On Wednesday, April 28th I received a long-awaited package in the mail.  I had won an auction on eBay, for a “WWI era N.Y. Military Academy Sterling Silver Medal Circa 1916.”  I had been watching the item for a while and finally decided to make it mine and put in a bid.  It is beautiful with its NYMA stars and stripes and coat of arms with a crossed sword and topped with an eagle.  It is not big, only three inches long.  It is lovely to bring it home to NYMA to be admired in our museum for its connotation and history.  I wonder which cadet was awarded this beautiful medal by Superintendent Davis, how proud that cadet must have been to receive such a distinguished award.  Looking back at the photos of yesteryear, I see our cadets in the images of those who passed through these portals long ago.  On Monday, during our community meeting Cadets Edmondson, Kratman, Sherwood, and Zhang, were promoted and Cadets Elhert, Towns, and Wu were recognized into the ranks of the Corps having graduated from New Cadet Training.  The pride exhibited in their eyes and the joy of their accomplishment was evident as they received the recognition of their leadership.  Whether it was the awarding of the rank of Company Commander or that of Private by our new Cadets of the Corps, they smiled with the delight of their achievement.  NYMA Cadets, like the one that earned that beautiful ribbon I bought on eBay, are remarkable for their dignity, honor, and the pride they exhibit as members of the Corps.

-Christine C. McDonald, Dean of Academics