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'Knot' your average morning
Published Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:00 PM
By Michael Tannebaum
Summerville Journal Scene ®

Michael Tannebaum/Journal Scene
Lance Cpl. Bob Beres shows Aaron Bright, a fifth-grader at Beech Hill Elementary School, how to correctly tie and wear a tie during the school’s “Tied to Brightness” celebration.
Michael Tannebaum/Journal Scene
Summerville resident James Brown helps Beech Hill fifth-grader Logan Reddick tie a tie. At the school’s “Tied to Brightness” celebration, Reddick was one of the approximately 90 fifth-grade boys to be given a tie to symbolize his becoming a young man and to commemorate the education he received at Beech Hill.
As the boys took turns looking in the enormous mirrors propped in the front of Beech Hill Elementary School’s cafeteria, they may not have recognized the person looking back at them.

The approximately 90 fifth-grade boys at Beech Hill recently received neckties as part of the school’s “Tied to Brightness” celebration and many said it was the first time that they had ever worn a tie.

Looking in the mirrors, the students adjusted their ties, smiled and jokingly deepened their voices to reflect their new, more mature appearance.

“Tied to Brightness” was organized by school personnel to provide the students an opportunity to form a bond with a member of the community who could assist them in their evolution to becoming young men.

More than 45 men from the community, comprised of the students’ family members, district personnel, state troopers and local politicians, presented the students with ties to commemorate the education the students received at Beech Hill.

Principal Rene Harris tried to fight back tears as she addressed the students and community members at the beginning of the event.

“We have a multitude of great role models here to help our boys know that, as they get ready to go to middle school and beyond, someone cares about you and is behind you in every decision you make,” Harris said. “I’m so proud of each and every one of you.”

After breakfast, during which the students and their mentors discussed topics such as demonstrating leadership and the importance of respecting one’s peers, each mentor presented the student with a necktie, many of which came from the volunteers’ own wardrobe.

The event was a significant moment in the lives of the soon-to-be middle school students, said Wally Baird, assistant principal.

“It’s important that our students think about their transition to becoming young men,” Baird said. “We want this to be a defining moment in the lives of these boys and for them to see that someone believes in them.”

This was the first time that the school held the celebration and both Harris and Baird, who are working with school personnel to plan a comparable experience for the fifth-grade girls, are hopeful it will become an annual event.

“The learning these students do in the classroom is of course important, but we hope events such as this will create memories that the students will carry with them for the rest of their lives,” Baird said.

Lance Cpl. Bob Beres, one of the “Tied to Brightness” volunteers, said he appreciated the opportunity to serve as a mentor to the students.

“It’s always great when you have a chance to be a positive influence on the kids in the community and what better place to do that than at a school,” Beres said.

Toward the celebration’s conclusion, Beech Hill student Matthew Strobel continued to examine and straighten his tie – still smiling well after having been presented with the tie.

“This has been a fun morning and I’ve had a good time,” Strobel said before glancing at his tie once again. “And I think I look good.”

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com
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A smart school
Wednesday, April 01, 2009 2:50 PM

I am currently a fifth grade girl at BHES and I am very glad that our school has events like this to let men of our community reach out to the young fifth grade boys. Our principal, Rene Harris, is a social genius to have planed this for the boys, this allows them to bond with older men and help them transition into the future. I just hope Ms.Derrick plans somthing just as wonderful for the girls as the Tied to Brightness event.

Posted by: A glad student

tied to brightness
Monday, March 09, 2009 8:21 AM

As a faculty member taking part in this event I can say without a doubt that these boys will not soon forget the love and support they received from our community, their peers, and faculty. It was a very moving and emotional moment for many. As we carefully place our hopes and dreams on the shoulders of our youth, it is a good feeling to know we have done our very best in preparing and supporting them for their tasks ahead. It was an honor to be a part of this momentus event.

Posted by: faculty

It takes a village...
Friday, March 06, 2009 6:21 PM

I am a young adult with no children of my own; however, after reading this article, I am reminded that "we"(my fellow community members and I) have several children for whom we are responsible. Beautiful program...I look forward to more wonderful events from BHES in the future.

Posted by: Community Member

Impressed
Friday, March 06, 2009 5:56 PM

I participated as a mentor and I was very impressed with the 5th grade boys at BHES. They were polite, respectful and appreciative of the program. I was surprised to see the young men proudly wearing their oversized ties back to their classrooms. The families of these young men, their teachers and the administration at BHES should all be very proud.

Posted by: Glad to have participated

Congratulations
Friday, March 06, 2009 10:38 AM

My son was one of the boys who participated in this event and I'd like to commend the school and the volunteers for organizing it. Our children benefit from having such positive role models willing to interact in their lives! My son proudly wore his tie all weekend and this morning, I noticed that it's been carefully folded and placed on his nightstand. Well done and many thanks!

Posted by: A BHES Parent




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