Bertie County Schools Press Release - Dressed For Success

“You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure”

(WINDSOR) The reality of how you dress is how you’re judged was very evident today at Bertie High School. Students in the Foundations of Technology, Principals of Business and Personal Finance and Business and Personal Law, took part in an experiment called “Dressed for Success.” Teacher Doug Cummings encouraged the students to dress in suits, ties and professional attire to focus on the importance of communicating maturity, professionalism and self-esteem. Student comments ranged from, “I feel like a professional, I feel more mature, to I feel people take me more seriously.”



Which One Would You Hire? Dr. Chip Zullinger, left, Superintendent of Bertie County Schools, gets instruction from Dequan Williams, a student at Bertie High School


Bertie County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Chip Zullinger, and Assistant Superintendent Thomas Ruffin, visited the classroom dressed down in outfits more likely to be worn by the students themselves. The students were surprised by the visit, but more surprised with the two professional’s attire. It brought home the fact that one is judged by the way one looks regardless of the educational, social or political stature of the individual.