Top five female Homecoming ambassadors talk about importance of role
Although all the female Homecoming Gold Ambassador candidates have different definitions of what the title means, they all share a love for Central Michigan University.
Holly senior Michelle Vermilya describes a Homecoming ambassador as someone who embodies what it means to be a CMU student.
A good ambassador is not only about doing her personal best, but also about helping others to be their best, she said.
“It’s about enabling the future of CMU. I’m a resident assistant so I am trying to help all the students I have direct contact with every day to be the best they can and get their full experience at CMU," Vermilya said. "Being Gold Ambassador would put me in a position to help more people and that is my goal, to leave CMU with having the biggest impact I can."
Clarkston senior Meredith Clark has been coming to CMU’s Homecoming since she was 4 years old. Clark said she feels this has given her perspective on the importance of Homecoming for the whole community.
“Being a Homecoming ambassador is an honor because it is a representative of the CMU student body and all of the ideals of CMU," Clark said. "I have had a variety of mentoring roles at CMU and have always tried to mentor incoming freshman or current students so they can realize all the opportunities to be involved. Once you are involved, you are connected to Central."
Troy senior Kellie DeSchutter said being a Homecoming ambassador is a way to serve as a role model for other students.
“You are a representative for the students based on the things you have done while on campus. That would include leadership, volunteering in the community and academics," DeSchutter said. "Becoming Gold Ambassador would be an acknowledgement of the fact that I have worked so hard to be involved and to do well in my classes, it would be a huge accomplishment."
Saginaw senior Sarah Naples said CMU is more than just her school; it is her home.
Naples said she credits CMU with her transformation from a shy freshman into the leader she is today.
“A Gold Ambassador represents the CMU community by serving the campus and sharing their love for CMU. They show great leadership, are highly motivated, passionate, involved and a well-rounded person," Naples said. "A Gold Ambassador should be living (his or her) life to celebrate and take pride in CMU."
Sterling Heights senior Alexis Altier said she believes the Gold Ambassador should be someone who represents CMU with pride and represents all the outstanding students of CMU.
“I’ve had a lot of leadership roles on campus and they have exposed me to a lot of different people on campus and gotten me to appreciate the different aspects that CMU has to offer to its students,” Altier said.
