Augusta Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Fort Defiance, VA)

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History . ORE than a quarter of a century ago, when the State Sof Virginia, now famed for its many excellent schools, embraced but few of preparatory nature, 4 the Augusta Military Academy was founded to sup- ply the needs of the young men in and around Augusta County. The Augusta Male Academy, as it was then known, was a success from its incipiency, and from a day-school with a few boarding students, it rapidly developed into a boarding school with representatives from the adjoining states. Many of the Alumni of the original Augusta Military Academy hold to-day enviable positions in the business and professional world, and their regard for and loyalty to the school have been largely instrumental in placing the Augusta Military Academy of today among the fore- most schools of Virginia. The Academy saw the dawn of life in a small brick building theu situated in the grove of the Old Stone Church, about 300 yards from the present site. The increasing demands soon called for greater accommodations, and the grounds, comprising sixteen acres, were acquired on which were erected barracks and later a large academic hall. Year by year saw a constant increase, not only in better facilities but also in greater and more extended patronage. In 1906, the founder and owner, Chas. S. Roller, owing to ill health retired from active service, his two sons, Thos. J. Roller and Chas. 8. Roller, Jr., assuming control. Under their régime, the Augusta Military Academy has kept pace with the times, both as to improvements and a higher educational standard. To give its students every opportunity for development, both mental and physical, a modern academic hall and gymnasium has been constructed, which will compare favorably with any similar structure in the state. This year’s enrollment has passed the century mark, with boys from twenty states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, Central America and Canada. 14

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growth must extend over a period of many years after he has gone to the University of Heaven, for as one of the strongest poets has ruggedly and incisively put it ‘That low man seeks a little thing to do Sees it and does it. This high man, with a great thing to pursue Dies ere he knows it.’ ““We are assembled here today to dedicate in the honor of our much beloved, this handsome memorial to his distinguished service as a teacher, his high-toned honorable character as a man and his virtues and integrity asa Christian citizen, desirous of testifying by our words and actions the high esteem in which we hold him. The artist’s work has been most admirably performed. Here we plant our monument of love in order that from this day forth the genius of art may tell the story of his noble life as long as granite with- stands the elements, teaching the world the lofty lesson of his life and testifying forever to our reverence for his memory. May this Academy and country count it an honor to wear this ornament on their heart, and preserve it as a most precious heritage from those who love the memory of Charles Summerville Roller.

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With an enviable record behind it, the school anticipates greater future, ever striving for a higher degree of efficiency and keeping before it the knowledge that the school has in its hands in a large measure the molding of the character, the success or failure of our young men, upon whom will rest the welfare of our great republic.