E. Beatty Library, the Estes Dining Center, Hatcher Hall, and the Wicker Science Center. FUMA is also a profit organization that is managed by a board of trustees.

Scandal

In 1997, a Fork Union Military Academy middle school teacher, Gregory Allen Moyer, was convicted of 14 counts of taking indecent liberties with a a child for acts that took place at FUMA with cadets, including taking pornographic photos of underage cadets. Surprisingly, the parents of one of his victims took him into their home while Moyer appealed his case to the Virginia Supreme Court. He eventually skipped out on the $50,000 bail that the couple had posted for him. He was arrested in Mexico on April 16, 2004, after students at the mexican School in which he was teaching found his profile on America's Most Wanted. He is currently incarcerated in Fluvanna county. source: America's Most Wanted entry

Sports at FUMA

Football

FUMA is respected in the football arena, where two of its graduates have gone on to win Heisman Trophies and several have been draft picks by National Football League teams. Heisman Trophy winners from FUMA were Vinny Testaverde ('86) and Eddie George ('95). Current and former NFL players who are FUMA alumni include the following: The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (also known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, is considered the most prestigious award in American college football. ... The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (also known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, is considered the most prestigious award in American college football. ... Vincent Frank Testaverde (born November 13, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is a American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues New England Patriots. ... Edward Nathan George, Jr. ...

• Harold Roe Bartle, AFL standout and former mayor of Kansas City (the Chiefs are named after him -- his nickname was "Chief" Bartle)
• Darryl Blackstock, LB
• Plaxico Burress, WR
• Dexter Coakley, LB
• Jim Druckenmiller, QB
• Rickey Dudley, TE
• Eddie George, RB (Heisman Trophy winner, 1995)
• Don Majkowski, QB
• Billy McMullen, WR
• Roman Oben, OT
• Chris Perry, RB
• Mike Quick, WR
• Sonny Randle, WR
• Vinny Testaverde, QB (Heisman Trophy winner, 1986)
• Ernest Wilford, WR

Harold Roe Bennett Sturdevant Bartle (June 25, 1901 — May 9, 1974) was a professional American scouter, who was also during his lifetime a lawyer, banker, cattleman, politician, college president and renowned public speaker. ... Darryl Blackstock (born May 30, 1983) is an American football player who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals. ... MARRIED MAN Plaxico Burress (born August 12, 1977 in Norfolk, Virginia) is an American football wide receiver for the NFLs New York Giants. ... William Dexter Coakley (born October 20, 1972 in Mt. ... Jim Druckenmiller (born September 19, 1972 in Northampton, Pennsylvania) was a quarterback in the NFL, XFL and AFL. Druckenmiller was drafted in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. ... Rickey Deshun Dudley (born July 15, 1972 in Henderson, Texas), is an American former professional football player. ... Edward Nathan George, Jr. ... Don Majik Majkowski (born February 25, 1964 in Buffalo, New York) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions. ... Billy McMullen (born March 8, 1980) is a National Football League wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. ... Roman Oben is an offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. Previously he played for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ... Chris Perry(born December 27, 1981) is an NFL runningback. ... Mike Quick (born May 15, 1959) is a former American Football wide receiver who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles (1982-1990). ... Sonny Randle (born January 6, 1936) was a wide receiver in the NFL. Categories: | | | ... Vincent Frank Testaverde (born November 13, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is a American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues New England Patriots. ... Ernest Lee Wilford (born January 14, 1979 in Richmond, Virginia) is an American football wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. Wilford was drafted by the Jaguars with the 24th pick of the 4th round in the 2004 NFL Draft. ...

Basketball

The basketball program at FUMA has been nationally respected, as well. The varsity team, coached by Col. Fletcher Arritt, has historically been very competitive and has served to help several young men play at the college and NBA levels.

Cross Country

The FUMA XC team is coached by Coaches Brown, Ransone, and Haney. FUMA also has a very good cross country team, with the 2006 team being led by Polish exchange student Axel Mostrag. The 2006 cross country team won the Virginia Independent Schools state championship, posting a score of 28. That score broke the old record of 29, set by the 1989 FUMA team and shared by the 1993 Paul VI squad.

Track and Field

Guided by Coach Winston Brown, the FUMA outdoor track and field team won its 19th consecutive Virginia Independent Schools state championship in the spring of 2006.

Swimming and Diving

Coaches Jim Bocci and Brett Balhoff train the Fork Union Aquatic Club (FUAC) swim team (USA Swimming) and the Fork Union Military Academy Swim Team (High School) at Fork Union Military Academy's pool, opened in the 2005-2006 school year. So far, the team has produced one high-profile swimmer, and several upcomers.

Will Trainor is the most notable of the swimmers so far, breaking a Virginia State swimming record in the 50 yard Freestyle with a 21.12 second time.

Upcoming swimmers this year include the following seniors:

Blake McAfee, Bryan Halfpap, Ryan Hedges,

The FUAC website contains information about FUMA High-school swimming as well.

www.fuac.org

External links

• http://www.forkunion.com/