The 137th Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets gathered to celebrate commencement on May 16 in MMA’s Centennial Gymtorium. The 49 cadets from the Class of 2026 represent a diverse group of young men from 15 U.S. states and five different countries.

This year’s graduating class has been offered more than $13.1 million in college scholarships, including three Army ROTC scholarships.

Serving as the commencement keynote speaker was Dean Davison, founder of Davison Strategic Communication in Kansas City and a 1978 MMA graduate. Davison spent seven years as an MMA cadet after arriving in 1971 as a sixth grader from Mercer, Missouri. During his senior year, he served as battalion commander and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1978.

In his address, Davison encouraged graduates to carry forward the discipline, integrity, humility and brotherhood they developed at MMA as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

“Your experience here at MMA has prepared you for the next step … Honor the legacy of those who have stepped across this campus before you and set an honorable example for those who follow,” Davison said, pointing out the MMA alumni who put to work what they learned at MMA — grit, empathy and integrity.

“The world needs men with empathy. Men who look people in the eye … who lead with integrity. Men with a purpose. Who choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong,” Davison said, reminding the group of one of the key tenets of the MMA Cadet Prayer.

That same message of purpose, resilience and brotherhood was echoed by Missouri Military Academy President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret), during the annual Senior Banquet on Friday, May 15.

“You graduate with more than a high school diploma,” Geraci said. “You have MMA's core values as a solid foundation to guide you in your life's journey. You are equipped with the ability to set goals for yourself, overcome adversity and the power of self-discipline, and the MMA brotherhood, a bond of love and trust that will keep you connected and supporting each other for the rest of your lives.”

Several cadets and companies were honored for their exceptional achievements during commencement ceremonies.

Bravo Company earned the prestigious Honor Company Award for the 2025-26 academic year.
Band Company, commanded by Cadet Jacob Stallone, received both the Highest Disciplinary Standing Award and the Thomas R. Wiles Company Spirit Award. The Company also earned the Highest Scholastic Standing Award with an average grade point average of 3.7.
Echo Company, led by Cadet Aaden Bado, earned the Highest Athletic Standing Award as well as the M-Club Company Award, presented to the company with the most athletes lettering in two sports.
Charlie Company, commanded by Cadet Clayton Reich, was recognized with the Highest Military Standing Award.
Cadet Aaden Bado received the award for outstanding performance by a Company Commander for the 2025-2026 school year.

The top individual academic honor went to Cadet Clayton Reich of Phoenix, Arizona, who received the Dr. James C. Olson Award, donated by former University of Missouri President Dr. James C. Olson. The award is presented to the cadet with the highest scholarship in the graduating class and recognizes the class valedictorian. Cadets Nguyen Minh Duc Ho of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, and River Punab-Mitchell of Hollister, Missouri, shared the distinction of salutatorian.

The Dick Abbott, Bob Albright Class of 1949 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, voted on by the faculty, was presented to CW4 Jason Landrum, USA (Ret), as the outstanding teacher for the 2025-2026 school year.

Additional top cadet honors included:

The Dorsey Anderson Class of 1895 Cup for the cadet exerting the most gentlemanly example was awarded to Cadet Jesus Robinson of Schiller Park, Illinois.
The Charles I. Wall Cup, honoring a cadet who best exemplifies character, leadership, scholarship and service, was presented to Cadet Fernando Velasquez Pohls of Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Don Hooton Class of 1919 Fellowship Cup, recognizing the cadet senior considered most valuable to the institution, was awarded to Cadet Bryce McIlwain of Hampstead, North Carolina.
The Legion of Honor, the highest award presented to an MMA cadet, was awarded to Cadet Jacob Stallone of Lima, Ohio.

The 2026 Robert H. Weaver Memorial Award was presented to the Reid family of Muskegon, Michigan, in recognition of their outstanding support of Missouri Military Academy and the corps of cadets. David and Jessica Reid, parents of Cadet Drake Reid ’28, were recognized for their dedicated support of the Academy’s soccer and wrestling programs and their continued investment in cadet success.