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The Long Grey Line

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Athletic Updates

Boys Varsity 74

Carolina Baptist Academy 60

The Boys Varsity team opened up their season with a 74-60 win over Carolina Baptist Academy. The game was close for the 1st three quarters as ORMA led by a few most way. The Cadets pulled away early in the 4th quarter and the lead got as high as 22. Leading the way for the Cadets was David McCoy who had a huge night with 37 points to go with 18 rebounds. Cadet Turner had 9 points, Cadet Whitaker had 7, Cadet Pathak had 6 and Cadet Woodall had 5 points for ORMA. The Cadets are participating in the Oak Level Jamboree which will begin on Thursday. The Cadets will play 2 games each day. On Thursday they play at 5 and 8, both games in Bonner. Friday and Saturday will depend on results from Thursday.

Boys Junior Varsity 54

Carolina Baptist Academy 17

The Boys Junior Varsity opened their season with a 54-17 victory over Carolina Baptist Academy. The Cadets led from the opening tap and were led by the play of the 3 starting guards. Cadet Anders Mitchell led ORMA with 22 points and 7 steals. Cadet Gavin Sanders also had a big day with 17 points and 6 steals. Cadet Austin Mitchell had 6 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Cadet Noah Grogan had 4 points and Cadet Tate Aycock also had 4 points for ORMA. They are off until November 8th.

Varsity Girls 45
Southern Guilford Cougars 34

Congrats to new Coach Jason Harkey on his first Varsity win as the Girls team opened their season up with a 45-34 win over the Southern Guilford Cougars to move to 1-0. ORMA started slowly and trailed 9-5 at the end of the 1st quarter. ORMA played better in the 2nd quarter and led 19-18 at the half. The 3rd quarter was the difference as ORMA outscored the Cougars 15-5 before cruising to the victory. Cadet Lexi Ballard had 13 points including 9 points in the decisive 3rd quarter run to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 steals. Cadet Sophia Turner also had a strong all around game with 5 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds. Hannah Parker led ORMA with 21 points including five - 3 point baskets. ORMA will participate in the preseason jamboree on Thursday. They will play at 4:00 and again at 9:00. Both games will be played in Bonner.

Basketball preseason jamboree tournament starts 11/4/21

The varsity boys and girls basketball teams will be participating in a three day preseason jamboree tournament the next three days. Today they will play two games each in Bonner. The girls will play at 4 and at 9 and the boys will play at 5 and 8. Tomorrow’s schedule is determined by how they do in today’s games. Please stop by and support the Cadets!

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Alumni BOT gives Back

Forth Heffner, Class of 1999 and ORMA Trustee, spoke with seniors on October 29th about Emotional Intelligence (EQ). The seniors each took an assessment to better understand their dominant behaviors and motivators. They truly enjoyed themselves and learned a lot about themselves and each other in the process. Forth Heffner volunteered his time and expertise as a business consultant to give our Cadets new information about themselves. We are extremely appreciative of his willingness to give back and encourage the current students to benefit from his knowledge.

Volunteer opportunities

Bonner Court Dedication

Dr. Wilson, president of ORMA, was honored by the Board of Trustees, Coach Gary Holbrook and Athletic Director Bobby Allison with a framed memento of the basketball court. On October 21st, the varsity boys basketball played a scrimmage match on the newly dedicated floor. The newly refinished court was dedicated to Dr. Steve Wilson.

Recondo Cadets

The following cadets have completed 80 hours in Military Mountaineering Training and have been awarded the Military Mountaineering Device (Ram’s Head) in a ceremony atop of the SGM Woodard Rappel Tower on 31OCT21: Whitaker, Quinn, Hunt, Sqartz, Shelhimer,S., Glasgow, Ouellette, Triplett, Thompson, Welch, Benton, Bradbury, Green, and Burns.

Fundraiser for Military Ball

We are selling candles from 1 October to 1 December to raise money for the Military Ball. The candles will make great Christmas presents and the Christmas fragrances are very popular. The Cadets earn 50% of the candle sales if purchased directly or 40% of sales purchased online. Buy your candles now in time for Christmas.

Candle Sale

Field Trips

The middle school Cadets went to the North Carolina Zoo for a field trip on October 28th. The North Carolina Zoo consists of 2600 wooded acres and 500 acres of developed land. At it’s heart, the zoo’s mission “protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join … in conserving the natural world.” The 7th and 8th graders seemed to enjoy the trip and came back to campus eager to discuss their trip.

Battalion Commanders at work and play. From left to right: Renya Defoe(20-21); Brandon Ausburger (21-22); Pat Nominee (19-20). Defoe is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Brandon Ausburger is completing his senior year at the Ridge. Pat Nominee is an ORMA TAC as well as a member of the Army National Reserves.

Customize your own Oak Ridge Military Academy swag and show off your Cadet Spirit. Feel free to send pictures in your new gear. Oak Ridge Military Academy receives 12% of every order.

ORMA Apparel Store

Staff Makes the Difference

Often when Alumni return to campus, they want to know if their former teachers are still working. A number of our staff have been on campus for over 10 years. CSM Lewis is Commandant and continues to shape the lives of the students that have attended the Ridge over the last 25 years . 1SG Sallie McCullough, everyone’s adoptive mom, is our senior Army Instructor and concentrates a great deal of time on the Drill Team. She has been an instructor here for over 20 years. Major B. is a living icon on campus. He began his career at ORMA over 50 years ago and still takes joy in educating the current Cadets. Caroline McKaughan, Academic Dean, has been with ORMA for 10 years. A graduate of The Citadel, she is used to hard work and makes herself available for students, staff, and parents alike. One of the keys to the success of the Ridge is our devoted staff. This caring group of people make themselves available for tutoring, conversations, the care and comfort of our current Cadets. Each one has their unique story of how they came to ORMA, just like the Cadets that attend. Click the link below to tell us about your

What’s your story?

100 days to $100,000

ORMA’s annual fall fund drive has begun. There are exactly 100 days between September 23 and December 31st. Our goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of December. Don’t worry you still have time to make a donation. Tuition alone does not maintain the school and we rely on generous donations from investors like you. Our donors know that to invest in ORMA is to invest in future leaders who will be responsible for the solutions of tomorrow. ORMA strives to provide a diverse educational environment that encourages academic excellence, rewards self-discipline, and develops leadership potential. You have seen and felt the difference an education from ORMA can make. Be a part of that empowerment by making a gift today. Any amount will get us one step closer to our goal.

Make a donation today

More Pictures

Pictures and stories from the Alumni

This section of the newsletter is set aside for the members of the long grey line to share their experiences, successes, and memories. Please email your pictures and updates to Angie Williams at the link below.

“At my time at Oak Ridge, Sergeant Major Lewis taught me how to form my beret after informing me that I looked like a “soup sandwich.” He also taught me to lead instead of command. I still use the leadership practices I learned from him today as the Assistant Chief of my fire station. Please send the Sergeant Major my kind regards. *Glad to see the Oak Leaf is back!”

Will T. 2006

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