You may know him as the YAG President, student council vice president, the senior voted “most likely to be a billionaire,” or maybe even just the guy who wears suits, but no matter what you know him as, we can all agree that James M. Meister has made a lasting impact on Somerville High School.
Passion for Government
SHS senior James Meister, ‘25 has always shown an interest in leadership and government structure.
Though he spent his early teenage years interested in video games like Minecraft, he still found ways to incorporate politics into that hobby. Meister would create political systems and leadership positions within his gaming worlds, further fueling his love for politics.
When he entered high school, Meister was met with a world of opportunity to help him expand upon these old hobbies and discover new ones.
Meister says, “Somerville helped amplify my desire to help the environment and explore politics.”
Throughout his time at Somerville High School, Meister has participated in the Youth and Government Club (securing the role of president), cross country team, student council, and many more clubs.
While Meister has pursued many avenues during his time in High School, his favorite moments at SHS revolve around the Youth and Government Club (YAG).
Meister rebuilt the YAG club from the ground up after all the seniors in the club graduated, leaving him the last member standing. With the help of his friends and advisors, he was able to reimagine this classic club, and turn it into something new.
Meister is incredibly grateful for his teachers, who aided him in discovering his passion and created a safe environment for him to explore his future options. Meister described the SHS administration as being filled with “reliable teachers and staff,” who “really care about us and our future.”
Somerville Memories
When asked what his favorite Somerville memory was, Meister spoke about the first time he hung out with his freshmen year friend group. Even after those friendships grew apart, he holds that memory closely, as it was the first time he truly understood what Somerville stood for.
The group was trick or treating around town and it made Meister realize it was an “interconnected, tight knit community,” and that’s something he’ll never forget.
When hurricane Ida hit in 2021, he ended up having to sleep over at a house in Somerville to wait out the storm. As he sheltered in the house, he was moved by how much everyone in town cared for each other.
“They were all checking in on each other,” Meister recalls.
This was a “huge green flag” in Meister’s book, and he really began to develop a love for Somerville. He later describes the town as “considerate and caring in the community” which is something he “just respects so much.”
Why Wear Suits to School?
It’s a well known fact that James Meister regularly wears suits to school. Many people love this trait and admire how he can unapologetically be himself, but many also wonder why.
One day, while scrolling online as so many teens do, Meister came across a video of a boy wearing a suit to school and thought “why don’t people dress better for school?”
This singular question prompted him to start his trend of wearing suits to school. Not only did the video encourage him to start this new habit, but he also inspired others to “follow suit.”
His daily trend eventually faded to a weekly tradition as the cost of dry cleaning was beginning to take a toll on Meister’s high school wallet, but we’re forever thankful for the fun memories Meister’s suits have brought to SHS.
What’s Next for James?
Meister is fully committed to The George Washington University with a major in political science and focus on public policy.
Many seniors struggle with senioritis once they commit to schools, but Meister is the opposite.
He feels as though the uncertainty of the future is gone, and now works harder to finish what’s left of his high school journey, excited to experience what comes next.
As he moves forward athletically as well as academically, he expressed an interest in college cross country and team rowing.
With Washington D.C. being so far away, it poses the question of being ready to leave home.
When asked how he felt about the big move, Meister explained that he is thrilled to have a change in scenery and said, “there’s always something to do [in D.C.].”
Washington has an abundance of museums, biking trails, and walking tours available, and with Meister’s student discount, they are all easily accessible to him.
James’ Advice
“Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and try new things”
“Have a growth mindset. You can always improve and grow as a person.”
“Be open to new ideas and experiences.”