explore the religious dimensions of contemporary moral, social and public issues. Speakers come from diverse religious backgrounds, and the invitation to speak at the school does not imply an endorsement of the speaker's views. Previous speakers have included Peter Kreeft, as well as members of the theology and philosophy faculties of universities from around Texas and the United States. Founder's Day: Every year, students have one day off of class in commemoration and celebration of the school's founder, Bishop James Steptoe Johnston. Part of the day is dedicated to speeches, but the majority of it is spent in a school wide competition in which teams of costumed students from various years, led by those in their final year, compete in a series of tasks of varying levels of farcicality. Homecoming Tailgate Party: The annual homecoming tailgate party, which always features local Kiolbassa Sausage, was covered by the Food Network show Unwrapped in 2008. Military Ball: This annual formal ball is hosted by the corps of cadets at a local hotel. All members of the school community — students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents — are invited. The event includes dinner and a guest speaker, usually a military officer of general officer rank or equivalent. The dress code mandates mess dress for cadets and all serving or retired military personnel with semi-formal evening dress or national costume for all other attendees. There was a long standing competition between senior female cadets to receive the honor of becoming queen of military ball. In 2019 this tradition ended making Trinity Coates Walker the last standing queen of military ball. The Steptoe: This cheer in honor of Bishop Johnston is used at athletic events and on other occasions. It consists of the person cheering taking two exaggerated steps forward and motioning with a partially open hand to simulate the paw of a big cat, while shouting "Steptoe! Steptoe! Rah, rah, rah!". Corps of Cadets Approximately one third of TMI students are members of the corps of cadets. The TMI corps of cadets is under the command of MAJ Joseph Claburn (USA, Ret.), who has been the commandant of cadets since the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, MSG Chad Gooding (USA, Ret.), and SGT Ray Purifoy (USA, Ret.), and is affiliated with the United States Army's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. The Panther Battalion has also been named as an Honor Unit with Distinction,