Roy L. Quiett, retired minister, spent six years at Ponca Military Academy, beginning in the seventh grade in 1951 to 1957. He says he was influenced in a positive way by the PMA. Here in his own words is his story.
Quiett says, "For me, the time at PMA was by far one of the best influences on my life. I remember a statement that Col. Cox made, (probably dozens of times), 'What you get out of something is dependent upon what you put into it!' I put that into practice during my stay there. I got involved in nearly everything that the school offered, and I feel that helped me.
"While at PMA, one of the high-lights of my time there was in 1957 when I won the ROTC state rifle championship. This was also quite special because that same year a girl from Ponca City, (I believe her name was Gail Sayers) won the women's state rifle championship. A picture of both of us appeared in the Ponca City paper along with an article about us winning the championship. My copy of that article is now in the PMA museum there in Ponca City.
"Following graduation, I did serve in the Army for over 3 years. When I went into the Army, I was already trained to march and used to wearing a uniform, and most of the military training, so that this was not so hard for me. But, I was in basic training with a bunch of new recruits who did not know how to do these things, and several who had never been away from home very much.
"This was quite a surprise to see grown men homesick, so I was assigned to try and baby-sit them through basic. I guess that this was just another example of my benefits from attending PMA. Then, while in the National Guard I was able to make the rifle team for the state of Kansas and was able to win a medal at the National Rifle Meet in Camp Perry, Ohio. Thanks again to PMA's training.
A few years after I got out of the Army, I attended Bethany Nazarene College, (which is now Southern Nazarene University). After graduating from college, I went into the ministry as a Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. Thanks to my years as a pastor, I now serve as the Chaplain for the PMA Alumni Corps.
"I married my wife, Rolleen, in August of 1959, so this last August we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We have two children, both boys. Our oldest son, R.C. Quiett lives here in Canyon, Texas and is married to Nancy. They have a daughter, Chelsey, who is 17 years old, and a junior in high school. Our youngest son is married to Amy, and they live in Winfield, Kan. They have two children, a daughter Evie who is 4 and a son, Copeland who is 1.
"To me, the PMA reunions are very important, and I have attended nearly every one. What many people can't relate to is how close-knit the cadet corps is. This is because we lived together for nine months of the year. We went to school, we ate, we marched and we lived in the barracks together. This was more time than we spent with our family back at home.
"I have retired from the ministry, but while we were in Hill City, Kan., where my wife's family lives, the Church of God there had a pastor resign. I told them that I would fill in till they got a pastor. That was two years ago in November. It looks like they will get a pastor later this month. So before long I may get to retire again.
"I seldom travel through Ponca City without going out to visit the PMA Memorial Park. That brings back a lot of fond memories, and I have to admit, I am proud of the new statue we have there.
"I feel a great deal of gratitude to a lot of people who have helped us keep the memories of PMA alive."