Officer John Aston, a school resource officer with the State College Police Department, saw a need for more student involvement in school safety. With nearly 2,000 students, almost 300 staff members, and over 100 daily visitors, maintaining a safe environment couldn’t rest on just one person.
“I had a lot of students during that time that came and asked me a lot of questions, like, ‘Hey, how can I do a police ride along?’ or, ‘What do we do about this?’ And I’m like, wait a minute, there’s a lot of students that are interested in public safety, not so much law enforcement, but public safety,” Aston said.
Recognizing that many students were eager to learn about safety beyond law enforcement basics, Officer Aston, along with the support of State High principal Laura Tobias created the Student Safety Ambassador Program.
“It’s an opportunity for students to make a difference for the safety and security at school. You can have a safe environment when you’re walking through here,” Officer Aston said.
Launched in 2019, the program faced an early pause due to the pandemic but returned with 40 to 50 students actively participating. These students receive hands-on training in key safety protocols, including run-hide-fight strategies, emergency drills, CPR, and first aid. Practical exercises give them experience in real-life scenarios, such as observing administrators during safety drills or learning to stop bleeding.
The ambassadors also play an essential role in community events. They’ve coordinated canine demonstrations and worked with experts like Penn State bomb technicians, drawing crowds of over 200 students. These events help participants see safety measures in action while fostering collaboration between students and safety professionals.
Student Safety Ambassadors take on leadership roles during school and community events. At homecoming, for example, they helped keep the event safe by guiding crowds away from traffic and large vehicles. They also run booths during social media nights, spreading awareness about school safety measures and connecting with peers.
In classrooms, ambassadors act as informal leaders during emergencies. For example, when substitute teachers, who are less prepared for an emergency compared to the ambassadors, are present. They help ensure that everyone understands safety protocols and what to do in critical situations.
“Most people can only perform at their lowest level of training. That’s why we have these drills, so that when an emergency happens, students have already done something before,” Aston said.
Sophomore Sophia Seidel joined the program as a freshman after learning about it at the club fair. She saw it as a chance to gain valuable skills while contributing to school safety. The training sessions, which included visits to a 911 call center and demonstrations from the bomb squad and K-9 units, gave her new insight into the work of first responders.
“Being a Student Safety Ambassador involves having opportunities to learn about and contribute to increasing the safety of our school,” Seidel said.
One of her favorite experiences was a police ride-along, where she observed officers handling traffic stops, wellness checks, and even a minor car accident.“I like the many opportunities that SSA has to offer. Though I’m not planning to go into a public safety field, the knowledge that I gain from participating in SSA events is useful,” Seidel said.
The program also encourages open communication between students and staff. “It gives everybody a more inclusive approach to things. It’s not just the adults. It’s everybody, because this environment is for everybody,” Aston said.
Monthly meetings allow anyone to share ideas and give feedback for improving school safety creating a space where students can openly share their perspective, helping teachers and staff gain insight into the student experience that they might not have understood otherwise.
“We’ve had some great feedback from students we never knew would exist. I walk away, and I’m like,’Wow, I didn’t see that,’” Aston said. “I’ve been here at this school for seven years and I didn’t see that, they did.”
By organizing events, setting goals, and seeking community support, the ambassadors have shown how much impact young leaders can have on school safety. The Student Safety Ambassador Program highlights the power of collaboration between students and staff. Students bring fresh perspectives and ideas, while staff provide guidance and resources. Together, they’ve created a culture of safety that extends beyond drills and emergency plans. Through their leadership, dedication, and teamwork, the ambassadors are making their school a safer place for everyone.
