CLAYTON — First State Military Academy held its seventh annual induction ceremony for cadets Sept. 17.

The ceremony was a formal recognition of all freshmen and first-year cadets at the school, with new students affirming their dedication to FSMA and returning cadets reaffirming their oaths.

The event also recognized several businesses that helped facilitate a $120,000 upgrade to the school’s walkways.

EP Henry President Eric Long, whose company donated 31,500 pavers to expand the paths, was the guest of honor.

He offered some advice to the cadets: “‘Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense,’” said Mr. Long, quoting Winston Churchill. “‘Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.’”

The pavers were installed by The Brick Doctor Inc. in a project that took three weeks and consisted of 350 tons of material excavated and 40 tons of sand.

In addition to the pathways, The Brick Doctor also supported an Eagle Scout flagpole project at FSMA, as well as the installation of a brick walkway presented by the senior class and of brick art, donated by PAVERART, at the school’s main entrance.

The ceremony, which was limited to just new cadets due to the pandemic in 2020, included more than 200 parents, family members and friends this year.