ByTRICIA SCRUGGS
McKinney Courier-Gazette

A couple dozen five- to l0-year-olds were treated to a delicious Thanksgiving dinner Thursday at the McKinney Housing Authority’s community center — but first they learned how to mind their manners.
Three days each week, as part of its outreach efforts, the YMCA hosts an on-site afterschool program from the time children get off school buses until 5:30 p.m.Yesterday’s activity was an etiquette class aimed at teaching the fundamentals of fine dining.
“We talked it up a few days before to let them know they would be having the class,” said Angela Timbes, director of the after-school program. “They knew that people would be coming and making food for them. They didn’t really know what it was going to be like but they knew they would be having Thanksgiving dinner and they got really excited. They got dressed up and they knew it was a
big deal.”
Dickey’s in Allen and Torn Thumb and Brookshires in McKinney helped the MHA put together the meal, which included turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake, cheeseeake and carrot cake for desert.
Before entering the candlelit dining area students were called to the door one-by-one and given a place card with their name on it. After sitting down at tablecloth covered tables adorned with festive centerpieces they spent an hour learning a little bit of history about etiquette and everything from washing your hands before dinner to how to sit properly at a table, how to set a table and which utensils to use.
“Social skills are very, very important,” said Helene Royal, owner of Wonderfully Made Finishing School. “There was a Harvard University study done and 85 percent of getting a job, keeping ajob and moving up in ajob depends on your social
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skills. Fifteen percent is bused on technical knowledge.’
She said these days company recruiters are looking at the overall applicant. Those who have similar qualifications on paper may be miles apart when it comes 10 interacting in a social setting.
“As far as the final decision goes. its based oa how well they carry themselves and their people skills,” Royal said. “That’s why it’s so important at this age to go ahead and teach them. The schools are having a hard time doing it because of all the requirements they have and in a
home environment basically it’s hard Co sit down together. So, that’s why my business is now becoming one that people are needing, especially for African- Americans. We really need to take heed as far as social skills.”
For more information about etiquette classes. Visit www.wonderfullymadefinishingschool.com.
For more information about the YMCA. visit www.mckinneyymca.org.
Contact Tricia Scruggs at Tricia.Scruggs@scntx.com

Tricia Scruggs