We Make Great Memories Too

“Fishburne provided a fresh start, a new beginning that soon strengthened my withering self-esteem and permitted me to envision a much more positive future. I was a troubled kid—in trouble all the time and failing out of public school. I didn’t fit in anywhere, so I acted out. My experience there in many ways, made me see myself in a different light—maybe I could do this job called life after all. Perhaps I wasn’t as bad as everyone (including me…) led me to believe. For me, it was the discovery of music in general and the guitar in particular that awakened me to an ability I didn’t know I had, and a destiny I’ve followed ever since. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities I found that were born in those rooms and in that curricula.”

“One of my favorite stories involved my English teacher, Colonel Keller (TEK). We all looked up to him and recognized his service in the Army during the Vietnam War by his ribbons he wore. He smoked a pipe in class and this made him that much cooler to us. No one could tell a story like Keller. However, when we pressed him to tell us war stories he always deferred. He would tell us the ribbons/medals he wore were just something he ordered from the back of Soldier of Fortune magazine! It drove us nuts. I look back at it now and smile. It was an important lesson in humility. He was a real soldier and teacher and the medals are secondary to the man who is wearing them.”

“I matured considerably thanks to my experience at Fishburne. Fishburne taught me the value of being a leader—not a follower—and was instrumental in my acceptance into East Carolina University in 1968. However, it did take a two-year stint in the Navy for me to finally mature and graduate from ECU in 1974. At that time I began my career in the family building supply business. I value the brotherhood developed with my fellow Cadets and will never forget my experiences at Fishburne.”

“Man, it’s about the brotherhood! I was a day student. We had very unpopular haircuts for the time period. I became more diligent on school, learned how to study. Made friends I still stay in touch with. I was able to have friends to my house which gave some of the guys a break from school. I enjoyed the sports and JROTC. Enjoyed the rifle team. It was a great experience I never saw coming. I was there because of some not good conduct grades in public school. I wasn’t a problem, just girl crazy.”

“My roommate my senior year was from the deep South. We had different personalities, different middle and high experiences, but an appreciation for comedy—especially the absurd. So a competition of practical jokes and pranks soon began with each trying to outdo the other. It soon spread throughout the Corps, and regardless of the rank any of us had, we were all equal through the lens of who could pull off the best prank or practical joke. It was a prelude to my social life at college. We all definitely had a leg up because of our shared Fishburne experience.”

“As a leader, Fishburne taught me the importance of valuing each individual and working with others to turn weaknesses into strengths through servant leadership. We were always ultimately judged as a unit, and that made it important to always pull others up, be an example, and showcase leadership. I learned that using your rank or forcing someone to do something can get a limited result. But working towards helping them see the vision, and buy into a process, helped our unit succeed in the long-term.”

“Entering as a shy, 13-year-old boy, I emerged a 16-year-old teenager far more secure in myself. While there, I learned another language and made friends from all over the world. We were a bunch of South American guys who had to travel alone, thousands of miles, to get to this old school made of bricks. This made this huge impact on us. We became more confident about many aspects of life. As an FMS Alumni, I feel so proud of all the achievements I earned while I was there and after I left. That is something that remains with you for life. I will always remember my Fishburne experience.”

“What makes Fishburne so special, so rare? In today’s topsy-turvy world when many of our most cherished traditions, values, people, and symbols are conveniently forgotten, Fishburne stands out. Fishburne stands out because Fishburne doesn’t forget. Fishburne doesn’t forget its own values and traditions, shaped and passed on now for over a century and one third of its existence. Fishburne doesn’t forget its people. All who have served the school with honor and distinction, passion and dedication.”

“Before I went to Fishburne, I was more interested in sports and girls. FMS offered the structure I needed and helped me become more disciplined with my life and future endeavors—especially in the military. One of the most important aspects was learning proper study habits from Colonel Young, a true role model, who always encouraged me to move forward.

1. Take advantage of all they have to offer
2. Do not give up
3. And definitely find a mentor. That experience helped me to have the confidence, structure, and relationships needed to run a successful company for over 50 years.”