GREENSBORO, N.C. -- A Guilford County School contacted WFMY News 2 about their good news. Thanks to a generous donation, students at Bluford STEM Academy wear bow ties and pearls every Monday as part of the school's Empowerment Monday program.
For the elementary students, it's more than just a fashion statement, it's a life statement. Dedicated volunteer, Larry Haywood helps the students at Bluford STEM Academy. For 16 years, he's served up a daily dose of learning and inspiration.
"Monday is a power day of encouragement," said Haywood. "The bow ties represent encouragement. The students are supposed to encourage themselves as well as others."
Haywood's support goes even farther than that. Every young man in the school has a bow tie, thanks to a gift from Haywood's church, St. James Baptist Church in Greensboro.
"We were able to bring approximately 200 bow ties for this school, for the young men and how the ladies want them," said Haywood.
In fact, it's turned into something special for the girls. The girls wear pearls and the bow ties for the guys start the school week each Empowerment Monday.
"There's a little bit more of a sharpness to their step. You see them rubbing their pearls and some of the girls even have their shiny shoes on," said Principal Gradesa Lockhart. "Some kids take it to the next level and wear their suits, their favorite vests or sweaters or their dress because they feel so proud."
The bow ties sent student's confidence and grades to the moon.
"It makes me feel like I can do anything," said fifth grade student Aniyah Witherspoon. "Usually people will make fun of kids about what they wear and stuff, but when they have the bow ties on they get compliments," added her classmate Kirk Zellous.
So while the learning goes on in the classroom, kids are picking p on another lesson about life.
"Their confidence will be built up along with their encouragement. That's the most important thing," said Haywood.
Bluford STEM Academy teacher Harold Chairs helped initiate Empowerment Monday at the school two years ago. This year, the school added bow ties and pearls and the concept is spreading to other schools. Members of St. James Baptist Church will make and donate bow ties to students at Sumner Elementary in Greensboro by the end of the school year.
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