Fourth and fifth grade boys at A.G. Richardson Elementary School (AGR) have the unique opportunity to learn the importance of being a positive role model through Becoming A Man Club, also known as “BAM Club.” The program originally started at AGR during the 2019-2020 school year, but they were unable to complete it due to the pandemic shutdown that year. Last year, the program returned to the school. Now, in its second consecutive year, the program has continued to expand and focuses on lessons in community service, sportsmanship, respecting women, handling emotions, bullying, dress etiquette, classroom etiquette, table manners, and hygiene.
The club, led by Donald Downs, Wayne Jacques, Matt Ortman, Patrick Hallett, and Nicolas Anderson, welcomes leaders from the community to provide these important lessons. Throughout the semester, students hear from speakers and then have the opportunity to practice the lessons in real time. Most recently, students completed a campus cleanup that included the grounds at AGR, Pearl Sample, and the surrounding area, where they collected numerous large sized bags of trash. Also, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant welcomed the club for a lunch where students had a real life opportunity to practice ordering skills and table manners.
“I’ve enjoyed helping out with BAM to shape the community we live in,” shared AGR teacher Patrick Hallett. “These future men are learning vital skills that will help them thrive in our community!”
Community leader Jason Ford with Goodwill Rappahannock said, “When being introduced to a classroom full of 4th and 5th graders, I didn’t expect to form an impression so quickly. However, within the first few minutes, what I was met with still leaves me in awe today. After being prompted to introduce themselves, every single student got into a line and walked up to shake my hand and ask me who I was while stating their name as well. I was lost for words.” He continued, “The incredible work that is being done for those students by the leaders of the Becoming a Man Club (BAM) was immediately apparent. The desire to speak to elementary students about community service quickly turned into a feeling of honor. To play a small role in the exceptional development of those kids left me feeling joyous and proud to have been a part of their experience.”
The boys will celebrate the completion of the program at an end of year banquet where they welcome speakers, family, and teachers to thank them and share their favorite lessons. First year members will then be presented with one of a kind, engraved tie clips or second year members will receive cuff links, sponsored by Able Heating & Air. Guest speakers for this school year included Nic Anderson, Dr. Daniel Soderholm, Deputy/Coach Chuck Dorsey, Tripp Butler, Jason Ford, Onofrio Castiglia, and Dr. Uzziah Harris.
Fifth-grader Paul “Bubba” Craine states "BAM club is all about teaching boys things that they will need in the future to be a better man. It is all about responsibility! Even though this is my second year in BAM, I still struggle to do my best because it is a learning process and takes practice. My favorite lesson we have learned in BAM has been sportsmanship because that is something I want to be better at."
Becoming A Man Club is currently looking for additional sponsors so they can continue to provide resources and unique opportunities for its students. The club provides each student with hygiene products, a lunch field trip, and the end of the year banquet in addition to their weekly meetings. They would like to thank Able Heating & Air for their sponsorship of the boys’ end of the year gifts, and Luigi’s Italian Restaurant for hosting their lunch.
Additional Press - https://twitter.com/CCPSAGR