the faculty and staff of new mexico military...joshua eloy lopez roswell, new mexico new mexico...

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The Faculty and Staff of New Mexico Military Institute congratulate and send our best wishes to the graduating class of 2020.

Your hard work and dedication bring to the fore New Mexico Military Institute traditions

of academic achievement and leadership.

It has been an honor to serve you. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors!

GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICOThe Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham

BOARD OF REGENTSColonel Timothy Paul, USA (Ret) 1982 HSG, 1984 JCG, President

Colonel Barbara Trent, USAR (Ret) 1979 JCG, Vice PresidentBradford A. Christmas, 1970 HSG, Secretary/Treasurer

Dr. Cedric Page, MemberMr. John Garcia, Member

PRESIDENT/SUPERINTENDENTMajor General Jerry W. Grizzle, PhD

United States Army, Retired

ACADEMIC DEAN, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICERBrigadier General Douglas J. Murray, PhD

United States Air Force, Retired

VICE DEAN OF ACADEMICS & HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALColonel George E. Brick

Master Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, Retired

COMMANDANT OF CADETS, DEAN OF STUDENTSLieutenant Colonel Jonathan K. Graff

United States Army, Retired

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Jordan Ta’amu graduated from Pearl City High School in Pearl City, Hawaii where he was a standout quarterback. His senior year, was named the offensive player of the year, had led his team to the championship game two years in a row, but had no Division 1 scholarship offers.

He was recruited by New Mexico Military Institute and became a Bronco in 2015. In his sophomore campaign, he was elected a team captain, finished 3rd in the nation in yards per game, 2nd in the nation in touchdowns and was named an All-American, NJCAA national player of the week, the Southwest Junior College Football Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and won the Art Foley Memorial Award. Jordan also distinguished himself in the Corps of Cadets, serving as a Staff Sergeant, and in the classroom, finishing with a 2.94 GPA. Jordan is a complete student-athlete and exhibits the highest level of character at all times – he is the product that the NMMI Mission Statement seeks to achieve. From NMMI, Jordan went on to attend Ole Miss on a full athletic scholarship. While at Ole Miss, he set numerous school records, led the SEC in both passing yards per game and total offense, and was invited to the NFL combine. Despite his accomplishments, he went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft. After the NFL draft, he went on to finish his degree, earning a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.In October of 2019, Jordan was the first pick of the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL. Although he was the only XFL quarterback without NFL experience, he went on to lead the entire XFL in several offensive categories. In April 2020, his faith, positivity and perseverance were rewarded as he signed an NFL contract with the World Champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Jordan Ta’amuNMMI JCX ‘16QB, Kansas City Chiefs

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2020 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY1:00 PM, 16 May 2020

Introduction and ProcessionalNational Anthem

Welcome & Introduction of High SchoolSalutatorian and Valedictorian Major General Jerry Grizzle, Ph.D., USA (Ret.) President & Superintendent, New Mexico Military Institute

Introduction of Junior College Salutatorian and Valedictorian Major General Jerry Grizzle, Ph.D., USA (Ret.) President & Superintendent, New Mexico Military Institute

Remarks & Introduction of the Superintendent Brigadier General Douglas Murray, Ph.D., USAF (Ret.) Chief Academic Officer/Academic Dean

Remarks & Introduction of the Guest Speaker Colonel Timothy Paul, USA (Ret) 1982 HSG, 1984 JCG President, NMMI Board of Regents

Remarks to Graduates Brigadier General Douglas Murray, Ph.D., USAF (Ret.) Chief Academic Officer/Academic Dean

Introduction of the Third Class Graduates Colonel George Brick, NMMI, USMC (Ret.) Vice Dean/High School Principal

High School Valedictory Remarks Jakob Issei Werts, Salutatorian of the Third Class Nam Huu Vuong, Valedictorian of the Third Class

Junior College Valedictory Remarks Gavin Daniel Martin, Salutatorian of the First Class Leah Marie Davenport, Valedictorian of the First Class

Address to the Graduating Class Jordan Ta’amu, 2016 JCX Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

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Closing Remarks LTC Jonathan Graff Jr., USA (Ret.) Commandant of Cadets/Dean of Students

Playing of “Old Post”Dismissal

Reading of the High School Graduates LTC Rhonda Reagor Johnson, M.S. Director Franklin Student Assistance Center

Reading of the Junior College Graduates LTC Kalith Smith, Ed.D. Associate Dean-Cadet Academic Services

Introduction of the First Class Graduates Brigadier General Douglas Murray, Ph.D., USAF (Ret.) Chief Academic Officer/Academic Dean

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Highest Honors

Nam Huu VuongHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Northwestern University

Valedictorian

High Honors

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Niall Christopher DevlinMaidstone, Vermont

Sebastián López AguilarHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey

Jeremiah Lucas PiñonRoswell, New Mexico

United States Air Force Academy

John Quinn Boyd McIntyrePunta Gorda, Florida

United States Military Academy

Carson Ray PerryMarietta, Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma

Nguyen Khoi BuiHo Chi Minh, Vietnam

University of New Mexico

Long Tran Hong NguyenHo Chi Minh, Vietnam

University of New Brunswick

Madison Noel SandovalTijeras, New Mexico


Santino Felice FaravelliSan Jose, California

San Jose State University

Devonny Denae GrajedaRoswell, New Mexico

New Mexico Military Institute

Stephan Cole SulliventRedondo Beach, California


Dena T. NguyenDexter, New Mexico

Tulane University

Quan Minh NguyenHo Chi Minh, Vietnam


Jaylene Wennian MooreRoswell, New Mexico

University of San Francisco

Jakob Issei WertsYork, Nebraska

Louisiana State University

Salutatorian

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HonorsRun An Liu

Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaDenison University

Yi LiHohhot, People’s Republic of China

Indiana University Bloomington

Kylyn Cheyenne BlohmFarmington, New Mexico

New Mexico State University

YuQian LinShenZhen, People’s Republic of China

Indiana University Bloomington

Hector Sebastian Grijalva AltamiranoGuaymas, Sonora, Mexico


Han Ngoc Luong NguyenHo Chi Minh, VietnamAmerican University

Colton Scott ClaypoolLos Lunas, New Mexico

Baylor University

Eric Alan FielenbachBernalillo, New Mexico

NM Institute of Mining and Technology

James Joseph SurovcikChatham, New Jersey


High HonorsChristen Lee Ellenberg

Gilbert, ArizonaNew Mexico Military Institute

Arturo Cuen HernandezHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Aaron James GonzalesRoswell, New Mexico


Nhan Chi NguyenHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam

University of Houston

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GraduatesJuan Jose Aguirre Sanchez

Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoInstituto Tecnologico de Monterrey

Alejandro Noe AnchondoEl Paso, Texas

University of Texas at El Paso

Eliseo Anthony AragonAlbuquerque, New Mexico


Martín René Ayón GálvezMagdalena, Mexico

University of Arizona

Andres Bleizeffer CapacetaHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Emilio Antonio BurrolaNogales, Sonora, MexicoPima Community College

Kunal Alexander Camp*Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University

Denys Romanovych Chepulskyy*Santa Clara, California

Augustus Finn CurnuttRoswell, New Mexico


Zerong DaiFoshan, People’s Republic of China


Brian Francis DempseyAlbuquerque, New Mexico

Enlisting in United States Army

Dixon Morris Zachariah DohertyWalnut Grove, CaliforniaTexas A&M University

Xiaolong DongHe Bei Zhuo Zhou, People’s Republic of China

Irvine Valley College

Jingru Dou*Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China


Dana Denae DouglasAlbuquerque, New Mexico


Theodore Edward Faravelli III*San Jose, California


Homero Mattias GalindoEl Paso, Texas

Miranda Marie GarciaBelen, New Mexico


Sophia Marie Haynes KechikWest Plains, Missouri

University of Mississippi

Andrew Lee HubbardRoswell, New Mexico


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GraduatesFrancis Guion Ikard

Las Cruces, New MexicoTexas Tech University

Bruno Luis Ingegneri BrandtSao Paulo, Brazil


Rory Caitlyn KinnallyRoswell, New Mexico


Roberto Xavier LaporteHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico


Miles Kim LaurenceAlbuquerque, New MexicoUniversity of New Mexico

Joshua Eloy LopezRoswell, New Mexico


Ruben Lagarda Madrid III*Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico


Elden Garrett MaxeyFarmington, New Mexico

Thomas Richard McLalanEmerald Hills, California

Penn State University

Lingyuan MengHai Dian, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

University of the Pacific

Francisco Javier Montano RodriguezJimenez, Chihuahua, MexicoNew Mexico State University

Brooke Ilona MorganAlbuquerque, New Mexico

University of Dallas

Daria Sorana MunteanuLos Altos, California

University of Nevada, Reno

Khoa Cuu NguyenHo Chi Minh, Vietnam

Geraldlynn Hayden Ollie NotahMoriarty, New Mexico

Benedictine University Mesa

Andrew Allan Oldfield*Albuquerque, New Mexico

Timothy Robert OlshaskieRuidoso Downs, New MexicoNew Mexico Military Institute

Maddux Grace Porter*Roswell, New Mexico

Carlos Andres RetamozaHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Riley Joe RobertsonRoswell, New Mexico


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GraduatesJose Ramon Robles Alvarez

Nogales, Sonora, MexicoUniversidad Panamericana

Frida Nicole Ruizesparza*Roswell, New Mexico

University of North Texas

Landen David SavageArtesia, New Mexico


Jackson Nevada ShootsLas Cruces, New Mexico

Rodolfo Abel SpiegelPanama City, Panama


Daniel Zachary StevensLoving, New Mexico


Luke Alexander TaylorRio Rancho, New Mexico


Julian Shane Vallejos*Bloomfield, New Mexico


Carlos Armando Varela Bellot*Boca del Rio, Veracruz, Mexico

Andrés Fidencio Vazquez MartínezTorreon, Coahuila, Mexico

Hult International Business School

Tanner Samuel WagnerAlbuquerque, New Mexico


Mia Celine WalkerRoswell, New Mexico


Ethan Thomas WoodPrinceton, Texas

*Denotes Graduation by Transfer

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Highest Honors

Leah Marie Davenport ASPhoenix, ArizonaMercer University

Valedictorian

High Honors

JUNIOR COLLEGE GRADUATES

Maryssa Anita Martin ASLa Madera, New Mexico


Alexander Thomas Preston ASNew Lenox, Illinois

Carson Henry Ruschmeyer ASCottage Grove, Minnesota

US Merchant Marine Academy

Nam Huu VuongHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Northwestern University

Caleb Alois McKenzie ASFort Worth, Texas


Donovan Ray Lemos AAThornton, Colorado


Fa’ananea Chardonnay Vimoto ASPago Pago, American SamoaSouthern Oregon University

Harrison Yu ASLa Quinta, California

Leander Gerhardt Strathmann AAHamburg, Germany

Concordia University

Zachary Bryan Bates AATerrell, Texas

Daisy-Rose Fetalaiga Crichton AAPago Pago, American Samoa

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Jaylene Wennian MooreRoswell, New Mexico

University of San Francisco

Abigayl Erika Vigil AAClayton, New Mexico


Coralys Maldonado Rivera ASCamuy, Puerto Rico

WV University Institute of Technology

Gavin Daniel Martin ASKirtland, New MexicoDixie State University

Salutatorian

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HonorsSamantha Vitolia Scanlan AAPago Pago, American Samoa

New Mexico Highlands University

Eric Martin Quirk AAScarborough, MaineSyracuse University

Morgan Samantha Smith ASLas Cruces, New Mexico


Brock Aaron Eddleman AALake Kiowa, Texas

Barbara Celar AALivno, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Jaden Kyler Hutchins AAHobbs, New Mexico

Lynette Mae Peshlakai AACuba, New Mexico


Venus Esther Oghenetekwe Ubiebi AALagos, Nigeria

Diego Salido Alejandri ASHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico


Caramia Beauty Keli’iu’iokeaumoe Fo AAHonolulu, Hawaii

Syracuse University

Jackson Mitchell Shriver AAAledo, Texas

Norwich University

Jermane Desmond Carter Jr. AAMount Laurel, New Jersey

High HonorsPatricia Emmanuelle Rubio Ramos AS

Hagerman, New MexicoUnited States Naval Academy

Megan Rebecca Edwards ASClovis, New Mexico

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Hula Tedra Anais Crisostomo ASHonolulu, Hawaii

University of Texas at El Paso

Stephen Thomas Graven AAFarmington, New Mexico

Reece Leggett Everitt AAGrand Rapids, Michigan

Enlisting in United States Army

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GraduatesAbdel Djilali Aho AA*

Nice, FranceSouthern Methodist University

Mickel Juwan Aikens AAByron, Georgia

Mikhaeyla Grace Akers ASBuda, Texas

Enlisting in United States Air Force

Brody Mitchell Alton AAPhoenix, Arizona

California Maritime Academy

Kaycee Denise Anderson ASGruver, Texas

Angel Kruz Apodaca AATaos, New Mexico

Jadon Matthias Archuleta AALas Cruces, New Mexico

Colorado State University - Pueblo

Taiwo Adeola Ayegbusi ASFrederick, Maryland

Marcus Aurelius Joseph Belli AAPeachtree City, Georgia

University of North Georgia

Nyanuer Biel Bidit AAAnchorage, Alaska

University of Southern Mississippi

Justin Robert Black AA*Aztec, New Mexico

Victor Arturo Bolanos AARoswell, New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University

John Patrick Chamoun AABaltimore, Maryland

Jason Ikenna Ferdinand Chikere AA*Oberhausen, Germany

Samuel Guillermo Coronel Girón AAPuerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico

La Uni. Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla

Andrew Christopher Cotton AATucson, Arizona

Shea Marjorie Curran ASCataldo, Idaho


Gabriela De Jesus Colon ASAguirre, Puerto Rico

Culver-Stockton College

Christion Ray Dejean AA*Jersey City, New Jersey

Walter Clark Delin Jr. ASYigo, Guam

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GraduatesDylan David DiLorenzo AA*Albuquerque, New Mexico

Darian Elijah Duran AA*Watrous, New Mexico


Patrick William Eaton AAFort Gordon, Georgia

Mercer University

Trinity Faamanatuga Fautanu ASWaipahu, Hawaii

Elevira Laroya Fiatuiga Fuimaono AAPago Pago, American Samoa

University of Utah

Jenese A. Fulgenzi AALas Vegas, New Mexico

Ryan Francis Garretson AAQueenstown, Maryland

Ramiro Alonzo Grajeda ASRoswell, New Mexico

California Maritime Academy

Brontre’ Jarmal Griffin ASJeanerette, Louisiana

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Daniel Gutierrez ASFort Worth, TexasSt. John’s College

Shelby Soyars Hanks AABaton Rouge, Louisiana

Tyler Paul Hardwick Jr. AARoswell, New Mexico

Lubbock Christian University

Bryan David Hawkins AAPohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

Grant Patrick Howe AA*Arlington, Texas

Christian Juarez ASNogales, Sonora, Mexico


Quintin Isaiah King AAValrico, Florida

Mississippi Valley State University

Wesley Akira Kusuma AASurabaya, Indonesia

University of La Verne

Roberto Daniel Lamas AARialto, California

Gabriela Temalisi Langi AASouth Jordan, Utah

Tylor Antone Young Lii’bilNaghahi AAFruitland, New Mexico

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GraduatesJessica Virginia Martinez AA*

West Point, Texas

Cody Michael McGaha AAFarmington, New Mexico

Madison Marie McLean AAColorado Springs, Colorado

Rodney Lucas McNatt AASanta Fe, New Mexico

Violeta Mendoza Quintana ASChihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico

Diego Miranda AARoswell, New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University

Paul Allen Morabito ASPohnpei, Federated States of MicronesiaNM Institute of Mining and Technology

Sara Regina Morales ASDallas, Texas

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Francisco Moreno Gonzalez AANuevo Leon, Mexico

University of Central Oklahoma

Kenneth Ray Mosley II AA*Humble, Texas

Yumeno Nawa AATokyo, Japan

Laurhen Marie Parvin AASan Antonio, Texas

Henry Junior Paulino AASanto Domingo, Dominican Republic

Hezekiah Dartaghnan Lupefalele Po Ching AAVancouver, WashingtonAdams State University

Collin Peter Protzeller AACorpus Christi, Texas

Maine Maritime Academy

Francisco Javier Rivera ASHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico


Nathen Wayne Roberts ASRoswell, New Mexico


Jacob Michael Rutten AAWhite Rock, New Mexico

Tamaaiga William Satele Jr. AABolling AFB, District of Columbia

Mark Mawac Sena AAKilleen, Texas

University of Texas at San Antonio

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GraduatesAlireza Shafiei AA

Tehran, Iran

Andrew Calvin Sharpe ASSulphur, Louisiana


Camden Cole Sprague ASPlatteville, Colorado

Kris Vincent Junior Taufa’asau AAPago Pago, American Samoa


Christian Taylor ASTuba City, Arizona


Christopher Anthony Thamez AALubbock, Texas

Buffalo State University

Jordan Austin-Miller Till AAPueblo, Colorado

Syracuse University

Tuna Maria Tine AALae, Papau New Guinea


Jeremy Allen Baltazar Torres ASGallup, New Mexico

Tristan James Turley AA*Roswell, New Mexico

Alvino Santos Vasquez AA*San Antonio, Texas

Jordan Michelle Wilson ASPhoenix, Arizona


Ryan Taylor Yarbrough AAKewanee, Illinois

University of Arkansas

*Denotes Graduation by Transfer

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“Let it be clearly understood that if this is not a military school it is nothing. By this is meant not only the outward forms and visible signs of

military government – the drills and parade - its tinsel and glare, but what is of more importance,

the indoor government - the inner, private life, manners and habits of the Cadet, the close,

constant, kindly supervision over the Cadet in every respect - checking him here, urging him there - in the privacy of his room, at his meals,

in recitation or at drill - on duty - off duty- at work or play - is the spirit and purpose of this

military school. Obedience is but self-command and who commands himself is best learning to

command others.”

--1891, Colonel Robert S. Goss, Superintendent

INSTITUTIONAL MISSION

INSTITUTIONAL VISION

To educate, train, and prepare young men and women to be leaders capable of critical thinking

and sound analysis, leaders who possess uncompromising character, and leaders able to meet

challenging physical demands.

New Mexico Military Institute is a globally recognized, secondary and post-secondary learning institution for young men and women that instills excellence in leadership, academics, and physical

development within a structured environment empowering students to thrive in a dynamic world.

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New MexicoMilitary Institutea Global Military School

for Leadership Development

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the faculty and staff of new mexico military...joshua eloy lopez roswell, new mexico new mexico...

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