By Margarita Cambest

Go to Christian County Middle School on any given Tuesday, and you’re bound to see students dressed to the nines.

While not forced into private school chic, male students at CCMS are encouraged to dress up in an effort to promote professionalism early in life, Principal Chris Bentzel explained.

That professionalism, he hopes, will increase academic performance and build confidence.

“They wear their shirts tucked in, pants up and a tie,” Bentzel said during a Tuesday walk through of school.

Bentzel said he learned about what he called a “look professional, act professional and be professional” initiative from a New York-based principal at a summer education conference in Nashville.

Male students generally perform worse academically than their female counterparts, Bentzel said, and some lack soft skills, such as making eye contact during a job interview and communication skills.

It’s not just knowing how to tie a tie, Bentzel said. By changing to a more professional environment, Bentzel aims to close the gap between his male and female students and build those skills and confidence early in life.

Many students, like Jaquavon Poindexter, 13, bring their own ties to school. They may also choose from boxes of ties available to anyone who forgets one on a Tuesday morning.

Sometimes, they wear ties with T-shirts, but Bentzel said the ultimate goal is collared dress shirts.

The students get help tying their ties, and receive mentoring advice from local male role models. A month and a half into the tie program, Bentzel said the effort has proven effective.

“I think for a sixth- or seventh-grader to have this mindset is a great thing,” Bentzel said. “He’s an example of what I want all our young men to represent.”

Jaquavon said wearing a tie to school makes him feel like a better man. Although he normally wears jeans with a polo, he said his grades and confidence have improved since taking the time in the morning to match a tie to a dress shirt and shoes.

He also is considering going to college to pursue archeology.

“Not a lot of people make it out of this town so just getting into college would be an accomplishment,” Jaquavon said.

He also said he is becoming a better role model to his 8-year-old brother.

“He wants to be a big superstar like LeBron James so for him to tell that he wants to be just like me — that puts a big smile on my face,” Jaquavon said.

Bentzel said a similar leadership program may be implemented next school year for female students.