Trojan Patriot Academy

About Trojan Patriot Academy

A select group of rising high school juniors and seniors from around Alabama will learn more about leadership, civics, and U.S. history during the Trojan Patriot Academy each summer, presented by Troy University and the American Village. This unique experience will allow students to connect with other young leaders from around the state and grow as citizens ready to make a positive impact.

Leadership development is led by the Leadership Institute at Troy University following a model of leaders who serve. Students will meet with state leaders and engage in the immersive foundational experience provided by American Village.

From June 8-13, 2025, students will spend five nights at the Academy, starting with two nights on the Troy Campus, a tour of Montgomery on Wednesday, and three nights at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama.

Inaugural Trojan Patriot Academy

High school students from around the state of Alabama came to the Troy campus on June 9 for the very first Trojan Patriot Academy. The American Village Citizenship Trust and Troy University partnership allowed these rising seniors to learn more about leadership, civics, and U.S. History. The five-night camp is designed to expose students to leadership practices and ideals through the lens of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

About the Academy

Selection Criteria

Students can self-nominate or students can be nominated by their superintendents or principals. Students are selected for the Academy based on a variety of factors, including evidence of leadership in their schools and communities.

About the Learning

Students will learn leadership styles and team building within a framework built by the Founding Fathers through the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and other foundational documents.

Parent Opportunities

Students and their parents are hosted at an opening ceremony at Troy University and a closing ceremony at American Village in Montevallo.

Cost of Attendance

The full cost of attendance is covered by the American Village Citizenship Trust and Troy University for those who are accepted and attend.

Schedule of Events

Sunday, June 8

2:00-4:00pm: Arrival and Check-In at TROY University (HAL Hall- follow the signs)
Casual Attire
4:45pm: Rushing Hall – Transportation to Stadium Tower for Dinner
5:00 – 6:15pm: Dinner (4th Floor Stadium Tower), Casual Attire
Greetings from Dr. Jeff Scott, Col. Alan Miller, Dr. Kerry Palmer
6:30 – 8:00pm: Icebreakers (Troy Rec Center-Get to know each other and Troy students)
8:15 – 9:00pm: Overview, challenge introduced, meet hosts and instructors (Troy Rec Center)
9:00 – 9:20pm: Meet in Individual Colonies to Discuss the Challenge (Troy Rec Center)
9:20 – 10:00pm: Student Free Time (Dorms)
10:00pm: Lights Out (Dorms)

Monday, June 9

Dress: Dark Gray academy t-shirt and shorts

8:00 – 9:00am: Breakfast (TROY Dining Hall)
9:00am: Depart for Camp Butter and Egg
9:30-12:00pm: Camp Butter and Egg
12:00-1:00pm: Lunch at Camp Butter and Egg (Hamburgers & Hot Dogs)
1:00-2:30pm: Camp Butter and Egg
2:30pm: Return to campus
3:00 – 5:00pm: MBTI Presentation + Troy Recruiters (Hawkins Rm122)
5:00 – 6:00pm: Dinner (TROY Dining Hall)
6:00 – 8:00pm: Scavenger Hunt (TROY Campus – Begin at Hawkins Hall)
8:00 – 9:15pm: Day 1 Debrief / Colony Meetings / Discuss Colony Challenge (Hawkins Hall, Various Classrooms)
9:15 – 10:00pm: Student Free Time (Dorms)
10:00pm: Lights Out (Dorms)

Tuesday, June 10

Dress: Cardinal academy t-shirt and shorts

8:00 – 9:00am: Breakfast (TROY Dining Hall)
9:00 – 10:15am: Servant Leadership /House of Cards and Leadership Types / Constituting America / CMOHS (Hawkins Hal Rooms 107, 112, 117, 119)
10:30 – 11:45am: Servant Leadership /House of Cards and Leadership Types / Constituting America / CMOHS (Hawkins Hal Rooms 107, 112, 117, 119)
12:00 – 12:45pm: Lunch (TROY Dining Hall)
1:00 – 2:15pm: Servant Leadership /House of Cards and Leadership Types / Constituting America / CMOHS (Hawkins Hal Rooms 107, 112, 117, 119)
2:30 – 3:45pm: Servant Leadership /House of Cards and Leadership Types / Constituting America / CMOHS (Hawkins Hal Rooms 107, 112, 117, 119)
4:00 – 5:00pm: Student Free Time (campus and/or dorms)
5:00 – 6:00pm: Dinner (TROY Dining Hall)
6:00 – 7:15pm: Colony Challenge Work (Hawkins Hall Various Classrooms)
7:15 – 9:00pm: Leadership Movie Night (Hawkins Hall Rm122)
9:15 – 10:00pm: Pack and Crash (Dorms)
10:00pm: Lights Out

Wednesday, June 11

Dress: (Montgomery) Academy polo-shirt and khaki pants
(American Village) Light Gray t-shirt and shorts

7:00 – 7:45am: Pack, load buses and check out of dorms
7:45 – 8:45am: Breakfast (TROY Dining Hall)
9:00 am: Depart TROY
10:30 – 10:45am: Arrive in Montgomery and Welcome at the State House and Picture
11:00am – 12:15pm: Meet with Dr. Eric Mackey from 11:00 – 11:30 am (State House Auditorium)
12:30 – 1:00pm: Lunch Troy Montgomery Campus
1:00 – 4:00pm: Tour Rosa Parks Museum and the Bicentennial Park
4:15 – 5:45pm: Bus trip to University of Montevallo (UoM)
5:45 – 6:15pm: Check into Rooms (UoM / depart for American Village (Bus)
Change into Light Gray t-shirt and shorts
6:30 – 7:15pm: American Village Dinner and Welcome w/John Adams
(Liberty Hall – B on your AV Map)
7:30 – 8:30pm: Oval Office, Chapel, Veteran Shrine & Kona Ice
8:30 – 9:45pm: Colony Challenge Work (Liberty Hall)
10:00pm: Lights Out (UoM)

Thursday, June 12

Dress: Blue academy t-shirt and shorts

8:00 – 8:45am: Breakfast (UoM)
8:45am: Depart for American Village (bus)
9:00am: Welcome by Col. Alan Miller, CEO of the American Village
9:15am-11:45am: American Village Program (AV campus)
12:00 – 12:45pm: Lunch (Liberty Hall – B on your AV map)
1:00 – 1:50pm: Program – The Bill of Rights with Samuel Adams
(w/Mr. Crofts in Liberty Hall – B on your AV map)
2:00 – 2:50pm: Colony Challenge Work (throughout the campus of the AV)
3:00 – 3:50pm: Program – The Art of Compromise at the Founding with James Wilson
(w/Tatum Barnhill in Liberty Hall – B on your AV map)
4:00 – 4:50pm: Colony Challenge Work (throughout the campus of the AV)
5:00 – 6:00pm: Dinner (Liberty Hall – B on your AV map)
6:00 – 7:00pm: Panel Discussion: Col. Alan Miller, Judge Lara Alvis, Scotty Kirkland, and Rep. Kenneth
Paschal (Liberty Hall – B on your AV map)
7:15 – 8:15pm: Evening Speaker - MOH Recipient Mike Rose (Liberty Hall – B on your AV map)
8:15 – 9:00pm: Colony Challenge Work - Final Touches for Friday Presentations (Liberty Hall -
B on your AV map)
9:00pm: Depart AV campus (Bus) (UoM)
9:00 – 10:00pm: Pack and Crash (UoM)

Friday, June 13

Dress: Casual Business Attire
(Certificates distributed by Colony Leaders Friday morning)

6:30 – 7:00am: Load luggage on busses PLEASE LET BUS DRIVER KNOW IF YOU ARE LEAVING FROM THE AMERICAN VILLAGE OR RIDING BACK TO TROY. DRIVER WILL PUT LUGGAGE IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS
7:00-7:45am: Breakfast (UoM)
8:00am: Leave for AV
8:30 – 10:45am: Colony Presentations (2nd Floor-Independence Hall-V on your AV map)
11:15am: Closing Program and lunch, Scholarship Announcement (Liberty Hall AV) Final Words
from Col. Alan Miller, Dr. Jack Hawkins, and Dr. Jeff Scott. Parents are welcome to attend the closing program and lunch
12:30pm: Depart for home or TROY – Safe Travels!

Closing Message from Alan Miller, CEO of American Village

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Miller congratulated the participants for their commitment to participating in the inaugural event. “I hope you have enjoyed this week. We will continue to look at what we have done with this inaugural Trojan Patriot Academy and make improvements, and we do hope you will help promote this program moving forward,” he said. “I think it is incredibly important to the future of our nation that we are developing leaders with principles, virtue and morality as the foundation of how they lead.”

“It's incredibly important to the future of our nation that we are developing leaders with principles and virtue and morality as the foundation of how they lead.”

Alan Miller | American Village Citizenship Trust Chief Executive Officer

Closing Message from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University

During the closing ceremony at the American Village, Dr. Hawkins urged participants to continue their journey to becoming leaders and remain engaged in their communities. “I encourage you to stay involved. We need you,” he said. “I want you to have a vision, not just for what you will do tomorrow, but what you will do 10 years from now. I want you to think big. The preservation of this democracy is a big idea that is worthy of our best efforts.”