The Cadet Staff for 2021 Looks Forward

Following its successful relaunch with the May 19, 2021 Graduation Edition the 2021 – 22 academic year staff of The Cadet is ready and fully capable of taking the newspaper to even greater success in the coming school year. Now formally organized and published by The Cadet Foundation, The Cadet staff is a tribute to the newspaper's 150+ year legacy as the independent voice of the corps and alumni. Richie O'Connell '22, Co-Editor-in-Chief. Cadet O'Connell is an English, Rhetoric, and Humanitarian Studies Major from Springfield, Virginia. His goal for participating in The Cadet is to learn and practice journalism that is both positive and ethical, to participate in something greater than himself, and most importantly to learn from those he has the pleasure of interviewing, whether they be alumni, cadets, or just good honest people. After graduation Cadet O'Connell plans to pursue a career in the United States Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue. Cadet O'Connell is also the Social Chair of the VMI Club Rugby team, as well as the CIC of an elite men's acapella group at VMI known as "The Sentinels". James Mansfield '22, Co-Editor-in-Chief. Cadet Mansfield is from Fairfax County, Virginia whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to write and edit stories and articles of meaning for all members of the VMI community. After graduation Cadet Mansfield will commission in the United States Marine Corps. Garrett DeFazio '22, Managing Editor. Cadet DeFazio is the son of Mark Hennigan '90. He is an International Studies major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to enjoy writing. After graduation Cadet DeFazio plans to pursue a career as an officer in the United States Army. Peyton Wiecking '23, Features and News Editor. Cadet Wiecking is the son of. LtCol James Wiecking '88, USMC (Ret). He is a Computer and Information Sciences Major from Farmville, Virginia whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to provide the Corps, Alumni, and outsiders with a quality publication about issues within, concerning, and surrounding VMI, the United States, and the World. After graduation Cadet Wiecking plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity in either the military, government, or private sectors or to attend graduate school. Outside of being the Features and News Editor, Cadet Wiecking is a member of MADDOG Delta Company where he serves as an Emergency Medical Technician, Rat Challenge Company Cadre, and is a member of MADDOG eSports (3CMD). Lancelot Wiemann '22, Business Manager. Cadet Wiemann is from Dallas, Texas whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to help ensure its longevity and oversee all business transactions with the Cadet Foundation. After graduation Cadet Wiemann will commission in the United States Marine Corps. Emily Liska '22, Photo Editor. Cadet Liska is a Spanish and International Studies double major from Harrison City, Pennsylvania whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to provide the Corps of Cadets with impactful stories and powerful photographs of the Institute. After graduation Cadet Liska plans to pursue a career in immigration law. At VMI, Cadet Liska is the Pipe Major of the Regimental Pipe Band and a member of the VMI Yearbook Staff. Zachary Diller '23, Multimedia Editor. Cadet Diller is a Biology Major from Manassas, Virginia whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to bring issues of importance to the VMI Community's attention. After graduation Cadet Diller is not sure what he is going to do yet. At VMI, Cadet Diller is a member of the NCAA Track and Field and Cross Country Teams. Kolton Dobson '23, Layout Editor. Cadet Dobson is an English, Rhetoric, and Humanities Major from King George, Virginia whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to make it as great as it was in years past. After graduation Cadet Dobson plans to pursue a career in technical writing and the National Guard. Claire Curtis '23, Assistant Managing Editor. Cadet Curtis is a Biology Major from Louisville, Kentucky. She joined The Cadet to honor her grandmother, mother and cousin, all of whom have written for or been editors of newspapers/magazines. She is an award winning photographer who has done photography for the United States Senate Page Yearbook and Presentation Yearbook, and interned at The Record, a Catholic Newspaper in Louisville. After graduation Cadet Curtis plans to pursue a career in medicine. Cadet Curtis is a S7 Sergeant, an EMT, a member of Glee, Club Soccer, theater, and VMI Institute Honors Program. Dennison Kelly '23, Assistant Business Manager. Cadet Kelly is a Economics and Business Major from Marlton, New Jersey whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to build on the Cadet-Alumni relationship by facilitating communication through an open forum, and to establish a place where Cadets are able to made their opinions known in an open environment. After graduation Cadet Kelly plans to pursue a career in the Army, hoping to branch Military Intelligence. At VMI, Cadet Kelly is involved in the Cadet Investment Group, is a member of the NCAA Cross-Country and Track teams, and is a S5 Sergeant Andrew Weston '24, Staff Reporter. Cadet Weston is a International Studies Major from Fairfax Station, Virginia whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to provide the corps and alumni eye opening stories about topics they may or may not be familiar with and providing stories of cadets, by cadets, to cadets. After graduation Cadet Weston plans to pursue a career in the United States Army hoping to branch Infantry and be assigned to an airborne unit. Cadet Weston is also a Delta Company Corporal. Russell Crouch '24, Staff Reporter. Cadet Crouch is a Chinese Major from San Diego, California whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to provide a public voice and outlet for the Corps. After graduation Cadet Crouch plans to pursue a career in the United States Marine Corps. Cadet Crouch chose VMI for its stringent adherence to tradition and a strong adversarial system, aspects of the school he hopes to preserve through the voice of The Cadet. Cadet Crouch is also a Delta Company Corporal. Noah McHugh '24, Staff Reporter. Cadet McHugh is an International Studies Major from Forest, Virginia whose goal for participating in The Cadet is to highlight cadets and alumni and the history of VMI that others may not know. After graduation Cadet McHugh plans to pursue a career in The United States Army. He is a F-Troop Company Corporal. The cadet staff is supported in its work by a highly qualified team of alumni mentors and Cadet Foundation Board of Directors members. JOIN US ON THE STAFF The Cadet is continually recruiting cadets from all classes in barracks as well as alumni mentors to support its continued success. Positions range from staff writers and photographers to managerial and leadership. Current open managerial positions include needing a Sports Editor. To add your talent to our staff and be part of The Cadet contact us at: Info@cadetnewspaper.org.