MINERSVILLE — The first Gentlemen’s Group program at the Minersville Area High School put what they learned to the test Friday with a special luncheon in the career and counseling center at the school.
The extracurricular program at the school taught seventh-grade students proper etiquette over the course of eight weeks. It covered topics like manners, basic introductions and handshakes, dining and special occasion etiquette, and what constitutes a gentleman. Six seventh-graders volunteered for the program and three juniors assisted them.
They also participated in mock interviews with Lori Kane, community relations specialist at McCann School of Business & Technology.
“We had really good results. They learned a lot of things,” Annie Buzalko, school guidance counselor, said.
On Friday, the students sat around a dining table in the career and counseling center to show off what they learned. Lunch came from Palermo’s Restaurant, Mar Lin. The setting was complete with a restaurant window display behind the table.
It was the first time the school had such a program, Buzalko said.
“I think today everyone is so rushed and social media orientated, it is hard to teach them like we used to,” she said. “There is no time to sit around the table for dinner.”
The idea came from Kevin Gee, an intern with the school’s guidance department. Gee is working toward his master’s degree in guidance and counseling at Kutztown University.
“Etiquette is something that is very useful for anyone in any walk of life,” Gee said.
Gee said the program also teaches the students things like relationship building and communication skills.
“I was impressed,” Gee said.
“It was better than we had hoped,” Buzalko said.
Gavin Stone is one of the seventh-graders who volunteered for the program.
“To be honest, I heard Mr. Gee was making a cake,” Stone said about volunteering for the program.
However, Stone said he is glad he joined the program and learned a lot.
“It will help me get a job and manage my time and space better,” Stone said.
Connor Moran is a junior at the school assisting with the program.
“Just by looking around in the cafeteria, there are a lot of people who don’t have proper etiquette,” he said. “I think that it is a good program for them to start here. I’m really glad Kevin asked me to help.”
Buzalko said the program will be returning next year. She also said the school will have a similar program for the girls.