Max Austin (Class of 2020) is living proof of one of our mottos, “Once a St. James student, ALWAYS a St. James student.”

During his final semester in Mercy Career and Technical High School's Culinary and Pastry Arts CTE program, Max is doing a work co-op in our school kitchen. Since early January, he has spent five hours every weekday working alongside Chef Deborah Anthony, Chef Quinton Floyd (aka Chef Q), and Dining Room Manager Tyshea Jackson (mother of three graduates: Tynae, Tyjiere, and Tineef).

Max helps with lunch prep and cleanup for 138 diners — students, faculty, and staff. He also assists Chef Q in teaching two afternoon Cooking Class Enrichments. Chef Q observes, “Max has his head on straight. He is passionate about what he does and knowledgeable; he has taught me a few things.”

He has done so well at Mercy, he has been accepted to The Culinary Institute of America as well as culinary programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Technology, Monroe College, and Paul Smith College.

Max discovered his interest in cooking while assisting Chef Anthony as a student at St. James. Mercy was the perfect high school at which to investigate culinary careers. His dream is to become a pastry chef. (After tasting the brownies he shared with guests at the Grand Opening of our new building last March, we’d have to say, “Our Graduate’s Got Talent!”)

Chef Anthony says of Max, “It is a joy to see how he has grown from a little boy to a man. He comes in and jumps right in to work. He knows exactly what to do.” She adds with a grin, “I hope that when he makes it to the top, he doesn’t forget about me!”

Max is the middle child in a St. James family. His older sister, Mackenzie (Class of 2018), is a sophomore at Cabrini University, and his younger brother, Mason (Class of 2023), is a 9th grader at The Revolution School.

Though busy with academics, culinary classes, and sports (he ran track in 10th grade and has been manager of the softball team for the last two years), Max has maintained regular contact with St. James as a frequent visitor to our Huskies Hangout and occasional volunteer helping out at The Welcome Table or selling Alumni Woodshop items at Sunday church visits with Head of School Dave Kasievich.

He counts his Class of 2020 classmates as among his best friends today. Recalling things he loved about his middle school years, Max says, “St. James is small enough that you know everybody. There is also so much more to do besides classes, like all the enrichments and class trips.”

Expanded staff and additional services have contributed to a year of growing impact for the St. James School Health and Wellness Center. The center’s core service is an onsite clinic through which students receive annual health screenings and as-needed primary care to address physical and mental health issues.

Anchored by Dale Ayton, a licensed pediatric advanced practice nurse practitioner who started the center seven years ago, the center's team has expanded to include Mental Health Counselor Eric Michael, Services Assistant Megan Cahill, and two volunteers, Debbie Wolf and Molly Reagan. Sarah Carrol (not to be confused with our Assistant Principal, Sarah Carroll) is an RN studying to be a nurse practitioner at Temple University, who has joined us temporarily as part of her training.

Collaborative relationships expand the team’s impact and effectiveness. Staff members partner with Dr. JaBaris Swain, Medical Director of the Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity (Black Doctors Consortium), and with Leah Young, the new Director of Student and Family Services at St. James School.

Everyone is committed to a positive approach that bolsters students’ confidence and develops their wellness self-management skills.

With its expanded staff and partnerships, the Health and Wellness Center began offering additional services this year, including:

With contributions from every team member and partner, the Health and Wellness Center is achieving its mission to deliver individualized adolescent health services supported by a matrix of caring adult relationships and responsive approaches to school and student culture.

My time at St. James so far in 3 words: Fun, inspiring, busy

Childhood career dream: Superhero

Hobbies: Yoga, dancing, travel, reading

My go-to karaoke song/ theme song: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin

One thing on my bucket list: To travel abroad with a cohort of students

Hometown: Boogie Down Bronx, NY – home of the birth of hip-hop and the winningest team in sports history

Childhood career dream: Took a career test and my #1 match was FBI Agent

Hobbies: Avid gamer, movie enthusiast, and love hitting the road for spontaneous adventures

If I were going to be stranded on a desert island, I would bring: A Swiss Army knife, a solar-powered satellite phone, an e-reader, and a solar-powered lantern/radio combination

Hometown: Hyattsville, MD

Childhood career dream: A ballerina

Fun fact about me: I love to dance

Hobbies: Making flower arrangements and swimming

My go-to karaoke song/ theme song: “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé

Hometown: Philadelphia (Port Richmond)

Childhood career dream: Wanted to be a teacher since 10th grade

Fun fact about me: I sometimes DJ on the side.

Hobbies: Going to Phillies games, playing kickball, dodgeball, bowling and billiards

One thing on my bucket list: Visit every Disney Park in the world