At Conway Elementary School, leadership comes with a smile, an open heart, and a powerful message of inclusion. Known as the "Rambassadors"—a creative nod to the school's Ram mascot—this diverse team of student leaders is reshaping school culture one act of kindness at a time.

A cornerstone of Conway’s commitment to social-emotional growth and equity, the Rambassadors program brings student voice to the forefront. These young leaders are more than hallway helpers—they are agents of change. From producing skits and leading assemblies to reviewing climate data and developing lessons in character education, Rambassadors embody the values of empathy, leadership, and belonging.

“The Rambassadors were inspired by a desire to bring student voice and leadership into the heart of our character and DEI education work at Conway,” said Dr. Tom Hadfield, Conway’s Assistant Principal. “When our district adopted the No Place for Hate framework, we saw an opportunity to go beyond adult-led events and empower students to take initiative.”

Since launching in early fall, the initiative has rapidly evolved. One especially impactful moment came during an assembly. “The Rambassadors planned and led the entire event—from writing the opening speech to performing skits that modeled kindness and inclusion,” said Dr. Hadfield. “Every student contributed a paper link, sharing something unique about themselves. These became a massive chain displayed in our main hallway. It was a symbolic and unifying experience for our whole community.”

However, the most remarkable part of Rambassadors may be how students are selected. Teachers nominate students not just for academic achievement or public speaking ability but also for traits like thoughtfulness, empathy, and quiet leadership. “We challenged teachers to look for students who are kind, reflective, and ready to grow,” explained Dr. Hadfield. “Our goal was to build a team that truly reflects the diversity of our school—race, gender, grade level, personality, language, and life experiences.”

Rambassadors are given meaningful responsibilities. They lead assemblies, welcome visitors, guide new students, and even participate in shaping Conway’s future. “Leadership isn’t about being in charge,” said Dr. Hadfield. “It’s about lifting others up.”

This impact isn’t limited to the students involved. Staff members have found inspiration through the program as well. “It’s a reminder that students are not only capable of leading—they’re often the most authentic voices in the room,” Dr. Hadfield said. “Their ideas, creativity, and passion challenge us to listen, step back, and trust the process.”

Looking ahead, Conway hopes to expand the initiative to include even more students in leadership roles in the 2025-26 school year. “We currently have about 20 students serving as Rambassadors, and we’re working to grow that number to over 50 next year,” shared Dr. Hadfield. “This is just the beginning. Rambassadors have opened the door for many future opportunities for student leadership at Conway.”

At Conway Elementary, students aren’t just learning about character and inclusion—they’re leading the way, and the entire Ladue Schools community couldn’t be more proud.