SJRCS’s 2011Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to Jimmy Harris, Class of 2003. The National Catholic Educational Association provides St. John the opportunity to honor one of our distinguished graduates each year. This award provides recognition to Catholic elemen­tary school alumni who have demonstrated personal and professional achievements in their adult lives.
 

James Harris is the youngest graduate who has ever been presented with the Distinguished Graduate Award. James recently graduated from The Citadel, the military College of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. James and his mother thank all of the staff at St. John for the early, continued influence that was provided in helping develop his learning skills and actions to complete assignments. When James went to The Citadel, his goal was to go unno­ticed, which he probably did for “all of 5 minutes”. James has exceeded in sports at The Citadel, particularly indoor and outdoor track. He cur­rently holds the No. 5 spot on The Citadel’s top-10 list all-time in the high jump. The truly amazing feat is that James accomplished all of these honors by overcoming a physical disability with his left leg.
 

James was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, United States Army last summer. We are proud to honor James Harris with the 2011 Distin­guished Graduate award, and we know that he will have many more great life achievements to come.