Piloted last year to help welcome incoming ninth graders, Menlo’s Student Ambassador program now extends beyond freshmen orientation. Ambassadors, made up of a select group of juniors and seniors are now assigned three freshmen to support and check in with throughout the school year.
“If ninth graders have any questions, they could reach out to the mentor for the year, which would help keep that year-long presence,” Upper School Dean of Student Life and Culture Alexis Bustamante said.
Last year, each ambassador led groups of 10 freshmen during orientation, which made it harder for students to connect, Bustamante said.
This year, during freshman orientation, Bustamante created the groups such that each had six students and an equal mix of male and female students. Each group included two ambassadors and therefore a 3:1 freshman-to-ambassador ratio.
Freshman Ethan Love appreciated the smaller, randomized groups during freshman orientation. “You’re able to meet a lot of different people, especially upperclassmen, as well as a lot of the new kids in a fun environment through the randomization,” Love said.
Senior Julia Axelrod, who is in her second year as a student ambassador, also likes the change. “I think it allows for the freshman to get really comfortable with us,” Axelrod said.
According to Axelrod, there had previously been groups of 10 or 12 students for every one ambassador, which made it difficult for the freshmen to adjust to the group. Axelrod said that these tighter-knit groups make students much more willing to reach out and talk, helping freshmen foster new relationships.
“We exchange numbers at the beginning and ask them about their first day. […] And I’ve noticed it’s these small things that make the difference and allow them to feel comfortable around us,” Axelrod said.
Love also enjoys the 3:1 ratio of the ambassador program, citing how accessible the ambassadors are for the freshmen. “If other people have similar questions to you, because we’re all on a group chat together, we can all see what the question is, and it can be answered as well,” Love said.
Although the program has received positive feedback among students and ambassadors alike, there are some things that they feel could be improved for the future. For Axelrod, one challenge is ensuring that the freshmen are acclimated to the high school experience. “It’s a whole new environment, and some people are really quiet and reserved, which makes it harder to connect with them,” she said.
Love believes that the program could be further improved by adding more opportunities to meet with the ambassador. “If you needed help urgently, you would ask your ambassador because I feel like checking in once every other week for 10-15 minutes would be good,” he said.
