2/21/2019 The Texas Military Institute Corps of Cadets, optional military program of TMI Episcopal, honored its senior cadets at its annual Military Ball, held Feb. 2 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. More than 600 cadets, their dates and parents attended.Celebrating the school’s 125th anniversary, as well as the 54th annual Military Ball, the event recognized the accomplishments of the Corps’ senior class of cadets, including Michael Blaess, Jessica Cox, Hasan Ehsan, Eduardo Garcia, Warren Gignac, Andrew Hieger, Benjamin Hirsch, Clinton Ma, Juliana Martinez, Santiago Martinez, Lorelei McDowell, William Oliver, Nicolas Planchet, Brandon Rubsamen, Andres Thrailkill, Trinity Walker and Trent Wisian.

Ally Kotopoulos, who was Queen of the 2018 ball, crowned Trinity Walker as Queen of the 2019 Military Ball. Walker was one of the four senior cadets who had been named Sweethearts, from whom the queen is selected by a panel of distinguished women of achievement in business, the Episcopal church and the nonprofit sector. Other sweethearts were Jessica Cox, Juliana Martinez and Lorelei McDowell. All were interviewed by the Sweethearts judges and considered on bearing, presentation, poise, professionalism and record of activities and leadership within the Corps.

Guest speaker was retired Army Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez Jr., commandant of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, who spoke on the qualities essential to leadership. During his 31 years of military service, Ramirez commanded soldiers around the world and served in leadership positions in various joint and operational commands. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for United States Central Command during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and was the Deputy Division Commander for the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea. His most recent assignment was Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for U.S.-European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

The TMI Military Ball has been celebrated annually since 1965. The event is open to all students and their parents and gives cadets and their dates a chance to practice military courtesies in a formal setting that includes a receiving line, dinner and dancing. Traditions include a Saber Guard, Grand March, Queen’s Waltz and toasting with sparkling juice.