A newly redone field, a new Athletic Director, and new traditions. Spirit Ambassadors is just one more addition to the growing athletics program. The rising spirit comes with fun chants, confetti cannons, louder screams, and cool outfits that have brought football games back to life.
“The [Spirit Ambassadors] started [during] the second home [tackle football] game,” junior Dahlia Osman said.
Athletic Director Tyler Small said the Spirit Ambassadors group was started by Assistant Principal Joseph Marik.
“Mr. Marik has been working on it because of the absence of the cheer squad. We wanted to find a way for students to lead various events and get engaged in the activities,” Small said.
The Spirit Ambassador group has eight people so far, but they’re going to work on growing the group in the future, Small said.
To pick the first group of ambassadors, ASB advisor Haylee Adams selected students she thought would fit the position of getting people involved and excited at games.
“Ms. Adams knew students who have positive energy, and who are able to be comfortable being joyful and fun, that’s how she chose people to start,” said Assistant Principal Joseph Marik.
Spirit Ambassadors have only been at football games so far, but Small said they want to expand to other sports, like water polo, soccer, and basketball.
“We are working to get them at all events, the goal is to get the crowd engaged in any athletic event,” Small said.
Players agree
with Small that Spirit Ambassadors are an effective way to get the crowd involved.
“I think they 1
00% are motivating at football games. They get the crowd hype and they really bring life to the crowd and the game,” foo
tball player Junior Bill Asthon said.
Each football game is themed and Spirit Ambassadors have been dressing up and bringing props such as American flags, beach balls, and confetti poppers to games in accordance with the themes, Osman said.
“Everything we bring and wear is all paid for by us,” Osman said.
Osman said Spirit Ambassadors are not paid, and they voluntarily bring props to football games to increase spirit.
So far, only upperclassmen are a part of Spirit Ambassadors, but Small said he thinks including underclassmen would be beneficial to the program.
“I think [includin
g underclassmen would] be great to get a wide range of grades involved. If it’s too small a group, not everyone can go to all the events,” Small said. “If you get underclassmen involved early, by the time they’re seniors they’ll be well-versed and will build tradition and culture.”
Small said he ho
pes as underclassmen get involved they continue Spirit Ambassadors for years to come.
“It’s a great way to build tradition. Hopefully in 10, 15, and 20 years from now, some of the same traditions are going on,” Small said. He hopes to make this a fun way to get students more involved at football games, and for the Spirit Ambassadors to be a lasting group.
Additionally,Small said he’d like to have people other than PHS students excited about sporting events, and wants Spirit Ambassadors to help community members get involved.
“Even if the Spirit Ambassadors see a group of middle schoolers or elementary school students, they can get involved in getting excited for being a Highlander and Piedmont spirit,” Small said. The inclusion of younger Piedmont students is crucial to create a welcoming environment throughout Piedmont. Marik also said that having Spirit Ambassadors is a new way to create positive spaces in the Piedmont community.
“We want to make Spirit Ambassadors part of tradition and culture for Piedmont Athletics,” Small said.
