Knightly News

Gold Ambassadors

One of the best things about working in admission is observing our Episcopal Student Ambassadors in action. I’m impressed with the students’ maturity and their ability to relate to our guests and provide an accurate depiction of what makes Episcopal such a special place to learn.

This school year is the first year that our Ambassadors are back in full force since the pandemic, and we are off to a tremendous start. Our students are divided into Blue and Gold Ambassadors. Blue Ambassadors are 9th and 10th graders, and Gold Ambassadors are juniors and seniors. These students help members of the admission team provide tours for prospective students and families, host Shadow Day experiences and assist with school-related events such as new student socials, orientation and open house.  In addition to our Upper School Ambassadors, we have developed a Junior Ambassador program for seventh and eighth graders.

Student Ambassador programs are considered a best practice among the leading private schools in the region and the country. I certainly feel like these student volunteers make a difference in our admission process. Visiting families ask questions directly to the Ambassadors as we tour the campus, and I frequently hear how much our guests appreciate how well-spoken our students are and how much they value the opportunity to interact with a current Episcopal Knight.

While we know that Ambassadors are important to prospective families, we have also found that our students appreciate the opportunity.  The program helps Ambassadors develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility and create a stronger community.

Blue Ambassadors

Blue Ambassadors

Leadership Development

“I became a student ambassador because when I was given my tour and shadowed Episcopal students as a middle schooler, I saw how a first impression could change your experience for the rest of the tour, or rest of the shadow day,” says senior Nathan Gibson. “I realized how significant this first impression was and decided that I would want to be one of the people who would get to give that experience to other kids who are interested in attending Episcopal.”

Student Ambassadorship is a tremendous leadership opportunity for our students. Ambassadors are selected based on nominations from faculty and division administrators. Faculty are encouraged to nominate students who are enthusiastic, outgoing, and have a positive attitude. Ambassadors have an inclusive and welcoming nature, school spirit, and the respect of both faculty and peers. Once students are selected, we coach them on the key points to present to potential students. The experience provides them with practice in public speaking and interacting with people from a variety of backgrounds.  

Developing Responsibility

As a Knight Buddy, we ask our Student Ambassadors to connect with incoming students over the summer. This requires a willingness to go that extra step and a sense of responsibility to another person. We also ask our Ambassadors to commit to a certain number of tours each year and to manage their time wisely when it comes to balancing tours and academic obligations. Our students do this beautifully. “My favorite part about being a student ambassador is the satisfaction I get after giving a tour to a prospecting family, knowing that I may have just aided in their decision to send their child to Episcopal, and proved that Episcopal is the right school for them,” says Nathan. We are proud of the level of dedication Student Ambassadors show when it comes to helping new students acclimate or prospective students decide on a school.

Middle School Ambassadors

Building Community

Being a part of the Episcopal family is a special and important part of the student experience. However, making the transition to a new school can be daunting. That’s one reason why junior Ramsey Claire Greene wanted to become an Ambassador. “Additionally, various aspects of this school have changed my life and made me the person I am today,” she says. “Getting involved at EHS is easy to do once you know what’s out there, and I always wish I had gotten involved sooner. We have something for everyone, but sometimes new people don’t even know these clubs exist. I wanted to help new students find those things that will help them feel welcome and a part of our community.”

The admission team is intentional in how we partner our Ambassadors with prospective families so that sense of community begins to blossom from the very first interactions. Prospective families submit an interest form that we use to match them with a Student Ambassador with similar interests. For example, it makes a tour so much more meaningful if an athlete or artist speaks to a potential student about what it is really like to compete for the Knights or create art through the Visual & Performing Arts program.

We are so grateful to our Student Ambassadors for the time and talent they share with prospective families. It truly makes a difference and showcases our UKNIGHTED community.

Middle/Upper School Open House
We invite you to join our Student Ambassadors for a Middle/Upper School Open House for prospective students and families.

Thursday, November 3rd
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Registration ends at 5:30 pm)
Register here.

Dana Messina, Assistant Director of Admission and Enrollment

Dana Messina was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in her beloved New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating from Loyola University New Orleans in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and then a master’s degree from Tulane University in 2012. Prior to moving to Baton Rouge in 2013, she worked in Continuing Legal Education at Loyola University University New Orleans, College of Law. Dana has been in the Admission Department here at Episcopal since 2017. In addition to her work, she loves to volunteer in the school community, most notably, along with her husband Paolo, served as Squires Club Presidents for two years, and they love being on the sidelines at pretty much any athletic event!

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.