Hi, I'm Sofia Peng, and I am a Student Ambassador!

When I heard of the Student Ambassador program being spoken about at a grade-level meeting, it piqued my curiosity. It presented an excellent opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone, but I still wasn't determined to participate. Fortunately, one of my friends encouraged me to submit my application form, and I am delighted that I followed that suggestion.

The Student Ambassador program was newly introduced last year. We started with training in September, and I remember being in a large room in the Cultural Center with other sophomores like me, and juniors and seniors. Our first step was to become fully acquainted with St. Stephen's academic offer across all grades, as well all we could learn about the history of the School’s experiential service-learning opportunities and school-wide trips program. We began with small table conversations and scribbled our thoughts and ideas on post-it notes, and then expanded our small group discussions to a large gathering of students. We also reviewed the various St. Stephen's School clubs, the full range of community service opportunities, and the different IB courses. We talked about things that make St. Stephen's unique and facts about the School that I never knew, despite having been here for an entire year.

The admissions representatives who had led tours for years shared their experiences with us. I thought that the most significant advice was for us as students to put ourselves in a newcomer’s shoes, whether they were students like ourselves or their parents, who wanted the best for their children. Our role was straightforward: to talk about what we knew and to share our experiences at school with integrity and authenticity.

Eventually, the first Open day came up. I remember that morning; I left my regular class to meet new visitors to the school. It was definitely something different and new. I remember the churning of my stomach and the sweating of my palms because it was one of my first times. To say the least, I was very nervous. I remember receiving my name badge--the clip with the plastic sleeve that had my name and the bold letters of 'Student Ambassador' inside; it stood out so clearly. I felt as if I had been given something important and my anxiousness was comforted.

Afterward, I introduced my name to the visitors and showed them around the school. I felt a little distressed in the beginning, but when I started to share the stories behind the posters and pictures clipped on the wall, my own experiences, and what I felt was the best part of the school, and maybe some of the lamentable parts as well, I felt a sense of pride. The prospective students were keen to ask questions, and I responded to them with enthusiasm. Sometimes I would receive "That's so cool!" or "Wow, I never heard about that!" We initiated small conversations that I never thought could occur between strangers, between people I had encountered only for the first time. The 45-minutes that we were given passed more quickly than I expected. And knowing that there might be a chance to see them again, or get to know them better the following year filled me with buckets of joy. I can still remember the grin on my face and the sensation of never having felt so accomplished. I remember commenting on it being so worthwhile to my friends after I had seated the visitors in the front of the chapel during morning meeting. I felt like my insights and opinions about St. Stephen's were worth their attention.

The responsibilities of a Student Ambassador this year have felt more like a service-learning activity than just hours spent to earn credits. This experience transformed me into a more confident, radiant, and easy-going student who has managed to communicate with others with ease and self-assurance. I am so happy I signed up to participate.