Students and Grads Say Yes to Leadership

Randy (Class of 2022) registering seniors at the Church Farm School to vote in the November 5th national election

Graduates Raising Their Hands for Leadership Roles

Journee showing her internship assignment for the Mayor's Office

St. James School is making big strides in fostering civic engagement and leadership. Just last year, we launched our first Student Council, an important step in empowering students to become active, responsible citizens. Through Student Council, students don’t just have a voice — they learn how to lead, collaborate, and take meaningful action.

For Journee (Class of 2024), who was the first Student Council president, this was a foundational experience. She is now an intern in the Mayor’s Office.

Journee reflects on how St. James influenced her path, saying, “Everywhere. Everything from academics to my personal life.” With the support of Student Council Advisor Natasha Greene, Journee learned to take initiative and inspire others. According to Sonya Kedarnath, Director of Graduate Support, “Because Journee had her leadership role here, she wanted to work around another powerful Black woman, Mayor Cherelle Parker.”

Journee’s story is one of many.

Semaj (Class of 2023), now a high school sophomore at the Church Farm School, was recently elected as his class’s Griffin Ambassador to the Student Council. Inspired by his experiences at St. James, he saw running for office as a way to continue honing the leadership skills he learned at St. James.

Randy (Class of 2022) joined the Church Farm School’s Go Vote club, where he helped register seniors to vote in time for the November 5th election — furthering a commitment to civic engagement that took root at St. James.

Josh and Kamaijah (both Class of 2024) ran a successful joint campaign to represent the 9th grade at Mercy Career and Technical School.

Sonya sees fostering civic engagement and leadership as central to the St. James vision of "A world without inequities." She says, “Prior to St James having a student council, our students wouldn’t have known it existed. As they move on to high school, they will seek the opportunities they saw here.”

As Journee, Josh, Kamaijah, Semaj, and Randy demonstrate, learning early that their voices and actions can make a difference, our students are prepared to lead wherever life takes them.

Josh putting the Student Council pin on his co-representative, Kamaijah

Hard at work at the Summit are Qih'team (in red sweatshirt, top left) and (top right) Kahlil, Devin, and Dylan.

PAIS Middle School Leadership Summit

A mix of eleven St. James 7th and 8th graders attended a Middle School Leadership Summit in early October, and we couldn’t be more proud! The day was part of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) Student Purpose Summits, which aim to lift up student voices and experiences to build community, knowledge, and skills. Unsurprisingly, our scholars set the bar high with raised hands, lots of questions, and great answers!

Working side by side and celebrating are Laila and Khloe (left and center) while Qih'team and Mark (right) confer.

Some graduates the Classes of 2015-2017 came together with staff for a fun evening of bowling. Once a St. James student, always a St. James student!

During the Yoga and Creative Movement enrichment, 8th grader Jaylin strikes a warrior pose while enjoying the beautiful fall weather on campus.

5th grader London and her dad participating in a Go for the Gold Saturday. It’s an opportunity for extra practice in math and ELA on select Saturdays. To volunteer or learn more, email Maggie Sanborn: msanborn@stjamesphila.org.

Cheering on the runners and walkers at the Huskies Hustle 5K. Click here to see all photos!

Hosted by the Chaplaincy Team, November’s Family First Friday was a hit. Everyone enjoyed playing games and watching the movie “Coco.” Each month, students and their family members come together for this community-building event.

Trick or treating in the cemetery was part of the fun during Fall Festival.

Sharing joy and showing off great dance moves at the Silent Disco hosted by the Student Council.

Celebrating All Saints and All Souls Day with an altar of remembrance.

One Way to Help This Month

The Welcome Table is collecting donations to its annual Santa’s Workshop, during which families of our students are invited to pick out gifts at no cost.

What to donate: Unwrapped, new or gently used toys for students ages 8 to 15.

Sports Balls
Legos
Science Kits
Art Supplies
Arts & Crafts Kits

Journals & Pens
Dolls & Barbies
Plushies/Stuffed Animals
Small Toys

Card/Board Games
Bath & Body Products
Socks
Accessories

How to donate: Drop off your gifts on Friday, December 6th, between 12 and 5 pm, at the Church of St. James the Less, 3227 W Clearfield St., Philadelphia, PA 19132.

Questions?

Contact Shelby Rowe: srowe@stjamesphila.org or 215-226-1276 x206.

St. James is a faith-based educational community deeply rooted in transformative loving relationships.

St. James School | 215-226-1276 | www.StJamesPhila.org