On the computer screen, senior Fernanda Madrazo chats with a mix of children during lunchtime. In the elementary school parking lot, senior Aidan Dsouza wave signs for food drives. On the first day back at in-person school, senior Lainie Carter cheers on the entering kids. Titan Ambassadors have had a resilient year, adjusting their events to the pandemic.

Titan ambassadors are a group of Poway High’s students that dedicate themselves to not only the younger kids in PUSD but to their community and high school as well. They work to instill the six pillars of character, mentoring children, and promote the meaning of “Character Counts!”.

As their time as ambassadors come to an end, they reflect on all they have experienced this year. 

“I really enjoyed my experience as a Titan Ambassador because I’ve seen the direct impact our work has done on others. Mentoring elementary school kids have made me realize the importance of connection with younger students and giving them someone to look up to,” Madrazo said.

Dsouza shares the same happiness as the children he mentors. “My favorite part about being a Titan Ambassador is simply seeing the smile on the students’ faces. It brings me so much joy seeing how happy all of them get over the smallest things,” Dsouza said. 

Their experience has come with wisdom as well. “I learned that we should all embrace our inner kid who always finds joy in everything,” added Dsouza.

“I love being an ambassador because being around kids makes me so happy, and the chance that I could impact their lives in even the smallest way means the world to me,” Carter said.

Titan ambassadors have a welcoming mindset for the new applicants, as they begin to say their bittersweet goodbyes to their team. “I am so thankful to have been a part of such a supportive and adaptive program,” Carter said.