36 DECEMBER 2025 By Sherry Sklar We’ve all been there: a point when the world seemed much larger and more intimidating. For a wide-eyed 11-year-old, transitioning from a familiar elementary school to a middle school filled with “big kids” is a significant and anxious milestone. The Ingleside Middle School Ambassadors want incoming fifth graders to know they are here to help – alleviating butterflies, easing nerves, and building confidence to take the next step. This group of 40 seventh and eighth-grade students leads school tours, but they do much more to support the community. They’re leaders and inside experts, spreading school spirit and helping incoming fifth graders and parents see what they know: that Ingleside is a great place to learn and belong. The student ambassador program, which has been in existence for more than a decade, has undergone significant growth and development. Starting with a small group of 10 students, it expanded to include around 75 applicants this year, with 40 currently participating. This volunteer corps aims to raise community awareness through its unique student-led tours, attracting more visitors to the school. Those with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to become ambassadors and participate in leadership activities, providing tours of the school and the Comprehensive Gifted Program (CGP) to prospective incoming students from Hopi, Tavan, and other area schools. To be considered, these students answer a questionnaire and are interviewed each spring by program leaders and staff. Ingleside parents Kelly Vasbinder, Nikki Ess, and Shayne Singleton volunteer to run the program, organize tours, and coordinate school events. Kelly emphasized that the kids participating in the program represent a diverse range of personalities. These students make for an engaging mix of opinions and viewpoints. “Some are athletes, some are creative, and some are quieter,” Kelly said. “We try to represent a variety of interests from Ingleside.” Ambassadors go beyond academic performance by incorporating leadership and communication skills. “We thought that parents would want to hear from the kids themselves, and would enjoy listening to their perspectives when taking a tour,” Nikki said. “Our ambassador program has been vital to maintaining and growing our student enrollment, which is a key focus for every school,” Principal Dr. Junior Michael said. “Families value hearing directly from our students about their experiences. The authenticity of a student-led tour holds far more weight.” The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. The ambassador program nearly doubled in size this year, increasing from 25 students to 40. To provide a full slate of experiences throughout the academic year, they incorporate community outreach and invite speakers to the school. Students hand out flyers at fall festivals and picnics and participate in parades, such as Parada del Sol. Jewelry designer Lexi Clement, owner of online jewelry brand Oh, Clementine, spoke to the students about cultivating leadership qualities and developing their personal brand. Lexi coached them through a design process to build a vision board, helping them map their individual paths. Ambassadors take pride in sharing their experiences during the tours. “I enjoy making a difference,” student Allison Helmick said. “I wish people knew how kind and caring the kids here are,” Hannah Levin, a seventh- grade, first-year ambassador, shared. Her classmate Mia Greer added, “I love telling people that Ingleside has a ‘No Place for Hate’ program and showing how we really do put that into action.” With every greeting, hallway walk, and anecdote, these young ambassadors create meaningful connections that embody the spirit, warmth, and inclusiveness of their school. Ingleside Ambassadors light the way for future students The Ingleside Ambassadors are a group of 40 seventh and eighth-grade students here to support their school community. PHOTO COURTESY OF INGLESIDE PTO

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