Lyman Ward Military Academy
Encyclopedia
Lyman Ward Military Academy (LWMA) is a private military school located in Camp Hill, Alabama
.
for those with the ability to learn, the willingness to work and in turn better themselves.
In 1901, the State of Alabama granted Dr. Ward a charter incorporating the school with the name; The Southern Industrial Institute, Inc.
In 1948, Dr. Ward's passing led to the establishment of a military department. The school then changed its name to Lyman Ward Military Academy in honor of its founder. At this time, the school also ended its elementary and co-ed programs.
In 1966, the school became a member of the JROTC program, and is currently assigned two active duty personnel by the Department of Army
.
In 1972, the school received its first accreditation from the outhern Association of Colleges and Schools which it maintains to this day.
In August 2006, lightning struck and destroyed the Dixon All-Faith Chapel.
In October 2007, Tallapoosa Hall was added to the register of Alabama's Historic Landmarks by the Alabama Historical Commission
. The AHC certificate is currently displayed in Tallapoosa Hall's reception room.
) with the normal student load for grades 9-12 consisting of seven courses per year. Class periods are 90 minutes long which allows for more discussion, review, and class work. This also gives the teacher the opportunity to work with each student individually as needed.
In keeping with the requirements of the State of Alabama, students are required to have four years of English, Math, History and Science. Other courses are offered as electives. It is possible for a student to earn 6 to 8 credits per year. A student must have 24 credits to graduate.
Junior High School (grades 6-8) is also on the Semester System. Courses are taken for the full school year and are split into 45 minute classes. The usual class load is seven classes.
(1980–2006), the Peanut Festival in Dothan, Alabama
(1980–1990), as well as several command performances for the Governor of Alabama including the 2006 Inaugural Parade. The Band also often performs at Christmas parades in Opelika and Alexander City.
Each year band members have the opportunity to participate in off-campus festivals and compete for individual awards. One such event would be the Alabama Bandmasters Solo and Ensemble contest in April. former Lyman Ward band members have also been selected to the Auburn University ,Montevallo,and Birmingham Southern Honor Bands that perform in February each year.
Students who have no instrumental experience may choose to enroll in the Beginning Band class. This class is mainly composed of 6th and 7th grade students who are trained in the basics of band instrument performance. These students also learn to read music and instrument care as they progress toward performing in a marching or concert band.
activities are held throughout the designated weekend. Special activities include a Homecoming Court with the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at the Friday night Football game. On Saturday, there is a parade to honor returning alumni and friends, as well as a banquet and the Homecoming dance.
season is held every year during the spring. Teams are led by the faculty and military staff and competition is open to all cadets.
A very competitive atmosphere surrounds the fun that naturally occurs when faculty, staff and cadets compete together. Each team takes great pride in its effort to acquire the title of "Spring Softball Champions".
853 air rifles. The rifle team competes in the Alabama Northeast Area JROTC Rifle League. The league is recognized and uses the National Rifle Association
rules for air rifles. The teams compete in a 3-position
league which consists of the prone
, kneeling
, and standing
positions from 33 feet (10.1 m). The team competes every year in the Auburn University War Eagle Invitational where schools from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida compete for two days in the air rifle competitions. In 2006, we came in 3rd at the War Eagle Invitational.
Currently, there are two rifle teams, Team A & Team B, consisting of five shooters per team. The teams practice after school Monday through Thursday.
The Color Guard also carries the colors at all on and off campus parades. Currently we have an A and B team Color Guard and we do allow the underclass cadets to participate. The Color Guard meets Monday through Thursday after school.
(AISA) in the 1A classification. LWMA fields both Varsity and Jr. High Teams. The Rangers compete against private schools who are members of the AISA.
Presently, the Academy fields two teams - at the varsity (Senior School) level and one at the Junior Varsity (Junior School)level. The varsity teams are composed of student athletes in grades 9-12; the Junior Varsity program is designed for student athletes in grades 6-8. All teams play a full interscholastic schedule.
The varsity teams play a competitive 18-20 game schedule, with games beginning in mid-November and ending in early February. The Rangers compete against private schools as a Class 1A member of the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA). The Junior Varsity team plays a 10-12 game schedule.
Basketball practice begins in mid to late October and is open to all interested students. Typically, 40 young men participate in one of the Academy's three teams as players, managers, and scorekeepers. The basketball program affords a great opportunity for participation at each athlete's level of playing ability. In the last five years, LWMA basketball players have received scholarship offers from such institutions as Atlanta Christian College and Montreat College in North Carolina.
The team is currently coached by Mr. Jeff Damron, who has one state championship at the AISA level as head coach at Springwood School (Lanett, Alabama).
Camp Hill, Alabama
Camp Hill is a town in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,273. It is part of the Alexander City Micropolitan Statistical Area. Camp Hill is the home to Lyman Ward Military Academy...
.
History
The Academy was founded by Dr. Lyman Ward in 1898 as a non-profit, non-denominational, co-educational institution for the rural youth of Alabama. The original purpose was to provide a secondary educationSecondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
for those with the ability to learn, the willingness to work and in turn better themselves.
In 1901, the State of Alabama granted Dr. Ward a charter incorporating the school with the name; The Southern Industrial Institute, Inc.
In 1948, Dr. Ward's passing led to the establishment of a military department. The school then changed its name to Lyman Ward Military Academy in honor of its founder. At this time, the school also ended its elementary and co-ed programs.
In 1966, the school became a member of the JROTC program, and is currently assigned two active duty personnel by the Department of Army
United States Department of the Army
The Department of the Army is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Army is the Federal Government agency which the United States Army is organized within, and it is led by the Secretary of the Army who has...
.
In 1972, the school received its first accreditation from the outhern Association of Colleges and Schools which it maintains to this day.
Campus
LWMA is located on 300 acres (1.2 km²) and boasts two athletic fields, a parade field, two 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) lakes (Lake Mary & Lake Ann), double tennis courts, three dormitories, a dining hall, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor rifle ranges, supply building, JROTC building, infirmary, administration building, and canteen. The historic Tallapoosa Hall is wood. In addition, there is a library with a technology center and a large auditorium.In August 2006, lightning struck and destroyed the Dixon All-Faith Chapel.
In October 2007, Tallapoosa Hall was added to the register of Alabama's Historic Landmarks by the Alabama Historical Commission
Alabama Historical Commission
The Alabama Historical Commission is the historic preservation agency for the U. S. state of Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission of safeguarding Alabama’s historic buildings and sites. It consists of twenty members appointed by the state...
. The AHC certificate is currently displayed in Tallapoosa Hall's reception room.
Admissions
The Academy accepts middle school and high school students whom are preparing themselves for college, as-well-as other career fields. Many of these applicants are attempting to improve their academic standing and study habits. Applications for admissions are accepted year-round. New cadets are admitted in August and January of each year, at the beginning of each academic semester. Late admissions are considered and often accepted.Tuition
The fees for the full year are $16,495. This covers Room, Board, Tuition, Lab Fee, Haircuts, Laundry and Dry Cleaning, and Library Fee. This does not cover the cost of Uniforms or personal spending money. The uniforms cost is for first year cadets and is $2,200.00 including sales tax. For returning students who have their uniforms, the charge is $17,095. The $250 application fee is used for registration administration and is non-refundable. Early enrollment and returning student discounts are deductible from the Room, Board and Tuition fee. The Academy accepts students on a year round basis, however a major enrollment period occurs in January. The fees for late-enrolling students is discounted based on the date of enrollment.Academics
LWMA is on the Semester System (Block ScheduleBlock scheduling
Block scheduling is a type of academic scheduling in which each student has fewer classes per day but each class is scheduled for a longer period of time . A student might be taking 7 different classes, but only 4 per day, and the specific daily classes would rotate through a changing daily cycle...
) with the normal student load for grades 9-12 consisting of seven courses per year. Class periods are 90 minutes long which allows for more discussion, review, and class work. This also gives the teacher the opportunity to work with each student individually as needed.
In keeping with the requirements of the State of Alabama, students are required to have four years of English, Math, History and Science. Other courses are offered as electives. It is possible for a student to earn 6 to 8 credits per year. A student must have 24 credits to graduate.
Junior High School (grades 6-8) is also on the Semester System. Courses are taken for the full school year and are split into 45 minute classes. The usual class load is seven classes.
Band
The Lyman Ward Band program provides students with the opportunity to take band classes designed to improved their individual and ensemble performing skills . Bandmember's perform for parades, dedications, and civic events each year. Past performances by the Lyman Ward Band include participation in the Talladega 500(1980–1990), Mardis Gras(1980–1986), the National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
(1980–2006), the Peanut Festival in Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
(1980–1990), as well as several command performances for the Governor of Alabama including the 2006 Inaugural Parade. The Band also often performs at Christmas parades in Opelika and Alexander City.
Each year band members have the opportunity to participate in off-campus festivals and compete for individual awards. One such event would be the Alabama Bandmasters Solo and Ensemble contest in April. former Lyman Ward band members have also been selected to the Auburn University ,Montevallo,and Birmingham Southern Honor Bands that perform in February each year.
Students who have no instrumental experience may choose to enroll in the Beginning Band class. This class is mainly composed of 6th and 7th grade students who are trained in the basics of band instrument performance. These students also learn to read music and instrument care as they progress toward performing in a marching or concert band.
Homecoming
Each year, HomecomingHomecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
activities are held throughout the designated weekend. Special activities include a Homecoming Court with the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at the Friday night Football game. On Saturday, there is a parade to honor returning alumni and friends, as well as a banquet and the Homecoming dance.
Intramurals
Intramural softballSoftball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
season is held every year during the spring. Teams are led by the faculty and military staff and competition is open to all cadets.
A very competitive atmosphere surrounds the fun that naturally occurs when faculty, staff and cadets compete together. Each team takes great pride in its effort to acquire the title of "Spring Softball Champions".
Rifle Team
The Rifle Team is open to all cadets 9-12th grade who have a strong desire to compete on a high school level with air rifles. Currently the Rifle Team shoots in the sportier division and competes with DaisyDaisy Outdoor Products
Daisy is a company that makes and sells inexpensive BB guns and other air guns.-History:Daisy was started in 1882 as Plymouth Iron Windmill Company in Plymouth, Michigan. In 1886 the company started to give BB guns with purchases of windmills. The gun was so popular the company started to sell guns...
853 air rifles. The rifle team competes in the Alabama Northeast Area JROTC Rifle League. The league is recognized and uses the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
rules for air rifles. The teams compete in a 3-position
Three positions
International Rifle events in Three positions are conducted with an equal number of shots fired from the Prone, the Standing and the Kneeling positions, always in that order....
league which consists of the prone
Prone position
The term means to lie on bed or ground in a position with chest downwards and back upwards.-Etymology :The word "prone," meaning "naturally inclined to something, apt, liable," has been recorded in English since 1382; the meaning "lying face-down" was first recorded in 1578, but is also referred to...
, kneeling
Kneeling position
The kneeling position is a position for rifle shooting. There are no longer international competitions in pure kneeling shooting, but it is included as the last part of 300 metre rifle three positions, 300 metre standard rifle and 50 metre rifle three positions.It takes a very long time to achieve...
, and standing
Standing position
In shooting, the standing position, also known as "offhand", refers to shooting while standing. It is often regarded as the most difficult position. The rules vary depending on the shooting discipline. Generally, one must stand freely, without the aid of a rest or bench. Highpower rifle, smallbore...
positions from 33 feet (10.1 m). The team competes every year in the Auburn University War Eagle Invitational where schools from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida compete for two days in the air rifle competitions. In 2006, we came in 3rd at the War Eagle Invitational.
Currently, there are two rifle teams, Team A & Team B, consisting of five shooters per team. The teams practice after school Monday through Thursday.
Color Guard
The Color Guard is open to all cadets from 9th to 12th grade.Currently the Color Guard competes in the Armed Color Guard Category and competes each year in different JROTC competitions around the state. The Color Guard performs at a variety of activities on campus including Posting the Colors at all home sporting events, all promotion ceremonies, and scrub graduations. The Color Guard is known in the community for Posting the Colors at the Pearson Elementary school in Alexander City for Veterans Day and at the Dadeville Elementary School Veterans Day Program. Each year we support our area with an outstanding Color Guard.The Color Guard also carries the colors at all on and off campus parades. Currently we have an A and B team Color Guard and we do allow the underclass cadets to participate. The Color Guard meets Monday through Thursday after school.
Football
Football has long been considered the favorite sport at LWMA. The Rangers compete as a member of the Alabama Independent School AssociationAlabama Independent School Association
The Alabama Independent School Association is an organization which sanctions and oversees high school athletics for approximately 40 private schools in the American state of Alabama. Its offices are located on the campus of Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama.The AISA was formed in 1967 as...
(AISA) in the 1A classification. LWMA fields both Varsity and Jr. High Teams. The Rangers compete against private schools who are members of the AISA.
Basketball
Basketball has been a vital part of the LWMA athletic program for decades. Interscholastic games were played in the Tallapoosa Hall gymnasium from 1930 until 1973, when a new gymnasium was constructed on the north end of campus. The Tallapoosa Hall venue is used today for junior school practice.Presently, the Academy fields two teams - at the varsity (Senior School) level and one at the Junior Varsity (Junior School)level. The varsity teams are composed of student athletes in grades 9-12; the Junior Varsity program is designed for student athletes in grades 6-8. All teams play a full interscholastic schedule.
The varsity teams play a competitive 18-20 game schedule, with games beginning in mid-November and ending in early February. The Rangers compete against private schools as a Class 1A member of the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA). The Junior Varsity team plays a 10-12 game schedule.
Basketball practice begins in mid to late October and is open to all interested students. Typically, 40 young men participate in one of the Academy's three teams as players, managers, and scorekeepers. The basketball program affords a great opportunity for participation at each athlete's level of playing ability. In the last five years, LWMA basketball players have received scholarship offers from such institutions as Atlanta Christian College and Montreat College in North Carolina.
The team is currently coached by Mr. Jeff Damron, who has one state championship at the AISA level as head coach at Springwood School (Lanett, Alabama).
External links
- http://www.LWAlumni.org - Official Alumni Website
- Alumni Message Boards
- http://www.lwma-psg.org - Official Parent Support Group Website