GMC News

GMC Service Academy Scholars Celebrated in 2023 Matriculation Ceremony

52 members of the Georgia Military College Corps of Cadets concluded their time at GMC during a matriculation ceremony celebrating the GMC Service Academy Scholars on May 18, 2023. These Cadets have worked throughout the year to earn appointments to the United States Service Academies by competing GMC’s one-year Service Academy Preparatory Program. Of the 52 scholars that completed the program, 48 have earned appointments including non-sponsored Scholars, to 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, and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

GMC has a long-standing tradition of supporting students who aspire to serve their country through prestigious service academies. This ceremony celebrates the achievements and dedication of the graduating scholars who have successfully completed their prep year at GMC and will soon embark on their respective journeys at renowned service academies across the country.

“The matriculation ceremony marks an important milestone for these exceptional scholars, as they transition from GMC to their selected service academies” said President of Georgia Military College, Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV, USA (Ret). “This event serves as a tribute to their hard work, resilience, and commitment to serving their country. Each of these Cadets with the support of their families 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 take immense pride in the achievements of these scholars and 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 92% 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 Preparatory Program Scholars for completed their time at Georgia Military College!

 U.S. Air Force Academy

Cadet Mackenzie Ayriss, Clarkston, MI

Cadet Jossell Bakheet, Westerville, OH

Cadet Luke DeBono, Levittown, NY

Cadet Jude Ginther, Oro Valley, AZ

Cadet Allyson Keel, Pierce, CO

Cadet Lourdes Klem, Miami, FL

Cadet Alessandra Lascari, New Hartford, CT

Cadet Nikita Podgurschi, Chicago, IL

Cadet Jared Smith, Walkerton, IN

Cadet Joseph Worth, Woodbury, MN

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Cadet Abigail Bassingthwaite, Wentworth, NH

Cadet Ashley Boley, Edmond, OK

Cadet Graham Copeland, Alexandria, VA

Cadet Emily Cortes, South Plainfield, NJ

Cadet Mary Delfino, Alpharetta, GA

Cadet Levi Edmonds, Vestavia Hills, AL

Cadet Brenden Engstrom, Brea, CA

Cadet Jake Fish, Little Silver, NJ

Cadet Conner FitzMaurice, Port Chester, NY

Cadet Alyssa Howry, New Port Richey, FL

Cadet Diana Leyton, Lusby, MD

Cadet Lauren Love, San Antonio, TX

Cadet Jackson Mamock, Sterret, AL

Cadet Aidan Marroquin, Binghamton, NY

Cadet Anabelle Pezzullo, Ashaway, RI

Cadet Robert Pistoria, Bear, DE

Cadet Cheyenne Pullen, San Francisco, CA

Cadet Gisselle Vega, El Paso, TX

U.S. Military Academy –West Point

Cadet Owen Beigel, Charlotte, NC

Cadet Jordyn Detz, Wallkill, NY

Cadet Jake Harmon, Roselle, IL

Cadet Curtis Kimble, Humble, TX

Cadet Brock Mattson, Oak Creek, WI

Cadet Noah Miller, Bridgewater, VA

Cadet Dustin Wagner, Wilmington, NC

Cadet Braden Whitman, College Grove, TN

U.S. Naval Academy

Cadet Diego Aragon, Mora, NM

Cadet ZJ Hoffman, Encinitas, CA

Cadet Adriana Lopez, Murfreesboro, TN

Cadet Benning Rojas-Kerbow, Eagles Point, OR

Cadet Courtney Stocks, Silverdale, WA

Cadet Saxon Weaver, Fargo, ND

Non-Sponsored Scholars

Cadet Viola Ajro, Southlake, TX – U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Cadet Micah Steudle, Appling, GA – U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Cadet Josephine Buckland, Winder, GA – U.S. Air Force Academy

Cadet Maxwell Rischar, Buford, GA – U.S. Air Force Academy

Cadet Collin Fletcher, Hampstead, NC – U.S. Military Academy –West Point

Cadet Rebecca Nicholson, Winder, GA – U.S. Military Academy –West Point

Cadet Bryce Wooten, Ormond Beach, FL – U.S. Military Academy –West Point

Cadet Thorin Bridges, Earlton, NY

Cadet Emily Faint, Highhland Falls, NY

Cadet Austin Sidener, Savannah ,GA