At the beginning of March, the Big Sky Sun Journal talked to Big Sky Health Science Academy ambassador Rex Rhodes to see what the process looks like to become an HSA ambassador, and what made him want to join the academy and take on this leadership role.
Here’s what Rhodes had to say:
Hylton: What made you first want to join the HSA academy, and what steps did you take to become an ambassador?
Rhodes: I wanted to join the HSA because I love the community, and I think it’s given me a great opportunity to explore the medical field. And for the steps I took, we first had to fill out an application if we were interested, and then we had to get an interview with Mrs. Houser, and from there they chose a small group of students. Initially I wasn’t selected at first, but through hard work and dedication they gave me a spot as an ambassador.
Hylton: What is your role as an ambassador?
Rhodes: As ambassadors, we facilitate events throughout the school, specifically through the academy. We also host HSA events for the HSA students.
Hylton: How does being an ambassador help your future high school and college careers?
Rhodes: It gives me a perspective into applying for internships, and leadership roles. It also helps educate us students on how to act as leaders, too.
Hylton: What advice would you give to an underclassmen who wanted to join the academy, and become an ambassador, and what can they expect as an ambassador?
Rhodes: I would figure out why you like the HSA, and if they offer what works for you, be a good kid and a good student and be kind.
Every semester as an ambassador, we need 10 hours of volunteering, and you have meetings every other Wednesday. But, it’s pretty hard to reach the hour requirements if you don’t go to the events and stuff.
Hylton: What’s your favorite part of being an ambassador?
Rhodes: My favorite part is helping other people, and the community of students it gives. Plus being able to be in a leadership role will look good for college.
Hylton: What would you tell a student who was considering becoming an ambassador, but might not know if they want to or not?
Rhodes: I think even if you don’t think it’s for you, you should try it out anyways, and if you don’t like it, then you don’t have to be one. But, it’s an overall great opportunity to have. A perk is that there’s usually an HSA ambassador trip, there was supposed to be one this year for the ambassadors but it got cancelled.
Hylton: What do you wanna be in college, and is HSA helping with that?
Rhodes: It’s helping me with opportunities for college, like job shadowing. It’s also helping me pursue something in medicine, if I wanna be a dermatologist, or a surgeon, it helps. I think I might go to college for biomedical engineering though, which is very relevant to the HSA.
