Patriot Ambassadors have started the school year by helping students and guests find their way around the College Fair and Fall Festival to create a welcoming environment.
Dressed up in red polos, students can find Patriot Ambassadors throughout the school helping others feel welcomed and accommodated to student life. At events like graduation, new student orientation, plays/musicals and middle school visits, Ambassadors take pride in giving back to the community that once welcomed them into the school. “I wanted to help the school community and foster an inclusive space where all students feel included and also help work at events where we can promote diversity and inclusion,” senior Co-President Lily King said.
In addition to the guests and new students they help out, Patriot Ambassadors also aid staff and student organization events to ensure that they run smoothly. Helping with tasks as small as getting tables or booths set up for in-school events to helping graduating students get in lines for their procession, Ambassadors take charge and lead where they can for the benefit of others. “I think PA [Patriot Ambassadors] has made a really big impact. When a lot of people see PA’s, they think about the people that helped them on the first day of school,” senior Co-President Ellie Mollica said.
Such an event was the College Fair at school where students could meet with college admissions officers and where Ambassadors were seen helping out; setting up tables for multiple college booths, guiding people around and cleaning up after the event as well. “I think it’s nice because it means that building services don’t have to do all of it themselves. We’re able to provide a little support and it allows us to develop those leadership skills that are so necessary as we continue our education,” senior member Margo Brown said.
Most recently, however, students were able to see Patriot Ambassadors guiding guests through the Fall Festival, a cluster event put on by the PTA in the commons and main gym. They were asked to sign up for slots from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in order to set up tables, guide guests throughout the festival, help with the elevators and take down booths at the end. “My favorite part would be meeting new people. I got to meet a lot of new freshmen and some of the parents that came. It was really interesting,” sophomore member Alvin Wang said.
As the year continues, the organization looks to advance its service by recruiting more members for next year, allowing rising sophomores, juniors and seniors to apply for the 2024- 2025 school year. “If you’re interested in joining, applications and interviews go out in December and January. I would encourage anybody that has enjoyed working with an ambassador or feels like they can be a welcoming face to the school to apply for next year,” club Co-Sponsor Anne Marie Steppling said.
