CHELSEA, Maine — Eight-year-old James Ramage of Chelsea proudly boasts that it only takes him six minutes to get ready for school. It's an impressive record, especially in late January, when the sun is still sleepy at 7 a.m. On Wednesdays, though, dressing for the day may take James just a little bit longer.
In front of a bathroom counter, lined with kids mouthwash and soap products, James dons a three-piece suit, made complete with a clip-on tie. He said he has worn it once before to a hockey event, but this is the first time he's wearing it to school. James doesn't even try to play it cool and hide that he's excited.
"I just like wearing the suits. They make me feel good," James explained.
His mature habit began a couple of years ago, and since then, James' collection of suits, ties, and undershirts has grown in his closet. Last fall, one of his friends at school started following suit (literally). When ed tech Dean Paquette (fondly referred to by children and adults as "Mr. P") noticed them in the cafeteria, "Dapper Wednesdays" was born.
“He said, ‘Let me know when you wear your suits. I’ll wear mine,'" James said.
"As an adult person around, I just wanted to support them. I like to dress up," Paquette said.
Paquette said slowly, the trend began to catch on, especially after the holiday break, when many students had apparently asked for (and received) fancy attire from their families. Paquette said it tickles him to see how interested these young people are in what often feels like a lost art form.
"In the old days when I was young, there were times when you did dress up. You dressed up for church. You dressed up for different occasions," Paquette said.
He said "Dapper Wednesdays" are totally optional, but staff members want to make sure every child who wants to take part is able to do so. It's why they started accepting clothing and monetary donations from people around the country who have heard about this mission and been inspired.
"The biggest surprise was from a little town in Vermont," Paquette said. "A family sent us a box of their kid’s leftover stuff and everything. That was really kind of cool."
"Mr. P got 50 bowties and started going around to the kids in classes, saying, ‘If you need one, here you go,'" Principal Allison Hernandez said, later adding, “We’re going to work on trying to get a 'Dapper Closet' going.”
Hernandez said she is proud of watching how infectious James' passion for eloquent fashion has been.
"I think it’s spreading to other kids, too–just that message of, ‘Be yourself–and it’s okay to be yourself, no matter what that looks like,'" Hernandez said.
James' mother, Susan Ramage, said she is happy to see the positive her son has inspired, too.
"It’s nice because it’s good. It’s good news. It’s happy news, and it has just been really helpful for this community," Susan said.
She said there has been discussion about carrying on this tradition when James and his friends transition to high school, six grades away.
“We’re lucky he’s not super big right now, so suits aren’t as pricey as they will be when he gets older," Susan laughed.
Susan said if you'd like to help other kids get fancy on Wednesdays in Chelsea, you can mail donations to the school.