Helping Hands

Shedding Light on Pali High’s Palisades Ambassadors

By COCO MERRITT | Intern

As a member of the Palisades Ambassadors for the past four years, I have been lucky enough to experience the countless ways the organization gives back to not only Pacific Palisades, but the greater Los Angeles community as well.

The Palisades Charter High School program began in 2010 to allow students to serve off campus, act as student leaders on campus and connect students to administration, under the direct supervision of Principal Dr. Pamela Magee.

“Providing as many leadership opportunities as possible for Pali students is always important,” Magee shared. “A key school commitment to our students is empowering them to lead and providing opportunities for them to prepare to reach their highest aspirations. I am very proud of the work the Ambassadors do and the commitment they bring to the program and to Pali High.”

The responsibilities of the Palisades Ambassadors include school tours, Pali High fundraising events, graduation ceremonies and more.

“The Pali Ambassadors are a diverse, driven group of students committed to creating a better school community and empowered future leaders,” according to the organization’s website. “Pali Ambassadors are looked up to as role models by prospective PCHS students and are valued greatly within the surrounding community.

“Aligned with PCHS’ mission to make positive contributions to the global community, this program empowers students to take action and make tangible change within their local communities and the greater Los Angeles area.”

Outside of Pali High events, the Ambassadors aid in community service events—serving as liaisons between the school, the Palisades and beyond. The Ambassadors have lent their hands at local food drives, marathons, school renovations and any available opportunities to help.

“Our … Ambassadors represent dozens of zip codes, extracurricular activities and various interests on campus,” according to the organization’s website. “The average Ambassador dedicates upward of 10 hours a week to bettering PCHS, the Palisades community and themselves. The Palisades Ambassadors … play [an] instrumental role in helping the entire Palisades/Santa Monica/Malibu/Brentwood community.”

Over the holiday season, the Ambassadors volunteered at the annual Palisades Ho! Ho! Ho! event in December 2022. The Ambassadors arrived early and left late the day of the event, and even assisted the day prior to set up tables, the photobooth and additional decorations. During the event the Ambassadors helped run tables for food, crafts and other sales, as well as the photobooth, and help Santa Claus.

“I can’t really express how lucky we are to have the Pali Ambassadors in town,” Ho! Ho! Ho! Event Organizer Lou Kamer said to the Palisadian-Post. “These Pali High students show up when needed and work together to get anything done for others. They are each exceptional examples of our future leaders, and the Ambassador program gives them that opportunity to work and learn.”

That same weekend, Pali Ambassadors also volunteered their time on Sunday, December 18, 2022, assisting Chabad of Pacific Palisades at its annual Hanukkah event at Palisades Village. Ambassadors worked as coordinators and helpers, operating stations and sorting logistical problems that occurred throughout the night.

“It was a pleasure working with the Pali Ambassadors at the grand Menorah Lighting again,” Program Coordinator Nechama Diskin said to the Post. “They added so much, and we look forward to collaborating with them again next year.”

In line with collaborative events with outside organizations, the Ambassadors also hosted their own fundraiser for the program at Pacific Palisades Farmers Market earlier Sunday morning, December 18.

Beyond school festivities, Ambassadors have also volunteered yearly at the Pali High graduation, aiding with seating, directions and overseeing parents.

As an Ambassador myself, I have taken part in various school tours and had the opportunity to lead prospective parents across campus.

Through the program, I have seen many parts of LA that I would not have traveled to otherwise, and learned about myself and my personal value of service and the act of giving back. With the countless opportunities I have had through the Ambassador program to work in communities outside my own, I have grown as a person and gained a new appreciation for my own community, education and experiences.

Pali Ambassadors President Dillon Khoubian revealed he has had a similar experience with the program. Joining Dolphin Diplomats—the training program for Ambassadors—as a freshman and holding multiple positions on the Ambassadors’ cabinet since then, Khoubian has grown with the program and seen it from a multitude of perspectives.

“I would definitely say it’s been an eye-opening experience,” Khoubian said to the Post. “We’ve dealt with a very large range of people at events that range from lower-income students and book drives, but also events at the country club …

“It’s given me a new perspective, and it’s been a great opportunity for me to just understand that I have this bubble of my own community and there’s much more going on outside of that.”

For more information or to get involved, visit paliambassadors.org.