Southern Preparatory Academy Report: Support Our Maturing Troops

Recent military actions in Iran since my last SoPrep Report [https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2026/02/23/opinion/southern-preparatory-academy-report-plowshares-to-swords-andamp-vice-versa/10169.html] illustrate yet another iteration of 'plowshares into swords' upon us. The Gazette column on Valley Forge Military Academy's closure in Pennsylvania, leaving The Southern https://southernprepacademy.org/ one of a dozen remaining prep schools in the nation with a Corps of Cadets (military) program underscores the exigency. We're blessed to have this gem right here in Sweet Home Alabama, located at Camp Hill just off US Hwy 280 in East Central Alabama. If you want to promote a sound path for our youth maturing into a military career to join our hallowed troops in the ongoing effort toward a more perfect Union of States... Now is the time.

President Corey Ramsby's accomplishments since coming to SoPrep affirm Col. Ramsby has exceeded expectations. The transformation is most apparent to those willing to give SoPrep another look to witness the changes and return to the Academy's roots as an Agriculture and Industry School which morphed into a military academy. A proud alumnus now serving on the Board coined the phrase, "no longer a place of detention; now a school of retention," as the changes are proffering a 98% retention rate among students deciding to remain.

Noteworthy early history includes George Washington Carver and Lyman Ward's connections through shared commitment to agricultural/industrial education in our region. Booker T. Washington [famous for assisting/teaching brickmaking for Southern Industrial Institute construction] explicitly advocated industrial and agricultural training as a path out of poverty for the South's black population; Lyman Ward similarly championed this effort for whites - p. 43 of Jerri Beck's Their Country's Pride on the Academy's Centennial. Beck's work suggests high watermark graduating cohorts may again be recorded as parents and the Alabama Legislature want to prepare youth planning to serve in this noble profession. I pray we live up to such unselfish sacrifice. Rep. Ed Oliver has been a beacon in this regard advancing the Veteran's Center for those who have served and championing The Southern for our youth preparing to serve, Deo volente.

I hope to do justice w.r.t. past SoPrep graduates who've served, sacrificed and died in military service in a future SoPrep Report. The sadness of Maj. Klinner's [https://wire.auburn.edu/content/announcements/2026/03/14123518-announcement.php?utm_source=auburn-today&utm_medium=web] death is still raw as I think of past students who were killed and severely wounded since I began teaching in the late 1980s. I'm aware many call WWII era soldiers 'the greatest generation,' but I find those who served under misguided, undeclared military engagements (e.g., Afghanistan, Korea, Vietnam, etc.) perhaps greater under the deleterious circumstances thrust upon them. Our nation of States cannot continue without those willing to serve and endure our path forward to what we were designed to be... again, pray we have the courage to fight for them and live up to such honorable sacrifice.

If you want to witness and be a part of this Spirited endeavor, mark your April 24, 2026 calendar to attend The Southern's Scholarship Banquet [https://southernprepacademy.org/scholarship-banquet/] at the Marriott Grand National in Opelika. Also consider heading to Camp Hill April 25th for a Banner Day at The Southern's Campus! http://www.southernprepacademy.org/rangerfest Bring family, friends, and neighbors to (re)explore the beautiful campus, meet faculty, staff, and students, and enjoy a fun-filled day which include: 5K Run (8am), Classic Car Cruise In, Arts and Crafts Vendor Fair, Wrestling Tournament, JROTC Raider Competition, Summer Camp Showcase, Food Trucks and Campus Open House to view the recent changes. For More Information contact: Sierra Vickrey: 256-827-9556 or sierra.vickrey@southernprepacademy.org

Please support SoPrep maturing students into our next generation of troops wanting to serve in our military by visiting: https://southernprepacademy.org/giving-funds/ . Getting through this difficult winter of transition in the Spirit of the winter endured at Valley Forge has become all the more pressing. A crucial moment of great suffering and sacrifice, many historians consider Valley Forge the birth of our professional military, which morphed into a force stronger and united to defeat the greatest military of the era to repulse hegemonic mercantilism, sucking the marrow out of a people longing for liberty.

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The Southern continues that Spirit of sacrifice... striving to regain and maintain Liberty by teaching our youth well with our support. Alabama Gazette readers include many who venerate our military history, filled with honor and sacrifice. Southern Preparatory Academy is a way to support future generations by donating money, time, and even getting children/grandchildren to consider attending SoPrep.

John Sophocleus is a retired Auburn instructor, the 2002 Libertarian nominee for Governor or Alabama, 2024 Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate, and a widely published political commentator.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.