The Difference is: Character Development
Of all the lessons taught by MMA faculty members, character is among the most important. Whether learning in the classroom, completing community service, performing on the athletic field or interacting socially, our cadets are always expected to do the right thing - acting with respect, responsibility, honor and generosity.
An MMA diploma means that a student has gone beyond the mastery of the subjects necessary to succeed in college and possesses the self-discipline and values that will help him succeed in all aspects of life. Read Nicholas Mabbs ’14’s story about his journey to MMA and how it’s helping him prepare for success in college and beyond:
by Nicholas Mabbs ’14
It’s common for most people to think about boys in a military boarding school as troublemakers, delinquents, or kids who were sent by the government. What they may not know is that most kids go to military school for the opportunity to learn another language, to achieve college acceptance, to improve their grades, and to maintain high academic standards. More people need to see the advantages of military boarding schools, and how this program can help guide young men on the right track in life.
Before I made the decision to go to military boarding school, I was like the average teenager. I was a bit of a rebel and did not care about my grades, never thinking about the future. I lived for the moment and only for it. When I was in trouble I always took the easy way out and never faced my consequences. This pattern was not only at school with my academics, but also with my family. I went from a “B” average student to a “D” student and started being disrespectful to my parents. I started to hang around negative people who had problems with the authorities. I was wasting my life away for the thrill of the moment.
The idea of me going to boarding school might be hard for my family to cope with, but it was the right thing to do. With less distractions and a consistent schedule I was able to develop proper study habits and better time management skills. My GPA increased and so did my opportunities to succeed in life. The first few months were hard – cleaning my room was never something I was good at. Being in uniform and not in your normal clothes is also something that is different but it is easy to get used to. Being told what to do by a boy my age was the hardest thing for me. But I soon became used to the way things work and became a team player in order to better myself…and I started to be more responsible for my actions.
Once on the right path, I started to build a strong resume to send into colleges to which I was applying. Improving my GPA will make it easier to receive that acceptance letter I have been waiting for. I believe that having “military academy” in my high school transcript makes it easier to get accepted to a better college. I am also expected to meet a certain amount of community service hours – at least twenty per year, if not more.
I think that for those of us who attended Missouri Military Academy, college life overall will be easier because we are trained leaders, we know how to prioritize our time, and we can easily follow instructions in a group or lead the study team. Knowing how to walk, talk, act, and dress like a gentleman will also help improve our overall appearance. All these qualities are taught to us at a military academy.
Military boarding school has helped me regain the confidence I lost in previous schools. It helped me turn my life around and do what is right. I have become a responsible young man with a plan for my future. Missouri Military Academy has changed my life for the better. Soon, I will be one of the leaders of tomorrow. Will you be one of us?
