Student Ambassadors
Student Ambassador Details and Teacher Recommendations
Our Student Ambassadors are exemplary student leaders who proudly represent Gulf Shores High School. They serve as liaisons, spokespersons, school leaders, and advocates for our community. To become a Student Ambassador, students must demonstrate strong leadership skills, a positive attitude, a dedicated work ethic, and a deep commitment to GSHS.
As Ambassadors, students enjoy the privilege of meeting new people, developing valuable skills, and holding a respected leadership role within the school. They collaborate with current students, faculty, staff, community members, and business leaders, as well as support new students transitioning to GSHS.
Ambassadors are selected through a rigorous application process from an outstanding pool of candidates. Please join us in congratulating these students when you see them—they have earned a prestigious position representing our school system with pride!
Such an exciting day for our GSHS Student Ambassadors!
Alicia Tolbert, one of the Student Ambassadors faculty representatives, got to be part of something really special today — the very first student tour of the NEW high school building!
This was our first group (half of the team), and the rest will get their turn on Monday. The new school is absolutely amazing — we’re all blown away! Hearing our students’ thoughts and reactions as they walked through was so cool. Their creativity and insight never fail to impress!
Big thanks to Jessica Sampley, our Career Tech Coordinator and co-sponsor of the Student Ambassadors, for making this happen — and to our GSCS central office staff and GSHS admin team for giving our ambassadors this awesome opportunity.
Special shoutout to Superintendent Dr. Matt Akin for joining us and helping lead the tour!
We are beyond excited to see the finished school — it’s going to be something truly special!
Meet Your 2025-2026 Student Ambassadors
Amanda Larenas
Amanda Larenas is a senior who is so excited to be a student ambassador for the 2025-26 school year. She is the Drum Major in the GSHS marching band, and she is member of the ACT 30+ club. She enjoys reading, baking, and playing her instrument.
Ella Gilbert
Ella Gilbert is a driven member of the Class of 2026, balancing academics with leadership and extracurriculars. She is the Vice President of Key Club and her class, plus a member of NHS, all while working full-time as a hostess during the summers.
Sherlyn Tellez
Sherlyn Tellez is a senior at GSHS and a first-year student ambassador. She has been going to Gulf Shores since kindergarten, and she wanted to be a student ambassador because she wants to be more involved with the school and help students when they need it. She has been involved with helping small events for FCCLA, FCA, pickleball club, Diamond Dolls, and she has been a soccer manager. Her favorite memories at Gulf Shores are enjoying football games with her friends, being able to be a part of the homecoming court every year, having supportive teachers who are there for her when she needs them, and being able to help out in some of her favorite sports! She’s very excited to be part of this amazing community and can't wait to see what the future holds.
Brooklyn Purvis
Brooklyn Purvis is a senior at Gulf Shores High School, where she has been a dedicated student since kindergarten. Throughout her time at Gulf Shores, she has actively contributed to campus life as a Student Ambassador, member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, and as a student athletic trainer for the football team. Brooklyn’s favorite aspect of the Student Ambassador program is the opportunity it provides to build meaningful connections and give back to her community. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in the healthcare field.
Kate Cimino
Kate Cimino is a senior at GSHS. Cheerleading has been a huge part of Kate’s life, cheering for Gulf Shores for four years and competing as a Summit Finalist in all-star cheer. Her favorite subject is computer science, which fuels her dream of studying aerospace engineering at the University of Alabama.
Warren Wates
Warren Wates is a junior at GSHS. He comes from a family known for their considerable accomplishments and deep rooted traditions in military service. He was raised in a disciplined environment that revolved around hard work, personal responsibility, and perseverance. His father served in the Navy as a SeaBee and his grandfather was a pilot, leaving him an example for his future. Even though his older brother decided to take a different route as an engineer, he has always motivated Warren to do better. However, what motivates Warren the most is his willingness to serve and lead while going above and beyond what is expected of him. Planning out ways to achieve goals while also trying to create a positive impact on the community, along with strong work ethic, and previous leadership experience are his strengths. As he serves the community around him, he wishes to better himself and others.
Anna Achimon
Anna Achimon is a senior and has attended Gulf Shores schools since first grade. This is her second year as a student ambassador, and she loves everything about it. Anna loves meeting new people, and she’d like to thank Coach Sampley for opening up all types of new opportunities for her. Her goal as an ambassador this year is to help others in the school and community. She is a member of FCCLA, DECA, Junior City Council, and Turning Point USA. Anna is most excited for this year and all the fun it will bring.
Price Stephens
Price Stephens is a senior student athlete at Gulf Shores High School. This is his fifth year in Gulf Shores City Schools, and he is a proud Dolphin. He loves a good challenge in the classroom and on the field. Price plays varsity football in the fall and varsity baseball in the spring. He believes leadership is an important quality to have, and he believes in being a leader on the field and in school. He loves helping out at the school when needed and volunteering his time to better the community. He is especially excited to start his second year as a student ambassador and represent his school.
Kayla Rose
Kayla Rose is a senior at Gulf Shores High School, where she’s been a student her entire life. She’s involved in FCA, DECA, NHS, Turning Point, and FCCLA, and she plays on the varsity volleyball team. She’s also a student ambassador, a role she’s excited about because it allows her to represent my school and engage with the community. Kayla states that these activities have helped her grow as a leader and make a positive impact in her school and community.
Isabella Hancock
Isabella Hancock is a sophomore at GSHS. She enjoys reading, baking, swimming, and playing tennis. She loves learning new things, whether it’s in school or just something fun on her own. She also likes being involved in her school and helping out in her community whenever she can.
Wallace Russell
Wallace Russell is a senior at GSHS. He has taken honors and AP level classes throughout his entire high school career and has been always on the A honor roll. He currently plays on the Varsity Scholar's Bowl team, which made it to State this school year and was a great experience. He is also a part of the ACT 30+ Club, with a high composite score of 33 and superscore of 34. He is also a member of NHS. Wallace states that he enjoys being a student at Gulf Shores High School.
Macey Moore
Macey Moore is a senior at Gulf Shores High School. She has attended the school for three years and this is her second year serving as a Student Ambassador. Macey wants to show her love for her community and high school by representing them as an ambassador and helping others achieve their goals. Her favorite part about Gulf Shores High School is the diverse variety of opportunities it provides for each individual student. With many clubs she loves how you can focus and learn more about what your plan is for the future. Macey is on the varsity volleyball team, National Honor Society, FCA Leader, Scuba diving club, and a Turning point member.
Portia Hollis
Portia Hollis is a senior and third-year ambassador. She is President of the GSHS Drama Club and MakeWaves Theater Department. She’s a cheerleader, peer helper, and founder of the pickleball club. In her free time, she enjoys singing and dancing. Portia has attended Gulf Shores City Schools since kindergarten and is excited for this next year.
Student Ambassador Faculty Representative
Alisha Tolbert
Alisha Tolbert is from Wetumpka, Alabama. She attended Troy University from 2009-2013 where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. She interned with the 2013 North Carolina State Baseball team and then went on to complete her Masters degree in Kinesiology at Louisiana State University as a Graduate Assistant. She was hired in 2015 as the certified Athletic Trainer for LSU Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. In 2017 she left LSU to become an athletic trainer at Gulf Shores High School. She began teaching at GSHS as an adjunct instructor where she started the Sports Medicine program. In 2021, she became the Head Athletic Trainer for GSCS and a full time Health Science teacher. This upcoming year, she will be assisting with the GSCS Student Ambassador program and will be implementing a Certified Personal Training Credential to her upper-level Sports Medicine students.
Jessica Sampley, Academies and CTE Director, GSCS
Jessica Sampley grew up on beautiful Smith Lake in Arley, Alabama. She attended Meek High School and graduated in 1996 with honors. While at Meek, Jessica lettered in four sports and received a variety of awards in all. She was valedictorian of her class, but she opted to attend Shelton State Community College on a basketball and softball scholarship and later transferred to the University of Mobile, where she suffered an injury that prevented her future in sports. She graduated with honors from the University of Mobile in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and received a teaching assistant scholarship to attend North Carolina State University for graduate school. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, with a concentration in Poetry, in 2005, with a collection of poetry for her thesis (Tuscaloosa to Tupelo), which was selected for publication by Main Street Rag Publishers in Charlotte, NC, in 2007. Most recently, Jessica's poetry was published in Oberon Poetry, and The Dead Mule.
Jessica has been teaching and coaching for 21 years. She currently serves as the Academies and Career Tech Director for the district and loves working with all district schools. She previously taught AP Literature, Dual Enrollment English, English (8, 9, 10, 12), Creative Writing, and Journalism, as well as college courses at North Carolina State University and Coastal Alabama Community College. She currently assists with volleyball operations, but she has coached volleyball, basketball, softball, track, and tennis, as well. She sponsors Student Ambassadors.
Jessica recently served on a congressionally-mandated National Academies Consensus Study over PK-12 STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural Areas (and was a co-contributor on the associated report: https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/k-12-stem-education-and-workforce-development-in-rural-areas) and a study over Place-Based Coordinators' Impact on School Districts. Jessica also leads the district's Sustainability Initiative and has written and received a multitude of grants to fund related programs (over $3.5 million in grant funds so far).
Jessica is married to her beautiful wife, Malinda, and they live in a historic home in Bon Secour. Also, they have a 17-year-old who loves all things sports, an Australian Shepherd named Merle Haggard, and a Himalayan named Bella. In her spare time, Jessica loves to travel, grow things, cook, collect vinyl and books, talk and write about food experiences, attend concerts, go to the beach, and write.