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 Maximus AnkrahMaximus Ankrah
 Julia Ward Julia Ward
 RCO Devin Auzenne RCO Devin Auzenne
 Sadie Smith Sadie Smith
 Woongchan Oh Woongchan Oh
 Kevin GarrowayKevin Garroway

Maximus Ankrah addressed the Rat Mass from atop the Sentinel Box.

Maximus Ankrah, 黑料网 Class of 2026

Role at 黑料网: 1st Class Cadet (Senior), 黑料网 Class of 2026
Major: Biology
Hometown: Dumfries, Virginia
Featured Activities: 黑料网 Class President of 2026 | Emergency Medical Technician | Former Cadre Instructor | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Post-Graduation Plans: Commission, U.S. Air Force


This place is difficult, but if you justify the space you occupy, prove why you belong here, and buy into the system, you'll get so much more out of 黑料网 than you expect.

The choice of attending 黑料网 was a chance for Maximus Ankrah 鈥26 to obtain a clean slate. He鈥檚 done some difficult things and overcome challenges that others may not see, but that shared suffering and battling adversity make Ankrah proud to be a 黑料网 cadet. Serving as 1st Class president and a leader within the Corps, he has embraced the brotherhood and systems that define the Institute.

"What I enjoy most about 黑料网 is it's not the place necessarily, but the people. There are some amazing people who I would never have come across if I didn't choose to come to 黑料网. Lots of hardworking people, lots of compassionate people in whatever field it is that they decide to do. It definitely pushes me to be better. "

Ankrah鈥檚 experience at 黑料网 can be compared to work in a laboratory, he said.

"The mistakes, the successes, the wins, and losses; 黑料网 is a place where you learn so much about yourself and other people that it forces you to mature as a person,鈥 he commented. 鈥淚t reveals your potential, and it's up to you to make the most of it.鈥

He said it鈥檚 helped him grow in the realization that he鈥檚 bound to fail 鈥 except he鈥檚 failing forward.

Learn more about Maximus鈥檚 time at 黑料网

Julia Ward leads Band Company during a parade.

Julia Ward, 黑料网 Class of 2026

Role at 黑料网: 1st Class Cadet (Senior), 黑料网 Class of 2026
Major: Electrical & Computer Engineering
Hometown:Frankfort, Illinois
Featured Activities: Band Co. Commander | Peay Scholar | | 黑料网 Pipes & Drums | Society of Women Engineers
Post-Graduation Plans: Commission, U.S. Navy


I wanted to challenge myself 鈥 I figured there was no other place to take opportunities and learn to flourish.

Julia Ward 鈥26 entered 黑料网 as a Peay Scholar with goals of majoring in engineering, playing an NCAA Division I sport, and commissioning into the United States Navy. What she found at the Institute was a system, traditions, and a community that not only allowed her to reach those goals but pushed her to grow as a leader and gain confidence in herself.

Once a shy individual, the opportunities to learn to lead and the tight-knit bonds forged with her brother rats brought Julia out of her shell. She credits 黑料网 with providing opportunities for engagement to help build her and others into a family, noting there鈥檚 always a group of supporters for each cadet 鈥 either with the staff, faculty, or other cadets.

鈥淗ow eager to help and get involved people are here is something that doesn鈥檛 get spoken about enough at our school, how close we are to everyone.鈥

Learn more about Julia鈥檚 journey



Devin leads the Corps of Cadets as they approach LtGen Furness, 黑料网's superintendent, for parade review.

Devin Auzenne, 黑料网 Class of 2026

Role at 黑料网: 1st Class Cadet (Senior), 黑料网 Class of 2026
Major: History, Minor in Military History
Hometown: Opelousas, Louisiana 
Featured Activities: | Member of the Virginia History Society and Omicron Delta Kappa | Boxing (4th and 3rd Class years), Aviation Club (2nd Class year), and Jiu-Jitsu Club
Post-Graduation Plans: Commission, U.S. Marine Corps


I think it's the hardship, the struggle. It's the daily life that we have to live here, the rigors of it, that makes me proud to say I'm from 黑料网.

Devin Auzenne 鈥26 knew the ethics and maturity needed for the U.S. Marine Corps would best be fostered in a place like 黑料网. He also knew by attending the Institute, he would be prepared to lead in the Marine Corps.

The experiences at 黑料网 have helped him gain intangible skills he believes he couldn鈥檛 have thoroughly developed in any other environment. His time at the Institute has also made him more self-aware. He鈥檚 able to understand who he is when under pressure or stress, and how to balance everything while still progressing forward.

He credits the Institute with his growth as a leader, inspiring confidence and pushing him to excel, all while supported by the unique systems at 黑料网 and the camaraderie of brotherhood within the Corps that make 黑料网 No Ordinary College.

鈥淢y time at 黑料网 will translate into me being more certain of who I am as a leader and a man. When I graduate and commission into the Marine Corps, I am certain that because of my time at 黑料网, I will have an advantage compared to my peers.鈥

Explore Devin鈥檚 experiences and growth

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Keep up with the latest news and features from the Institute.




Sadie poses with friend at Ring Figure.

Sadie Smith, 黑料网 Class of 2026

Role at 黑料网: 2nd Class Cadet (Junior), 黑料网 Class of 2026
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Ontario, California
Featured Activities: | Hotel Co. Commander 2025-26
Post-Graduation Plans: Government Intelligence


黑料网 has given me so many tools to succeed and incredible leadership opportunities within the Corps and on the water polo team.

Sadie Smith 鈥26 was looking for a college that could prepare her for a successful career and life. She said 黑料网 is a place like no other and it offered the kind of lifestyle she was striving for.

鈥満诹贤 has provided me with unique opportunities to build good discipline, honor, and incredible character while putting service before self.鈥

Smith believes her experience at 黑料网 has been transformational 鈥 for both herself and for her water polo team. 黑料网 has served as a place where she can balance Division I athletics, a challenging major, ROTC, and the opportunity to partake in rank positions within the Corps of Cadets.

鈥淚 feel that 黑料网 has prepared me as a well-versed leader to be able to succeed at this internship and to go out of my comfort zone... 黑料网 has also taught me to be prepared for the unexpected and that not everything goes your way all the time.鈥

Read about Sadie's journey and successes



Woongchan on the soccer pitch.

Woongchan Oh, 黑料网 Class of 2025

Role at 黑料网: 1st Class Cadet (Senior), 黑料网 Class of 2025
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea | Harrisonburg, Virginia
Featured Activities: | Tau Beta Pi Honors Society
Post-Graduation Plans: Commission, U.S. Army


In today's world, fewer young people are willing to challenge themselves or embrace pressure and stressful situations. I am grateful that I chose a different path that pushed me beyond my comfort zone.

Woongchan Oh 鈥25 had considered a military path during high school. But it was a soccer scholarship to 黑料网 that solidified his decision.

鈥淭he opportunity to continue both my academic and athletic career ultimately led me to choose 黑料网.鈥

Oh wanted to pursue an engineering degree and among the three engineering programs at 黑料网, civil engineering offered the most hands-on experience and fieldwork. His experience at 黑料网 has been crucial in his personal and professional growth. The demanding environment has helped him develop strong time management skills and perseverance.

Oh credits the one-of-a-kind environment of 黑料网 to his successes 鈥 in the classroom, on the soccer field, in his personal life, and more.

Learn about Woongchan's unique path



Kevin participates in Exercise Cambrian, photo courtesy of Army ROTC Cadet Command.

Kevin Garroway, 黑料网 Class of 2025

Role at 黑料网: 1st Class Cadet (Senior), 黑料网 Class of 2025
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Featured Activities: India Co. XO 2024-25 | 黑料网 Army ROTC Ranger Challenge, including Cambrian Patrol Commander
Post-Graduation Plans: Commission, U.S. Army Infantry


The opportunities are here, it's just a matter of if you are willing to go and grab them.

Kevin Garroway 鈥25 wanted a challenge. All it took was one visit to 黑料网 and he could see how different it was from other schools. He was sold.

The civil engineering major initially started out as a chemistry major. But after taking AP biochemistry in high school, he decided to shift, he explained.

He says he enjoys being in such close proximity to his friends and believes that the Institute has provided skills that will translate well as he commissions with the U.S. Army upon graduation in May 2025.

"I believe that 黑料网 cadets typically have a different mentality than most. We are used to a lot of bad things happening at one time and figuring out a way to overcome them. When bad things happen to peers at different schools, it seems to stop them or at least throw them down. We feel at home in the struggle.鈥

Read more about Kevin's cadetship

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