O n e o f t h e • I ndependently O l d e s t C o l l e g e R un B y C a d e t s N ew spapers S in c e 1907 VOLUME x c ix F riday, A pril 14 t h , 2 0 0 5 ISSUE 22 W eek in Band Performs in Review Rank Announced Cherry Blossom Parade News By Aiidrew Czaplicki Second, 'I’liird ;ui<l P'ourth I’lie Cadet Regimentid Cadets attend Nevv.s Writer Chisses from tlic cu iT en t First leadership is pl.uining to make research conference In a ceremony held in Class. The paiade will be held several imiirovements to die Ixjeune H;dl this psLst week, on 13 May. Corjis by following the newly tlie cadet leadership for tlie 'I’liis ye:u ’s Cadet Sergeant released Commander’s Intent, 2000-2007 school year was Major, Salvatore Sl'ernizza, written by Sfernu'o:!. I'h e intent announced. Cadets from hits been selected to be die is to increase professionalism, tlic Cl;iss of 2007 learned Regimentid Comiiuuider to reinforce die idea of what it of their assignments at diis and Band Company Master is to be a VMI Cadet, and to meeting, from Uie Regiment:il Serge:uit Jon Schmidt will instill jjiide in diis school. Commander tlirough members tiike over a.s die Regimentid Sfernizza explained diat of the Cadet Government. Executive Oflicer. he “w:uits to make ever>' lliis ceremony is tlie first Sferrazzji looks fonvard to cadct a source of pride...vve in a line of promotion events tlie coming ye;ir :uid believes :dl realize diat every’ person leading up to tlie annual Change diat “die Coii)s is on ;ui gets caught up in die husde- of Com m and ceremony :uid upw-Jird trend, in die past diree ‘n ’ busde of life here. But, we parade, in which tlie comnuuid yeai s it just seems to be getting must :dso realize diat we have of the Corps shifts to the better and better.” See Vision 2007 26 cadets attended the on Page 2 Nation;d Conl'erence for I Indergraduate Reseaich at tlie Leadership receives diversity training University of Nortli Carolina- Asheville....pg 2 By Tim Green EQuity Association, which the seclusion of VMI from the News Writer conducts sexual harassment world around it, and how much Fourth Class Brett Sokolow, a investigations within the corps. of a different society that VMI GC Selected Pennsylvania lawyer who Colonel Hurlbut, the head of is. 'I'lie class of 2009 ofTicially specializes in sexual harassment Cadet Life, coordinated with the Cadet Sferrazza said chose tiie olliccrs tliat v\ill litigation, briefed members of Human Resources department of Mr. Sokolow, “He’s very represent tlieir class for tlie the VMI community on Tuesday to schedule multiple training accommodating, has a very good next four ye;irs...pg 2 in seminars held throughout the sessions for different cadet grasp on the way things work in day. associations within the day. a college setting, and was very Opinion Sokolow’s day began Select cadets went to a engaging. He is not nearly as with an 8:00 AM meeting with luncheon with Mr. Sokolow dry as some speakers can be, The Merits of FTX General Peay, and was followed and some members of the especially those who address Why Spring FI’X is an event by training for the classified Commandant’s staff. Among sexual harassment.” that should be continued into and wage employees, such as those who attended were Throughout the afternoon the distjuit future...pg 3 the laundry department, and Salvatore Sferrazza, ’07, Jeff Mr. Sokolow spoke to the cadets Buildings & Grounds staff. Choma, ’07, Jason LaCerda, with rank and those who have Later that morning the entire ’07, Colonel Hutchings, Colonel applied for rank, and any others VMI faculty and staff were Hurlbut, Lieutenant Colonel interested in attending. The BRANT PRIEST administered a brief concerning Funkhouser, and Captains Dom focus of the seminar focused on The Cherry Blossom Parade takes its name from the spring foliage. the line between harassment and and Blakey. the Question of what constitutes their beautiful pink and white By Joel Keneipp first amendment rights. Mr. Sokolow spoke with sexual harassment. Mr. pedals for a few weeks, the News Writer Following the morning the cadets about the difference Sokolow’s main point centered Cherry Blossom Festival is briefs, Mr. Sokolow briefed between cadets’ perceptions and on this mainly depends on the The Virginia Military noted for the over 150 daily and gave training to the cadet public perceptions of VMI. The See Diversity Training Institute Regimental events that accompany it. on Page 4 organizations such as the Cadet cadets present also spoke about Band recently traveled to ranging from bike tours and Washington to participate in a soccer toumament, to sushi The 2006 Cherry Blossom and sake tasting, all the way to Fesdval. The celebration an anime film marathon. marks the 94th anniversary of The band departed Post Entertainment the original gift of the cherry at 0500 Saturday moming to Lord of War trees from the city of Tokyo to make the nearly four-hour the people of Washington, DC journey to the capital. Despite Nicolas Cage continues to in 1912. the constant rain, the band iuniize v\ith his portrayal of The 100-member band played on and did a great job mi I'jist Europe:m ;uins was die 99'*' out of 102 units of representing the Corps, dealer...pg 5 to march in the parade. performing “Shenandoah” and Humor Despite the rain on Saturday, “Scotland the Brave.” the band marched and had to Every spring, the band Look out Corps wear the Class Dyke uniform, tries to participate in at least Riuikers, Biuul Co., ;uid nimiy complete with their rain cape one out-of-town parade, most otiier asi)ects of bmrackii life and Shako. recently the Saint Patrick’s tliat VMI just would not be The roots of the celebration Day Parade in New York tJie siune vWtlioiit.... pg 6 that lasts for the duration City and Mardi Gras in New of the traditional two-week Orleans. Invited to both this S e c t io n s blooming of cherry trees goes year, they instead decided to all the way back to the dawn apply for a spot in the Cherry BRANT PRIEST of the 20"’ centiuy. In 1912, Blossom Parade, which VMI Top Army ROTC cadets from all over the United States pay a visit to the Old Barracks Courtyard. Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo has not done for a few years. gave 3,000 cherry trees to the This was John Judge’s first Top Army cadets receive Marshall Award United States to celebrate the chance to make the festival, growing friendship between and he remarked: “Despite the from across the nation gathered week. The Marshall Award is the two nations. rain, I thought it was a very By Phil Pohlman in Lexington for the 29'*' annual presented every year to the top The notion has been memorable Cherry Blossom News Writer George C. Marshall Army See Marshali Awards celebrated annually ever Festival.” The top Army ROTC cadets ROTC Award Seminar this past Presented on Page 2 since, being lengthened to a After the parade, twenty full two week ceremony in members of the pipe band Here come the French 1994. Averaging an April See C herry Blosjsom Parade on Page 4 visit by French cadets, VMI does country in some government 4'*' bloom date and holding By Luke A. Gordon not send cadets to the Ecole. capacity. News Writer Cadet Heather Miras, After a competitive kick- Friday marks the end the Regimental S-7 Captain, ball game in the courtyard Supreme Court of a week long visit fi-om is the Cadet-in-Charge of the between VMI First Classmen sixteen cadets of the Ecole exchange. Heather Miras said and the Ecole cadets, the French Polytechnique French military of the exchange, “The French cadets were available to speak academy in an international cadets are able to interact with on their opinions of VMI and Clerk Visits student exchange program in the American people; it is also their experiences in America. law degree is basically a Ph.D. By Ava Schultz The Cadi'l, studtnt iiew.spapcr of the conjunction with VMI. a great experience to see the Clement Dupont-roc, a native in liberal arts. Besides law, I News Writer ViiKinia Mihtaiv Institute, was estah- The cadets have slept in country, considering the current of Paris, said he will purse a have studied a wide variety of hshed ill the Fall ul' 1907 iuul ha.s been image America has in the coiitiiuied since tliat time. Uiir new.spa|K'r Barracks, toured the Post, sat in civilian career upon graduation. Josh Adams ’96, clerk history, writing and economics is pulilished evety Ftiday al'teni(K)n dimng on classes, and had the privilege international scene.” Dupont-roc’s knowledge of the to Supreme Court Justice in law school.” He continued, the academic ye;u', except duriiiK Coii)s of eating in Crozet Hall. The The Ecole Polytechnique media’s portrayal between the Clarence Thomas, gave advice “...lawyers know more about ti ips, liolidays and ex:un |)eii<xls. A yearly is the premier military academy siiiisci-iption is $'2:> on Post and $80 oil' cadets arrived on Sunday and United States and France led on the schooling and career more things in general...[this] I’ost.