Manual Arts College Ambassadors spend their lunches and time after school helping seniors with the overwhelming task of applying to college. Started in the 2013-14 school year, the College Ambassadors program recruits high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics and trains them to serve as an additional support system for their peers.

At Manual Arts, college ambassadors not only help their peers but also the staff in the college center. The college center is always in need of additional supports to inform the students about college, college applications, and other important information. “It’s too much work for one person,” said the college ambassadors advisor Quan To. “Students will listen to other students.”

The seniors are in charge of educating students and helping them learn about college, how to apply, FAFSA, creating college portals and submitting transcripts. They influence the students to go to college. “Without the support of the college ambassadors I wouldn’t be able to do my job sufficiently, I rely on my college ambassadors,” said To.

Ambassadors first learn how to apply for college and then pass the information to other students. They impact the school in a positive way. College ambassadors gain and develop more knowledge and leadership skills as they progress through the program. If they come across they are not familiar with, they can rely on the support of To and other volunteers in the college center.

In order to become a college ambassador, students complete an application during the Spring and interview for the position in the summer. Maribel De Anda in charge of the training and interview process. “We allow juniors and seniors to apply and they must be in good academic standing,” said De Anda.

 “I chose to be a college ambassador here at Manual Arts to be able to prepare myself for college by knowing all the deadlines and to also help my peers and encourage them to apply to college,” said senior Giselle Vergara. “Being a college ambassador makes me feel like I am making  a difference in my community.” Students interested in becoming a college ambassador should contact Mr. To in the college center.