by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
LENEXA — Twenty years ago, St. James Academy here opened its doors to its first freshman class of 124.
This fall, the school will welcome more than 1,000 students.
“We are still and always will be committed to passing on the Catholic faith to the next generation,” said president Andy Tylicki.
St. James celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 25 — the feast of St. James the Greater.
The evening began with a Mass in the school chapel celebrated by Archbishop Shawn McKnight.
“It’s great to be with you and to celebrate this feast day of the first apostle of Our Lord to give his life in service of the Gospel, the first to be martyred,” he said.
The celebration continued with dinner provided by Zarda B-B-Q, a brief program led by Tylicki and music by the Mikey Needleman Band.
Tylicki shared with The Leaven how St. James has flourished since it was first founded under the leadership of Archbishop James P. Keleher and its first president, Mike Alex.
“The growth of the school over the past 20 years has been remarkable,” he said. “The first freshman class started with 124 students. When they graduated in 2009, they were a 107-student class.
“We will bring 255 freshmen this year and will be a little above 1,000 students for the first time.”
In 2005, St. James had five cross- country runners. This year, there will be more than 80. Its first football team had 24 players, and this fall will have around 160.
The school’s campus has also bloomed.
“We have a lot of great things happening on our campus with the Marian Stadium, the St. Joseph Fieldhouse tennis courts and a future Cultural Arts Center,” said Tylicki.
St. James will host its first Friday night football game in its own stadium on Sept. 5.
Tylicki believes the success is because St. James has stayed true to its mission of passing on the faith.
But it hasn’t always been easy.
“The early years were up and down when it came to students attending St. James,” said Tylicki. “We were trying to sell a school with no history, and families [had] amazing options to choose from.
“Now, our families are our best marketing team, spreading the word about their experiences on our campus.”
One of the groups that has embraced St. James is the class of 2009 — its first graduating class — to which Tylicki presented the St. Peter of the Rock award during the 20th anniversary program.
He recalled how reluctant those students were to attend St. James when the school was first starting out, but how critical their presence was.
“This class was instrumental in everything that we are today,” said Tylicki. “They created so many of the traditions of our school. If they would not have shown up, we wouldn’t have had a school.”
Now, they have “so much pride and joy in their school,” he added.
Tylicki shared that St. James had only a handful of employees in 2004 who were instrumental in getting it up and running under Alex’s leadership.
“Mike was a faithful leader,” said Tylicki. “He was a visionary. He was determined. He was committed to forming disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Deborah Nearmyer, the first director of faith formation and current vice president of faith and mission, was also a critical part of the development of St. James.
She and her husband Deacon Dana Nearmyer are cofounders of Camp Tekakwitha in Williamsburg.
“Mike wanted Camp Tekakwitha on our campus — daily Mass, weekly [eucharistic] adoration, regular confession, overnight retreats and an all-school serve day — things people thought were impossible,” said Tylicki.
“And yet, Debbie made it not only possible but essential to who we are today,” he added.
Tylicki also acknowledged the alumni, families and supporters of St. James for everything they’ve done to help the school flourish.
“Thank you for your support over these past two decades,” he told the gathering. “Thank you for believing in our mission.
“And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being here tonight and celebrating this amazing journey with us.
“Here’s to the next 20 years.”
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