Tri-North students help peers gain confidence
At Tri-North Middle School, a group of 60 eighth-grade students known as the ‘Armor Ambassadors’ is helping incoming seventh-grade students adjust to middle school life. The ambassador program is modeled after the Bloomington High School North (BHSN) Cougar Leaders program and is already making a difference.
“Some of the common things new students worry about are what if they get lost, how to find their classes, and how to get involved in sports and make friends,” said Armor Ambassador Reagan Menkedick.
These concerns are exactly what Armor Ambassadors help address. Over the summer, Ambassadors held the Trojan Transition event for seventh graders, which included a school tour, fun breakout sessions, and an ‘Ask an Eighth Grader’ session.
“We help the new students with being comfortable around other people. If they have questions, they come to us,” said Armor Ambassador Zoe Zakhour.
During the school year, the Armor Ambassadors lead weekly activities during homeroom period, called ‘Trojan Time.’ The Ambassadors attend leadership training sessions with Tri-North teachers three times per week to learn how to facilitate activities and discussions in the homerooms. Topics range from community building and school involvement to balancing academics and overall wellness.
According to Armor Ambassador Max Harding, one of the things seventh-graders are learning is how to be more comfortable socially.
“When we used to do circle times, students said ‘I don’t know’ a lot and were scared to talk, but that has gone away now,” said Harding.
“The new students are a lot more talkative now,” said Armor Ambassador Piper Burroughs.
Maria Kioussis, Tri-North English teacher, and Morgan Terry, Tri-North social worker, lead the ambassador program.
“Mrs. Kioussis helps us with ideas about what to talk to the homerooms about. She also checks in during Trojan Times to see if there are new students who may be struggling,” said Armor Ambassador Richard Clarke.
“Armor Ambassadors is largely modeled after Bloomington High School North’s Cougar Leader program, founded by Jessica Willis and Brittany Klein, and run by Crystal Bratton and other leaders over the years,” said Kioussis.
Similar to the Cougar Leaders program, students apply to become Armor Ambassadors.
“Ms. Terry and I view Armor Ambassadors as a vehicle for student voice,” said Kioussis. “We want students with a wide variety of experiences, backgrounds, and extracurricular activities so they are truly representative of what our school offers.”
Cougar Leaders say, ‘Don’t be too cool for school’
BHSN Assistant Principal Kevin Greve said more than 140 students applied to become Cougar Leaders this year.
“English teacher Tatianna DeWitt oversees the Cougar Council, the upperclassmen leaders of the Cougar Leaders, and she helps them plan out activities for freshmen,” said Greve. “For example, this year, the Council planned a freshman tailgate for their first football game.”
BHSN seniors Rex Speer and Anamika Wolfskill have served in leadership roles on the Cougar Council for several years. The council plans activities that the Cougar Leaders lead with freshmen during BHSN’s homeroom period.
“The council has really evolved,” said Speer. “In addition to our Cougar Kickoff at the beginning of the year, students can get to know us throughout the year at more events, including Freshmen Fun Days. The events are fun and engaging, like the one we’re hosting at the end of October with karaoke and ice cream.”
Speer and Wolfskill said events have been well attended and their hard work has paid off.
“The freshman tailgate went really well. A lot of people showed up,” said Wolfskill.
“The Cougar Leaders this year are great leaders — I tell them they’re the cream of the crop,” said Speer. “We’ve been able to do a lot of new things and that’s because of their creativity and hard work.”
Speer said he was inspired to be a student leader by his experience as a freshman.
“Some seniors on the basketball team took me in, and that inspired me to be that person for someone else,” he said.
Wolfskill shared a similar experience.
“When I was a freshman, I was reluctant to get involved in things and not sure where to start,” she said. “Now, being a senior, I’ve had so many great high school experiences. I started thriving through clubs, so I share the club lists with freshmen and let them know it’s going to be beneficial for you. As Cougar Leaders, we have comfort in knowing we’re helping to guide other students.”
Assistant Principal Greve says the Cougar Council participates in leadership development.
“This year, the Cougar Council is doing leadership courses to help them grow their capacity to lead. We need student leaders. I’m a big believer that everybody can grow into being a leader if you make it something that people take pride in,” said Greve.
Speer said that patience is one thing they are learning.
“As a leader you want things to happen as soon as you want them to happen. Be patient when it comes to people. See the grace in others,” he said.
Wolfskill and Speer both shared advice for their younger Cougar Leaders.
“I tell them you can’t be afraid of embarrassing yourself. Have fun and be accepting. Don’t be too cool for school,” said Speer.
“Be enthusiastic. Give positive energy. Motivate people to get involved. For me, just joining clubs, it gave me a voice at North. Try to be as outgoing as possible — you don’t have to hide how you are. Unapologetically be yourself,” said Wolfskill.
