On Monday, January 8, 2024, we welcomed back Joe Straus, Jr., Class of 1940, as our Alumni Monday speaker. Joe shared memories from his time at The Academy (nearly 85 years ago!) and put into perspective just how much has changed and progressed since then. 

To start his presentation and to put into perspective just how much times have changed since his days at The Academy, Joe provided the boys with an envelope that contained exactly 15 cents, which was the amount his mother would give him every day to buy a hamburger, bag of chips and a soda from the stand down the street from SAA. He also shared old photos of himself and his classmates, which included other notable alumni such as legendary banker Tom Frost, Jr. and Robert (Bobby) Ayres, one of the founders of Southwest Airlines.

Joe ended his talk by retelling the events of Charles Lindbergh, who is remembered for taking the first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. After this outstanding achievement, Lindbergh's mechanic, Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan, was determined to accomplish what Lindbergh did, but with a discarded aircraft he rebuilt himself. After "accidentally" achieving this, he returned to the United States and was talked about all over the radio and in newspapers. He even made a stop at SAA to speak to the boys attending at the time, which included Joe and his Academy classmates. He used the story of Corrigan's determination to remind and encourage our boys that if they believe in themselves enough, they can do anything they put their minds to.

Thank you, Joe, for taking the time to be with us and share so many wonderful memories.

About Alumni Mondays: Each Monday, we welcome an Academy alumnus to speak to SAA boys during chapel. During this presentation, our alumni speakers share meaningful stories and lessons from their days at SAA. View Alumni Monday Showcase

TO SEE JOE STRAUS' FULL ALUMNI MONDAY PRESENTATION, VIEW THE FOLLOWING RECORDING: