2018 Ambassador Induction
By Alex Hughes
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the 2018-19 Ambassador Induction was conducted. The induction is where the new ambassador and the current ambassadors get together and introduce the new Ambassadors. There was dinner that was served, they served fried chicken, baked beans, cookies, and refreshments. It was held at the extension office off of the bypass. Also, Carlos Quarles, the middle school principal, gave a speech. It was a great experience for the Ambassadors to get together and be with each other.
There were three middle schoolers and three high schoolers that got inducted that night. There were six people that were inducted Tuesday whenever the students' names were called the students stood up and were recognized. There was a good number of people who went to the induction Tuesday night.
The Ambassador program was started by our last high school vice principal, Brandon Blake. After Mr. Blake left the school, new Assistant Principal Cameron Jackson took over for a year while the Ambassador program was looking for a new leader. This year Vicky Mathis is managing the ambassadors and guiding the ambassador program to success.
In order to become an ambassador, students filled out about why they should become an ambassador, and out of these applications a number of students are chosen.
Ambassadors learn from WKU Spirit Masters
By Matthew Williams
As an enthusiastic young group, the Russellville Independent School Ambassadors have taken the first step to fulfill their duties as student representatives.
On Friday, Dec. 7, the Ambassadors gathered at the R21C building for a seminar hosted by five of Western Kentucky University’s Spirit Masters. The official ambassadors of WKU introduced themselves as Haley Lord, Kayla Ditto, Madison Bonzo, Nikil Ravishankar, and Sarah Harne. At WKU, they serve a sacred code to promote the spirit of hospitality and inspire the student body to aim for excellence.
RHS Principal Ben Bruni encouraged the students to listen and learn from the speakers. Superintendent Bart Flener transferred the conversation into a presentation on the reinvigorated building and all its renovations.
Afterwards, the five college Spirit Masters took over. They initiated the day by playing an ice-breaker game, which is similar to riff-off. The students divided into groups and sang songs that contained a specific word. The students’ energy soared through the roof and lasted through the entire day.
The five speakers switched over the mood and started their open discussion on what are Ambassadors’ obligations. The college students spoke about their diverse stories in attaining their positions. Many of them didn’t know about the Spirit Master's program, but their love for WKU led them to it.
Many of our students asked questions to develop a further understanding of what can be integrated into Russellville’s Ambassador Program. They spoke about the Spirit Masters’ Twelve Commandments which discussed integrity, behavior, professional attire, and much more.
Ambassador Sponsor Vicky Mathis aspires for the program to give students interpersonal skills that will be used for the rest of their lives. Opening the door for someone or even saying, “hello” can mean a lot. One of the main messages from the Spirit Masters was that any good deed can go a long way. If students become an Ambassador for the glory, then they are in it for the wrong reason.
They spoke with a deep conviction on how it’s important to act with passion. They choose to invest in WKU, and the college returned the favor. This type of attitude is something Russellville Ambassadors are hoping to demonstrate, and just because you don’t have a title, shouldn’t stop you from investing in a school or a community. Anyone can be an Ambassador.
Students walked away with a stomach full of knowledge and wisdom. Russellville Independent School Ambassadors are on the prowl, and we look forward to what they will accomplish next.
A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Vicky Mathis, Ms. Jesse Nugent, Ms. Kaitlin Yowell, Mrs. Kelley Paul, Mrs. Kim McDaniel, Mr. Bart Flener, the visiting Spirit Masters, and everyone involved in providing for the Ambassadors!