Sutton Row has done a lot in his time at St. John’s Jesuit High School.

The senior has managed the hockey team, played tennis, facilitated summer retreats, led morning prayer, served as a tutor, and worked as an anchor on SJJ TV4.

His capstone project for the SJJ Magis Society was to teach a life skills class in the high school.

But his latest role takes him outside the school — and around the world.

As global ambassador to the school, Sutton, 18, hosted a visiting student who attends another Jesuit high school in Hachinohe, Japan. And this week he leaves on his own trip to Japan.

Through participation in the World As One program, which puts emphasis on global citizenship, Sutton has gained the experience of sharing American culture.

Eito Kawabata, a sophomore at St. Ursula High School in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, spent eight days living with the Row family in Oregon and attending St. John’s.

Eito said he was told by some people about what to expect in the United States.

“I was told people are always happy, they love ketchup, meat, and the food is salty,” Eito said. “I have found that the people here are very friendly and the food is not that salty.”

Eito said he really enjoyed the Wendy’s classic hamburger as well.

During his stay, Eito was able to help Sutton celebrate his 18th birthday at Texas Roadhouse.

“It was nice to see many people sing to him for his celebration,” Eito said. “I ordered the smallest steak, and it was so big. It was very good though.”

Eito said he has been learning English for five years, but mostly on his own.

“The English we learn is not conversational,” he said. “My sister is very good at English.”

Sutton helped Eito at times by translating what he was saying using a translation program.

Eito said he did notice some differences in the educational systems between his school and St. John’s.

“American schools have more freedom than the schools in Japan,” Eito said. “Your schools also end earlier in the day than ours.”

Eito said the math at St. John’s was also different from what he was used to.

“Right now I have been doing geometry and algebra at my school,” he said. “I had a hard time trying to do calculus correctly.”

Eito said he liked St. John’s and getting to know Sutton’s friends while he was here. He said he is looking forward to Sutton meeting his friends in Japan.

Sutton is expected to leave for Japan Saturday.

“Sutton’s friends do a lot,” Eito said. “My friends are not as active as his friends. I think my friends might be nervous because Sutton is so tall. Americans tend to be taller. I am 5 [feet], 8 [inches]. I am average size for Americans.”

Eito said he plans to take Sutton around Hachinohe.

“I will take Sutton to a bathhouse,” Eito said. “I also want to take him to get sushi and fish cakes. American sushi is different from Japanese.”

Eito said he believes Sutton will like Japan.

“We have clean restrooms and people are polite,” Eito said. “He might feel lonely though without his friends here.”

Sutton, who is 6 feet tall, said he is “kind of nervous” traveling to Japan. He said he knows only six words in Japanese.

“I am nervous, especially about visiting a bathhouse,” he said laughing. “I know I am in good hands with Eito, and I am more excited about going there, meeting the people, seeing the places he wants me to see and trying real sushi and ramen.”

Sutton said he also expects to see many differences between the American and Japanese cultures.

“I do expect there to be more strictness culturally and more politeness from the people there,” he said. “I am also going during peak cherry blossom time so I am pretty sure it will be beautiful there as well.”

The two young men said they both have enjoyed hanging together. They both hope to remain friends for years to come.

“It has been fun having Eito here,” Sutton said. “He is so calm. I can’t say my friends are as calm. He is very good at playing Super Smash and Mario Kart. I think we will stay friends.”

Sutton plans to go to Ohio State University and major in psychology and minor in physical therapy.

“I would like to be in sports psychology,” Sutton said. “There are not many sports psychologists in the Midwest. I think it would be a good opportunity to help athletes deal with both mental and physical pain.”

Eito plans on studying neurology when he graduates.

“I am going to miss the liveliness of the people here,” Eito said. “I would like to come back sometime to see more.”

First Published March 30, 2025, 5:04 p.m.