Meet our Ambassadors - Lilli and Luca
13 July 2024 · 5 min · as at 2024-07-13
Luca DiNicola (guest) · Lilli Jackson (guest)
Listen to the episode on iono.fm · MP3
About the guests
Lilli Jackson
Ambassador · Edu Inc
Awarded the ambassador position at honours evening at the end of 2023; describes it as being kind of head girl for the school.
Luca DiNicola
Ambassador · Edu Inc
Awarded the ambassador position at honours evening at the end of 2023; also a prefect, elected two years ago.
Guest details come from the published episode notes or the guest's own words in the episode.
Episode analysis
Analysis by AI, drawn only from this episode; every point links to the moment it rests on.
A short interview with Lilli Jackson and Luca DiNicola, the two current ambassadors of Edu Inc, a mainstream independent school in Fourways, Johannesburg. The host asks how they explained the role to family, how it differs from being a prefect, why they think they were chosen, and what has changed in them since. They also cover the hardest part of the job, whether the responsibility ends with the term, and what they would advise younger students who want the role. The host closes by describing the role as embodying the school's values.
Key ideas
- Luca describes the ambassador role as the nearest equivalent to head boy and head girl at another school: people who represent the school to the best of their ability. [00:41]▸ [01:31]▸
- Luca distinguishes the roles: a prefect has more jobs and duties, while an ambassador is more an icon for the school. [01:08]▸ [01:11]▸
- Lilli says the role made her more open, more sure of herself and more communicative, and credits this to the trust people placed in her. [02:15]▸ [02:37]▸ [02:37]▸
- Luca argues that representing the school continues after the title ends, including as an alumnus. [03:10]▸ [03:23]▸
- Both ambassadors advise younger students to be themselves. Luca stresses authenticity, vulnerability and a moral compass; Lilli says to just be yourself. [03:35]▸ [03:44]▸ [03:54]▸ [03:54]▸
- The host characterises the ambassador role as embodying the school's values and being an example to other students. [04:01]▸ [04:42]▸
Lessons
- Luca advises aspiring ambassadors to stay authentic, vulnerable and truthful to themselves, and to have the courage to grow. [03:35]▸ [03:44]▸
- Lilli identifies balancing the role with schoolwork and extracurricular activities as its main challenge. [01:42]▸ [02:57]▸
- Lilli suggests that being trusted with responsibility can build a student's confidence. [02:15]▸ [02:37]▸
- Luca holds that a student represents the school in everything they do, with or without a title. [03:10]▸ [03:23]▸
Who it's for
Edu Inc learners, especially younger students who hope to become ambassadors, and parents who want to understand what the ambassador role involves and how it differs from being a prefect.
Facts stated in the episode
- The two ambassadors were awarded the position at honours evening at the end of 2023. [00:19]▸
- The host says the ambassadors have taken on PR tasks this year and have met influential people. [04:21]▸
Questions this episode answers
- What is an Edu Inc ambassador?Luca says it is the nearest equivalent to head boy and head girl at another school. The host describes it as embodying the school's values and being an example to other students. [00:41]▸ [04:42]▸
- How is being an ambassador different from being a prefect?Luca says prefects have more jobs and duties, while an ambassador is more an icon for the school, though ambassadors also have responsibilities. [01:08]▸
- How does becoming an ambassador change a student?Lilli says she became more open, more sure of herself and more communicative. She attributes this to the trust people placed in her. [02:15]▸ [02:37]▸
- What is the hardest part of being a school ambassador?Lilli says it is balancing the role with her schoolwork and extracurricular activities. [02:57]▸
- Does the ambassador responsibility end when the term ends?Luca says no. The title goes, but you still represent the school, including after you leave as an alumnus. [03:10]▸
- What advice do Edu Inc ambassadors give students who want the role?Luca advises being authentic, vulnerable and true to your moral compass. Lilli says to baffle people with your brilliance but just be yourself. [03:35]▸ [03:54]▸
- Why does Luca think he was chosen as ambassador?Luca says he has grown a lot at Edu Inc, has embraced the school's ideals and values, and represents them well. [01:45]▸
In their own words
Longer stretches of the conversation, word for word from the transcript, turn by turn.
Explaining the ambassador role and how it differs from prefect
Note (AI): Sets out what the ambassador title means to the students and how Luca separates it from the duties of a prefect.
Unidentified speaker, host · [00:02]Hello and welcome to the Edu Inc podcast. Today in studio we have Lilli Jackson and Luca DiNicola. Hi. Hi. The two current Edu Inc ambassadors. And we're going to have a little chat today about what that actually means and how you get there if this is an aspiration that you might have. You were awarded this position at honors evening at the end of 2023 and I'm sure …
Read the full passage (268 words, 00:02-01:25)
Unidentified speaker, host · [00:02]Hello and welcome to the Edu Inc podcast. Today in studio we have Lilli Jackson and Luca DiNicola. Hi. Hi. The two current Edu Inc ambassadors. And we're going to have a little chat today about what that actually means and how you get there if this is an aspiration that you might have. You were awarded this position at honors evening at the end of 2023 and I'm sure you went home and you sent a few WhatsApps to family, you maybe spoke to grandparents and said that you had received the honor, the, the great honor of becoming an Edu Inc ambassador. Yeah. And then inevitably I'm quite sure somebody said, well, what is that? So how did you explain the role to them?
Luca DiNicola, guest · [00:41]I basically said, the only thing that comes close to it is it's the equivalent of head boy and head girl in another school, people who represent the school to the best of their ability.
Unidentified speaker, host · [00:52]So then how would that be different to being a prefect? Because you're also a prefect and have been, when were you elected as prefect, Luther?
Luca DiNicola, guest · [00:59]Two years ago.
Unidentified speaker, host · [01:00]So you've been a prefect grade nine, ten, and eleven.
Luca DiNicola, guest · [01:03]Ten and eleven. Ten and eleven, right.
Unidentified speaker, host · [01:05]Okay, so then how is that different to being an ambassador?
Luca DiNicola, guest · [01:08]Prefectship, you have a lot more responsibilities and duties to do. As an ambassador, you're more an icon for the school, but a prefect, you have jobs to do, you have responsibilities towards the school, which you do have as an ambassador, but I think being a prefect is a bit more work.
Why they were chosen and how it changed them
Note (AI): The two ambassadors describe their growth, where their confidence came from, and the hardest part of the job.
Unidentified speaker, host · [01:42]Exactly. Why do you think you were awarded this position? …
Read the full passage (230 words, 01:42-03:02)
Unidentified speaker, host · [01:42]Exactly. Why do you think you were awarded this position?
Luca DiNicola, guest · [01:45]I think personally, looking back on what I used to be, I think I've grown a lot at Edu Inc, and I've become a much better person, if I do say so myself. I think I've embraced the ideals and values of Edu Inc to the best of my ability, and I think I represent them well.
Unidentified speaker, host · [02:04]Yeah, you certainly do. Lilli, since you received this award, what would you say has changed in you? what characteristics have developed? What is different since you received this award?
Lilli Jackson, guest · [02:15]I've become a more open person, more sure of myself, more communicative to the people around me, and it's helped me with my relationships and my, like, friendships with other people. That's great. And
Unidentified speaker, host · [02:28]where do you think that confidence came from? Was it because other people had recognized this in you, and you felt that you now could believe in yourself more? What, where did that come from, do you think?
Lilli Jackson, guest · [02:37]Just the trust that was bestowed upon me, people's recognizing that I can have this responsibility and that I will do okay with it.
Unidentified speaker, host · [02:48]And then, Lilli, what do you think has been the most challenging or, or a challenging part of the job? Is there any
Lilli Jackson, guest · [02:56]one thing you can think of? Balancing it with my school and my extracurricular activities, probably.
Lasting responsibility and advice for aspiring ambassadors
Note (AI): Gives both ambassadors' advice to younger students and Luca's view that representing the school continues after the title ends.
Unidentified speaker, host · [03:05]Does the role of ambassador end when your term of office ends? …
Read the full passage (165 words, 03:05-04:00)
Unidentified speaker, host · [03:05]Does the role of ambassador end when your term of office ends?
Luca DiNicola, guest · [03:10]No, not necessarily. The title is gone, but you still have a responsibility towards the school. Even if you leave the school, you're still an alumni and you, you care about your school, so you want to do everything you can for it. So even if you're not an ambassador, you still represent the school with everything you do.
Unidentified speaker, host · [03:28]Absolutely. And what advice do you have, Luca, for younger students who might want to consider becoming an ambassador?
Luca DiNicola, guest · [03:35]If you aspire to be an ambassador, make sure you're being authentic and vulnerable and staying true to your core principles and your moral compass. You must have the courage to grow and become who you really are and who you really want to be. You have to be truthful to yourself.
Unidentified speaker, host · [03:50]Absolutely.
Lilli Jackson, guest · [03:51]Lily, what advice do you have for the younger students? Baffle people with your brilliance. Use big words, but just be yourself.
Quotes
“As an ambassador, you're more an icon for the school,”
“Just the trust that was bestowed upon me,”
“Balancing it with my school and my extracurricular activities, probably.”
“So even if you're not an ambassador, you still represent the school with everything you do.”
“You must have the courage to grow and become who you really are and who you really want to be.”
“Baffle people with your brilliance. Use big words, but just be yourself.”
“live the school motto, be your best self.”
What was said, by topic
Role of an ambassador
“You were awarded this position at honors evening at the end of 2023 and I'm sure you went home and you sent a few WhatsApps to family,”
“I basically said, the only thing that comes close to it is it's the equivalent of head boy and head girl in another school, people who represent the school to the best of their ability.”
“Also, just saying it's, I'm now kind of head girl for the school. Yeah. I did use the word ambassador a lot.”
Ambassador versus prefect
“Prefectship, you have a lot more responsibilities and duties to do. As an ambassador, you're more an icon for the school, but a prefect, you have jobs to do, you have responsibilities towards the school, which you do have as an ambassador, but I think being a prefect is a bit more work.”
Personal growth and confidence
“I think personally, looking back on what I used to be, I think I've grown a lot at Edu Inc, and I've become a much better person, if I do say so myself. I think I've embraced the ideals and values of Edu Inc to the best of my ability, and I think I represent them well.”
“I've become a more open person, more sure of myself, more communicative to the people around me, and it's helped me with my relationships and my, like, friendships with other people.”
“Just the trust that was bestowed upon me, people's recognizing that I can have this responsibility and that I will do okay with it.”
Representing school values
“No, not necessarily. The title is gone, but you still have a responsibility towards the school. Even if you leave the school, you're still an alumni and you, you care about your school, so you want to do everything you can for it. So even if you're not an ambassador, you still represent the school with everything you do.”
“It is the embodiment of the school's values. It is holding those values, flying the flag, and, constantly being the example of those values to the rest of the students in the school.”
Advice for younger students
“If you aspire to be an ambassador, make sure you're being authentic and vulnerable and staying true to your core principles and your moral compass. You must have the courage to grow and become who you really are and who you really want to be. You have to be truthful to yourself.”
“Baffle people with your brilliance. Use big words, but just be yourself.”
Balancing responsibilities
“I know that we've put quite a few tasks on your shoulders this year. There's been quite a lot of PR going on. You've met a couple of influential people, and you've acquitted yourselves very, very well.”
Episode notes (as published)
From the episode notes published with the podcast.
Learn about the journey to being an Edu Inc Ambassador and what it means to live the spirit of our school. Edu Inc website · Facebook (Public) · Facebook (closed group) · Twitter (closed group) · YouTube · Review us on Google
Every quotation and passage on this page is copied word for word from the episode audio transcript and linked to the moment it was said. Quotations are never written or altered by AI; topic labels, passage notes and the episode analysis are AI-generated. Guest details come from the published episode notes or the guest's own words.