Consisting of 28 students spanning from all grades, the Student Ambassador program is in charge of leading campus tours around Richland. They showcase areas such as the cafeteria, arena, and broadcast room all while discussing facts and answering questions.
“(The kids are) very knowledgeable about the school and the programs,” parent tourer Candace Williamson said. “So it’s helpful to get a kid view, because I’ve done a tour before, and it was just done by the AP or the principal, and it’s awesome to get the kids view. So I actually kind of like this experience, because it’s been by you guys.”
The Student Ambassadors give tours to prospective students and their parents, community members, and even those interviewing for a staff position at Richland. The most recent tour was March 30 during 1st period.
“(Campus tours are) just showing people our school and everything,” Student Ambassador, junior Taylor Hansen said. “(It’s) like a really beautiful school, it’s a great school, and I think being able to show that to other people is just an awesome thing.”
Parent Ambassadors also attend the campus tour. They are there to answer questions and assist the Student Ambassadors during the tour.
“I like seeing what’s happening in the building,” Parent Ambassador Amy Gorgueiro said. “Because as a parent, you hear five words from your kid at the end of the day. You have no idea what just actually happens. So I like being able to see the workings of the school during the school day.”
At the beginning of each tour, Principal Dr. Lute Croy gives a speech to the attendees detailing the history of Richland.
“I liked the principal’s introduction at first,” Williamson said. “His interest about the history was cool. I didn’t know anything about the history of Richard and the name, so I’m glad that I got that core basis by being at the tour.”
Campus tours typically happen during first or fifth period which means Student Ambassadors are excused from class on days they are working. The secretaries try to ensure that the people being used are different each time to avoid a Student Ambassador missing class too much.
“It’s not a (big time commitment), really,” Hansen said. “It’s just you get an email before the tour, look over your material, and then you’re good to go. It doesn’t take that much time.”
Hansen said he has gained the skill of pubic speaking with his experience as a Student Ambassador and recommends it to others.
“Definitely do it.” Hansen said. “(It really) gets you out of your comfort zone with people and being ready to talk in front of crowds that you might not (know).”
The program is run by counselor Sara Rose, Assistant Principal Kimberly Garcia-Rodriguez, and counselor Lori Heusinger. Their job is to schedule meetings for everyone to meet together, create shifts for them to work, and give them a job to do.
“I am very, very passionate about our new students feeling comfortable,” Rose said. “That’s always been a passion of mine. And we, as you all know, in middle school especially, we had new kids. Pretty much every day we would have new students, and sometimes multiple new students, and I always felt worried for them, because it’s a lot to walk into. It can be scary, especially lunch, when you don’t know anyone. So I’ve always been passionate about having a group of kids that makes other kids feel connected and included.”
Student Ambassadors are nominated by teachers. These students receive an invitation to the program, have a meeting with one of the three sponsors, and then they are given the decision to join or not.
“(I wanted to join) just to connect with people,” Hansen said. “I love talking to people, showing people certain things, so just that social aspect and meeting other people.”
Croy trained each of the ambassadors for campus tours.
“I know that Dr. Croy has been a huge part of wanting the ambassadors to do different things,” Rose said. “It was his idea for them to give tours to people interviewing for staff positions, which I think is amazing. So I know that Dr. Croy really loves our ambassador program and likes to use them for things.”
The program’s goal is to keep the current ambassadors for next year and then add more.
“My experience as a Student Ambassador has been the world to me,” Hansen said. “It has allowed me to grow so much as a person and grow in my abilities to talk with adults and be professional with people.”
