The Student Ambassadors club at GHS works behind the scenes of not just the school but the community all together to represent the student body and create harmony in the community and the schools as one. They unite other students from other schools, introduce members of the Bowling Green Community into the way our schools work, and collaborate on creating ideas to reflect the harmony in the community throughout our schools to make the student body and the schools the best they can be. Despite being a small club, each teen representative voices concerns, ideas, and communicates a voice to represent the student body, creating an environment that works to serve and accept all leaders and ideas.

The program has grown dramatically in the last two years, from barely being known as a club to becoming represented by the organizations of Bowling Green and GHS itself. The students in the club have shared their stories and their opinions of what Student Ambassadors is like, and how they turn the gears to keep that voice loud and clear for the student body of Greenwood. “We work with other schools to make the community and our schools better.” Aydan Hamidova, junior in high school and a returning club member of three years, discusses her insight and experience throughout her years of being in the club. Maggie Davis, a sophomore and a second year returning Student Ambassador states, “I like being able to help my school while still being able to talk to my friends. At the same time we are having fun with our friends but we’re also helping the school so it’s a win-win.” Hamidova says she enjoys the opportunities the program supplies, such as quote, “developing leadership skills and public speaking skills.” and mentioning how everyone in the group have become very close friends.

With the fresh year beginning, the members have hopes to accomplish new things this year. Jenifer Basham, the club leader and mentor to the teens in the program for two years, notes what she wants to do differently from last year’s experience. “I think one of my goals this year for the club will be really focusing on collaborative leadership.” She states as one of her personal goals for the club in the upcoming year. “This is a long term goal, because it takes time to do, but for me, I just want some culture change with regard to an overall positive environment for all students in the building.” Davis and Hamidova, share similar thoughts on wanting to make the club bigger and collect more people into the program. And since the program relies on the club working together, working in a team oriented fashion can sometimes pose challenges. “I think we work together great. It’s because most of us are teenage girls and we all relate on the same level and I think that really helps us come up with great ideas for the club. I think all of our minds work on the same brainwave.” Davis says.

With the new year coming around, the Student Ambassadors Program is preparing to start a new season of the club with new fresh ideas for the 2024-2025 school year. “I know we’re working on a google form for the school so students can suggest things.” Davis explains the virtual google form the team has been working on. Student Ambassadors have made a digital suggestion box where students can send a response on a form for comments, suggestions, requests, or critique. Davis hopes this year improvement will be seen with the project. “Well, again, I think just the general culture, I can already tell where it’s made an impact as far as the responsiveness to the digital suggestion box with admin.” Basham states. Student Ambassadors have had drastic changes in three years and with it growing so fast, what could it look like in five years? Basham says she can already see the changes happening even before applications have been accepted. “The sky’s the limit.” She states. “Especially with this group of kids.”

The Student Ambassador Program is growing, and its presence is being made known as the representatives continue to voice for the student body. Although the club is small the voices are loud and working to make themselves heard and seen by the community. With the program increasing, many other schools are beginning to try and start their own Student Ambassadors. Starting those clubs can be hard, doing the work to maintain a presence and make a difference, even harder. For anyone in Student Ambassadors from other schools, to young children who aspire to create change with their voice, the team members have something to say;  “You have to work hard.” Advises Davis. “You don’t always get things on the first try and that’s important to know going into it. Just taking it seriously, and being present is the important thing.”  Basham has something to say for not just Student Ambassadors, but for everyone in general wanting to make a difference. “I think that it’s important for everybody to understand that your voice matters and that it’s valued, even though it may not feel like it all the time. There are a whole lot of caring individuals in each and every school building and you’ve just got to find them and build your little network of people, and put yourself out there.”