On November 6, the second annual Hamburg Area High School etiquette dinner was held at the Wherehouse of Hamburg from 5-7 p.m. At the dinner, junior and senior students are taught proper dinner etiquette skills. Mr. Michael True gave a lively presentation with student engagement prior to dinner being served. The learned skills are then applied as students and teachers enjoy a meal together. The skills learned at the dinner can be used in many situations including business dinners, networking parties, or even sharing a meal with someone you are meeting for the first time.
Mrs. Del Conte coordinates the etiquette dinner each year. During her time working at Penn State Schuylkill, she learned that many colleges offer etiquette dinners to help prepare students for post graduation. She wanted to find a way to connect the skills and opportunities provided at a collegiate level and bring them to students earlier, at the high school level.
This was the second year the dinner has been held, and the reception has been positive. Mrs. Del Conte notes, “I think once students go through it, understand it, they have a fun time. It just takes a bit of time for them to want to do it and take that chance.” Since the event has only been around for two years, there has not been a chance for it to really be established. Students are still learning about it and questioning what exactly the event entails.
Students who took the opportunity to attend the event thoroughly enjoyed their time. They not only enjoyed the dinner and time with friends, but they also enjoyed the presentation and the benefits of learning proper etiquette. The students understand the value and importance of gaining these skills, and it makes them feel more prepared for their futures. Attendee Amelia Gassert adds, “I think it is a very good experience, because it gets younger students aware, before going to college or a work event, on how to eat food properly, and to greet people in the correct manner.”
At some point, everyone is going to be in a situation in which they are dining in a more formal setting. The etiquette dinner introduces those skills earlier and helps to prepare students for future situations. Mrs. Del Conte comments, “The dinner provides them with confidence to enter those more formal situations. It adds a tool to their tool box that they can use, and that can make them stand out moving forward.”
Mrs. Del Conte plans to continue holding the etiquette dinner in the years to come. She is working on different options for expanding and considering new ways to get students interested and registered.
One way to get students involved is through previous attendees. Students are having fun and learning valuable skills, and by telling their peers about the benefits of the event, they can help raise awareness and participation. Hannah Kristiniak, a two time attendee of the event notes, “I would definitely recommend it to other students because it is a great experience that anyone could benefit from.”
Another possible way to get more involvement is to get more teachers involved. If more teachers are involved, they can get their students interested in the event. Having the opportunity to spend time with teachers and students in a different setting is a great incentive to get students to attend.
The etiquette dinner provides students with a fun night and valuable and applicable skills. Juniors and seniors should consider attending the event next year!
