Southern Preparatory Academy Report: Attend the 2026 Scholarship Banquet

April is upon us... time for another Scholarship Banquet at the Marriott Grand National in Opelika [https://southernprepacademy.org/scholarship-banquet/] to showcase The Southern's recent accomplishments and prepare for next year's cohort designed to support promising students preparing for their future. Come hear the President's (Col. Corey Ramsby, pictured below at last year's banquet) update on moving forward out of SoPrep's 'Winter at Valley Forge'... rebuilding ranks and enrollment for the next academic year.

President Ramsby's successful efforts transforming SoPrep's return to founding principles is most apparent to those willing to give The Southern another look and 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 shepherding a 98% retention rate among students deciding to remain. Col. Ramsby's success is further illustrated by increased donor support and also revealing, 45 student applications (with more promised to be submitted) already in the mix for the 2026-27 school year.

The Southern https://southernprepacademy.org/ is 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.

The Southern's 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.

Again, if you want to witness and be a part of this good Spirited endeavour, mark your April 24, 2026 calendar to attend The Southern's Scholarship Banquet. Also consider heading to Camp Hill April 25th for a Banner Day [www.southernprepacademy.org/rangerfest] at The Southern's Campus! 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 Indeed some are pressing me to drive my bride's '79 El Camino for the Cruise in...

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 is becoming more promising each day. 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.

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 honour 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.