Model United Nations

by: Elaine Vo, junior

Elaine, with teammate Austin Oh, at the Model UN Confrence.

Saint James students participating in a vote at the Model UN Conference in February.

Last week, I, along with other Saint James students, had the opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations conference. Model UN is a great opportunity for students to engage in debate and diplomacy. This conference allows students to gain a better understanding of how the world is interconnected. Students are assigned countries within a particular committee to solve real world issues. The committees can range from the traditional United Nations General Committees to specialized committees such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Olympic Committee (IOC). In each committee, students act as their assigned country by writing position papers, delivering speeches, and debating. STJ students who attended the Model UN conference were Preston Phillips, AJ Kavlick, Michael Phan, Jaden Rossell, Anna Dickey, Brooke Bender, Amolika Mishra, Jake Poling, Austin Oh, Jimmie Thompson, and Henry Haughery. These students were assigned countries such as UAE, Nepal, Guyana, China and many more to represent in their committees. While these students were debating, Henry Haughery and Jimmie Thompson served as justices on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) committee. Henry and Jimmie picked out punishments as well as arrested delegates who committed crimes. These punishments included karaoke, burpees, musical chairs, rap battles, and more. In addition, I had the opportunity to serve as a reporter in the Press Corps committee. I was able to document the Model UN experience and listen to other committees debate. It was fun to watch different committees solve global issues in a unique way as well as the ICJ committee arresting people. This was Saint James' first time participating in Model UN, and it was a success! During the closing ceremony, Brooke Bender, AJ Kavlick, Jake Poling, Michael Phan, and Preston Phillips were recognized for their outstanding work in their committee. These students represented Saint James so well. Model UN was such a fun experience for us students, and we look forward to continued participation in this conference! #wearesaintjamesschool

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Congratulations to the following Saint James art students for being named Gold and Silver Key Scholastic Art and Writing award recipients! The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers recognizes talented young artists and writers from across the United States though the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. #wearesaintjamesschool

Gold Key

High School Gold and Silver Key winners.

Katie Irving - Photography (HS)

Silver Key

Emerson Hagen - Mixed Media (HS)

Charlie Jenkins - Drawing & Illustration (MS)

Stella Sponseller - Mixed Media (HS)

Cole Williams - Drawing & Illustration (HS)

Honorable Mention

Middle School Silver Key winner, Charlie Jenkins.

Sullivan Bixby - Digital Art (HS)

Phu Lam - Drawing & Illustration (HS)

Natalie Magee - Art Portfolio (HS)

Matthew Ohliger - Drawing & Illustration (HS)

Mae Puckett - Drawing & Illustration (HS)

Wendy Stombaugh - Mixed Media (HS)

Tiffany Tran - Mixed Media (HS)

Elaine Vo - Sculpture (HS)

Madison Walton - Digital Art (HS)

ASL Club- Bringing Language to Life

The Saint James ASL (American Sign Language) Club welcomed guest speaker, LaShawn Washington to last week’s club meeting. Ms. Washington spoke to the students about growing up deaf and deaf culture. She involved the students in a fun game of ASL telephone, then ended with questions and door prizes of hand-made merchandise.

LaShawn Washington with Mrs. Evelyn Shoults’ ASL club.

Ms. Washington is a native of Richmond, VA. Her biggest achievements during her school years were being a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority during college and participating in several pageants. She was crowned the 1995 Miss Deaf Virginia, her high school homecoming queen in 1996 and the 1997 Miss Washington DC Black Deaf Advocates queen. She graduated from Gallaudet University (a deaf college) with a BA in Social Work. She is currently the president of Alabama Black Deaf Advocates. Before becoming a case manager for the deaf she has been the independent living skills teacher for the deafblind for 5 years. Her hobbies included reading, traveling, spending time with family, hiking, and crafting. LaShawn resides in the Birmingham area with her husband, who is also a case manager for the deaf, and their 3 children.

Ms. LaShawn Washington presenting to the STJ ASL club.

High school clubs meet weekly during advisory time. Over twenty clubs, including service clubs, honor and academic clubs, and special interest clubs, are available to choose from. Extracurricular organizations, like clubs, add to the positive student experience at Saint James. The ASL Club is led by high school art teacher, Mrs. Evelyn Shoults.

#wearesaintjamesschool

Saint James Equestrian Team- Riding to the Top

by: Elley Goff, 8th grade

Elley Goff at the IEA competition in Birmingham, AL.

The Saint James Equestrian team competed in an IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) competition in Birmingham, Alabama. The team was a proud co-host of this show. The high school and middle school teams gave forth their best effort at the last team show of the season! The riders were super proud of themselves. A huge shout-out to the middle school team for winning reserve champion! Maggie Harris, Lizzy Scarpate, Charlie Jenkins, Callie Sellers, and Elley Goff are the Saint James riders for the JV team. The hard work of these incredible riders helped Saint James rise to the top! Congratulations to the whole team! #wearesaintjamesschool

Middle School Equestrian riders: Elley Goff, Lizzy Scarpate, andMaggie Harris.

Community Day- Putting Good Into Action

Ninth graders working on Community Day.

Last week, Saint James high school students in grades 10-12 participated in the annual event of Community Day. Community Day is is organized by our Student Government Association. Saint James partnered with four local nonprofit organizations: Montgomery Area Food Bank, Friendship Mission, Montgomery Zoo, The Blount Cultural Park, and EAT South.

Our ninth graders stayed on campus to work on beautification projects on the school grounds. Each advisory (homeroom) split up to different parts of campus to prune shrubbery, landscape, clean up, and clear paths. These students did a wonderful job working together as a team to complete their tasks.

Community Day is an opportunity for Saint James Students to volunteer in the River Region and engage in projects outside of the classroom. "Put good into action" is a motto that STJ students have been focusing on this year and Community Day is one of the many ways our students practice serving others and engaging in the world around them. #wearesaintjamesschool.

Great work, students! Ninth graders landscaping the STJ grounds on Community Day 2023.

Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Norma Jo Roberts

I teach: I teach ESL and Learning Support

I've Taught for: I have taught for 31 years. I have previously taught AP Language and Composition and Junior English at STJ 12 years ago (I have actually taught several current STJ teachers!)

Hometown: Anderson, Indiana

High school: Indiana Christian Academy

College/Degree: BS from Maranatha Baptist Bible College; MAED from Trident University

Favorite Book: Macbeth by Shakespeare

Favorite Movie: Braveheart

Favorite Food: watermelon

Norma Jo (Nana) with her daughter and grandson

Favorite thing about working at STJ: The best part about working here is being a part of the best school I have ever taught at in 31 years. I love the campus and co-workers and organization - I love every aspect!

Fun Fact: I love my grandson Silas to the moon and back as you see in the pictures as well. He calls me Nana and it is the best sound I hear every day. I also love kick boxing!

Holiday Convocation: A Very Merry Tradition

by: Kendal Wright, senior

Kendal with her Kindergarten buddy, Violet.

Every year, Saint James School celebrates the upcoming holiday season through our holiday convocation. The atmosphere is light and cheery as students and faculty prepare for the upcoming festivities. It is a beloved tradition that brings the whole school together for one last hurrah before exams and break. The gym is filled with Christmas attire and smiling faces. This year, the celebration began as the seniors entered the gym with their kindergarten buddies. Everyone enjoyed seeing the cute buddies and their holiday outfits. Dr. McLemore began the celebration with a speech and, with the help of his kids, Daisy and Wilder, they wished everyone a happy holiday season.

Then, Steve the sleepy elf awoke from his slumber beside the fifth graders to lead the school in our festivities. The students worked hard to keep the sleepy elf awake and on task. He amused them with his odd morning routine when he brushed his teeth with a candy cane and washed it down with maple syrup. Thankfully, Steve was able to take a quick nap while the band and choir performed. They lead the students in singing Christmas songs like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Some of the elementary students performed a dance from their recent holiday concert. Between these performances, students from the elementary, middle, and high schools shared what Christmas meant to them as well as some of their favorite holiday memories. Another student also shared the story of Hanukkah and their traditions before passing out chocolate coins, called Hanukkah gelt. Near the end of the celebration, Santa, frosty, and some of the elves made a surprise appearance. They made their way around the gym greeting students and passing out candy. We ended our holiday convocation by singing the 12 days of Christmas. Each grade participated as a different day, and the seniors celebrated their last convocation as they sang out “5 months to go.” Holiday convocation is a tradition loved by all of Saint James because it reminds us to be joyful as we enter into the holiday season. It takes some of the stress away from older students as they prepare for exams, and it allows younger students to celebrate alongside the older grades. This tradition brings the whole school together to celebrate and be thankful for the great year that we have had so far. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! #wearesaintjamesschool

Members of the STJ band performed holiday songs.

Students wore festive accessories to get in the spirit.

High school students at holiday convocation.

Elementary students enjoying convocation.

American Village: Stepping into History

Saint James fifth graders visited The American Village to experience their program, “Independence!” American Village, located in Montevallo, is a 188-acre campus with more than 20 historically-inspired structures. This civic educational institution includes Washington Hall, inspired by George Washington's Mount Vernon home; a Colonial Courthouse reminiscent of Williamsburg's Courthouse of 1770; the President's House, modeled after the Nation's Philadelphia “White House;” a full-sized Oval Office, and many other structures.

Students learned about taxation without representation, visited a tavern to participate in the eve of Paul Revere’s ride, argued for independence at the 5th Virginia Conference, and headed to encampment to prepare for battle. Students ended with a film that recounted the journey from Paul Revere’s ride to the battles at Lexington and Concord, to the Continental Congress, and ultimately the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What a fun hands-on way to learn about our country’s history.