Wildcat Highlights: The Top Ten of 2024-25
#10 – The Power of Purpose: A Year of Impact Through Our Servant Leadership Institute
At St. Joseph Academy, we believe that the most powerful form of leadership is grounded in service to others. That belief continues to guide our Servant Leadership Institute, which stands as a pillar of our school’s mission, and kicks off our Top Ten Moments of the 2024-25 School Year at #10.
This school year marked a major milestone: it was the first full year the Servant Leadership Institute was formally integrated into the SJA curriculum. No longer just an initiative or after-school opportunity, servant leadership is now a core part of the academic journey for every student—woven into their daily experience and mindset.
And the results speak volumes.
Throughout the year, our students completed nearly 1,500 hours of community service and helped grow our network to more than 40 active community partners. Together, they tackled real needs, organizing projects that had a tangible and immediate impact on the lives of others.
Some of the most impactful efforts included:
Feeding over 1,200 families during our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
Donating nearly 2,000 toys to local children during our Christmas Toy Drive
Launching Project Backpack, which delivered essential school supplies to hundreds of students in South Jersey
Partnering with Key Club International to expand leadership opportunities and connect with service-minded students nationwide
Whether they were mentoring local youth, helping run food pantries, volunteering with youth sports teams, or taking part in Discovery Day service outings, our students embodied what it means to serve with humility and purpose.
Mrs. Jennifer LaRosa, Director of Servant Leadership, reflected on the year’s impact:
“Our students are not just learning about servant leadership—they’re living it. Each project, each hour served, and each relationship built helps shape them into changemakers of the future. We are building young people who lead with purpose.”
We are proud to celebrate the first full year of this program as one of the defining accomplishments of 2024-25. It’s not just a highlight—it’s the heart of who we are.
Stay tuned next week as we reveal #9 in our countdown of the top moments from the 2024-25 school year!
