As ambassadors for the Middle School, Raider Buddies have a big part to play on campus. These exemplary role models are coached by our counselors to assist new students during their first weeks of school. This year, they had the opportunity to interact with and lead parents throughout campus during Back to School Nights, and share their own experiences as students! Read on to learn what it means to be a Raider Buddy from Eitan Krajewski ‘26 and Aisha Sheikh ‘28.
Q: How did you learn about Raider Buddies, and what made you decide to be part of the program?
Q: How did you learn about Raider Buddies, and what made you decide to be part of the program?Eitan (EK): I learned about Raider Buddies through my brother, who was a previous Raider Buddy. I am a leader and possess qualities of a Raider Buddy, which made me want to join. I enjoy helping others, which is part of Raider Buddies.
Aisha (AS): At first I had no idea what a Raider Buddy even was. I was sitting in class and my counselor, Mrs. Roy, walked into the room and asked me if I would like to be a Raider Buddy. I asked her what it was and I immediately said, “Of course.” My teacher, Mrs. Sirrico, told me that being a Raider Buddy is an awesome experience. She told me that when she first came to Gulliver as a child, a Raider Buddy helped her get to know the school.
Q: Tell us a little bit about what your duties and responsibilities look like as a Raider Buddy.
EK: Our duties and responsibilities as a Raider Buddy include helping students out at orientation, helping out families at open house, and answering any questions that new students may have.
AS: On the first day of Raider Buddy training, we were assigned a group color. For the two days of orientation, I was in group green! There were five posts and in each post we had an activity for new kids to learn more about our school system. My job was to take my group around the stations.
Q: The Middle School counselors host a coaching session for you and the other Raider Buddies. What was your biggest takeaway from the session?
EK: When I attended the coaching session, the biggest takeaway for me was that there were a lot of Raider Buddies. However, this can be looked at in a positive way. If there are more of us, it gives way for more teamwork when helping out.
AS: I learned what my role was, what I was assigned to do, and the purpose of being a Raider Buddy.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being a Raider Buddy?
EK: My favorite part of being a Raider Buddy is being able to help others, while representing the qualities of a Raider Buddy.
AS: My favorite part about being a Raider Buddy is having the opportunity to give the new students a tour around Gulliver and helping them find where their new classes are.
Q: How do you integrate what you learn in school with your responsibilities as a Raider Buddy?
Q: How do you integrate what you learn in school with your responsibilities as a Raider Buddy?EK: Some of the qualities that I use in class are leadership and being a citizen. I can use these while partaking in Raider Buddies because these are the qualities we show while doing our service.
AS: Since I have been going to Gulliver for eight years, I know a lot about the school and the school’s systems. Knowing my way around was an advantage to show the new students and parents around the school.
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give to the next group of Raider Buddies?
EK: One piece of advice I would give to the next group of Raider Buddies would be to continue to represent Raider Buddy qualities and to be on their best behavior while doing their service.
AS: Know your way around the school! While I was volunteering, I noticed that lots of the new kids and parents ask questions like, “Where is the library?” “What are the modules?” “Where will we eat lunch every day?” and “Where do my parents pick me up and drop me off?” Knowing your way around the school is very helpful to show new students and parents how to get around.
