Roaring back after a 2-year break, St. James School’s 5K attracted 200 participants and over a dozen volunteers last Saturday, making it the biggest 5K in our history. Organized by the SJS Young Professionals and known as the Huskies Hustle this year, the 5K brought together students, staff, community members, and friends.

Maggie Sanborn, one of the main organizers, said she was “blown away by the 5K’s success and everyone’s desire to get involved with St. James.” She was glad the race could “bring new friends to campus and show them the Allegheny West community in action.” All proceeds from our 5K registrations and sponsors go to student scholarships.

On the sunny but cold November morning, runners, walkers, and pets were ready for the 8:30 am start at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Many racers came from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, but some traveled farther — Board member The Rev. Justin McIntosh brought his whole family from Virginia and Team Dave McDonough had a runner from Saipan!

"To keep participants safe, all wore masks when gathered and underwent a health screening before receiving their bib numbers and walking or riding a bus to the Laurel Hill Cemetery. Volunteers cheered for all participants and offered water as they made their way along the race course. Racers and walkers were heard remarking on how picturesque and peaceful the course was.

Among the community members and organizations joining us for the after party were the RAH Civic Association, the Kroc Center, The Welcome Table, and many neighbors who sell products from body lotions to herbal teas. Attendees enjoyed taking photos, browsing, and learning while snacking on food donated by ShopRite, Di Bruno Bros, and our church partners.

Of course, there was much anticipation for the final results and awards. Our first finisher over 18 was Alison Lockwood with a time of 21:16 and one of our top finishers under 18 was Andrew (Class of 2023), who was the first place winner in his age group in the 2019 5K. Our largest team award went to Tailored Training Narberth, with 16 registered runners. Most notably, our fastest pet award was won by the very vocal bloodhound Perty, who crossed the finish line with Father Andrew Kellner.

Head of School Dave Kasievich expressed his gratitude for everyone who attended, remarking, “The turnout reminded me how important it is to host the 5K, to bring the community together and raise funds for the school.”

Thank you to our sponsors for their support of this memorable event and for sending many enthusiastic participants!

This fall, The Welcome Table has launched an inclusive program for adult learners open to St. James guardians as well as community members. The program is off to a strong start with diverse class and workshop offerings, from recreational classes like zumba and cooking to skills classes like computer and financial literacy.

Participants also have the opportunity to sign up for 1-on-1 coaching with Adult Education Coordinator Musa Macenyane, who recently joined the St. James team. Musa describes coaching as "a way to help people create concrete strategies for success in achieving their academic and professional goals.” Her objectives are to “help participants clarify their goals, identify the obstacles in the way of those goals, and come up with strategies to overcome those obstacles and achieve their goals."

Workshop leaders for the Adult Education Program include experts from our own community. For example, St. James parent Keisha Marshall led a cooking workshop (photo above left). Neighbor Vickie Hatcher taught a class on how to use chopsticks (photo above right). Paul Barrett, Associate Director of the Welcome Table, is leading an in-person computer skills class, in which participants learn Microsoft Office and how to utilize the internet to search for information. Participants range in age from young adults to senior citizens.

In partnership with Clarifi, St. James is offering a virtual financial literacy class, focused on the fundamentals of personal finance. Class topics include the basics of banking, budgeting, saving, and dealing with debt.

This year, we are delighted to welcome three new Servant Year members to the St. James community: Shelby Rowe, Tyler Regnier, and Allie Sinatra. They are participating in the Episcopal Service Corps program with others from Saint Mark’s Church in Rittenhouse Square. Shelby, Tyler, and Allie join Emily Jones, who has committed to a second Servant Year at St. James School. Emily is the school’s art teacher. She also mentors the 5th grade students individually and works with 4th graders in their ELA class.

Shelby: I am a 2020 graduate of Texas A&M, with a degree in architecture.

Tyler: After graduating Wabash College, I worked for Edward Jones Investment Co. in Indianapolis for five years until last summer.

Allie: I graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA in 2021 with a BA in music education.

Shelby: I grew up in the Episcopal Church; my dad is a minister, so I knew about the ESC. After working for a year in campus ministry after graduation, I wanted a lifestyle change where every day is church, not just Sundays.

Tyler: In the winter of 2020, I felt called to a different kind of work. I felt that I had to do something to address the inequities that I was seeing in the streets of Indianapolis. My best friend had served in the ESC in New Haven, so I was familiar with the organization.

Allie: I wanted to leave Georgia and was looking for an opportunity to serve before starting my career. St. James School was a great fit because I am very passionate about education and I was attracted by the opportunity to use my gifts and my education in a very hands-on way.

Shelby: My title is Welcome Table Associate; my first concern is food sharing. I run the Saturday morning Farmers Market, where community members come to select groceries and produce. In addition, I coordinate events at The Welcome Table, such as the October Fall Festival, Thanksgiving Food Sharing, and Family First Fridays. I also coordinate clothing collection and sharing, assist with home repairs, and step in whenever I am needed in other areas.

Tyler: I have three jobs: I co-teach religion with Father Kellner; help Shelby with The Welcome Table, and serve as the Sacristan at all weekday and weekend masses at the Church of St. James the Less.

Allie: I teach music to the 4th, 5th, and 8th grades right now. In the next half of the year, I will teach 4th, 6th, and 7th. I am also the accompanist for Lower School Friday mass and I assist Anastasia Carroll with her 5th grade class on Wednesday and Friday mornings. I also tutor at Saturday academic clinics.

Shelby: I have two favorite things! First, I love the hour before the Saturday Farmers Market officially opens when people gather, sip coffee, and hang out with one another. I also love interacting with the students; St. James is the perfect mix of kids and adults for me.

Tyler: Living in community. I love coming home to my housemates every day. The fact that we all work at St. James School allows us to truly support one another. I also love the community that we share with our neighbors.

Allie: I love living in community with my housemates. I also love getting to know the students and their families.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we opened this year with only a few after-school enrichment activities, including instrumental music lessons, choir, and test prep. Happily, since mid-October, we’ve been able to safely add 10 new activities, from girls and boys clubs to yearbook to subject clubs. We hope to continue increasing offerings as public health conditions improve. Highlighted in the photos below are two of our new enrichments.

After years of planning and anticipation, our new building is emerging from the ground. A memorable groundbreaking and blessing of the ground in September led to a quick transformation of the east field. In two short months, the building has begun to take shape. Digging led to the laying of footers and foundation, then walls began to appear.

Inside the existing building, the kitchen has been demolished along with the boiler room and storage area to make room for our new kitchen. On the first floor, renovations have begun on classroom 104, the narthex and the link that will connect the two buildings.

Linda and Derrick Pitts have partnered with St. James to launch the new St. James Future Leaders in STEM Fund! Find out more through the link below.

BTC Marketing Communications, the communications agency for St.James School, wishes to correct its error in accidentally omitting some donors from acknowledgement in the printed version of this year's Annual Report. The following people are among those who generously donated to the Reach & Sustain Campaign for St. James School: