THE ONTARIO CENTER SCHOOL
By Principal Narrie Gavares

At THE ONTARIO CENTER SCHOOL, we take a different approach to student leadership by not having a traditional student body cabinet. Instead, we have a unique Ambassadors program, which is open to any student who wants to develop and demonstrate leadership skills. Our Ambassadors play a key role in promoting school spirit, supporting our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, assisting the office, helping at school events, and even making important school announcements.  Being an Ambassador comes with high expectations. Students must maintain good attendance, stay on track with their academic progress, and demonstrate good behavior to remain in the program. Since Ambassadors represent our school, we strive to ensure that they embody the values and positive image of our community. It's an opportunity for students to lead by example and make a meaningful impact on their school environment.

On Friday, October 11th, we were thrilled to welcome Blake Brandes, a motivational speaker with a Ph.D. in Hip-Hop and Global Youth Cultures, who has performed on America's Got Talent and delivered a TEDx Talk. Mr. Brandes helped us host a special leadership luncheon for our Ambassadors, encouraging them with his experiences from supporting more than 400,000 students, educators, and parents over the past 17 years. He shared how the power of the Growth Mindset can transform lives in the face of challenges. Our Ambassadors had a wonderful experience learning from Mr. Brandes and are now more motivated than ever to take on the challenge of being mindful, positive leaders at our school!