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AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) — Phoebe Sumter hosted its 15th annual Ties that Bind luncheon on Thursday, June 18, pairing boys with male role models and teaching them how to tie a necktie.

Guest speaker Emory McKenzie, a former participant who now works as a geologist for Chevron in Texas, said the mentoring and that simple skill have had a lasting impact on his life.

“It was great to be able to be mentored by community leaders at such a young age,” McKenzie said. “Learning how to tie a tie is a basic skill that has allowed me to help others who don’t know how. I can’t put a value on how important it has been to me. I am glad I was able to pick up a skill of tying a tie at an early age.”

Organizers thanked McKenzie and community leaders for investing in what they called their future leaders.

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