Our husky mascot mingles with guests at the Mann Center |
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A Triumphant Return (to the Mann) to celebrate Black Futures |
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What an inspirational evening we shared celebrating St. James at the Mann Center on Tuesday, May 23rd! |
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Before the official program began, our generous sponsors, supporters, and partners clapped and cheered as a range of St. James students from 4th to 8th grade brought to life Black heroes past and present with their Wax Museum. They shared life and achievement stories of historic figures, such as Josephine Baker and Harriet Tubman, but also more contemporary individuals, like poet Amanda Gorman and Freida Gibbs, a former professional martial artist, kickboxer, and boxer. |
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We kicked off the program with the literal bang of confetti poppers to "time travel" with President and Mrs. Obama (aka students Darius and Kamajiah). We explored “Black Futures” through a video about the Graduate Support program that told how St. James stays with students and families into high school, college, and careers. |
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Tyahmiya Sanders (pictured at left), Class of 2016, gave a moving testimonial about her journey, sharing the loss she felt when her high school senior trip and graduation were cancelled due to COVID restrictions. Despite a challenging high school experience, Tyahmiya persevered, graduating seventh in her class and as president of the National Honor Society. She shared, “St. James made up for a lot of what I missed. A bunch of St. James teachers came down my block in a parade of cars. I wasn’t expecting that at all!”
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“I’m very appreciative because they are like a family that’s very encouraging with open arms,” Tyahmiya added, reflecting on the support she received over the years, and the support provided to her nephews, Kocheyion and Yamir, who graduated from St. James in 2021 and 2022.
Darryl Ford, a founding St. James Advisory Board member and Head of School at William Penn Charter School, introduced honoree André Robert Lee. Darryl commended André as a “Black educator who’s invested in students, and the power of the spoken and moving word through his filmmaking and storytelling.”
Darryl also gave a shoutout to Ainyae Holmes "who, from St. James, went on to Penn Charter, and graduated summa cum laude from Howard University!”
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Once André took the stage, the cinematic themes of the night culminated in his work as a filmmaker. André (pictured above with students) showed a film made by students in the film enrichment program he led at St. James, with a little editing help from Alkemy, a media company.
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The emotions of the night continued to soar as Director of Schoolhouse Operations Sarah Carroll and Director of Graduate Support Kevin Todd (pictured below) took the stage to remember the life of St. James Co-Founder Dr. Audrey Evans, for whom their daughter was named. It was a true testament to the influence of Dr. Evans, her lasting impact on the culture of St. James, and her loving legacy that lives on!
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Our evening program was capped by the much-anticipated announcement of the first-ever graduate award. Shenia Reddy and Derek Fowler, both parents of a graduate, poured glowing praise on the recipient of the inaugural “Lifelong Learner Award.” This award was created to honor a graduate for commitment to their education and service to others.
Shenia, who is also a member of our Board of Directors, explained: “This graduate’s name immediately came up for the staff as an exemplary alumni who represents the qualities we want to recognize in students who continue to pursue their education and contribute to St. James in meaningful ways. This graduate excelled academically at Perkiomen, their high school, and recently graduated cum laude from Cabrini University. This graduate gives back and volunteers with St. James as a tutor, mentor, and even 8th grade graduation speaker. This graduate interned for three summers with the St. James Advancement department and as result wants to pursue a career in fundraising. This graduate took all the love, family, and home from St. James with her on her educational journey.”
She was, of course, speaking of her daughter Sydnee Reddy, who received a standing ovation! Sydnee accepted the award graciously, saying: “Though not all my classmates could be here tonight, I celebrate this award with them as well, as the founding class of St. James.”
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Sydnee (pictured above in yellow dress) gave a big shoutout to Lashay Smith (at left in photo), who graduated with her from St. James and Cabrini University. She recognized Ainyae for her accomplishments at Howard and highlighted other classmates who took different paths.
Head of School Dave Kasievich then shared an exciting announcement … We had surpassed the evening's Class of 2023 Challenge goal of $90,000 to support 8th graders transitioning into high school. Among the 96 people who contributed were alumni college graduates in attendance.
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Thank you for being a part of our history and our future! |
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ConGRADulations to all Upcoming Grads! |
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Students from the inaugural St. James Class of 2015 graduated from 4-year colleges this spring: |
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Sydnee Reddy
SJS Class of 2015, Perkiomen Class of 2019, Cabrini University Class of 2023
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Lashay Smith
SJS Class of 2015,
Little Flower High School Class of 2019, Cabrini University Class of 2023
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Ainyae Holmes
SJS Class of 2015, William Penn Charter Class of 2019,
Howard University Class of 2023
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Students from the St. James Class of 2019 are headed to college this fall: |
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Students from our Class of 2023 are headed to high schools all across Philadelphia — follow us on social media all summer to see where each student is going this September! |
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Our students and staff are getting excited about July Summer Camp!
I cannot wait for…
"At NorthBay and NorthBay Live, the days are long, filled with a lot of fun, and we all come together in the evening for more fun and entertainment. It's a great way to end the day!"
— Principal Dave McDonough
"The Big Swing at NorthBay, I have never been but word gets around that that is fun!"
— Jamillah, 5th grade
"Tubing!"
— Niecey, 5th grade
"I get to go to Camp Agawam (in Maine) and I get to make new friends and have fun."
— Josiah, 4th grade
"Building stronger relationships with students in a unique way at NorthBay."
— Keriann DeLine, ELA Teacher
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Adventures in Learning Outside the Classroom! |
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Summertime is here but that doesn't mean the hands-on learning has stopped! Students have been traveling to all sorts of interesting spots to expand their knowledge and experiences.
In these past few weeks, students immersed themselves in Black history at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, appreciated the natural world and the importance of conservation at The Discovery Center, and even got a little "wild" at the Philly Zoo... just to name a few!
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Notably, 8th grade choir students took a trip to The Rec Room to learn about recording studios and see how music is made behind the scenes. Not only did they get to tour the space, but Lakira, Kendall, Mia, David, Kimora, Dylan, Jamill, and Delynn had the opportunity to rehearse and record their own original tracks! Director of Choral Music & Music Education Javvieaus Stewart led the trip and had tasked the students to write and perform an original song to be played on their graduation day! |
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St. James students and staff voted in their homerooms on both of these songs to determine which one would be performed live at graduation.
The SECOND PLACE winner with 39 votes is… Moment For Life written by Lakira, Kendall, Mia, Kimora, and Delynn T. It will play at the final awards ceremony!
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The FIRST PLACE winner with 54 votes is… Moving On written by David, Dylan H., and Jamill. It will be performed live at graduation 2023!
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Both songs were from the heart, and the lyrics to both will be featured in the graduation program. |
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After reflecting on the experience, students were prompted to write about it. Lakira wrote, “I loved the sportsmanship and how I started it off, and my partners started having more ideas. I love being in the booth and when I was saying the verse, I could do it over if it didn't sound right.” David wrote: "It was really fun! My advice to people that would go in the future is to just have fun. Also be as creative as you can be."
As we prepare for graduation and summer break, there's no slowing down and everyone is staying busy having fun and challenging themselves in new, exciting ways.
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MISSION
St. James is a faith-based educational community deeply rooted in transformative loving relationships.
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