Learning to be a gentleman: Claymont students participate in Guys with Ties program

DENNISON ‒ On a recent Thursday at Claymont Intermediate School, a group of about 50 boys ‒ wearing white shirts and neckties ‒ learned the fine art of how to properly set a table.

The fork and the napkin go on the left of the plate. The knife and spoon go on the right, the knife next to the plate, with the teeth facing the plate. The cup goes on the upper right side above the plate.

Meeting in the school library, the boys practiced setting the table repeatedly, even attempting it with their eyes closed. Then they did it as a group, each table attempting to do it as fast as possible without making too much noise.

Finally, they were challenged to set the table at home that night.

The boys ‒ in the third, fourth and fifth grades ‒ are participating in a new program at Claymont called Guys with Ties. During the seven sessions of the program, they learn such things as showing respects for their elders and females, community service, the importance of saying thank you, introducing yourself and setting goals.

'A good learning experience'

Zaden Patterson, a third grader from Uhrichsville, said he enjoys the program. "It's like a good learning experience for boys like me who actually want to grow up to be a gentleman. We have learned how to have a firm handshake. We've learned table manners."

And he enjoys wearing a white shirt and necktie to school. "It's actually kind of fun."

Though he's never worn a necktie before, Zaden said he plans on dressing up more often.

A national program

The classes are taught by Neeko Longshore, who manages the Guys with Ties program in northeastern Ohio. The program was started by Beyond the Game, an Ohio-based nonprofit organization.

Longshore said the program is going well at Claymont. "The kids really engage with me a lot. They always give good feedback. They're always answering questions. I just like their energy whenever I come here."

The program is good for young people, he added. "I absolutely think it's a lost thing among our kids, so I think it's really good that we are teaching them how to act in restaurants and act in public places, because kids tend to get crazy. So, I think it's really important that we're teaching them dining etiquette. We're teaching them how to say please and thank you and how to be respectful amongst themselves and amongst others."

Guys with Ties was started during the 2016-2017 school year at Middlebranch Elementary in Canton with 35 students and has since spread to other states. There are active programs at Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools in Zoarville and at Carrollton Exempted Village Schools. It has been used in the past at Strasburg-Franklin Local Schools and at Sandy Valley Local Schools in Magnolia.

The group’s motto is “Look good, feel good, do good.”

Being responsible

Principal Jessica Marsh said the program has been a great learning experience for the boys.

"There was a lot of conversation amongst the staff when we were getting started about the shirt and the ties and were they (the boys) able to manage remembering those," she said. "Do we need to keep them here at school? But under the suggestion of Mr. Neeko, part of the program is being responsible. So, giving the boys an opportunity to be responsible for their shirt and their tie and their workbook, it felt a little like if we were going to manage that for them, we weren't really giving them that opportunity that they needed to progress. They're doing pretty good with it."

The program is being funded by a $6,000 donation from the Uhrichsville Eagles, which paid for the shirts, ties and workbooks.

Participants in the program were selected by their homeroom teachers at Claymont Intermediate.

Community engagement

"I'm super happy with the engagement that we've had with it. The community has seemed to respond very well to our Facebook posts," Marsh said.

Community members are invited to have lunch with the boys.

"We have students who are asking to be a part of the program. Unfortunately, for this session, we are full, but that tells me that if we do it again, there's going to be support. So, that engagement piece has been just really motivating for our staff. It feels different than other things we've done," she said.

Next fall, the school will start a similar program for girls, called Girls with Pearls.

Marsh said she likes it when the boys come to school dressed up. "It does put a whole different feeling in the building when the boys come in with their shirt and their tie."

Read the article here: https://www.timesreporter.com/story/news/local/2025/02/26/guys-with-ties-program-teaches-claymont-boys-proper-etiquette/78023729007/