101st Cadet Colonel Promotion

Saint Thomas Academy alumni, students, faculty, staff, and parents take pride in the school's traditions. These traditions include school pride, academic achievements, co-curricular achievements, and the military program. The most prestigious of the traditions at Saint Thomas Academy is the cadet promotions. The annual promotion ceremony took place on 26 November 2008.

Cadet Colonel is the most prestigious position that a Saint Thomas Academy (Military Institute) cadet can hold during the school year. The position dates back to the founding of the STA Corps of Cadets in 1906. The Cadet Colonel is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Cadet Brigade, consisting of more than 550 cadets. The competition for selection is extremely difficult, selection criteria include: proven academic success, leadership potential, superb military bearing, extensive involvement in co-curricular athletics and activities, and a demonstrated commitment to the promotion of school values and traditions.

This year, the STA Promotion Board and the Class of 2009 promoted
C/COL J. Szymanski to the rank of Cadet Colonel.

The other cadets promoted were C/LTC A. Ayotte, C/LTC M. Baer, C/LTC T. Caturia, C/LTC R. Muellerleile, C/LTC R. Robinson.

These six cadets are the leaders in the Corps of Cadets, the students who will lead the well-respected and disciplined Corps.

Click on a photograph for a larger image.
All photographs above by Forliti Photography.

We were proud to welcome Cadet Colonels from previous years back to campus for the annual luncheon before the promotion ceremony. (Photograph by Credt River Photography/Knoke '98)