Spartan Ambassadors and Link Crew

By: Giancarlo De Fabiis

Guest Writer

Within the Damien High School student body, there are two groups of unsung heroes: the Spartan Ambassadors and the Link Crew Leaders! Throughout the year, participants of both of these programs work within our school community as well as the outside community, to improve daily life. Mrs. Birchler and Mrs. Roumi have been working hard with the students to make sure that both of these programs have been a success!

Spartan Ambassadors have put in countless hours this school year both on and off campus. The role of the Spartan Ambassador is heavily centered in outreach (public relations, feeder school connects, and admissions & marketing).

Nicholas Diaz, a senior and Spartan Ambassador at Damien, says his goals as an Ambassador are, “representing my school, showing prospective students what the brotherhood is like here at Damien, and being a good example.”

The role of the Spartan Ambassadors is to help those families who are looking to have their sons attend the school. They put countless hours into outreach events like Open Houses, middle school presentations, and Spartan Shadow Days. During a shadow day, prospective students get the chance to “shadow” a current student to get a sense of what life is like on the Damien campus.

Gabriel Gadia, a junior at Damien and Spartan Ambassador, says, “As part of the Ambassador program, I hope to make a difference by representing Damien in a positive way to prospective students. With this goal, I hope to help with the success of the school and for future Spartans.”

Damien’s Link Crew works to help incoming students (freshmen and transfer students) feel comfortable as they make their transition into high school. Nicholas Diaz, who is also a Link Crew Leader, says, “When I was a freshman, I can recall when I had a Big Brother, and that really resonated with me.” He wanted the chance to do what his Big Brother did: set an example, be a role model, and be a leader. Link Crew Leaders get a group of around 8-10 incoming students, and they work with them on Orientation Day. They play games, have deep talks, and more.

Gabriel Gadia, who is also a Link Crew Leader, says, “As part of Link Crew, I hope to make a difference in the Damien experience these Freshmen have. My goal is to make their experience here at Damien as good as it can be.”

Throughout the year, it is a Link Crew Leader’s job to check in with their students and make sure that their school year is going well. Freshman Lucas Aguilera says, “Orientation Day was loud, and it was fun because you got to meet new people.”

If you are interested in applying to one or both of these programs, go to damien-hs.edu. From here, scroll over to the “Student Life” tab, and click on “Spartan Ambassadors & Link Crew Leaders.” Here, you can find more info about the programs as well as how to apply. All applications must be turned in by May 15^th, 2020 via online submission. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Birchler at birchler@damien-hs.edu.