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DAYTON — When the beaus being recognized at this year’s Beautillion Militaire finish their military-style marching performance, their Drill Master Jeffrey J. Mims Jr. will not join the audience in applause.
Instead, Mims will turn to the young men and give them a slight smile as he has done with past participants of the annual event hosted by the Dayton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
“I maintain my discipline, even with that smile,” Mims said.
Mims, along with fellow Drill Master Mac A. Howard, lead the beaus by example when preparing them for the Beautillion, an event that recognizes black men who are graduating from high school.
During weeks of practice for the event, Mims and Howard always tell the beaus not to celebrate immediately after their big performance.
“I say, act like you have been here,” Mims said. “Keep your discipline. Keep your game face on...I’m trying to keep mine intact, too. I’m happier than they are.”
Being a disciplined man is just one of the things that Mims and Howard teach the young men they mentor through the Beautillion program, which starts Jan. 18 and will end with the 45th Annual Beautillion Militaire on April 14 at the Dayton Convention Center.
Members of the Dayton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. are currently recruiting new beaus. Those interested in participating are encouraged to attend an informational meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Central State University’s Dayton campus, 840 Germantown St., Room. 224.
In the program, the young men, called beaus, are mentored by Mims and Howard and are taught dining and social etiquette, perform community service, go on social outings, visit the Statehouse in Columbus, attend workshops, participate in a rites of passage ceremony and practice marching for their April 14 performance.
The marching itself is a lesson in discipline, according to the drill masters. In marching, the beaus will learn how to function as a unit, support one another and discover how their decisions affect others. For example, leaders in the group will face different consequences when a mistake is made, Mims said.
It’s hard work, but in the end it pays off, according to Howard. “They become very proud that they have learned to march and it makes them feel good about themselves,” he said.
At first, James Cosby III, 25, a 2004 beau, was not excited about being a beau but decided to participate after being encouraged by his mother Reva. “They immediately treated me like I had known them since elementary school,” Cosby said of the strangers who became his friends. “I was never afraid to make mistakes or fail because I knew they would support me and be behind me no matter what... It was a very rewarding experience. Every day that I went and left I felt like I accomplished something.”
Joe Ballard, 18, of Thurgood Marshall High School and Royce Thomas, 18, of Northmont High School are hoping to have the same, if not better, experience that Cosby had. Both seniors have signed up to participate in this year’s program.
Ballard is hoping his beau experience will help him prepare for college, improve his communication skills and open him up to new things.
“I haven’t done anything else (in high school) except for basketball. I just wanted to try something new,” Ballard said.
The Beautillion is not a new event for Thomas. His two brothers Brandon and Jonathan were also beaus and he remembers how close his brothers became with their fellow beaus. Thomas said he is looking forward to having the opportunity to have close friendships and carrying on a family tradition. Plus, he said, “Personally, I think it gives African Americans a good name.”
For more information about the Beautillion Militaire, contact Traci Davis at (937) 409-9568 or visit the Facebook page for the Dayton, Ohio Beautillion Militaire.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kelli.wynn@coxinc.com.
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