When Did You Learn to Tie a Necktie?

How old were you when you learned how to tie a necktie?

Many young men don't need to learn this life skill until the first time they interview for a job after college, have their first experience as a groomsman, or receive an invitation to attend a formal event. It feels like a task that should be easy, but it's not.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Sullivan gave several dozen Avon High School students a crash course in men's fashion at a recent Avon Men of Purpose (AMP) meeting. After sharing practical fashion tips, AHS Dean of Students Dr. Aaron Willis produced two large bags filled with neckties and distributed them to students.

The following 20 minutes were a flurry of activity: teachers and administrators modeling proper technique, adults helping students hand-over-hand, students helping one another, dozens of selfies, and lots of excited conversation and laughter.

"Thank you so much for making the AMP meeting a huge success last Friday," wrote Willis in an email to AHS staff. "Huge shoutout to Dr. Michael Sullivan for facilitating the meeting and to Dr. Scott Wyndham, Beth Tharp, Matthew Hines, Mark Bless, Zachary Rohrbach, DuShaun Goings, Kenneth Cooks, and Kevin Carr for assisting these young men through a new and somewhat intimidating task of tying a tie."

AMP leaders distributed all 150 ties – donated by AHS staff – to the 56 students who were in attendance. Most left the meeting still proudly wearing the neckties they had succeeded in tying during the meeting.

Willis concluded his correspondence with AHS staff by expressing his gratitude. "These students and their families truly thank you for supporting them, and continually helping them discover their purpose in life. You are all truly appreciated!"