The National League of Junior Cotillions – Faulkner County Chapter held its annual Spring Ball on Friday evening, March 10, at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center.
Dressed semi-formally approximately 100 sixth through ninth-grade students then participated in the elegant evening, 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 gladiolus, 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 white chocolate infusion cake and punch.
The evening ended the 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 Cha, Swing, and the Waltz.
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 king for this Spring Ball was second year student Jacob Moellers.
The first year students selected as princess and prince were Miss Gracie Childress and John Evans.
Prizes were awarded to Jacob Moellers, Maddie Fulmer, Lauren Murphy, and Brandon Shaw for the swing contest; Cole Strange, Amber Doyle, Chole Cotabish, and Jevin Callaway for the Cha Cha Cha contest.
The Foxtrot contest winners were Logan Dawson, Taylor Hardester, Ian Thomas, and Alyson Evans. Those winning the Border Patrol Elimination, which required deciding if European countries bordered each other, were Matthew McLendon, Andrea Daniel, Blaklee Scott, and Andrew Griffin. The Passport Pandemonium Contest winners were Emma Harrod, Thomas McNabb, Alexa Cormier, Ian Thomas, and Isabel Powers.
At the February class, parents were invited to learn the Waltz so that they could attend the Spring Ball and dance with their children. Those winning the Parent-Child Swing Contest were Nikki Pettus and her mother Jean, and Tanner Ruth and his mother Donna.
Parents who chaperoned for the evening were Amy Strohn, Tiffany Daniel, Tabatha Gunnels, Jennifer Lindsey, Angela Marshall, Sarah Shaw, Rhonda Dixon and Mr. and Mrs. Rick Moellers.
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 Susan Humphries, director.
“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,” she said.
“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 the next season year will be held in May. For information, or to get your child on the list for the program, call 501-262-5054.