Drexel University School of Medicine students Will Justice and Josh Bosque-Hamilton demonstrating how to use a blood pressure cuff |
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11th Annual Career Day Wows
and Inspires Students
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One of St. James School’s most highly anticipated events is Career Day, which has taken place during Black History Month every year since our founding. Black professionals from around the city come to campus and share their career stories. Students cherished the opportunity to learn more about the paths available to them.
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Our keynote speaker was Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, founder and owner of Down North Pizza, the mission-led, for-profit, award-winning pizza shop often featured in the news for its commitment to exclusively hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, paying them a fair wage, and providing culinary career opportunities in an equitable workplace. He stressed the importance of the shop’s mission to transform the lives of employees and reduce the recidivism rate in the community: “We are slinging pies and saving lives!” he said.
Muhammad told students his attitude was key when starting his own business. "I was determined, did not let myself get discouraged, and had purpose,” he said. Later when he visited classrooms, students peppered him with questions about how he finds employees, how important math is in his line of work, and whether he gets to take home leftover pizza (the answer is yes, but he does not do it often).
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Down North founder and owner Muhammad Abdul-Hadi with 6th grader DeSean |
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Linda Carroll-Pitts sharing with students about her various jobs over the years |
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This year, 11 special guests told about careers ranging from local politics to aerospace engineering to the restaurant industry. A quick roundup:
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Linda Carroll-Pitts told of the exciting jobs she has held at NASA, in the Air Force, and now as an educator. Eighth grader Saani was excited to hear about her involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen: “I did a presentation on them!” she told her.
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Community Organizer Tyler Ray from Urban Creators reminded students that they are “never too young to get involved and make change.”
- Students were wowed when entrepreneur Val Gay told them she had started six different businesses, all because of her love of music. Fourth grader Ky'ale exclaimed, "Ms. Gay does everything!"
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Entrepreneur Val Gay explaining how her love of music led her to start businesses |
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Flight attendant Anne Butler discussing different types of airplanes |
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- State Representative Darisha Parker shared that legislators get to help people and that she has helped to expand voter registration by mail and increase access to higher education, among other things.
- Architect and Professor Chitsanzo Lamba-Isaac told how she started her career in Malawi before settling in Philadelphia. Her take-away was: "Take chances and be open to new opportunities!"
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Students who like to write were excited to hear from community journalist Sherri Darden of ScoopUSA, who had over 22 years of journalism experience to share.
- Budding doctors were enthralled by Drexel University College of Medicine students Will Justice and Josh Bosque-Hamilton, who said being resilient and taking on challenges will take them far in life.
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Architect and Professor Chitsanzo Lamba-Isaac introducing herself |
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State Representative Darisha Parker explaining her initiatives |
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Students gained plenty of inspiration from Career Day. Eighth grader Hailey's favorite speaker was flight attendant Anne Butler. Seventh grader Semaj's favorite was cellist, composer, and music teacher Ajibola Rivers. Mr. Rivers was also a favorite of 4th grader Ryan "because I love listening to music" but he was tied with Mr. Hadi because also "I love eating pizza!"
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8th Graders Share Their 'Spiritual Heritage' |
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“I had to have faith, trusting in the kind of hope that does not know what will happen, but believes that it will be good and that I can make it through any challenges that come my way. This is faith: TRUSTING IN HOPE.” — Breanna (Class of 2022)
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These are the words of 8th grader Breanna, giving a sermon to the 6th, 7th and 8th graders at the weekly St. James Upper School Mass. All our 8th graders write and deliver a sermon to their upper school classmates as part of their yearlong project called “My Spiritual Heritage.” The project includes interviewing family members and close friends about their practice of faith and spirituality.
This tradition stems from the St. James mission to integrate spiritual formation into all aspects of the educational experience. Starting in 4th grade, students receive guidance from our chaplain, Father Andrew Kellner, enabling them to grow their understanding of scripture, faith, ethics, and world religions. Students who observe non-Christian religions or no religion also participate in this meaningful project. This prepares each student to become a critical thinker, able to discover their own identity as a creation of a loving, empowering God.
In the process of writing a sermon, 8th graders engage with the scripture and the theme or saint of the day. Students select a key point that resonates with them and connect it to a personal story from their life. When each one courageously and truthfully shares spiritual insights and experiences, it has a powerful and lasting impact on classmates.
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Joaquin (right) recently preached on the power of potential. A full church of students, staff and teachers listened intently as he confidently asserted, “Our potential is greater than any hardship, and stronger than any danger. Potential is something that we all have. I’m not grown. I’m just 14 and I am still learning new things about the world and about myself. I look forward to seeing where my potential takes me.”
Joaquin went a step further, capturing the essence of a St. James School education when he exhorted his classmates: “Be people who believe not only in your own but in each other’s potential. When you think you can’t do something, ask for a bit of encouragement. When you see someone else struggling, give them the encouragement they need. We each are filled with potential. May we believe it and believe in each other.”
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Engagement Opportunities —
Two Ways You Can Help
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Dr. Audrey Evans with Chef Deborah Anthony |
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ONE: Did you know March 6 was our co-founder Dr. Audrey Evans' birthday? This year, she turned 97 years young! We love celebrating her and hope you do too! Join us for her namesake event, the Annual Dr. Audrey Evans Scholarship Benefit, on Tuesday, May 24th.
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Choose your sponsorship from a list of our school and community needs. By funding those, you free up dollars for student scholarships! Sponsor perks include event tickets. Any tickets you can't use and donate back will be offered to families and neighbors who would like to join us on May 24th. |
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TWO: We're "mad" about you and can't wait to share St. James happenings with you and your friends! You're invited to join our "Mad About St. James" series — with a mix of virtual and in-person options.
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Saturday, March 19th, 10 am-12 pm in-person at St. James School, presentation, tour, and reception
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Tuesday, March 22nd, 5-7 pm in-person at St. James School, presentation, tour, and reception
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Wednesday, March 30th, 2-3 pm virtual presentation via Zoom
Forward to a friend or two!
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Construction of our new building is progressing smoothly; to date, the project is 42% complete. Please enjoy this view of the new building from the 2nd floor of the School House. You can see workers installing wood trusses for the first floor. The new building will have three levels, housing a new accessible entrance and lobby, three new classrooms, and an entire floor of programming space to serve our graduates.
Want to see our construction
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Students in our after-school garden enrichment are working hard to take care of the St. James campus. This month, they moved over 40 buckets of compost to the raised garden beds! |
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5th grader Laylah practices the trumpet. Over 30 students learn an instrument through our partnership with Tune Up Philly. They recently performed at the Kimmel Center! |
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Out and About in Philadelphia and
Across the Country
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Students enjoyed a recent weekend field trip to the Kimmel Center to see the Philly Pops perform “Dancin’ in the Streets: the Music of Motown.” |
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The St. James Graduate Support Team visited two partner schools: Imago Dei Middle School in Tucson, Arizona (pictured), and Neighborhood Academy in Pittsburgh. |
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St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating students from an under-resourced neighborhood within 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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