Testimonials from Alumni

""I will always be thankful for the role St. John's, the faculty, staff, and cadets played in my development as a young man. I can never repay the debt I owe to this great institution and the great men who helped me."
- Roy Knight, 1974, President, Bakehouse Foods

""I truly believe that if it were not for St. John's I would not have succeeded in life as I have. The faculty was like my mother and father while I was in school and showed a sincere interest in my growth. Because of my memorable five years at St. John's I have maintained for the past fifty years a close association with the school, faculty and students. St. John's has and always will be an important part of my life.""
- Colonel Albert J. Ransom USMC, retired Marine aviator and Owner of a successful small family business. Class of '56

""I first came to St. John's in search of help for a troubled child. Those 2 years at St. John's basically saved his life. His path became clearer and he began to benefit from successes in the classroom. He began to take pride in his appearance and military achievements. Even today, many years later, the principles he learned at St. John's continue to help him.

It is with this affection for the school that I have had the pleasure to be a teacher and Director of Communications here. Now I get to watch and have a hand in the growth and development of many young men.

When a student tells me that I've inspired him to become a better student and person, well, that's just awesome. That's when I know that I'm doing my job.""
- Barbara Nitz, mother of a former cadet, and former SJMS English, Journalism teacher and Director of Communications.

""St. John's has been shaping boys into responsible young men for over one hundred years. While American society today seems to have lost some of its devotion to the classic ideals of duty, honor and country, the School's commitment has never been stronger. As a result, an investment in St. John's produces immeasurable returns for our great country.""
- The Honorable Lawton Nuss, Kansas Supreme Court Justice and son of St. John's educators

""Without question, St. John's had, and continues to have, a profound impact on my life. It's influence on me came at a very critical time in my life. It's with me every day in my decisions, my respect for others and authority, the understanding of a high compassion for all and teamwork, and an internal drive to be the best at whatever I do.

The St. John's faculty and staff are unparalleled in the teaching profession. The can be tough, loving, mentors, and above all else, a friend when you need one.

I continue to stay close to the school as I'm currently serving my 17th year on the St. John's Board of Trustees. SJMS Forever!""
- Larry Britegam, President Sunflower Bank, SJMS Board Member and former cadet

""Why St. John's?" The answer is simple: I was ready to change my life, and the school, its staff and students provided the means. By the age of 16 I knew college was necessary to become a minister. The enforced and supervised evening study time (at St. John's), availability of faculty mentoring, and the challenge of the classroom did the trick.

When I graduated from this grand old school, I was second in command of the Corps, and #1 in my self-esteem. It was a proud moment for my family and myself. They could see the change in me, and I knew that I was a new (young) man. SJMS Forever!""
- Reverend William E. Salmon, Class of 1953

""Because of St. John's our son has matured into a responsible young man. Rex attended SJMS for 7 years, and during those years he learned to respect others, accept responsibility for his actions, and gained the structure and discipline needed for later life. We cannot thank St. John's enough for the opportunities that were offered to him while he attended. Even though he has graduated, we plan to remain active at St. John's both physically and financially, in hopes that our support will allow St. John's to continue to mold young boys into outstanding young men.""
- Mrs. Patty Robichaux, mother of Rex Robichaux - Battallion Commander of the 115th Corps of Cadets

""I feel that St. John's possesses two priceless ingredients - time and understanding - the time to explore each boy's personal resources and the understanding to cultivate these resources. I believe we are successful with many boys at St. John's simply because every area of their character and personality is directed in one consistent and coordinated program.""
- Colonel Keith G. Duckers, SJMS President 1968-1993. SJMS

""Even though I only spent two years there, it still gave me the discipline I needed to be successful in life.""
- Orin Seybert, 1953, President PenAir Lines

""St. John's Military School made such an impact on my life and to this day I apply skills that I learned while there.""
- John Andrew Wolfe, 1985, teacher

""During my time as a cadet at St. John's, I developed various personal attributes and leadership qualities that played a major role in the successes I achieved during my lifetime. I owe so much to St. John's and am deeply grateful to the faculty and staff that were always there to support me.""
- D Dale Browning, Class of 1955, SJMS Headmaster and Board Member, Chairman of the Board of Frontier Airlines, and Founder of Plus Systems.

""There can be no finer preparation for manhood than the training you receive at St. John's Military School. Anyone who says it can't be done or its impossible only shows their lack of imagination and confidence in themselves. A true leader will march to his own drum.""
- John Rick Taylor, 1966, President Firecreek Petroleum & Author

""My memories of St. John's Military School are rich and varied. It was there that I learned the important concepts of leadership, duty and honor to country, and the importance of faith in the development of the whole person. As I look back on my life, I am grateful for what St. John's provided for me in my development. I credit all of my accomplishments to the character building that began at St. John's. The uniqueness of my high school experiences at St. John's make me appreciate my 4 years there in a way that could not have been as rich and varied had I gone to a regular high school. I have an optimism and steadfast belief in my abilities that all began at St. John's.""
- Jeff Broome, 1971, Professor and Author

""To all the St. John's Military School family, many thanks, for I would not be where I am today if wasn't for all your hard work and dedication. For a young man with a poor self-esteem, I have since considered myself somewhat of a "little engine that could," never saying "never." You not only provided me with confidence, but a perspective of industry and integrity that will forever serve myself and this country. You cast the mold and did the shaping, I only carry the brand.""
- Matt Rohlman, 2004 graduate

""I want to thank God for giving my parents the knowledge and insight to know that sending me to St. John's Military School was the right decision. You see, it is at St. John's that I was taught true leadership. I was shown that a person's observable behavior is an indication of his character. To have the reputation of being of outstanding character is, in my mind, the greatest of attributes."

"I loved St. Johns Military School. When I reflect on that part of my life it seems that my teenage years were characterized as fortunate providence that somehow, contrived to embed in me a sense of discipline and responsibility. After five years of SJMS, Virginia Military Institute was a splendidly blissful complement.""
- Peter Wilcox, Battalion Commander, 2002

" For additional testimonials from parents of current and former St. John's cadets, visit the GreatSchools.net website. GreatSchools recently announced St. John's as a Parents' Choice Top Private School for 2009. St. John's was the only military school in the country to receive this distinction."
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Testimonials from Alumni

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