A unique celebration of music, leadership, tradition and transatlantic friendship shines a spotlight on the next generation of American leaders
/PRNewswire/ — Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), Virginia’s premier college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 8 through 12, offered Thursday’s “Royal Block Party” honoring Their Majesties King Charles III. and Queen Camilla put on a superb parade performance during the Virginia leg of their state visit to the United States this week.
Randolph-Macon Academy Royal Parade
R-MA Color Guard
Hosted by the City of Front Royal and set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this celebration welcomed the royal couple to an unprecedented event attended by numerous residents, public figures and distinguished guests – an unforgettable spectacle of pageantry, patriotism and performances in the heart of Front Royal.
The “Royal Block Party” featured a combination of ceremonial and musical performances led by the renowned Randolph-Macon Academy Marching Band, supported by the Academy’s Color Guard and Regimental Staff. In a rousing display of community spirit, student musicians from Skyline High School and Warren County High School also performed, creating a powerful display of talent, discipline and community pride.
“Randolph-Macon Academy stands at the intersection of history, leadership and opportunity. Hosting Their Majesties in a setting that celebrates service, scholarship and young people facing the future is both a privilege and a moment of tremendous significance for our academy, our city and our region. This event showed the world what the Yellow Jackets mean by ‘The Power of Rise!'” said Lucy Hooper, R-MA board chair.
R-MA cadets who performed for the royal couple spoke powerfully about this unique experience. The academy’s regimental commander, Cadet Col. Rania Husted ’26, said, “I am incredibly honored that the R-MA was able to participate in such a historic event. Most of all, I am proud of my fellow cadets. Their hard work and dedication was evident in our performance, and I hope we made our Front Royal community proud as well.”
Regimental Sergeant Major Bijou Kebbay ’27 noted, “Everyone was nervous – I mean, it was the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, of course they were. But it was so nice to see everyone come together to support each other and make sure everyone shined.”
Founded in 1892, Randolph-Macon Academy has been educating young people of character, determination and ambition for more than 130 years. Located on a 135-acre campus in the Shenandoah Valley, R-MA offers a unique educational experience where structure meets opportunity and tradition drives change.
For families seeking more than a conventional high school experience, Randolph-Macon Academy offers something increasingly rare: a clear path to a life of meaning and purpose.
The R-MA combines the personal support of a small independent school with the ambition of a first-class preparatory school. Students benefit from small class sizes, highly committed faculty, competitive athletics, a comprehensive rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft curriculum, STEM and robotics programs, leadership development, and one of the nation’s most respected college and military academy preparatory environments.
The results of the academy speak for themselves:
- 100% college admission rate in each of the last 19 years
- More than $15 million in scholarships earned by the graduating class of 2025
- 15-20 admissions to U.S. military academies in each of the last five years
- A nationally recognized Falcon Scholarship program with exceptional placement rates to the US Air Force Academy and the highest graduation rate of USAFA Falcon Scholars in the nation
- Boarding and day options for students in grades 8-12 and graduates
At a time when families are looking for schools that do more than just teach—that build resilience, promote leadership, and prepare students for meaningful lives—Randolph-Macon Academy offers a compelling answer. While Front Royal welcomed royalty, Randolph-Macon Academy continued to do what it has done for thirteen decades: stand tall, lead proudly and inspire inner development.
For more information, visit Randolph-Macon Academy at www.rma.edu.
Information about Randolph-Macon Academy
Randolph-Macon Academy is a co-educational college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 8-12 and postgraduate in Front Royal, Virginia. Founded in 1892, the academy is known for its unique combination of academic rigor, leadership development, character education and outstanding results in college and service academy preparation.
Media contact:
Director of the Admissions Office
Randolph-Macon Academy
200 Academy Drive
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
(540) 636-5484
[emailprotected]
www.rma.edu
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Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2971089/R_MA_Royal_Parade_color_Guard.jpg
