>> CREATING ROLE MODELS
Lakeview Academy Ambassadors began setting the stage for the next line of ambassadors last Friday.
Lakeview Academy elementary school art teacher Joel Respess created the Ambassador Program as a role model, peer outreach group for the fifth-grade students. Ambassadors learn about leadership around the county alongside mentoring and being leaders to the third and fourth graders at Lakeview Academy.
Last Friday, the current 2022-2023 school year ambassadors presented to the fourth-grade classes about why they became an ambassador, what ambassadors represent, and how the fourth graders could become ambassadors.
“Our fifth-grade ambassadors have presented to third and fourth grade about a dozen times this school year and this latest presentation was to prepare our fourth graders for the potential of becoming ambassadors themselves,” said Respess. “Our goal is for ambassadors to be mentors to our lower grade which also means they should prepare the next class of ambassadors underneath them.”
Ambassador Santiago Perez Altamirano stated that he taught the fourth graders about the element of kindness and how important it is for ambassadors to not only teach about kindness but be kind within the school and around the community.
“I told the fourth graders a story about how I grew from a kindergarten tyrant into what an ambassador represents due to the kindness of another person,” said Perez Altamirano. “When I was in kindergarten, I used to destroy everyone’s building blocks around the classroom. One day, a kid’s blocks I knocked down came to me when I was playing alone and wanted to build with me. Despite how mean I was to him, he wanted to keep me company and build with me and that outreach of kindness stuck with me.”
Perez Altamirano expressed that he always remembered that act of kindness and aspired to be like the kid who reached out a hand even after he was mean. When he became an ambassador, he made it a personal goal to teach about kindness to others, even when someone else is not kind.
“Not everyone will be nice, but I believe if you show kindness to someone, even when they are mean, it makes an impact. As an ambassador, that lesson is very important,” said Perez Altamirano.
Ambassador Alex McMillan stated he wanted to inspire the fourth graders this year to make a larger impact in the community and in the world.
“Being an ambassador and a good person is about acting for others and doing good things. I want the fourth graders to aspire to help the world and leave an impact behind,” said McMillan. “If we make an impact on their lives, they will impact others.”
Fourth graders Juliette Scott and EllaClaire Boelen stated they are inspired to become ambassadors and hope to be chosen for the program next school year.
“It’s a big honor to be an ambassador because you get to be a role model for the entire school and I want to be a part of that,” said Scott. “Santiago’s story really inspired me because I have an older sibling and a younger sibling and it’s just like he said. My older sister is a role model for me, and I learn from her to be a role model for my little brother. And I liked his story about always being kind and reaching out to others.”
Scott stated she wants to be an ambassador who spreads kindness and helps the community. Boelen agreed with Scott but added that she wants to teach leadership to the younger grades and show students how to be leaders outside of school.
“I think life is like a three-tier cake. You have the flavor or people above you who rub off on the lower tier and make an impact on the taste or what people they become,” said Boelen. “I think we can teach the rising fourth graders to think about others before themselves and to be more aware of their actions and the impacts they have.”
Respess stated the presentations were a success and many fourth graders, like Scott and Boelen, are aspiring to be ambassadors.
“The younger grades get excited and engaged because they are listening and learning from someone their age. They can relate to our ambassadors and their stories, which inspires them to do better,” said Respess. “Our ambassadors are proud to give back and they leave behind a legacy that won’t be forgotten as they transition to middle school.”
Respess has begun the choosing process for students that may become potential ambassadors for the 2023-2024 Ambassadors Program. Per his description, ambassadors include students who often quietly do the right thing, make good decisions, show respect and make Lakeview Academy and the wider community a better place.
“I already see so many fourth graders who have the potential to be a great ambassador and I am looking forward to next year’s class of ambassadors,” said Respess.