Wind pierced the heart of St. John’s Military School’s campus Thursday morning in the wake of bitter news that wafted through one day prior.

Cadets at the private north Salina school quietly conversed among themselves Thursday morning while tromping through skiffs of new-fallen snow on their way to classes and appointments.

Indoors, St. John’s staff fielded phone calls from around Kansas, the nation and world, many of them from families and alumni responding to news that the nearly 131-year-old institution is closing.

The final graduation is May 11.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Ginger Wooten, St. John’s vice president.

“I’m not sure I have words to explain what the last 24 hours has been like,” she said. “There were lots of tears and hugs.”

Read the full article at the Salina Journal online.