Welcome

REGISTRATION FOR 2024-2025 IS OPEN!

MISSION STATEMENT

LEARNING TO ACT AND TO TREAT OTHERS WITH HONOR, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FUTURE ASSOCIATES, AND TO LEARN AND PRACTICE BALLROOM DANCE.

Welcome to Cotillion

The National League of Junior Cotillions has been providing training in character education, modern manners, ballroom dance and dining etiquette since 1978. The Greater Texarkana Area welcomes and invites you to learn more about our programs and the powerful impact we are providing in the lives of our area youth.

Please contact Director, Melissa Delk, at [email protected] to request an invitation packet for any of our programs. Please include your child’s name, date of birth, school, and current grade. Also make sure to provide parents names, telephone numbers, and mailing address for packet.

COTILLION IS OPEN TO ANY STUDENT GRADES 6 – 9

*REGISTRATION AND TUITION:

-YEAR I : $340 OR TWO PAYMENTS WITH $170 PAID WITH REGISTRATION AND THE BALANCE OF $170 DUE NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1.

-YEAR II : $350 OR TWO PAYMENTS WITH $175 PAID WITH REGISTRATION AND THE BALANCE OF $175 DUE NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1.

-FIRST COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE USING THE CLASSES TAB AT LEFT.

-YOU MAY PAY ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL VIA CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD. (THERE IS AN EXTRA FEE FOR PAYPAL) YOU MUST USE THE PAYPAL LINK ON THE REGISTRATION PAGE.

- OR YOU MAY PAY BY CHECK VIA MAIL AFTER COMPLETING YOUR REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY BY CHECK, PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO MELISSA DELK, PUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME IN THE MEMO LINE OF YOUR CHECK, AND MAIL TO 520 WEST 13TH STREET TEXARKANA, TX 75501.

-REGISTRATION IS NOT COMPLETED UNTIL PAYMENT IS MADE. YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION.

-TUITION MUST BE PAID IN FULL NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1.

-ADDITIONAL PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING MELISSA DELK, DIRECTOR, BY THE CONTACT BUTTON AT LEFT. THIS MUST BE ARRANGED BY JUNE 1 TO HAVE TIME TO BE PAID IN FULL BY SEPTEMBER 1.

- THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AFTER AUGUST 1 IN FAIRNESS TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST AND MATERIALS THAT HAVE BEEN PURCHASED FOR STUDENT.

https://www.facebook.com/nljc.texarkana

 pLEASE WATCH TO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT COTILLION. 

If you are wondering what Junior Cotillion is about -- view this video starring our local chapters

For more pictures from our past seasons, please visit www.facebook.com/nljc.texarkana or @nljc.texarkana

OUR PROGRAM

“Good character is not given to us. We have to build it – piece by piece- by thought, choice, courage, and determination.” (John Luther)     NLJC believes that when one pursues good character, one grows into noble character.

Are you impressed when a young person greets you with a good handshake? Do you desire for your child to act and treat others with honor, dignity, and respect? Do you want your child to learn the skills of polite conversation and to value personal, face to face interaction with others? I believe that character education is of utmost importance and hope that you will consider registering your child. We use the tools of etiquette and ballroom dance training to encourage a higher standard of character development.

Cotillion is about feeling confident and comfortable, while making others around you feel the same way in every social situation. Junior Cotillion gives middle school age boys and girls instruction and practice in social skills that build confidence and self-assurance. A group setting provides opportunities for reinforcement and practice with peers in a fun, socially safe atmosphere. Each class follows a carefully structured curriculum that addresses manners, etiquette and basic ballroom dancing. The goal of the program is to teach social skills that last a lifetime. A guiding principle is that students learn best when they are having a good time. The Cotillion year consists of six events–five once a month classes and the Spring Ball.

For more details about the program, please see ABOUT at the tab at left.

We hope you will add Cotillion to your child’s educational opportunities. You'll never regret the investments made in your children.

Should you have any questions about our program, please do not hesitate to contact me using the contact tab at left.

 scroll to the bottom of the page for information for parents and details about melissa delk, Director

Announcements

What is Junior Cotillion?  see About at left

If you would like further information please contact melissa delk at [email protected], or click on the contact tab at left and enter your request.   

WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE STUDENTS THINK ABOUT COTILLION? 

 CLICK ON THE PHOTO GALLERY AT LEFT TO SEE THEIR PERSONAL NOTES TO US.

We are on FACEBOOK!  www.facebook.com/nljc.texarkana

Please go there and give us a thumbs up.  Share it with your friends!  And check it often as it grows with lots of pictures and information.  Facebook page has pictures from the past season that will give you great insight into our program.

Please share our website with others who may also be interested in Cotillion .

www.nljc.com/chapter/texarkana

National League of Junior Cotillions' Information for Parents

 The National League of Junior Cotillions' is a program of etiquette, ethics, manners and social dance training with licensed chapters across the nation. Training thousands of young people each year, NLJC has been featured by major networks including NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and the Associated Press. The purpose of the Junior Cotillion program is to give young people instruction and practice in courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them. Having the knowledge of social skills is important for every child's success in life. Junior Cotillion provides the instruction that will help your child become a self-confident young lady or gentleman. The rules of etiquette, ethics and manners are designed to make sure everyone knows what to do in social situations so no one will feel uncomfortable. Training in standard ballroom dancing gives young people a social skill that they can enjoy their entire life. The etiquette in social dance encompasses all aspects of proper behavior. Students will learn the fox trot, Waltz, cha cha, swing and several line dances. All dancing is taught to Top 40 music that has been screened for lyrics. Classes provide opportunities to learn and practice new skills in a safe and comfortable environment. Instruction includes introductions and shaking hands, table manners, telephone and electronic etiquette, polite conversation, interview skills, wedding and party etiquette, thank you notes, business etiquette, RSVP etiquette and proper interaction between ladies and gentlemen. Classes meet only once a month due to busy lifestyles. The classes are comprised of equal numbers of ladies and gentlemen. Participating students come from local middle and intermediate schools. Participants have the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends in a controlled social setting.

Classes are dress up affairs for which careful grooming is required. Hair should be neatly combed, fingernails clipped and clean, shoes polished. Dancing requires hard soled shoes, not athletic shoes, flip flops or slides. Ladies should wear conservative dresses or skirts and dress shoes for class. No leggings please. Gentlemen should wear a long sleeved dress shirt, khaki pants, ties and a navy blazer and dress shoes.

Junior Cotillion is under the direction of Mrs. Patrick Humphries (Susan) The course consists of five classes that meet once a month starting in September and the Grand Spring Ball in February.

What students and parents are saying:

We are excited for Kathryn to take part, as her sister Madelyn enjoyed Cotillion very much. As parents we are very pleased to have you come alongside us as we hold dear the traditions and courtesies that unfortunately are fleeting, but much needed in our culture.  ......B. Bixler, Texarkana

My son is loving Cotillion so much;I would have never dreamed it!  I see it in action so many times; I love the young man he is becoming.......Stacie, Hot Springs

I love learning about manners!....Mitchell, Hot Springs

I had lots of fun at the Ball with my friends and it is so much better than what I expected it to be!  I can’t wait to learn new things at our next Cotillion class!.....Patrick, Texarkana

Even though my son is a pretty shy child, he’s able to show what he has learned in his everyday life.  He has learned so much from you.......Mrs.P. Webb, Arkadelphia

I loved the amazing Ball you organized for us. It was wonderful!  I am looking forward to our next class ......Abby, Texarkana  

It has brought my confidence level up......Nikki, Conway

I am enjoying making new friends and I like how you have fun music that we all know.....Hannah, Arkadelphia

I have learned so much since I have been in Cotillion.  Thank you for giving me an experience that I will never forget......Kate, Hot Springs

Your caring, considerate guidance has increased my son’s social confidence and “friendship skills” tremendously!   We look forward to our second year………Mrs. L. Alexander, Hot Springs

In this day where it seems that manners are so much of an afterthought with people, NLJC provides such an outstanding example and learning experience for these students.  You are to be commended for your dedication to this!........Mrs. M. Smith, Conway

About Director

The country-wide success of the National League of Junior Cotillions is a direct result of the outstanding individuals who have been selected as chapter directors. After nearly 30 years of dedicating her life to cotillion, Susan Humphries, former NLJC Director was ready to pass the torch. After much consideration she thought perhaps a past parent of her very program would be a good fit for our area. Melissa Delk has been an active member of the Texarkana area for over two decades. She moved here after meeting her husband while they attended Texas Tech University. She has served as Office Manager for John's law office while serving the community in many roles. She is currently the President of P.E.O. Chapter V, a sustainer in the Junior League of Texarkana, past board member of Harvest Texarkana, and past vestry member at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Melissa’s dedication to children starts at home as a mother of five children (Mathew, Franklin, Ian, Willard, & Marilyn Grace). She knows the importance of passing on good values. Her passion for children led her to volunteer as an advocate for abused and neglected children with CASA. Currently she has expanded her work with children even further by working in the classroom for the Texarkana Independent School District at Waggoner Creek Elementary.  Melissa is thrilled to bring NLJC back to the area for her younger children and generations to come.