Making a difference

Local mentor offers free at home etiquette class

Mary Ann Singleton smiles for the camera as she sets place settings on her kitchen table at her home in Luling.

"If there is one single thing I want children to gain from my summer classes, it is the idea that they are special and have a place in this world," said Mary Ann Singleton, creator and facilitator of the free at home etiquette class scheduled to begin in May.

Years ago as a substitute teacher in St. Charles Parish, Singleton encountered many students that seemed to lack a sense of purpose. "Children of this generation are cut from a different cloth. It is my goal to help restore their sense of pride in themselves and help fine tune their etiquette so that may grow up to be proud, productive members of society," said Singleton.

“My first students happened to be two sisters, Sha’Conia and Yolanda Fiffie of Hahnville and Brandi and Ashley Hewling of Destrehan. “The girls were a pleasure to have in my home. Several companies donated supplies and beauty products that I gave to the girls in as a care package during our beauty class,” said Singleton.

“We also got items such as four free tickets for each girl to the New Orleans Museum of Art, Trips Unlimited Travel Agency in Marrero sent catalogs for our study on travel and Trisha Wilson, a beauty shop owner and business woman was a guest speaker. Even Parish President Laque presented to girls with a certificate of completion from the parish. We were blessed to have such people help us in the class,” said the etiquette teacher.

The girls also completed home projects such as cooking, completing a job application, interview a family member about their life, get a cooking secret from their grandmother, take three phone messages, prepare a beverage and listen to their favorite music. “All the girls left the class with knowledge they didn’t know before beginning the class.”

Singleton will begin her second class in May with the theme “You are special to this world and we need you”. The summer at home study will discuss topics including culinary arts, health and beauty tips, morals and peer pressure, music, dream book and goals, church etiquette, and start your own library.

For more information about the Summer at home Etiquette classes set in a Christian environment contact Mary Ann Singleton at 785-0521.