Ambassadors Program

A Program for Leaders to be Discovered in High Schools Across the State

The Ambassadors Program is CTL’s foundational program, powered through extensive partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education. We develop 800+ young leaders every year in 18 high schools across the state.

CTL Student Leadership Facilitators work every day in classrooms across the state to bring our effective, project-based curriculum to local high school students from sophomore to senior year in a 3-year structure. The target audience are “undiscovered” leaders. These students have tremendous leadership potential, but don't see themselves as "leaders" and are therefore not invested in through traditional leadership pathways, like student government. Over 65% of CTL students do not hold a leadership title before joining the program.

CTL’s weekly curriculum provides hands-on practice and opportunities for students to develop their leadership potential based on a framework of the Five Practices of Leadership. As part of the class, students design and implement leadership projects in small teams.

Together, we are developing a pipeline to engage, equip and empower young leaders for Hawaii.

Our Reach

By the 2023-2024 school year, the CTL Ambassadors Program will be in every HIDOE Complex Area, which means that every community will be represented by Hawaii's future leaders.


Ambassador Program Partner Teachers

Testimonials

Here's what CTL Ambassadors students & teachers have to say about the program!

I’ve been with CTL for 3 years already throughout my high-school life. It’s a very remarkable...

View More - Joshua Laroya

I’ve been with CTL for 3 years already throughout my high-school life. It’s a very remarkable experience for me since this program shaped and improved my leadership skills. From all of those three years with CTL, what stuck with me is the idea that being a leader is not just acting as the “head” of the group, but it's also composed with many elements including integrity, character and most importantly, courage.

Joshua Laroya

Pearl City High School

Joshua Laroya

Pearl City High School

"CTL changed my perspective. Many people go about their daily lives not knowing how people are...

View More - Anthony Hoang

"CTL changed my perspective. Many people go about their daily lives not knowing how people are struggling. It makes me think if we didn't do our rental assistance project our senior year, how would those 80 families get the help they needed? We didn't realize how much people needed help, and that was just one pop up tent in Waianae in one day. If that was an ongoing thing across the island that would be hundreds of families getting help they need."

Anthony Hoang

McKinley High School

Anthony Hoang

McKinley High School

"The work and support that CTL provides transforms lives and gives students a voice and opportunity...

View More - Wes Shinkawa

"The work and support that CTL provides transforms lives and gives students a voice and opportunity to make an immediate impact as a leader. The impact of the projects with our students and school has been transformational."

Wes Shinkawa

Principal, Kapolei High School

Wes Shinkawa

Principal, Kapolei High School

"CTL is not just some class you sit and take notes in; it's an opportunity to really take action...

View More - Leilani Ly

"CTL is not just some class you sit and take notes in; it's an opportunity to really take action and apply yourself as a leader in your school and community. Being in CTL has expanded my idea of leadership to a practice that's as imperative in everyday life as it is in a team setting, and it's pushed me to believe in my own ability to lead. I know now that I'm capable of making a difference in the world, because through CTL I already have."

Leilani Ly

McKinley High School

Leilani Ly

McKinley High School

"CTL's value is invaluable. The lessons and activities the students participate in allows them to...

View More - Gayle Thompson

"CTL's value is invaluable. The lessons and activities the students participate in allows them to have a voice and practice being effective, strong leaders."

Gayle Thompson

Academy Director, Waimea High School (Kaua'i)

Gayle Thompson

Academy Director, Waimea High School (Kaua'i)

"Thanks to CTL, I've learned to step out of my comfort zone...I was able to join class council this...

View More - Nicholas Martin

"Thanks to CTL, I've learned to step out of my comfort zone...I was able to join class council this year and I've been reselected to fill my role as co-chair for senior year! CTL has definitely improved my life. I went from being a small, emo looking boy who had zero social skills and could not talk to you if you were the only person left on earth. I've grown into a slightly bigger emo looking boy who is able to hold a conversation pretty well and is able to give presentations really nicely. Thank you, CTL!"

Nicholas Martin

Pearl City High School

Nicholas Martin

Pearl City High School

View All Testimonials

PARTNERSHIP

We're so grateful to all our wonderful Ambassadors school partners! Interested in joining the CTL ʻOhana? Contact us to learn more about how you can bring CTL to your school and community.

I Want CTL at My School!

SPREAD THE WORD

Do you know someone who'd benefit from learning more about CTL? Use the link below for a shareable CTL resource. Mahalo for helping us spread the word about leadership opportunities for Hawaiʻi's youth!

Spread the Word!

Ambassadors Program Projects

Every year, CTL advises over 100 student-led projects. Over the course of the school year, students design and implement legacy projects to positively impact their schools, communities, and islands. Project topics range from mental health to homelessness to sustainability to supporting special needs peers and more!

Get more info on CTL Legacy Projects!

Year 1 CTL Ambassadors Projects: Maui Student Care Bears

Year 1 CTL Ambassadors at Maui High School put their words into action and addressed the need of teacher appreciation in their school community.

More Year 1 Projects

Year 2: CTL Ambassadors Projects: Community-Level Impact

Year 2 CTL Ambassadors at Kapolei High School envisioned a revival of Native Hawaiian cultural practices in their school and community. The student team was trained in traditional Hawaiian practices, and created a club at school to teach the next generation how to ku'i kalo and promote other sustainability initiatives.

View Ku'i Club

Year 3: CTL Ambassadors Projects: Island-Level Impact

Year 3 CTL Ambassadors at McKinley High School created the Lokahi Project - a "senior prom" for kupuna in care homes across O'ahu to combat kupuna loneliness. CTL team members recruited peers from other high schools to host kupuna for a fun evening of games, good food, and intergenerational bonding. This became a 4-year legacy project carried on each year by CTL Ambassadors at McKinley High School.

View Lokahi Project

Program Curriculum

The Center for Tomorrow's Leaders curriculum

The Center for Tomorrow's Leaders unique, copyrighted curriculum is based on the research from The Leadership Challenge. Our curriculum includes The Leadership Challenges' 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership®:

  • Model the Way – how leaders identify and exemplify values
  • Inspire a Shared Vision – how leaders craft and communicate inspiring visions
  • Challenge the Process – how leaders see with new eyes to courageously innovate
  • Empower Others to Act – how leaders build strong teams and build new leaders
  • Encourage the Heart – how leaders sustain momentum by celebrating accomplishments