At Randolph-Macon Academy, summer is more than a pause between semesters—it’s an open door to possibility. Each year, students use their time away from campus to explore ambitious goals, challenge themselves academically, and deepen their understanding of who they want to become. As a military school in Virginia rooted in character, integrity, and responsibility, R-MA encourages students to pursue opportunities that expand their world and strengthen their purpose.
This summer, two students, Sanha “Isaac” Kang ’27 and Obehi Momodu ’27, embraced that challenge wholeheartedly. Their stories, one grounded in advanced bioengineering research, the other in global scholarship and community impact, show what R-MA students are capable of when curiosity meets courage, and learning extends far beyond the classroom.
Sanha Kang: Exploring The Future Of Aerospace Health
Isaac spent his summer conducting hands-on research at Hofstra University’s bioengineering lab. His work focused on plant-based vascular grafts, artificial blood vessels designed to protect pilots and astronauts from cardiovascular strain. Reflecting on what drew him to the field, Isaac shared, “I was very interested in the intersection of biology and aviation, and wanted to work at a place that applied technology, rather than focusing on theoretical studies.”
His research team simulated space and high-altitude environments using bioreactors, vacuum tubes, and temperature cycling. Isaac explained, “Then, we used a bioreactor to simulate blood pressure, blood flow, and other physiological reactions in the body to closely resemble the actual human body.” When these extreme conditions weakened the grafts, he helped develop a solution: “Applying chemical crosslinkers to grafts notably made them stronger, exhibiting potential to be used in real-world conditions.”
Independent Turbulence Research: Innovation Through Machine Learning
Outside the lab, Isaac completed an independent study on predicting turbulence using flight data, physics, and machine learning. “My system takes simple flight information like altitude, speed, and direction and looks for sudden changes that signal turbulence”, he says.
The autonomy of the project came with challenges. “The most difficult part was not having direct guidance when I faced problems… I had to spend a lot of time teaching myself new methods,” he shared. Submitting his research to a peer-reviewed journal pushed his confidence and academic maturity even further.
Obehi Momodu: Global Leadership And Community Impact
Another of our students at our military school in Virginia, Obehi’s summer that began with an unexpected acceptance to Yale’s Young Global Scholars Program. “There I got to study Politics, Law and Economics… while getting to meet some of the most incredible and accomplished professors from all across the globe!” she said. The program also connected her with students from around the world whose stories inspired her to push her own initiatives further.
Snapshot Donations: Creativity With a Purpose
Her passion project, Snapshot Donations, is an online art gallery supporting children in low-income communities. “So far, the initiative has cultivated a significant amount of funds… and has directly impacted more than 30 children in the area,” she shared proudly.
Yet the journey wasn’t always smooth. Obehi admitted, “I doubted myself every time I had to do something that seemed bigger than my means or ‘out of my league’.” Her method for overcoming doubt was deeply personal: “I would pray, and then I would write. I would feel everything there was to feel and then let it go in a prayer or in a poem. I would let it go, unclench my jaw, and move on.”
At our private boarding school in Virginia, R-MA creates an environment where students discover their strengths and take bold steps toward their goals.
How Our Military School in Virginia Supports These Journeys
R-MA faculty mentors encourage curiosity, guide students toward meaningful opportunities, and support their academic passions. Students at R-MA learn resilience, initiative, and responsibility, the very qualities Isaac and Obehi leaned on during their ambitious summer pursuits. Whether launching a research project, applying to a competitive program, or leading community initiatives, students know they have a school community cheering them on and equipping them with the confidence to excel.
R-MA prepares students for life, helping them discover who they are and who they aspire to become.
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