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Legacy Day 2026
VMI welcomed more than 300 guests, including 184 children and teenagers, for Legacy Day 2026.
More than 300 guests, including 184 children and teenagers, arrived at VMI for Legacy Day 2026. From rock climbing walls to engineering exploration through drone simulations, the annual event—designed for youth ages 5-18 years old—invites alumni and their families back on post to share VMI’s spirit and traditions with the next generation.
Legacies began the day with a buffet-style breakfast in Cocke Hall before splitting off into different age groups for activities around post. The day included rock climbing and the Leadership Reaction Course in the Corps Physical Training Facility, an obstacle course, a museum tour, meeting Moe, engineering demonstrations with drone simulations, and a barracks tour. For the legacies aged 15-18, the schedule also included an admissions briefing, providing prospective cadets with an overview of VMI’s application process, academic programs, and cadetship. The event concluded with all legacies marching down from Third Barracks to Crozet Hall for lunch.
Over 40 cadets volunteered their time throughout the day, supporting activities and welcoming attendees on post.
Alexis Gonzalez ’25, Alumni Association director of alumni engagement, reflected on the impact of the event on attendees and leading her first Legacy Day since joining the Alumni Agencies.“As this was my first Legacy Day, it was enlightening to see how much work goes into this activity and how much the legacies and their families love this day,” said Gonzalez. “Once you step past those gates in New Barracks arch, you enter a special community filled with stories, shared challenges, and lifelong friends. It was awesome to see and hear all the kids who had not met before having those bonds during the Legacy Day experience—especially the older kids who had to rely on each other to make it through the Leadership Reaction Course. They now have a shared experience that turned them from strangers to friends within a matter of minutes.
“I am extremely grateful and honored I got to be part of the magic this year and watch the friendships and community grow throughout the day,” she continued. “It was a bittersweet moment for me watching the newly affirmed ‘Legacy Day cadets’ marching proudly down to Crozet with huge smiles across their faces.”
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Mattie Montgomery Assistant Editor
The assistant editor assists the editor-in-chief in various tasks relating to the production of quarterly and monthly publications, as well as prepares written materials for publication. The assistant editor serves as liaison between class agents and chapter presidents and the Agencies’ publications, as well as provides backup photography for events.
