Worcester Prep 5th Grade Students Showcase Etiquette Skills at Manners Banquet

6/5/2025

Berlin, MD – As the school year closes out, Worcester Preparatory School’s (WPS) 5th grade students wrapped up a unique and meaningful unit on modern manners and etiquette with a special culminating event—the annual Manners Banquet, held on May 29 at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.

Throughout the spring, the 5th-grade class studied the American Academy of Etiquette curriculum, focusing on skills and social cues essential for respectful, confident, and kind interactions in today’s world. Lessons included appropriate use of digital communication, proper dining etiquette, how to introduce oneself formally, and the art of writing thank-you notes—just to name a few.

To celebrate their hard work and growth, students presented what they had learned during the banquet through skits and real-life scenarios. These lively performances demonstrated the importance of eye contact, polite conversation, and respectful communication in both social and professional settings. The evening concluded with a special dinner and a heartfelt dance shared with their loved ones.

WPS’s emphasis on character development and lifelong social skills is a cornerstone of its Lower School program, and the Manners Banquet is a cherished tradition that reinforces those values in a fun, hands-on way.

Founded in 1970, Worcester Preparatory School is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

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Looking dapper at this year’s 5th-grade Manners Banquet. From the left are Teo Conev (Berlin, MD), Jude Waked (Rehoboth, DE), Joey Kraeuter (Berlin, MD), Mykolas Doyle (Selbyville, DE), and Peter Van Dalen (Rehoboth Beach, DE).
WPS 5th grade student Joey Kraeuter (Berlin, MD) spends time dancing with his mom, Jennifer Kraeuter, during the Manners Banquet.
Seated together during the Manners Banquet, starting in the front center to the left, are WPS 5th grader Grant Messner (Berlin, MD), and his parents, Benjamin and Jacqueline Messner; 5th grader Joey Kraeuter (Berlin, MD), and his parents Matthew and Jennifer Kraeuter; Head of Middle School Mr. Jake Perry (back center); and 5th grader Carter Harrison (Ocean City, MD), and his parents Abby and Chris Harrison.
WPS 5th grader, Lila Holland (Berlin, MD), is all dressed up for an evening with her parents, Devin and Shannon Holland, at the Manners Banquet.
Seated together during the Manners Banquet, starting front center, are WPS 5th grader Kingsley Giardina (Berlin, MD), and her parents Jessica and Matthew Giardina, 5th grader Kate DelliGatti, and her parents Brian and Sarah DelliGatti, 5th grader Isabella Labin (Rehoboth Beach, DE), with her parents Charles and Wendy Labin; and 5th grade teacher Mrs. Camille Jenkins.

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Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.