For the students of Old Rochester, the dawn of a new school year also means the creation of an array of clubs, and this school year is no exception. A new club, with members taking on the title of AmbassadORs, is out to improve the environment of the school. News of this club was released last year, when students were invited to send an essay – as well as any ideas they had for the group – to Mr. Michael Devoll, principal of Old Rochester, about why they wanted to join the AmbassadORs. Students with the most enthusiastic essays were invited to a meeting over the summer, and the AmbassadOR club became official.
So far, the AmbassadORs have assisted with both Freshman Orientation and Open House. Their jobs mainly consisted of giving tours and advice, as well as making students and parents comfortable at ORR. For the first days of school, AmbassadORs wore red lanyards, which allowed new students to locate other students who were more than willing to guide them in the right direction.
The main focus of the group, according to founder (and principal) Mr. Michael Devoll, is to “promote the school and the values of the school, promote positive messages around the school, and to take pride in the building and the facilities.” According to Mr. Devoll, the inspiration for the group came from Providence College, his alma mater, where a group of students called the Friar’s Club exemplified the best qualities of the school and helped improve the campus environment. With an abundance of students at the school who essentially personified ORR’s mantra – Operate Responsibly and Respectfully – Devoll took the initiative to start an Old Rochester version of the Friar’s Club; thus, the AmbassadORs were created. Of starting the group, Devoll said, “I feel like my job has been to be a cheerleader, and ambassador, and a promoter for the school, and I thought ‘what better group to get involved than a group of committed students?’, so I wanted them to help me with that task.”
Speaking to the members of the club, it’s clear to see they take great pride in their school. Griffin Dunn, a junior at Old Rochester, said “The AmbassadOR’s main goal is to represent our school. We want to show our community how great ORR is.”
As for upcoming events, the AmbassadORs have various activities lined up for the month of October. On Friday, October 9, members of the club will help the Mattapoisett Lions Club put on a showing of the movie Home in the High School Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Admission is a donation of basic necessities that will support local families in need, as well as Operation Shoebox. The AmbassadORs also plan to hold a breakfast for new students in order to welcome them to Old Rochester Regional High School.
By Sienna Wurl
