Jonathan (
6th grade)
presenting as football player Colin Kaepernick, poses a question to spectators: “What would you take a knee for?”
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London (6th grade) presents as
Queen Anna Nzinga of modern-day Angola while t
eaching visitors about 17th Century African royalty.
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At this Wax Museum, the Figures Move and Talk!
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Closing out an inspired Black History Month that included our annual Career Day, room dedications, and other celebrations, St. James students fully embodied their black idols in the school’s 4th Annual Wax Museum on February 28th. All students participated by choosing a figure, historic or modern, to research and represent through dress, speech, and story.
Adrianne (8th grade), who portrayed political artist and activist Faith Ringgold, said while preparing for the role: “I am so proud of my achievements so far. I did a lot of research to find all of her important things. Since this is my last time, I am going to really make it count!”
4th graders began the day giving speeches in their classroom on the triumphs of a black hero of their choosing, from Bessie Coleman, to Roberto Clemente, to Michelle Obama. Skylar, as Rosa Parks, asked, “Did you know?” questions. Carter, as James Baldwin, was proficient with many life facts and dates.
In the afternoon, the whole school community came together for the Wax Museum. With a tap on the shoulder, spectators — including students, parents, Board members, and staff — would “bring to life” a black figure and learn of the person's upbringing, challenges, and greatest accomplishments. Some students chose prominent names, such as Diana Ross (Althea, 6th grade), Joe Frasier (Saheid, 7th grade), and Denzel Washington (Jana, 7th grade). Others chose lesser known people from history or a personal hero. Cynthia (7th grade) portrayed her mother, U.S. Army Sergeant Latina Gates.
One student, Jonathan (6th grade), was recognized by the whole school for his powerful presentation of modern civil rights champion and NFL activist Colin Kaepernick. One group also stood out. Four 8th graders — Hamirah, Iendia, Kariyah, and Da’Jah — presented as 14-16 year old boys who were among the “Exonerated Five” wrongfully convicted of rape, assault, and other charges in the 1989 Central Park Jogger Case and are now activists for criminal justice reform.
At St. James, we study and honor black leaders throughout the school year, but emphasize their importance during Black History Month. Following this year's Wax Museum, it is clear that our students and the school community are moved and motivated by black heroes.
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Happy 95th Birthday to Dr. Audrey Evans!
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St. James School’s accomplished co-founder, Dr. Audrey Evans, celebrated her 95th birthday on campus March 6th. It has become a fun tradition for the students and for her. “It’s much more fun to celebrate with children than grown ups!” she exclaimed after a raucous singing of “Happy Birthday” in the St. James Dining Room.
Audrey is the retired Chief of Pediatric Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but perhaps best known for her role in founding the first Ronald McDonald House here in Philadelphia in 1974. Together with her friend, the Rev. Sean Mullen, she founded another innovative organization, St. James School, when she was in her 80s.
Audrey is frequently honored for her medical and philanthropic accomplishments; most recently by The Welsh Society. She is often invited to speak at events and conferences. And she is a regular presence on our campus, where she can be found at Mass or lunch, sharing stories and words of wisdom with adults and students alike.
“There simply would not be a St. James School if it weren’t for Audrey,” says Head of School Dave Kasievich. “I can’t imagine a better role model for our students. Audrey’s story really shows the difference one person can make in the lives of many.”
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In Their Own Words... “Be the Best Person That You Are,” by Riley, Class of 2020
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As part of their religious studies, all 8th graders prepare and deliver a Mass sermon. Riley delivered his first to his Upper School classmates, and again at the Lower School’s Mass. This is an excerpt, in which he challenges us to make a choice to be our best selves:
See at my old school I was not the nicest person and I was nowhere how I am now. I was maybe not what you would call a good student. I would get demerits and get kicked out of class every day. But then there came a couple days, when 4th grade had a week left. Something started to change. I started to do a lot better and do my work. I was flipping my behavior around.
This wasn’t an easy thing. I struggled with all of the messages being given to me by my surroundings. I mean coming from the way it was for me growing up and the way it was for me living where I lived, there were lots of not so great messages. There were bad people everywhere, guns everywhere, and my cousin being sent to jail, and also my brother being in and out. It was all hard for me. To be honest, at the time, I thought that's what I would do, I would be like them.
But now that I think about it, that's not me at all. I have worked hard for what I have achieved and my goals are going to be a reality. I will pick the right path and do what's best for me. I think that everything I need and that is for my good, will come to me. I just have to be very patient and wait for the good things to come, trying to do good things myself.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples: “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”
This question matters, because any one of us can be anyone we want to be. We have the ultimate choice at our fingertips. But the question also matters because one person’s opinion about you can change the opinion of others. It can begin to shape that story of who you are in the world.
I want people to look at me as a person, not an object, as a human being just like everyone else. I don’t want to be treated differently just because of where I live, what I look like or anything else. I am me: Riley, a child of God, a human being, worthy of respect and dignity.
In Religion we are reading
Invisible Man
, and the main character doesn’t even get a name. He lives in a part of an apartment building that he calls a “hole” and no one even notices that he is there. Time after time in the story he is overlooked, and made to feel small. He is not alone either, there are countless other characters who are made to feel less than, and invisible. I am not invisible, you are not invisible. But we have to choose to be seen.
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More Highlights from the Past Month at St. James
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Two groups of staff, Board members, and volunteers went to the Arden Theatre Company together to see Lorene Cary’s debut play, “My General Tubman." Lorene is one of our 2020 Scholarship Benefit Honorees.
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Our Huskies basketball team won their first league championship! Go Huskies!
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The 7th grade put on an impressive Science Fair during which they applied the scientific method to a range of projects — from a model volcano, to which paw is more dominant in a cat, to a forensic science demonstration, to a stop motion animated film.
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One Way You Can Help: Transform Your State Tax Payment into a St. James
Scholarship!
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Are you interested in the
tax credit program that enables you to help us provide a quality education to our students by redirecting your PA state tax dollars?
Good news! If you missed the 2019 deadline, now is a great time to sign up! Tax credits are available and you’ll be guaranteed a spot if you
sign up by March 15th!
(There will be a fall signup, too, with a deadline of October 15th,
but availability is first-come, first-served.
)
Don’t miss this opportunity to join over 70 fellow St. James donors! Your gift of scholarships helps our students to thrive in school and in life!
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Have questions about the tax credit program or want to participate? Contact Martha Heuser at
mheuser@stjamesphila.org or 215-226-1276 x114.
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St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating traditionally underresourced students in a nurturing environment. The school is a community that provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students.
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