The National League of Junior Cotillions – Saline County Chapter
held its annual Spring Ball[more] on Saturday evening, March 9 at the The
Center of Bryant.
Dressed semi-formally approximately 50 sixth through eighth grade students
participated, complete with dance cards,
contests, prizes, corsages, and boutonnieres.
This year's Ball was “A European Tour” and the ballroom was decorated with
flags from European countries. The refreshment table, draped with red,
white, and blue bunting, was adorned with a large arrangement of red
gladiolas, purple foxgloves, white and yellow daisy mums, greenery, flags,
and silver candelabras and punch bowl. The tables were decorated with
foreign flags and confetti. Refreshments for the evening were mousse
filled cakes and punch.
The evening ended the 2012-2013 Junior Cotillion season, giving the
members the opportunity to put into practice all the dances and etiquette
that they learned during the past year in Cotillion classes. They danced
the night away doing the foxtrot, cha cha, swing, and the waltz.
Students earn points by attendance and participation in the Cotillion
classes and each spring cotillion students are asked to nominate the lady
and gentleman from their class who most exemplify the skills being taught
in the classes. The cotillion court is chosen from this selection of
students. The queen and king for this Spring Ball were second year
students Miss Riley Wells and Sabin Jewett. The first year students
selected as princess and prince were Miss Kate Weston and Gary Storment.
Prizes were awarded to Mason Hart, kara Lynn Wake, Cameron Terrell, and
Kate Weston for the swing contest; Justin Beard, Katie Morrow, Riley
Wells, and Nick DuBois for the Cha-Cha-Cha contest. The Foxtrot contest
winners Kassy Huey, Sabin Jewett. Ben Ray, and Lindsay Fulton. Those
winning the Border Patrol Elimination, which required deciding if European
countries bordered each other, were Grant Shelnut, Shelby Lynch, Gary
Storment, Abby Penn, Ian Holloway, and Nathan Fant. The Passport
Pandemonium Contest winners were Gary Storment, Lindsey Winters, Cameron
Terrell, and Abby Penn.
At the February class, parents were invited to learn the waltz so that
they could attend the Spring Ball to dance with their children. Those
winning the Parent-Child Swing Contest were Mason Hart and his mother
Misti, and Megan Blakeley and her father Mark.
Parents who chaperoned for the evening were Angie Dennis, Darl Self,
Stadye Shelnut, Alisson Lorro, Terri Lynch, and Kelli Winters.
The local Cotillion began in 1993. The seven-month program gives sixth
through eighth grade students instruction in etiquette, proper manners and
social dances. Skills taught include table manners, correspondence,
proper introductions, good first impression skills, good posture, paying
and receiving compliments, opening doors, assisting with coats, and the
like.
"It's designed to train students in the courtesies that make life more
pleasant for them and those around them," said Humphries. “We have seen
these ladies and gentlemen grow in poise and self-assurance. And our
second year students are becoming very mature ladies and gentlemen."
"The program gives these middle school students the opportunity to learn
and practice in a structured, yet fun, atmosphere with their peers," said
Patrick Humphries, husband of the director, who also helps with the
program. “We know the self-confidence that they gain helps them to
withstand negative peer pressure."
Membership is open to any interested sixth, seventh, or eighth grade
student in the county. Registration for 2012 – 2013 season will be held
in May. For information, or to get your child on the list for the
program, call 501-262-5054.
