Students develop an empathy initiative.

Three seventh-grade students, Jaylin Durrett, Kaelyn Smith, and Milli Hartley, have taken it upon themselves to spearhead an empathy initiative for St. James Middle School.

After learning about different leadership skills during Teen Leadership, the girls realized that their own experiences could help implement positive change within their school. They developed the idea independently and approached the administration with their plans.

The initiative was presented to their peers, encouraging students to practice empathy by putting themselves in someone else's shoes and considering the feelings of others before reacting. It has created a more positive and inclusive environment in the school, and we are proud to see our students taking steps to make a difference.

This empathy initiative also supports our mission of empowering our students through caring relationships, academic excellence, and community partnerships. By fostering a culture of empathy and inclusion, we are helping our students develop the social-emotional skills they need to succeed academically and in life. We are proud to see our students leading by example, and we encourage everyone in our community to support and participate in their efforts.