As an enthusiastic young group, the Russellville Independent School Ambassadors have taken the first step to fulfill their duties as student representatives. On Friday, Dec. 7, the Ambassadors gathered at the R21C building for a seminar hosted by five of Western Kentucky University’s Spirit Masters. The official ambassadors of WKU introduced themselves as Haley Lord, Kayla Ditto, Madison Bonzo, Nikil Ravishankar, and Sarah Harne. At WKU, they serve a sacred code to promote the spirit of hospitality and inspire the student body to aim for excellence. RHS Principal, Ben Bruni, encouraged the students to listen and learn from the speakers. Superintendent, Bart Flener, transferred the conversation into a presentation on the reinvigorated building and all its renovations. Afterwards, the five college Spirit Masters took over. They initiated the day by playing an ice-breaker game which is similar to riff-off. The students divided into groups and sung songs that contained a specific word. The students’ energy soared through the roof and lasted through the entire day. The five speakers switched over the mood and started their open discussion on what are Ambassadors’ obligations. The college students spoke about their diverse stories in attaining their positions. Many of them didn’t know about the Spirit Master's program, but their love for WKU led them to it. Many of our students asked questions to develop a further understanding of what can be integrated into Russellville’s Ambassador Program. They spoke about the Spirit Masters Twelve Commandments which discussed integrity, behavior, professional attire, and much more. Mrs. Vicky Mathis, Ambassador Sponsor, aspires for the program to give students interpersonal skills that will be used for the rest of their lives. Opening the door for someone or even saying, “hello”, can mean a lot. It was one of the main messages from the Spirit Masters that any good deed can go a long way. If students become an Ambassador for the glory, then they are in it for the wrong reason. They spoke with a deep conviction on how it’s important to act with passion. They choose to invest in WKU, and the college returned the favor. This type of attitude is something Russellville Ambassadors are hoping to demonstrate, and just because you don’t have a title, shouldn’t stop you from investing in a school or a community. Anyone can be an Ambassador. Students walked away with a stomach full of knowledge and wisdom. Russellville Independent School Ambassadors are on the prowl, and we look forward to what they will accomplish next. A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Vicky Mathis, Ms. Jesse Nugent, Ms. Kaitlin Yowell, Mrs. Kelley Paul, Mrs. Kim McDaniel, Mr. Bart Flener, the visiting Spirit Masters, and everyone involved in providing for the Ambassadors!
(Article by Matthew Williams; additional photos on our facebook page)