In March, new Missouri Military Academy cadets were officially inducted into the 132nd MMA Corps of Cadets at the MMA Passing Through Ceremony.

The Passing Through Ceremony is a MMA tradition that officially welcomes new cadets into the corps following their successful completion of the Maroon Phase training, the cadet handbook test, and the Crucible. The handbook test consists of questions concerning MMA rules and regulations, the Honor Code, and Academy history and traditions.

The culminating event is the Crucible, a series of mental and physical challenges cadets must negotiate as individuals and as a team, with tasks such as a six-mile hike, a three-mile 16-obstacle trail run, a river crossing exercise and a team paintball challenge.

“The Crucible is about goal setting, teamwork, perseverance and building confidence — and I was extremely proud to watch our new cadets help and encourage each other, and most importantly never give up,” said MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). “The Crucible is one of several, key MMA events that provide the foundation for building character, overcoming obstacles and for each cadet to really learn about himself. I know many of the boys have never been challenged to the degree we challenged them, and they and their families should be very proud of what they accomplished.”

To signify their official entry into the corps, new cadets were awarded and authorized to wear the coveted MMA hat brass that bears the MMA crest.

The following cadets were officially inducted into the 132nd MMA Corps of Cadets at the MMA Passing Through Ceremony on March 5, 2021:

• · John Carlos Ahuja, son of Karen and David Ahuja, from Fayetteville, Arkansas
• · Jancarlo Barajas, son of Lizeth Nava, from San Clemente, California
• · Reagan Ammons, son of Cheryl Evans and Paul Ammons, from Springfield, Missouri
• · Isaiah Cooper, son of Nora and Jon Cooper, from Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Timothy Biletski, son of Olga Biletska, from Chicago, Illinois
• Colin Beck, son of Tabitha Beck, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri
• Narathorn Cunningham, son of Kanitta Sangchawee and Francis Cunningham, from Conway, Arkansas
• Dominic Dial, son of Tiffany and Johnathan Dial, from Marine, Illinois
• Sergio Dorochenko, son of Miroslava Dorochenko, from Lexington, Kentucky
• Donovan Drewry, son of Elizabeth Geiter and Dylan Drewry, from Blue Springs, Missouri
• Jared England, son of Bobby England, from Pittsfield, Illinois
• Wayland Evans, son of Bradley and Sally Evans, from Killeen, Texas
• Matthew Hallam, son of James and Rebecca Hallam, from Dallas, Texas
• Ethan and Evan Hicks, sons of Jessica Sanchez, from Castle Rock, Colorado
• Colton Higgins, son of Kelly Higgins, from Duluth Minnesota
• Braiden Lunsford, son of Brittany Lunsford, from Vilonia, Arkansas
• DeKoven Martin, grandson of Donna Martin, from Crowley, Texas
• Damarion Murray, son of Barbara Murray and Deonte Collins, from Lansing, Illinois
• Ashton Nail, son of Tiffany Taylor, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
• Jackson Ongman, son of Heidi and Patrick Ongman, from Huntington Beach, California
• Michael Polaschek, son of Karla and Daryl Van Keulen, from Davenport, Iowa
• Gavin Roberts, son of Angela Pestello, from Rogers, Arkansas
• Victor Salinas, son of Yovana García and  José Luis Salinas, from Mission, Texas
• Roger Shue, son of Loretta Driver, from Edwardsville, Illinois
• Sean Springer, son of Jennifer and Darrell Springer, from Garfield, Arkansas
• Matthew Taylor, son of Sarah Ehlen and  Ryan Taylor, from St. Louis, Missouri
• Brennan Williams, son of Kristen Welborn and  Jeffrey Williams, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri
• Mica Zumann, son of Jennifer Golden Zumann, from Chicago, Illinois
• Noble Ishimwe, son of Vincent Sano and Mary Nyagato, from Kicukiro City, Kigali
• Hector Gonzalez, son of Hector Gonzalez and Karla Cavazos, from  Allende N.L., Mexico