Shadow days serve as a pivotal moment for a prospective high schooler’s experience and play a role into where a student wants to attend school. At NDB the shadow days provide a glimpse into the day of an NDB student, with prospective students taking part in academic classes, community activities, and a lunch made by Epicurean.
The success of shadow days relies heavily on the dedicated efforts of the Ambassadoor Board and NDB admissions officers.
The days are organized by Admissions Director Debbie Anderson ‘85 and Admissions Associate Kari Allegri ‘96, who work extremely hard to strategically plan and execute these shadow days.
“It is like a giant jigsaw puzzle trying to put it all together, and Mrs. Allegri works her magic to do this. Typically, shadow days are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually one A day and one B day, blocks 2 and 3 and 6 and 7. The first thing we do is we see if they request a student… If they don’t, we look at their current middle school and try to find somebody from that previous middle school so that they might know each other.” said Anderson.
The preparation for shadow days is meticulously handled by the Board members through the careful crafting of schedules to ensure a diverse range of classes. Additionally, the Board members conduct phone calls to 8th graders on the day of the event to serve as a reminder and address any last-minute inquiries. Regular Friday meetings are also held to train hosts, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively fulfill their roles and responsibilities during the events.
“We also prepare by getting the innovation lab ready, making sure all the nametags are set, making sure everyone has a shadow host, and making sure that they have a schedule,” said Senior Admissions Board member Jane Hipps.
While the majority of shadow days are very successful, there can be occasional incidents or misunderstandings in which the admissions team is always on hand to address these issues. One recurring problem is shadow hosts either not showing up or leaving their shadows unattended. To address recurring issues, all shadow hosts are required to attend a training session before fulfilling their duties. Additionally, current students are encouraged to ensure that their actions and words reflect NDB positively.
Through the dedicated efforts of the NDB Ambassador Board and admissions officers, these events are well planned and executed, which allow so many people to get the chance to experience the school. By showcasing the school’s values and opportunities, these groups play an essential role in shaping the future of the NDB community.
