“I know I spoke you at the Recognition Ceremony but after having my son for an entire weekend, I needed to contact you again.
You were my first contact with the school, along with Dr. Anderson, and I just felt inclined to write to you. If you will kindly pass this on to her I would appreciate it.
I knew that my son needed discipline, structure and some guidance/direction to be shown how to reach his full potential. I knew that Tanner wasn’t a “bad boy” and that he was just in a tough place in his life and needed a change, needed structure and discipline.
I also knew that VF would be an experience he would benefit from. However, I am just amazed at the transformation in him in just 6 weeks. This “Plebe System” time for him was rough with getting injured twice by accident, and having a multitude of doctor visits, etc.
However, he seems to be unphased by all this and seems to have become stronger by making it through some challenging times when unexpected bumps in the roadway coming up along the way.
He walked taller, stood prouder and smiled longer. He has manners, and even insists on prayer before each meal to his siblings. He talked to his siblings about choices and consequences. He was respectful, he was polite, he was not easily agitated. He was strict about bedtime and he was up way too early for me on the weekend!
But the best part of Tanner is the pride he has in himself as well as VF. He is so proud to be there, so proud of the school and so proud to be a cadet.
Your staff is amazing, professional and courteous. Pat and the staff at the Health Center were absolute wonderful and kind to me and Tanner when he was hurt.
I realize they are doing their job, yet I feel everyone at VF goes above and beyond. They truly care and take pride in their jobs and the school. Mr. Frimmer and the teaching staff at the Middle School have been extremely helpful and informative, always answering my emails and questions.
Chief Green, SGT Prescott, CPT Fluck, and the tactical officers at Hocker Hall are simply the best. I feel safe knowing my son is in their hands.
On the way back to the school Sunday afternoon Tanner told me he wants to be a student at VF until he “can’t go there anymore.” He said “that would be about 2 years into college mom, then I would have to go somewhere else.” I told him I would keep him in school there and do whatever it takes to keep him there and help with the parents association if he does his part. He told me there is a lot he can do here and a lot of things you can achieve and become but you have to “work hard and earn it.” Earn it. .. I finally heard him say and he finally realizes that you have to earn things in life, they aren’t handed to you. My son never comprehended the sayings “earn it” or “working hard” before.
Thank you Valley Forge, thank you Dr. Anderson and LTC Bowe for listening to a 13-year-old boy tell you about the wrong decisions he made during the first part of his school year and for taking a chance on him and enrolling him.”
Best regards,
Alyssa Rohrbaugh
Parent of Cadet Tanner Rohrbaugh
Our son, Ryan, is a junior in the academy and has attended VFMA for the past two years. He came in as a mid-year in 9th grade. Upon his arrival, his academic achievement was below his potential. He also lacked in self-confidence and in his ability to do well academically. My husband and I knew he could do much better than he was in public school. We looked into VFMA, as it has a wonderful reputation for helping young men in the academy, reach their potential and beyond. Well, Ryan is on his way to becoming a well developed man who is achieving things he never dreamed he would be able to accomplish. Beginning this school year (2006) Ryan gave up three weeks of his summer vacation to go back to school for leadership training. That is something he would have never done before attending VFMA&C. He feels good about himself, self-confident and obtained officer rank. He is also doing very well academically and cares a great deal about his grades.
Needless to say, my husband and I are ecstatic about Ryan's progress and abilities. Ryan told us recently that "we made a good decision, I don't know where I would be today had I stayed in public school, I like it here and have made many great friends".
Barbara and Carl Grozinski
Parents of Ryan Grozinski '08