By EMILY TRACY, For The Democrat
Fifth grade students at Helmsburg Elementary have the opportunity to participate in our Student Ambassador Program. In order to be an ambassador for the school, 4th grade students who wanted to participate had to fill out an application, interview, and have a letter of recommendation from a former teacher. The student ambassador group was chosen and could begin right away their 5th grade year.
The ambassadors are responsible for greeting and giving tours to new students, assisting school visitors with getting set up, beautifying and cleaning up the school grounds, and planning community involvement and charity events. The program provides students with an opportunity to show their skills, leadership, knowledge, and work ethic in a manner that positively impacts themselves, others around them, and their community.
The hope is that the student ambassadors will be a group of students who represent all of the wonderful things that Helmsburg is and can be. These ambassadors will bring Helmsburg pride to the school and set an example for all of the students in the building, as well as have an impact in the surrounding community.
The ambassadors are expected to attend all meetings and encouraged to come with creative ideas to share. They are also expected to act as leaders in the classroom and around the school. This involves showing kindness and respect to staff and students as well as showing responsibility in their classwork.
Most recently the group met and discussed other ideas to do this school year.
They would like to create a kindness campaign and design a bulletin board that features students who are caught being kind. The group would like to do a recycling drive for Earth Day and also collect pop tabs for Riley Hospital.
The ambassadors’ first opportunity to shine occurred during the Donuts with Cops at Helmsburg. The ambassadors greeted the officers with a handshake, introduction, and then escorted them to the rooms. They stayed with the officers and guided them to other classrooms. The ambassadors really enjoyed their first assignment!
Back, from left: Zayne Sizemore, Liam Huffman, Piper Hedger, Ella Stidham, Jalynn Reeves. Front, from left: Piper Spears, Madilyn Oswald, Roan Brahaum, Violet King
Submitted photo
When our ambassadors were asked what it means to them to be an ambassador, they said:
Piper Hedger – “I think being an ambassador means being thoughtful, and helpful.”
Madilyn Oswald – “I think being an ambassador means showing kindness because you are helping other students.”
Liam Huffman – “I think a student ambassador is someone who shows leadership and is responsible.”
Zayn Sizemore – “I think student ambassadors have a big leadership role, are very thoughtful, and are definitely hard-working.”
Jalynn Reeves – “I think being a student ambassador is a big role. It’s trying to help the rest of the school, trying to be more mature, and making sure everyone stays responsible.”
Violet King – “I think being a student ambassador means being welcoming of all people, not just people you know and people that look and talk like you.”
Ella Stidham – “I wanted to be a student ambassador to help people, and show people how to be kind and do the right things.”
Roan Branhaum – “I wanted to be a student ambassador because I am a person who really likes to help people, especially when they need or want help. I even do tons outside of school like helping my grandpa haul wood. I also help a lot inside of school, and I like doing it. It gives me a good feeling.”
Piper Spears – “What being an ambassador means to me is helping others when help is needed, and letting people know that you’re not alone, like introducing them and being kind to them.”
This group is led by both 5th grade teachers, Megan Connelly and Darcy Rund.
Emily Tracy is superintendent of Brown County Schools. She can be reached at 812-988-6601 or [email protected].
