John C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix recently invited the community in for its annual open house, giving students and families the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff. Greeting visitors at the doors were the school’s JCB Ambassadors, members of a unique service program that allows students to assist their school in new and unique ways.

“JCB Ambassadors is an avenue to provide a community service opportunity for students,” explained principal Thomas Bailer. “They assist people on our campus, serving as tour guides or lunch buddies for new students and greeters for events such as Open House or other large-scale events.”

At the open house, ambassadors gave out maps, directed families to classrooms, and made themselves available for questions. Bailer suggested that Ambassadors could also support other buildings within the Phoenix district in the future.

Bailer additionally noted that JCB students could use community services hours through programs like these to apply to their NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, a new designation on New York State diplomas that honors a student’s commitment to scholarship and civic engagement.