Returning Home to MMA — Cadet Batson's Journey to a $153,000 College Scholarship

The educational experience that high school and middle school boys undertake at Missouri Military Academy is challenging. Immersed in a new environment, away from home, with required study halls, physical training and athletics — plus all new friends —it's common for cadets (and their families) to waver in the first few months. Did they make the right decision? With support from MMA faculty, coaches, company leadership advisors and staff, however, cadets are guided to persevere and reach their full potential.

But what happens when a cadet does drop out? For the Batson family, their MMA journey was not a straightforward one but ended with a big payoff ...

Ken and Evan Batson at his Passing Through Ceremony. The Passing Through Ceremony honors new cadets and recognizes them for passing all training requirements and the Crucible. 

Evan Batson ’24, a graduate of Missouri Military Academy’s 135th Corps of Cadets, earned a $153,000 ROTC scholarship. In fall 2024, Evan plans to attend Westmont College, where he will major in international studies and minor in modern language.

“Earning the ROTC scholarship means I am being given the opportunity to further develop my education and serve my country in a way that I can make others, along with myself, proud,” Evan says.

Evan Batson '24 runs during the April 2024 JROTC Raiders Challenge.

Evan began his journey at MMA in January of his sophomore year. His father, Ken Batson, recalls that Evan initially resented his decision to enroll his son at MMA. When he went home for spring break, he chose to stay home and was re-enrolled in public school for the remainder of his sophomore year — a decision Ken describes as a “huge mistake.”

For his junior year, Evan returned to MMA. “He was HOME with his MMA brothers,” Ken says.

Evan Batson '24 at the fall 2023 Senior Ring Dinner and Dance. 

In a post in the MMA Parents Facebook Group, Ken shared a pivotal moment from October 2022 when he received a letter from Evan that confirmed returning to MMA was the right decision. 

“Parents, please, I implore you, stay the course,” Ken writes. “You are doing the best by keeping your young men at MMA! Evan told me, ‘Dad, I love my school.’ So do I, son. So do I.”

Evan Batson '24 participating in the Raiders Challenge April 2024. 

While at MMA, Evan was actively involved in the Fusileers Drill Team and track. By his senior year, he had risen to the rank of Echo Company 1st Sergeant.

"I have watched Cadet Batson develop into an outstanding young man and impressive cadet leader. He took advantage of every opportunity MMA presented to him, set high goals for himself and worked very hard to achieve them," says MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). "The scholarship he earned recognizes his hard work and tremendous potential." 

Evan credits MMA with helping him be competitive in his ROTC scholarship application, emphasizing the Academy’s focus on high moral values, pride and striving to be the best version of oneself.

“Participation in ROTC will provide me with the materials to improve myself as a person and leader,” Evan says. “The most important thing I have learned at MMA is that there are always sacrifices to achieve the things you want. You just have to decide if you are willing to make them.”

In the photo below, Ken and Evan Batson at the Senior Banquet on May 17, 2024. At the banquet, Evan was awarded the Master Sergeant Billy Crawford Memorial Award, given to a MMA senior cadet who has demonstrated bravery, leadership, and military courtesy.