Student Ambassadors: Shadows

   Padua Academy offers a program that focuses on leadership through service called the Student Ambassadors Program. They not only give tours at open house, but they also have ‘shadows’ during school. ‘Shadows’ are eighth grade girls who come to Padua for a day and are paired up usually with a sophomore student ambassador. During the visit they get to see what a day at Padua would be like.

    Ms. Maguire, the school official in charge of the program feels that, “The student ambassador program benefits our students by putting them in a role of leadership that is based in service. As they welcome their shadows, or their eighth grade visitors, they step up to the role as hostess, they put themselves second and put their guests first which is really in line with our Catholic teaching. It benefits our eighth grade visitors because they get to see a student who is a sophomore, junior, or senior, and whom they wish to emulate, that they look up to and see as a good role model to them.” Ms. Maguire is not the only fan of the program, the Student Ambassadors themselves are very fond of it. Marigrace Ferrill, a sophomore student ambassador, says, “I like being able to show eighth graders the school and encourage them to come to Padua.” Caroline Klinger, who is also a sophomore student ambassador, enjoys the program and says, “I think that it’s fun to be part of someone else’s decision making process and where they go to highschool.”

    The Student Ambassadors are paired up with the shadows through their share of interests Ms. Maguire explains, “I have the student ambassadors fill out an information sheet about where they went to grade school, what their interests are about, their top ten reasons why they love Padua, if they play any sports, if they’re involved in theater or any activities like student council,etc.  And then I try and pair students up with students who have things in common.” Then after the shadows are paired up with their student ambassadors, the shadows get to meet their student ambassador. Grace DiGiovanni, a sophomore student ambassador, explains her day with her shadow, “So you get an eighth grader who comes around with you during the day to all of your classes and you go to lunch with them, and give them food and you give them a tour during flex.” This allows the shadows to see what it is really like at Padua. The Student Ambassador Program is beneficial to both prospective and current students.