This year’s junior student athletic ambassadors were selected by athletic director Mike Jackson and assistant director Allison Manzella two weeks ago. The ambassadors represent North as standout student-athletes at intramural events, meeting students from schools across the state.
Led by Jackson and Manzella, the process of becoming an ambassador is simple but fairly selective, according to junior Blake MacNeal, a member of girls’ cross country. “They go through the student athletes and decide whether they play a leadership role in their sport and they evaluate the impact that an athlete has made in their sport,” MacNeal said.
At the first leadership summit of the year, Thursday, Oct. 9, MacNeal, juniors Sophie Finkelstein, a member of indoor and outdoor track and field, Owen Knapp, a member of boys’ soccer, Bryson Mercedes, a member of boys’ basketball and volleyball, and Sasha Selivan, a girls’ volleyball player, gained insight on mental health and leadership skills.
North’s student ambassadors joined around 200 students from 50 other schools to attend the conference. The event featured lectures from sports psychologists and business owners who spread messages about resilience and supporting others.
“It’s really cool and eye opening to interact with the other ambassadors at interactive conferences and talks because everyone’s personalities are so different but everyone has a sport and a goal in life,” said Selivan. “I really like the people I meet because they all work very hard!”
Finkelstein added, “It was really interesting and I learned a lot that will help me be a better teammate and leader, especially now as an upperclassman.”
According to Finkelstein, although the conference showcased various perspectives about overcoming adversity, the lecture about resilience stood out to her the most.
“She was very energetic and very supportive about us going one-hundred percent on everything we do,” Finkelstein said. “She spoke about being confident and understanding that there is room for growth in whatever you do.”
According to Selivan, the student ambassadors look forward to the announcement for the next conference.
