Every year, the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) selects one senior from each of its 12 high schools to represent their school as the student ambassador. Oxford Academy senior Yarely Martinez has taken on this coveted position for the 2024-2025 school year.
The AUHSD ambassador program opens its application in February to all AUHSD juniors, kicking off two competitive rounds of interviews. A panel consisting of Ambassador Advisors and the Board of Trustees make the final decision, gathering 12 qualified students across the district, effective from May 2024 to May 2025. According to the application, the ambassador program was developed to “give students an opportunity to make an impact on their campus, school district, and community while building their leadership potential.”
“When I got the news, I was really excited because this was something I’ve been wanting to do since tenth grade,” Martinez said.
As a student ambassador, Martinez is responsible for serving as the president of Oxford’s RSVP program and a member of ASB. In addition to these roles, which include leading three school-wide RSVP summits and participating in district and school events such as College and Career Fair and Steam-A-Palooza, she meets with Principal Houston and other student ambassadors to relay critical information between the district and the Oxford student body.
“I have a meeting [with Principal Houston] every 6th period, where we discuss issues she wants me to look into,” she said. “I also bring back information from the district during our ASB formal meetings, and I relay all that information back to them.”
As a senior, Martinez is able to successfully juggle her extra responsibilities as student ambassador with the looming pressure of college applications by properly managing her time and workload. She acknowledges that collaborating with the people around her helps her to manage the stress of her position.
“[I have to] communicate well with my advisors. Sometimes, I have to let them know that I’m working on a big project and can’t do some of the responsibilities. I also [rely] on the [RSVP] board, especially my vice president, who is close with the stuff I do so I can ask her for help.”
Despite the large adjustment, Martinez finds this position rewarding with the tangible impact it has on the school campus and community, all while building upon her leadership skills. The immense back-and-forth communication between different campus groups is no easy task, but Martinez finds it enjoyable as she adapts to the pressure of her job.
“My favorite part is being able to go into the office and communicate with different admin [members]. Before [I had] the position, I was kind of intimidated to go in [to the office], but now I feel like I’ve been able to gain better relationships with the admin because of my position,” Martinez said.
To current juniors seeking out the position for next year, Martinez recommends applying with the intention of genuinely seeking change and putting in the effort to make it happen. She believes that signing up just for the title, without the passion, results in a half-hearted experience.
“To me, being student ambassador is being able to speak for the students — obtaining information about their needs and communicating that back to admin to see [how] we can get both on the same level.”
