Perfectly Polished : News Releases

Jackson High School seniors are "taking care of business"

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

A highly successful tradition that began at Jackson High School in 2002 continued on Thursday, January 15 as the Class of 2009 took part in the Senior Seminar planned and coordinated by the Career Technical Agriculture Education (CTAE) Department of JHS.

“We wanted to teach you something you can’t get in the classroom,” said Karin Melvin, CTAE Administrator and driving force behind the Senior Seminar. “After eight years, we know it’s a major success.”

Senior Seminar is about preparing these about-to-graduate seniors for the world beyond high school, particularly the business world. As Principal Duane Kline reminded the students in his welcome to the 2009 Senior Seminar, “You have 84 days at Jackson High School before graduation.” After that 84th day, when they walk off the field after the graduation ceremony, these approximately 200 seniors will become alumni rather than students and will be expected to fulfill the roles of adult citizens.

“When you have it right, you don’t change it,” said Melvin. “Two things we have right at Senior Seminar are two wonderful people-Dr. Earl Suttle and Debra Lassiter.”

Dr. Suttle is the international motivational speaker who provides the message to the seniors in the Senior Seminar assembly; Lassiter is the CEO of Perfectly Polished, who spends at least two days at Jackson High School even before the day of the Seminar teaching the students the social graces they will all need at some point in the adult world. Lassiter pleasantly and succinctly instructs the young men and women in the arts of formal dining, business dress, social conversation, and general etiquette.

She clearly explains the purpose behind the customs, states the rules, and gently explains the assets of avoiding embarrassment and gaining an advantage by impressing others with a knowledge of proper etiquette, whether the others represent prospective employment, scholarship, or social opportunities.

On Monday morning, January 12 Lassiter was at JHS before 8 a.m. and spent the entire day teaching classes and fielding questions in the media center. Lassiter formed her owned company to offer etiquette instruction 24 years ago and currently has 700 students in her regular program of instruction, which includes formal dance.

“If an interview over lunch determines who will be hired, will you get the job?” Lassiter asked the seniors. Later she said, “Body language is 58 percent of communication. If you slump, you tell your dining companions that you don’t want to be there or don’t want to be sitting with them.”

“Everyone can learn to be nice, kind, and respectful,” explained Lassiter. “I love the ‘ta-da’ moment at the luncheon when the students get to use the skills they have practiced; it is the culmination of the hard work that goes before.” Perhaps Lassiter’s strongest teaching tool is her own example of professional attire and grace. On Tuesday, she taught classes on how to tie neckties and instructed the 28 juniors who worked as servers at the luncheon.

Dr. Suttle, who routinely motivates NBA and NFL athletes and corporate executives, launched the 2009 Senior Seminar at the Jackson First Baptist Church with his characteristic high level of energy and interaction with his audience. He urged the seniors to take notes because otherwise 90 percent of information taken in is forgotten.

Students attend leadership seminar at Gwinnett Center

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Alex Gonzales of Shiloh High school shakes hands with another high school student during an Etiquette of Leaders seminar given by Debra Lassiter of Perfectly Polished, The Etiquette School in Athens. Students learned several different dances to help illustrate how to use manners correctly and how body language is important for first impressions. The seminar was one of 11 given at the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team summit on Thursday at the Convention Center at the Gwinnett Center.

Good manners matter, officials learn

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Pity the poor uncouth politician.

He says “hi” instead of “hello” which administers a bone-crusher handshake. He flails his hands when he talks. He finishes his dinner roll in two bites and he wears his napkin in his collar. And for the life of him, he can’t remember names.

Uncouth may be popular at home, but when it comes to courting new business – especially foreign business accustomed to more formal interaction – his manners can leave a bad aftertaste.

So when Debra Lassiter, owner of “Perfectly Polished” in Athens told 45 city official from all over Georgia, “Even if it is the toughest piece of meat you’ve ever had in your life, you so not saw” – she had their rapt attention.

An effervescent etiquette expert who fancies the expression “Oh, my stars,” Lassiter spent six hours Saturday going over the do’s and dont’s of eating, body language and conversation.

Trained at the Protocol School of Washington, Lassiter teaches “Business Diplomacy and Protocol,” part of the 48th annual May’s Day Converence, which ends today at the downtown Hilton. The three-day affair is put on by the Georgia Municipal Association, with help from the Carl Vinson Institue of Government at UGA.

Attendees sat through dry discourses about personnel law, lobbying and risk management. But in Lassiter’s class, they made amusing discoveries about sophisticated schmoozing.

“I didn’t realize they had a corkscrew butter remover,” remarked Dahlonega Councilman Bill Scott. It’s actually called a butter pick.

Lassiter’s survey of manners included distinguishing a fish fork from a strawberry fork; the “roll in, roll out” method of eating; and how to hold a galss, a plate and a napkin and still shake hands.

“The only acceptable form of touching in the U.S. is the right-to-right handshake,” she said. And when shaking hands avoid the “bone-crusher,” the “fingertip” and the “glove” – a two handed-style that ministers tend to like.

Braselton Mayor Pat Graham confessed to the group she sometimes had to resort to the glove for defensive purposes.

“I have an elected official who is a hugger,” Graham said. “The way I handle him is with a glove handshake.”

Politicians get enthusiastic about their cities. But Lassiter cautioned them not to gesticulate.

“If you talk with your hands,” she said, “people don’t remember 93% of what you say.”

Fred Boykin, a city commissioner in Decatur, admitted he’s a gesticulator. And an interrupter. And he likes to sprint to the conclusion.

“I tend to do a lot of the things she said not to do,” he admitted. “To me, it shows how lackadaisical we’ve become in our culture.”

Councilman L.J. Williams, who drove more than five hours from St. Mary’s on the coast to attend the conference, said proper etiquette is the polish on the presentation.

“We want to be right in every respect,” he said.

That includes preparing to sip a beverage at dinner.

You always bring the napkin to your mouth and blot,” Lassiter said. “Then you are free to drink. If you are eating crusty bread, you don’t want that in your glass.”

And when it comes to entering and exiting a seat, always go right. No one was more surprised to hear that than Griffin City Commissioner Bill Landrum. For years, he said, he’s been going left.

It’s a wonder there hasn’t been an accident.

Published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday, January 23, 2006.

Breaking Down the Steps

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 04:00:00 GMT

No doubt about it, we are judged by first impressions, and those who know how to present a good first impression are heads above those who don’t.

That’s why more than 60 4th grade students at East Jackson Elementary School are learning the essentials of good manners each Monday morning.

East Jackson Elementary Principal Jennifer Norris, her PTO and her staff have supported the idea of preparing 4th graders this year. Next year these same students will get a second course while the 4th graders go through the basics.

“We understand how important manners are in helping students get ahead,” Mrs. Norris said. “I’m delighted we have this chance.”

Perfectly Polished, Inc., The Etiquette School program is a copyrighted program taught by Cindy Haygood out of Athens. The program was first developed in Washington D.C., as “the Protocol School” to teach children of diplomats and legislators the basics of good manners. The program was an instant success and has spread across the country. West Jackson Middle School also has a similar, abbreviated program, but this is more intensive.

Norris said. “I’m delighted we have this chance.”

“At the end, we’ll have a banquet, and we are looking forward to seeing how far they have come,” said Gail Elrod, the assistant principal.

Mrs. Haygood pointed out that the classes teach leadership skills as well as friendship skills and personal development. Grandmothers who in the future receive elegant notes of thanks from their grandchildren for presents may be in shock, but it will also help young people patch up the difference in cases of mistakes that hurt another. All are good life skills. Students also learn how to introduce people to each other, and the proper way to shake hands.

Mrs. Norris said that three classes are getting the advantage so far. Mrs. Norris participates in one, Mrs. Evans participates in one and Chris Wren, the school counselor, participates in a third, then they are prepared to ensure that students are practicing what they learn in the halls and grounds of the school.