The weather could not have been more appropriate for our recent open weekend. The cadets needed some warm outdoor time. Hargrave’s JV and Varsity basketball teams lost to Covenant Friday evening. However, the varsity earned a shot at the conference tournament that begins on Tuesday. HMA’s wrestlers went to Richmond for the state championship. John Kneppler placed 6th and Jack Neblett won a fourth place earning him an invitation to the National Championships. The swim team traveled to Manassas Virginia to participate in the state championship tournament. The relay team earned a ninth place and Cadet Charles Totten achieved a personal best in the Butterfly and qualified for “Nationals.” Go Charles!

Cadets that elected to remain on campus this weekend had the opportunity to attend a professional NBA game in Charlotte NC. In addition several students went on a movie trip to Danville. This was the first weekend for our House Mother to join the CIS students. Mrs. Shelton arrived armed with homemade cookies which were a big hit. I visited her Sunday afternoon and she said many cadets have visited her room to get to know her.

On Thursday cadets will travel to Cambridge, MA to participate in the Harvard Model Congress. Students have worked very hard to prepare for this outstanding opportunity. I am sure they will have great stories when they return. HMA’s Scout troop is considering a hiking trip on the “AT” (Appalachian Trail). We have to determine the condition of the hiking trails because a lot of the recent snow and ice remains in shaded areas. Also this week Hargrave’s Band will travel to Randolph Macon Academy to participate in a military band competition.

Hargrave’s forth marking period ends this Friday. Also on Friday and Saturday Hargrave will host the First Piedmont Military Basketball Tournament. Hargrave’s undefeated PG team will play teams from Fishburne, Massanutten, and Fork Union.

As a big surprise to our cadets we canceled classes this past Wednesday so the students could sleep late and participate in the “Winter Festival.” Students gathered in the Grant gym in their PT uniform to join in the activities. We had a dunking booth so cadets could throw a ball and dunk a faculty or staff member, a cup cake eating, a basketball shooting, and a push up contest and gladiator type floating platform. Lunch was served in the gym and the students “hung out” until sports time. The purpose was to break the monotony of the long snowy days we have experienced. Please look at the pictures on Face Book.

Hargrave cadets had the opportunity to participate in many activities and outings this weekend. HMA’s varsity soccer team traveled to Richmond Va. for a Valentine’s Day soccer tournament. They played three games in a scrimmage atmosphere. Troop 68 traveled to the Triangle Rock Club in Raleigh NC. The rock club is an indoor mountain climbing and training center where the scouts could work on their climbing merit badges. They spent the night in the climbing facility which is owned by a Hargrave alumnus. Six Scouts were able to earn the climbing merit badge. Hargrave swimmers participated in the VIC championship tournament in Roanoke Va. on Friday and Saturday. Currently Hargrave is tied for the VIC Championship. Finally on Friday the juniors and seniors joined in for a fun evening around a bonfire to discuss goals for the remainder of the year.

Saturday was another full day. HMA wrestlers went to LCA for a tournament and earned an overall third place. SgtMajor Hofer took his leadership class to Quantico Va. to tour the Marine Corps Museum. Another group went to Winter Green for a ski/snow board trip. JV and varsity basketball had games on Saturday and the varsity defeated a strong Eastern Mennonite team. Capt Wilson and Capt Robinson took Hargrave’s band and color guard to Roanoke for a “massing of the bands” to honor WWII veterans.

Paint ball competition was the activity highlight for Sunday. Sunday evening was the beginning of Hargrave’s Spiritual Emphasis week. Spiritual Emphasis week is dedicated to improving everyone’s Christian values and creating a tone of reflection on individual progress for the year.

All of the cadets are excited because spring sports begin this week. The weather should begin to improve and everyone is ready for outside activities. Haregrave cadets are also looking forward to this week’s open weekend.

Hargrave experienced another ice and snow weekend. Meritorious Performers (MP) who lived within driving distance were able to take advantage of their earned weekend. Cadets who qualified for the weekend and were unable to leave because of the weather will have the opportunity to leave next weekend.

Friday was the end of the 4th grading period. Grades will be posted on Ed Line Wednesday morning. Over the weekend most of the cadets took advantage of the snow and slid down our hills on everything imaginable. Student activities sponsored a movie marathon on Saturday. The big hit for the weekend was the Super Bowl party. Student activities rented the biggest screen I have ever seen, add a record number of pizzas plus an abundance of raffle prizes and the evening was a success. The entire academic and staff departments joined together to create “goodie bags” the cadets could draw as door prizes.

Tuesday we plan to have an early study hall so the cadets can watch the PG basketball team play a home game. We are also planning a gathering for new cadets to gain some feedback on their arrival at HMA. Finally, we are engaging in a pilot program to have a “house mother” on the CIS dormitory. Initially Mrs. Martha Shelton will be available one evening a week and Sunday afternoon.