When Junior Serena Elkins noticed her school’s enrollment gradually decreasing, she was distraught. As the problem worsened, turning into the lowest enrollment in years, Elkins decided to take the matter into her own hands.
“I want to show to the middle school students who are looking at the school, that when you come here you are welcomed and you’re loved by the students and staff here,” Elkins said.
The Pearl Ambassadors are made of 14 students of all grades. As low enrollment surges, these students have one goal in mind, to raise enrollment for their school. Not only do they represent the school on campus, but at functions the school may participate in. Magnet Night, an event hosted by Magnet middle schools, gives an opportunity for ambassadors and teachers to promote the school to future high school students.
“We put ourselves to represent our school, to show each of our school’s departments whether it’s our music or student media departments,” said sophomore Mateo Zazueta, a Pearl Ambassador.
Magnet Coordinator James Morrison is the sponsor for the Pearl Ambassadors. Morrison organizes what middle schools are visited, where they will have a table to promote and show our schools features. At the function, they discuss AP pass rates, PSAT and SAT scores and college courses that are offered. Through the Pearl Ambassadors program, students can volunteer to join the group and show their support for the school.
“We’ve gone to 12-15 (middle schools) this year. We talk to parents after school and ambassadors also speak to students about programs we offer,” Morrison said.
Overall, their role is to promote the school and show what it has to offer as a small but mighty highly functioning school. Not only that, but to help create a welcoming environment for other students and visitors. Already attending functions, they also plan and are arranging to hold events on campus to showcase what is at our school and community.
“We have an upcoming event (in spring) where we invite middle schools to come here and we give conferences and (host) competitions,” Elkins said.
The ambassador program was created this year to empower students to help make a difference for their school and showcase the best of what Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) offers. Ambassadors support their peers to adjust to high school life by making sure they’re informed as much as possible and advertise events to encourage participation at school. Ambassadors dedicate their time for a positive school culture through not only the program but by supporting as friends.
“I have never felt so accepted and engaged in a learning environment until I came to DPMHS,” said sophomore Nadia Beur, an Ambassador. “I want future high school students to be able to feel that sense of belonging that I feel.”
