I had already been at Ireton for five hours —setting up athletic booths, hanging departmental signs from the ceiling, and assembling a few balloon arches — when I sprinted into Murphy Hall, nearly into a crowd of people. What I saw was the beginning of the annual Bishop Ireton Open House, attended by more than 900 prospective students and family members. This daunting number shattered every prior year’s record and more than 150 other student ambassadors were ready to help.
I had spent weeknights leading up to the open house learning dozens, if not hundreds, of facts about the school: the last four seasons of our theater department’s performances; quotes from St. Francis de Sales detailing our Salesian approach to education; every sport and class retreat and travel opportunity; our credit requirements for graduation; the date of every campus extension; and the year Ireton went co-ed (the fall of 1990, if you were wondering). These facts, along with my charisma, enthusiasm and ability to walk backward, were invaluable skills for the many student-led tours we gave throughout the day. And more so than a laundry list of facts, these exchanges, in which students give insights into their academic, social and spiritual journeys at Ireton, are really what define the Student Ambassador program.
The Student Ambassador Club is the largest student organization at Ireton, with more than 350 members. Working with the admissions department, ambassadors represent the Cardinal community not only at the open house, but also at sporting events, ice cream socials and many spring events for accepted students. A unique opportunity for student ambassadors is the “Cardinal for a Day” program, where an underclassman guides a visiting prospective student through a day, giving a unique insight into the student experience.
So much of our time is spent interacting with parents and prospective students on the individual level, and it is often an ambassador’s impression in this regard that confirms a family’s decision to ultimately choose Ireton. In no small part, this has contributed to continued full enrollment at the school.
“Whether leading a tour of the school or engaging in a small group discussion about the transition to high school, our student ambassadors are not only helping prospective families make an important decision about high school but they are also gaining great leadership and communication skills themselves,” said Nicole Mahon, director of admissions and the Student Ambassador program.
As I settle into my senior year and as the student president of Student Ambassadors, I am able to reflect on how this terrific opportunity to help the next generation of Cardinals formed me as a leader who guides with empathy first. Whether it was helping a shy student connect with their peers at a pizza party or reuniting an Ireton alum with their freshman social studies teacher Michael Rauer, I have been able to connect with hundreds of parents and students. This year, I welcome the next batch of Cardinals at our open house Oct. 19 from 1-3 p.m. And I will do so in a way that exemplifies Ireton’s mottos: to “Advance Always” and “Live Jesus!”
