In recent weeks, La Salle has started to recruit new students from neighbor schools with the annual grade school visits. This gives juniors and seniors a chance to go to other schools in the area and inform potential incoming freshman about La Salle’s academics, social events, and the community. Each group of selected students go to six schools over the course of two days.

Junior Student Ambassadors Emma Herder, Patrick Dowhaniuk, Christian Reyes, Parker Cardwell, Simone Stoney, and Emmerson Smith recently participated in grade school visits to several schools, including St. John the Baptist, Christ the King, St. Luke’s, St. Anthony’s St John Fisher, and Our Lady of the Lake.

These students were hand picked by La Salle’s Admissions Assistant, Ms. Keepes, based on nominations and feedback from teachers and staff. After they were picked, they had to write a speech and attend a few meetings to prepare for these visits.

Not only do these visits potentially expand La Salle’s community, but it also brought the students going on the visits closer to one another. They got to bond with their peers, and they also created great connections with the 8th graders they visited. “It’s all about the kids, and making them smile,” Reyes said.  

Students loved the grade school visits so much that skipping school wasn’t even their favorite part. Smith felt that the students were genuinely interested in what they had to say about La Salle. “I loved seeing the kids having fun and get really into what we were talking about,” she stated. 

These ambassadors took a lot away from just these two days. “It was nice to see kids so eager to join our family” Cardwell said, adding that it helped to deepen his understanding of La Salle’s community and start a bond with the potential future Falcons.

Along with sharing their own experiences with the 8th graders, the student ambassadors went more into depth about what La Salle is about. “We give speeches and share helpful information about all aspects of La Salle, and answer any questions that they have” Herder said. “We also listen and watch a really exciting video about a day at La Salle.”

After sharing about La Salle, the ambassadors began to learn more about themselves and grow as individuals. Public speaking is a common fear for many new ambassadors, but Smith learned it wasn’t as bad as she thought it was. “After doing visits I’m more comfortable speaking in front of people, which has not been an easy thing for me,” she said. All ambassadors interviewed agreed it was an amazing experience and they would all do it again if they had the chance.

One key aspect of the student ambassador visits is to encourage interested 8th graders to come to La Salle’s Open House on October 4th. This opportunity, which goes from 1:00 to 4:00pm, is a great way for prospective students to get an overall feel of the school.

With Open House just around the corner, the ambassadors are excited to welcome new students and help them be successful. “If they come here they can do great things and achieve lots,” Dowhaniuk said.

For current La Salle students thinking about participating in this opportunity next year, the grade school visits are an excellent way for the ambassadors to build community, share what La Salle has to offer, and create an awesome experience for potential Future Falcons.