Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD concluded another successful year of its Student Ambassador Program, celebrating a cohort of high school juniors and seniors who helped bridge the gap between local schools and community leadership.

Designed to develop professional skills and strengthen campus culture, the program selects students from each of the district’s five high schools. This year’s ambassadors served as a student voice for district initiatives and collectively contributed more than 1,000 hours of community service through district involvement and independent volunteer efforts.

Superintendent Dr. Wendy Eldredge played an integral role in this year’s program, working directly with student ambassadors and participating in several sessions throughout the school year.

“This has been an exceptional year of growth and achievement for our student ambassadors,” Eldredge said. “I saw firsthand how their confidence and communication skills developed when given a real-world platform. They have represented CFBISD with true distinction, and their experiences this year have laid a strong foundation for future students.”

Throughout the year, student ambassadors gathered every month for structured meetings focused on leadership development themes, including personal branding and identity, community service, civic engagement, resilience and personal growth.

The students also networked with local officials, including face-to-face meetings with the mayors of Carrollton and Irving, served as official escorts and greeters for the North Texas Area Association of School Boards, and volunteered at numerous district events.

Additionally, ambassadors collaborated with the Student Nutrition Department as a tasting panel to help influence future school menus. They also strengthened their public speaking skills through the Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Competition, and some students even spoke during CFBISD’s State of the District event.

According to Katrina Spottsville, CFBISD’s community partnerships coordinator, the program has evolved significantly since its inception.

“The Student Ambassador Program was established several years ago to support high-achieving students,” Spottsville said. “We have since expanded the criteria to be more inclusive — welcoming not only high performers, but also students who demonstrate leadership potential and would benefit from these opportunities. Our goal is to ensure no student is overlooked and to create a program that reflects the dynamics of a real-world working environment.”

That real-world preparation is already translating into postsecondary success. Every member of this year’s student ambassador cohort has established professional or academic plans following graduation. While some students will attend traditional universities, others are pursuing careers as city officials, first responders and business leaders.

Following the success of this year’s program, the district is already looking ahead to the next generation of student leaders. Applications for next year’s Student Ambassador Program will open in August and remain available through early September.

Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students from all five CFBISD high schools are encouraged to apply when additional information is shared this fall.