Pursuit of Happiness

Beginning a new class this week on our government and elections I thought I might reflect on our Bill of Rights over the next few weeks and its meaning to us as world citizens and life-long students.  Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence wrote that “all men have the right

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How Blessed I Am

This week marks the end of the term and as our Corps of Cadets venture home we are blessed with warm goodbyes, hugs, and wishes for safe travels.  It is impossible not to be in awe of the change in our relationship since they first met me that early September

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Enjoy Winter Furlough

In an interview for his film Annie Hall for the New York Times, Academy Award winner Woody Allen said, “80 percent of success is showing up.”  It is a lesson our NYMA cadets are learning.  On these cold and snowy days, it can be challenging to leave the barracks and

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A Special Message — Make your bed!

The very essence of being a NYMA Cadet consists of some simple things that cannot be ignored. Being in the right uniform, keeping your rooms to standard, being on time for class and following appearance regulations to name a few.   Individually they are simple tasks, as Admiral William H. McRaven noted,

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Winter Furlough Information

Winter Furlough Information: December 20, 2019 – January 5, 2020 Exams are scheduled December 17-20.  Students may leave after completing their last exam, commitment, project, and have passed room inspection. Bus transportation to/from the Beacon Train Station and area airports is available on December 20th, and January 5th.  Bus reservations

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Won’t You be My Neighbor?

This week as part of our faculty development we watched the 2018 documentary “Won’t You be My Neighbor?” Fred Rogers, a name familiar to many for his television show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, taught generations of preschool age children to love, be kind, laugh, respect, forgive, and most importantly that each child in this

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Giving NYMA Cadets the tools to “Run!”

One day this week I spent with a cadet unexpectedly waiting for someone.  We got to know each other and ended up watching a movie together on my phone when we learned the person was delayed.   He wanted to watch “Forrest Gump.” Watching the movie, I appreciated the life lessons

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Homecoming — NYMA made “all the difference”

In one of my favorite films of all time, Dead Poets Society, the late Robin Williams plays the teacher John Keating.  Keating in his introduction to his students he pulls them aside in the halls outside of his classroom to reflect on those students who came before them.  Later in class he recites the

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Edgar Allan Poe and David McCullough

Great authors inspire our children by their storytelling and creativity.  This week two NYMA classes explored the enduring literary legacies of two remarkable writers –Edgar Allan Poe and historian David McCullough.  Poe, a romantic is the author of the celebrated poems “The Raven,” and “Annabel Lee” which, he wrote in a small

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