A Red Bank Regional High School “Boys 2 Men” facilitator teaches his students the art of tying a tie, while RBR football star Sadiq Palmer (below) poses in his selected paisley tie at the recent SOURCE-sponsored Dress for Success event.

 Press release from Red Bank Regional High School

“First Impressions could be lasting impressions,” Red Bank Regional High School Boys 2 Men facilitator and SOURCE clinician Sean Macon told the young men as they stood over a table carefully selecting their choice of tie. The neckwear was courtesy of RBR staff donations for the Boys to Men Dress for Success event, held at the school on January 11. Over 100 ties were donated for the program.

The RBR’s Boys 2 Men program offers an interactive forum for young males featuring discussions and programs on topics that encourage responsibility and accountability in all areas of their lives. Such topics include: maturity and growth, family relationships, the importance of education, career planning, fatherhood, making empowering choices, and the consequences to bad choices.
The students were taught by Mr. Macon, as well as several RBR staff members, the simple and timeless skill of how to tie a tie from a basic tie to a Windsor knot. Along with that hands-on demonstration, motivational speaker, educator and mentor Matt Stevenson also spoke to the young men. He explained that it is their passion that will get them through life — but, he added, “The first thing people will learn about you is your appearance before they can get to your passion.”

“Whatever you aspire to be, research shows you should dress two steps beyond that,” Macon added. “Gentlemen, dressing well, and a good appearance say something about you, your character and going that extra mile. It helps others see your value.”

The SOURCE is RBR’s School-Based Youth Services Program whose mission is to remove all obstacles that impede students’ academic success. Services range from quality mental health counseling to learning support initiatives such as Boys 2 Men.