WKU News

Dressing for success is a lesson being taught early in the Boys to Men program which continues to expand to even more elementary schools. WKU's Amy Bingham talks to the WKU alum leading the program in this week’s View from the Hill.

Originating at  Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary in 2015, the Boys to Men program now has five chapters including Bristow, Jennings Creek,  Portland Elementary in Louisville and as of last week, Natcher Elementary.  It’s not hard to see how it’s making a BIG impression on some very young men.

“What’s your favorite subject?”

“When we say it’s a war room, it’s a war room.”

“Is your name in the back of it?”

It’s Friday morning at Parker Bennett Curry Elementary.

“We encourage most of our kids to take responsibility and come already pre dressed but if they don’t we take care of them when they get here.”

Students who’ve made it through the week with little to no hickups get to dress up.

“The khaki pants, a white button up and a tie”

WKU alum Tyreon Clark is the program director.

 “I always tell people when I was a child or I was their age, I wish I had a version of myself or a version of this program so I could have been raised a little bit differently.”

“That’s really good”

To get to wear the striped tie, the boys must first recite a creed.

“There’s nothing I can not do but the first step starts with me.”

“We feel like if they can say it, it can instill in their hearts and their minds then they will live it.” 

A steady stream of volunteers from the community and WKU are always on hand to help.

“One thing my fraternity is really strong on is promoting brotherhood and developing leadership throughout the community.”

“If somebody falls you pick them back up.”

Up to 150 students make up the Boys to Men brotherhood.

“The groundwork is already here.”

Teaching as many boys as possible how to become men.

“When they come in here and say Mr. Clark I get to wear a purple tie or a gold tie or a striped tie their face lights up and they’re proud of themselves and they have every right to be.”