36 hours. That’s how long it took for SHC’s Irish for a Day Program to fill up this year on September 3rd.  Hundreds of eighth graders and their parents across the Bay Area registered online, filling up the the popular program and its 700 available spots.

Compared to last year, the ambassador program has significantly gained popularity.  In 2013, 600 openings were available for eighth graders to experience a day in the life of an SHC student, filling up within one week.  Now, all spots are taken, leaving 300 hopefuls on a waiting list.  “It’s going great,” describes Mr. Gumina, the head of Irish for a Day. “We’ve trained 250 ambassadors, up from 200 last year,” he excitedly explained. The visitors begin the day with a class simulation, to give them a feel for a normal day.  Warm, gooey cookies await them outside the Admissions office, at which point they’re guided by their first ambassador to their first class.

Introduced to a strange, new, and often intimidating environment, these developing eighth graders sign up to visit their possible home for the next four years, a decision we all determined not too long ago. Having visited September 30, Coleman Walsh reports that he “likes how [we] don’t have seven classes a day,” professing his commendation for our convenient block schedule.   “It’s laid back, which is nice,” he continues, stating how much he admires the campus.  His companion, Jeremiah Batteau, discusses his enjoyment as well.  “It’s really fun,” he explains, “the teachers are really nice.”

Those acting as emissaries for the young visitors, the ambassadors, do hold a lot of responsibility.  Aside from leading them, these sophomores, juniors, and seniors must call the home of the middle school student within a week of their visit, ensuring their time here proved pleasant and informative.   Elaine Peralta, a one year veteran of the program, enjoys introducing her guests to the high school norm, expressing how she, “loves impacting [the eighth grader’s] decisions and [getting] a vibe for the class of 2019.”  Her classmates, Christian Boggs and Samantha Basco, concur that the program allows them to “meet and know someone here,” and “[lead] them to the right school.”

Accommodating these visitors, the teachers very much appreciate meeting the excited newcomers. An Ethics and Church History teacher, Mr. Baer recounts his experiences with the young guests and their overall wonderful and respectful comportment.  “They seem comfortable here,” he explains, “I always tell them to chill out and have the ambassadors introduce them.”

Encouraging curious eighth graders to discover their appropriate high school, the Irish for a Day Program allows for immersion and experience.  Finding the right school may prove tough for these teens, but their visits here permit them to see themselves as part of our diverse  and welcoming community.