Valley Forge Academy Qatar (VFAQ) is holding its grand opening event on Thursday at 1pm, at its state-of-the-art campus in Aspire Zone 2, it was announced Monday.
This event is the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony of the school that opened in August 2022 enrolling the young from Pre-Kindergarten–Grade 7.
Following the ribbon cutting, the students will participate in a parade where they will demonstrate a colour guard posting the colours, class formations, and marching. VFAQ delivers an American curriculum while integrating Qatari culture, Arabic language, and Islamic teachings, it was explained.
“VFAQ is a collaboration between Valley Forge Academy Military Academy (VFMA) in Pennsylvania, US, with almost 100 years of heritage and a proven track record in creating some of the world’s most prominent leaders since 1928. This collaboration is the first outreach for the Pennsylvania-based school since its founding,” the statement said.
“The selection of the date of January 19 was purposeful. The date has special significance for Valley Forge Military Academy in that, it was the date when the corps of cadets moved to the present location of VFMA after a devastating fire destroyed the original school less than 36 hours earlier. “This single event tested the character and will of the young men enrolled at the new school and set the stage for the future. Now after 94 years, VFAQ becomes the first new location that looks forward to preparing today’s young Qatari men for their future. Therefore, the opening on January 19 creates significance and sets the stage for the future of Valley Forge Academy Qatar and the promise it brings as the new location is recognised.”
Dr Paul Milward Lea IV, president of VFAQ, said: “This milestone event is an opportunity to formally welcome the founding families, their sons, and invited guests to the school facilities. We look forward to hosting those who attend to highlight both the personnel and facilities which will help mould and support our young men.”
A delegation from the US-based school including Col Stuart B Helgeson, president of Valley Forge Military Academy and College and John English, chairman of the VFMA Foundation will be in attendance. Invited guests include the Minister of Education and Higher Education, the US ambassador to Qatar, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, the Undersecretary of Special Education Affairs, and Higher Education, the Director of Private School Licensing, the CEO of the Aspire Zone, and other leaders within the ministry, business, and education sectors in Qatar. The founder of VFMA, General Milton G Baker stated that the “young man entering life must carry with him a high sense of honour, a recognition of the value of patriotism, and a proper respect for discipline law, and order.”
“The administration, faculty, and staff at VFAQ, look forward to carrying this mantra forward coupled with Islamic studies, Arabic language, and Qatari history as we look forward to the next 100 years and beyond. Both schools view their role and purpose as essential to a strong future with global citizens: Send us your boys: we will return to you a man,” the statement added.
