High School Career Panel: Called to Serve

Lt. Col. Dex McCain, Seaman Jessica Davis, MST1 Katherine Posey, and Col. Keo Bailey

Throughout the school year, our high school counselors host several "Careers and Professions" discussion panels centered around various lines of work. The most recent panel featured careers in the military. Saint James has families proudly representing all branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as many parents and grandparents who are veterans. We also have many international families with a parent attending Air War College who have a wide range of military experience in their home countries.

High school students had the opportunity to ask questions after the panel.

This panel featured three Saint James parents: Lt. Col Dex McCain (ret.), USAF officer and dad of seniors Hope and Hannah; Col. Keo Bailey, USAF officer and dad of sophomore Karly; and Colonel Ali Albalushi of the Air Force of Oman, dad of STJ senior Faris and sophomore Rawdha, sixth grader Mai, and first grader Maha. We also welcomed MST1 Katherine Josey and Seaman Jessica Davis of the United States Coast Guard.

Our panelists discussed their careers in the military as well as educational benefits and pathways to service after high school. Students asked questions and had great conversations about life in the military. Thank you to our panel of STJ parents and our guests from the US Coast Guard who made this experience so fruitful. The high school counseling office will host additional career panels featuring other professions and fields later this school year. #wearesaintjamesschool

Students Helping Students: STJ Peer Tutors

by: Foster Rasmussen, Peer Tutor

The Saint James Peer Tutor program has developed into an amazing asset for students at Saint James. Even though the writing center is still new, peer tutors have been able to assist many students and help with various assignments. Mrs. Ramsey, our awesome librarian, saw a need amongst students for an efficient and trustworthy tutoring center. Since last year, the program has expanded to both Senior and Junior tutors, who can connect with all different types of students. This year’s peer tutors are Foster Rasmussen, Selina Sun, Anna Dickey, Taylor Schofield, Jordan Wesley, Kelsey Shaffer, and Kiya Jupiter. Mrs. Ramsey selected this amazing team to help with essays and other writing assignments. The Writing Center team meets roughly once a month to discuss major upcoming assignments in any English classes, and to also break down certain scenarios they have encountered in order to improve as tutors. The tutors are skilled writers and are proficient in their English classes. Peer tutors also participated in training over the summer, and under the guidance of Mrs. Ramsey, prepared for situations they might encounter with students. 

Peer Tutor, Foster Rasmussen, with sophomore student Logan Hartson

Most of the students seeking assistance are looking for help with English essays, and tutors typically help with works cited pages, thesis development, and essay structure. Since last year, arranging an appointment has become even easier and students can now go directly to their desired tutor. Students can make an appointment with a tutor by signing up on a Google Doc or by simply emailing the tutor they wish to meet with. Appointments last for around thirty minutes and are typically held in the library before school, though students can arrange for a zoom meeting on most days. Peer tutors enjoy helping students who are eager to improve their writing skills, and we all share a common goal of making lasting writing habits that will carry on throughout the rest of their schooling. We look forward to helping students with all of their writing needs, and go Trojans!