PROMISE FACES
We had a few questions for The Promise Ambassadors about their role and their plans for the school year.
Q: Tell us what The Promise Ambassador Program is all Q: What is your advice to a student who is not yet about?
Promise-Ready?
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Matthew: The Ambassador program is one of the many ways that The Pittsburgh Promise reaches out to schools. Ambassadors are senior students that serve as liaisons to their peers. Ambassadors help to share information about The Promise to the school and other students. We also plan events to promote The Promise and encourage other students to fill out applications.
Ian: The program teaches a select group of seniors from each high school the ins and outs of The Promise. We then promote The Promise in our schools.
Q: What did you do over the summer as Promise Ambassadors?
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Alexis: We spent some time this summer learning about concepts that we might overlook such as setting goals, financial literacy, and how to talk about The Promise with others. We spent time at The Promise office which helped us with networking and working with people that we didn’t know well.
Diamen: It is never too late! The Promise has options including the extension program to allow students who just miss the GPA requirement to try CCAC for a year. Just dream big and work hard and you will find your niche.
Q: How will you get The Promise message out in your school?
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Briana: We will each try to build a team of 5 students in our schools. We will help to train them and then as a team we will hold info booths at the school and during events. We will also go to classrooms and hold Promise info sessions.
Q: This IdeaPod issue is focused on financial
literacy. What can you pass on about finances and college?
Kauser: My summer was a great work experience. It was like an internship that allowed me to make new friends and plan our program for the year. I plan to talk about the Ambassador program in my college resumes.
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Q: What did you learn this summer that was the most
Matthew: Don’t get a credit card unless you know exactly what you are getting into!
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Alexis: Save your money for essential expenses and be sure to pay off your debt before spending on things like a new pair of shoes or a concert.
surprising?
Diamen: I was surprised that all of the money for Promise scholarships is given by organizations and even regular people.
Matthew: There are so many different ways to pay for college. Financial Aid is a broad topic and there are tons of ways to ease the financial burdens of post-secondary education.
Kauser: Apply for all scholarships because college is expensive. Keep your grades up so that you can keep your scholarships.
Q: What do you hope will be the result of your work as an Ambassador?
Q: What is something that PPS students should know A:
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about The Promise?
Quincy: Students should know that some things are not negotiable like grades and attendance, and not knowing that can hurt them.
Raven: If you graduate with a GPA between a 2.0 and 2.5 you can still get The Promise if you go to CCAC for at least a year and keep your grades up. It’s called The Promise Extension.
Simone: I hope that everyone I talk to will understand the opportunity of a Promise scholarship.
Quincy: I hope to inspire other students to do more and get involved. I hope to even inspire someone to become an Ambassador next year.
New Promise Ambassadors are recruited by The Promise each year! If you are interested in learning more, ask your school’s Ambassador or email Gene at The Promise office at Eugene@pittsburghpromise.org.
11 ideapod // FALL 2013