Assemblywoman Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, delivered remarks during Thursday’s graduation dinner for students of The Key Class. “As you go through programs as the one that you just finished, your graduation and thinking about manners, about how to be in public spaces — I want you to know that it’s these very programs that are here to help you to learn everything we are not always born knowing,” she told the young guests at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara. 
Students celebrate completing the Key Class during a four-course dinner served Thursday on the scenic rooftop at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara. 
Proper dining etiquette in a professional business setting is something 12-year-old Logan Dentinger learned in The Key Class, a series of classes teaching social skills and instilling business manners so participants are better and more confidently prepared for job interviews and college entrance.
“When you are done with your food, you are supposed to put the fork and other utensils you used pointing at 2 o’clock,” Logan said. “The skills are good for being with people at fancy events and things like that.
“I’m also thinking at the high school prom.”
The goal of The Key Class is teaching the tools of social skills for anyone, especially youth, who seek success in life.
The curriculum instructs participants on how to interact politely with others, understand essential social abilities and the importance of respectful behavior in reaching goals.
The basics for all students include techniques like how to shake hands, look someone in the eye as you speak, interpret body language, understanding social media etiquette and dressing for success. It also offers tips about navigating the dining table, résumés and cover letters, and doing research for job interviews.
The program is a series of four courses, specifically designed for each age group.
Classes are available to students of all ages, from elementary school to college graduates.
“These classes are all interactive,” John Daly, founder of The Key Class, told Noozhawk. “It’s not Cotillion. It’s more about life skills.”
The Key Class, a nonprofit organization, operates on donations, and the Santa Barbara-based Audacious Foundation provides significant funding via grants, he said.
Margo Carmean, 11, is leaving the course with comprehensive knowledge of the necessary skills to succeed in professional and personal situations.
Respecting elders is a key takeaway she learned.
“We learned to respect elders like open the doors for them, and just be polite, in general,” Margo said. “I think it’s an awesome thing that we get to do.”
The Adams School sixth-grade student, along with hundreds of other students from throughout Santa Barbara County, put their skills to the test Thursday and Friday.
About 500 kids dressed in semi-formal attire were treated to a four-course dinner served on the scenic rooftop at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara.
The children dined on organic foods like soup, salad, rice and chicken and dessert. Seasons Catering served the meals.
Looking around, the class appeared to be a success.
“Is everyone served?” a young girl asked her peers sitting at a table. “Then we can start eating.”
Assemblywoman Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, delivered remarks during the dinner gathering Thursday.
Limón, a UC Berkeley graduate with a master’s degree from Columbia University, told the group about her college experience and how education has always been a priority.
She has worked with countless students at UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College as a mentor and adviser to help them achieve their academic and professional goals through higher education.
Limón spoke of why The Key Class program is important. She said the kids are starting on the right foot.
“As you go through programs as the one that you just finished, your graduation and thinking about manners, about how to be in public spaces — I want you to know that it’s these very programs that are here to help you to learn everything we are not always born knowing,” Limón told the young guests.
“I look at you and I see how far ahead of the game each of you is because you already have knowledge, information and experiences that I did not have when I was your age.”
Students explored MOXI after the meal.
Several years ago, The Key Class first partnered with the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse’s Teen Court, and the class was taught to young people going through it.
Daly offers the course through the Santa Barbara County school system.
“I get a gift every single day when I teach these kids,” he said. “It’s absolutely amazing.”
Click here for more information about The Key Class. Click here to make an online donation.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
