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Most of us remember a parent at the dinner table saying “sit up straight”, “don’t talk with your mouth full”, “keep your elbows off the table” and “stop kicking your brother”. Sometimes gently. Sometimes firmly.

The new Etiquette Academy has taken these admonitions and many others to a whole new level.

The Academy was formed when six moms of Tullahoma middle schoolers collaborated frequently over eight months to organize the program and get The Etiquette Academy started. In partnership with Lakewood Golf and Country Club, the moms wanted to teach etiquette skills and instill confidence in their children.

The six moms leading the effort are Chelsea Sudbury, Samantha Boggs, Bita Jordan, Mary Lambeth Gomez, Katherine Miller and Katie McNabb.

The Academy meets for one and a half hours once a month from September to February and is open to both boys and girls in the 6th and 7th grades. Twenty three students are in the inaugural class.

The classes are held at Lakewood Golf and Country Club. Each student is given a notebook with handouts detailing the skills and concepts they are learning. The moms are supported by community volunteers who attend each session and assist with course instruction.

Each student is asked to “dress to impress” at each of the six sessions. Boys wear tucked in collared shirts with pants or shorts and girls wear a dress or skirt.

One of the six moms, Chelsea Sudbury, explained the curriculum for a meeting. “Each etiquette class includes small group, age appropriate activities on a variety of etiquette topics like how to give a proper handshake, conversation skills, the importance of eye contact and posture, punctuality, table manners, how to write a thank you note and manners in public spaces. We also devote a few minutes of each session to teaching a line dance or partner dance. Participants have a meal together at the conclusion of each session where they implement the table manners and conversion skills they learned.”

Another organizer mom, Samantha Boggs, shared their objective with The Etiquette Academy.

“Our goal with The Etiquette Academy is to teach children the fundamentals of good manners, etiquette, effective communication skills, and most importantly, to be kind and courteous in their everyday interactions. We believe emphasizing and practicing these skills will positively impact these students’ personal and professional futures. We believe practicing good manners and understanding how to navigate social settings with proper etiquette will help open doors for these students for years to come.”

At the final session in February, participants will attend a Winter Ball at Lakewood where they will enjoy dinner and dancing. Participants will attend the Ball dressed in their “Sunday Best” and will have a chance to implement the table manners, conversation skills and dances they have learned over the course of the program.

The six moms hope The Etiquette Academy continues for many years and will be a place where students build friendships, gain confidence and learn valuable life skills.

The cost of the Academy is $250 which includes nine hours of instruction, six dinners, thank you cards, a notebook with curriculum, a t-shirt and the Winter Ball.

Although each of the courses are original, the moms use “Manners to Go Middle School” curriculum as the framework for each session.

For more information about The Etiquette Academy: theetiquetteacademyatlakewood@gmail.com.