Life lessons learned at Weeden Elementary's third-annual BOYS Day

FLORENCE, Ala. — In April, Weeden Elementary hosted its third-annual BOYS (Building on Our Youths' Success) Day for male students, offering lessons in life skills, future careers, and nutrition. The event is modeled after Geek Glam, an event for female students that began years earlier, introducing them to various STEM careers.

The Saturday morning event began with a motivational message from Mansfield "Pete" Key. Afterwards, groups of students rotated to different stations around campus.

Inside the school's gymnatorium, brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ) fraternity led a lesson on radio communications. Across the room, Weeden teacher Ricardo Williams led a lesson on map reading.

In the media center, teachers and ΑΦΑ brothers instructed students on how to tie neckties, preparing them for the professional world. Inside the cafeteria, Matorius Ricks, the Lauderdale County Extension Assistant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Agent, provided a lesson on nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Outside, members of the Florence police and fire departments discussed career opportunities in public safety, and students had the chance to explore various emergency response vehicles.

As one of the event organizers, Williams said he finds joy in helping bring BOYS Day back year after year. "We just want to celebrate our students here at Weeden Elementary School ... just show our appreciation for them just being outstanding students, and to show them some future successes that they might want to be a part of," he said.

Williams also highlighted the community involvement in making BOYS Day a success. "We're One Florence; that's the reason why we have volunteers from our school and get people out from the community," he said.

Williams added that exposing the students to potential careers instills in them the value of opportunity, and as they get older, can look back and remember events like BOYS Day as their first introduction.

To see photos from BOYS Day, click here.

By Jeremy Jackson