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Hewitt Technical Center unveils ambassador program; students describe tours, mentorship roles
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Summary
Students and staff introduced a formal Hewitt Technical Center ambassador program that will train students to lead tours, support recruitment and mentor younger students; ambassadors said the role builds communication and career-readiness skills.
The Laconia School Board heard a presentation April 21 introducing a formal ambassador program at the Hewitt Technical Center, designed to train selected students to lead tours, meet guests and support recruitment and career events.
Presenter (Speaker 5) described the ambassador program as an extension of the center’s career-readiness work and said ambassadors serve as tour guides, meet guest presenters at career fairs and represent the center at open houses. He said the effort formalizes existing student-leader roles and helps recruitment because prospective students often respond more to peers than adults.
Emma Conlin, a student in the teacher-preparation program, told trustees the ambassador experience helped her understand program options early and made her confident about where to apply. “When we went on our official tours my sophomore year, I already knew where I was gonna apply,” Conlin said.
David Haskell, a plumbing and heating student, said the program improved his leadership and presentation skills and helped him prepare for a future business. “Being an ambassador has really taught me…how to talk to people,” Haskell said.
Sydney, an Allied Health Science student, described guiding a younger student who became excited about the engineering program and later applied; she said the role boosts students’ confidence when interacting with adults and pursuing scholarships.
Alumnus Anthony Gentile, introduced by the presenter as one of the program’s early ambassadors, said the experience gave him a "leg up" entering his career and helped him develop social skills he initially lacked.
Board members asked how ambassadors are chosen. Presenters said teachers generally recommend students and most ambassadors are second-year students; selection practices vary by program and some teachers accept volunteers. The presenter said the program is low-cost — occasionally providing jackets — and sometimes local or regional grants are available for similar efforts at other tech centers.
Trustees did not take action; the presentation closed with an offer to answer follow-up questions and to continue supporting ambassador recruitment and outreach.
