To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

OAK RIDGE, N.C. – North Carolina's only military academy is fighting to stay open.

Oak Ridge Military Academy faced a $500,000 budget shortfall this year, partly from debt on a new building constructed several years ago as well as decreased revenue from declining enrollment from the economy. A few weeks ago, 54 members of the faculty and staff decided to help that shortfall by forgoing five weeks of salary, saving the school $140,000.

But that's not quite enough to save the 158-year-old institution, the last military academy in the state.

"There'd been 26 at one time, and we're the last man standing, and we'd like to remain standing if we could," said Col. Roy Berwick, the president of the academy. "Right now, we're limping through to the end of the year."

That battle, and the sacrifice staff members have made to wage it, isn't lost on the graduating class of 32 cadets. Instead of making of permanent gift to the school like past classes, seniors raised and donated $4,600.

"We were just talking and were like, 'Hey, we might as well give back to the teachers for all they've done for us,'" said senior Cyndi Rodriguez.

Students and staff agree that the educational opportunities at Oak Ridge are something that can't be found anywhere else.

"The military definitely adds when it comes to leadership," said senior Ryan McMillan.

"You get that inner toughness that will carry you through life," Berwick said.

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Junior is one famous former student.

The school's only been closed once in its history, when its cadets were drafted during the Civil War. And Berwick said they're not about to change that now.

"Things are very, very tight," Berwick said. "We're in a fight for our life."

Among other things, the school is holding a silent auction for a number of gifts scheduled on Mother's Day weekend to raise money. Berwick said they've raised all but around $100,000 needed to stay open until the end of the academic year.