Clubs teach etiquette, life skills to Main Street Elementary students

Genise Miller places a pearl necklace around her granddaughter, fifth-grade student Angel Brown, during Thursday’s induction for the Ladies and Gentlemen’s clubs at Main Street Elementary School in Lake City.

By: Bradrick McClam | SCNow
Published: December 15, 2009

LAKE CITY — Parents, teachers and staff members witnessed the recent induction of more than 80 students into Main Street Elementary School’s Ladies and Gentlemen’s clubs.

Pam Jordan, program director for WCMG-FM, Magic 94.3, was the speaker for the ceremony, held Thursday at Blanding Street Auditorium. She said it’s important now for students to develop good qualities and characteristics.

“These qualities and values will take you far in life,” Jordan said.

She told the students that the qualities their parents, teachers and principals taught them will eventually come into focus.

“Be your own person,” she said, explaining to students that they should develop a personality and avoid following the crowd. As a child, Jordan said, she feared disappointing her parents and as a result never followed the crowd.

Jordan said that if someone is uncomfortable doing something, he or she should not do it, no matter what friends say.

“Always try to do the right thing,” she said.

Jordan told students to develop goals and work to achieve those goals. She told them to begin exploring careers now to determine what they want to do later in life.

Jordan has more than 14 years’ experience in radio and is a graduate of South Florence High School and Coker College in Hartsville, where she earned a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in management.

Members of the Ladies Club received pearl necklaces, and members of the Gentlemen’s club received neckties and induction certificates.

The pledge was led by DeAndre Brayboy, and the invocation was done by Dinah Gamble. Dawson Black welcomed guests, and Zyria McClam gave the clubs’ purpose. Keenan Graham introduced Jordan, the speaker. Yvonne McDaniel, the school’s guidance counselor, was the mistress of ceremonies.

Main Street Elementary School Principal Angelia Y. Scott thanked parents for being supportive of their children.

“This is a special moment for all of us,” Scott said.

“Children are our future,” McDaniel said.

Advisers of the Ladies Club are McDaniel and teachers Debbie Rankin, Brenda Woods and Shirley Caldwell.

Advisers of the Gentlemen’s Club are Behavior Interventionist Jerry State and Media Specialist Gerald Duvall.