Brandi Willis shakes the hand of Chad Gray upon graduation from the MV Ambassadors program.
FORTVILLE – A group of 22 community members graduated from the Mt. Vernon Ambassadors program recently, celebrating a year-long opportunity to learn behind-the-scenes information on the people and programs of Mt. Vernon Schools.
The third cohort of the program attended one Tuesday morning meeting per month from August through April. According to a press release from the school corporation, MV Ambassadors are empowered with school knowledge about every department and become a resource for the community.
In order to graduate they are asked to miss no more than one meeting throughout the school year. In these meetings, ambassadors gain special insights into school operations and the inner-workings of the different departments and programs, including transportation, finance, special education, technology, high ability and more.
The program is designed to help people be a resource of Mt. Vernon knowledge for friends and the community. Dialogue with school leaders and providing feedback are part of the experience. “We are so grateful for our supportive Mt. Vernon community, and this exemplary group of Ambassadors demonstrated their dedication and true commitment of time as they learned about operating a school district and how each department plays a key role,” said Maria Bond, MV director of community relations. “It is a true joy empowering our community with additional knowledge that expands their pride in our school system.”
Throughout the year, Ambassadors are also encouraged to support our community in a variety of ways, including bringing non-perishable donations for local food pantries, attending one athletic event and a co-curricular event, shadowing a principal or assistant principal for a walk-through and observing a classroom, or attend one MV school board meeting.
This year’s graduates are Jackie Blankenship, Shaun Childress, Chris Fisher, Crys Gilliatt, Tiffany Glick, Amber Guthrie, Mary Harris, Christina J. Hope, Anna Lane, Abby Lindsey, Nicole Oldfather, Rhonda Pollitt, Jen Remick, Deb Roysdon, Michelle Schreiber, Amber Sermersheim, Jennifer Slattery, Jeremiah Stump, Roxanne West, Kris Williams, Brandi Willis and Mitch Young.
Anyone in the community is welcome to apply to be a 2024-2025 MV Ambassador; having a student at Mt. Vernon is not a requirement.
Learn more about the MV Ambassador community engagement program at mvcsc.k12.in.us/community.
