National League of Junior Cotillions
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Chapter
Welcome
National League of Junior Cotillions, SWFL Chapters
NLJC, Charlotte Harbor Chapter
NLJC, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Chapter
Registration is open for 2025-2026
CLICK ON THE CLASSES TAB ON THE LEFT TO REGISTER
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Parent,
Thank you for your involvement with or your interest in the Southwest Florida Chapters of the National League of Junior Cotillions, which has its home campus at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Downtown Fort Myers.
Your decision to enroll your child in the Cotillion is a significant milestone. It shows that you recognize that as children transition through adolescence, they significantly shift from dependence to independence. Enrolling in Junior Cotillion is an important step that will prepare your child for this next stage of life.
Junior Cotillion is not just about etiquette and dance; it’s about equipping your child with the social and personal skills that will shape their future. The benefits of knowing how to interact appropriately in social situations involve the development of qualities that far extend beyond knowing which fork to use.
In Cotillion, responsible behavior, awareness, and self-sufficiency are taught through personal presentation, communication, and confidence. In these next few years, your child will learn how to carry themselves with grace, engage with adults confidently, and handle themselves in formal and social settings.
At Graduation, when your child is presented as a Graduate, they will walk the red carpet with grace and poise, and with it, a well done to you for making the right decision. Just as you would never allow your child to drive your car without instruction and preparation, so it takes preparation and instruction to Master the Social Highway of Life.
Thank you for the privilege of getting to know you and working with your child.
Blessings,
Laurie Coventry Payne,
Director, NLJC SWFL
ABOUT US
NLJC is one of the best etiquette and character educational programs in the country
The National Office just this month opened a New NLJC YouTube channel to feature chapters nationwide
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF JUNIOR COTILLIONS YOUTUBE SITE
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE 2024-2025 SEASON
Schedule of Events
* SEASON I - THE FUNDAMENTALS
All classes and balls for Season II are held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Centre, Downtown Fort Myers, Florida
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE SEASON I SCHEDULEOF EVENTS 2025-2026
* SEASON II - COTILLION'S SIGNATURE SEASON *
All classes and balls for Season II, except for the Winter Ball & Instructional Dinner, are held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Centre, Downtown Fort Myers, Florida
The Winter Ball, preceded by a five-course instructional dinner, is held at the Club at the Strand in Naples, Florida
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE SEASON II SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2025-2026
* SEASON III - THE SEASON IT ALL COMES TOGETHER *
All events except Afternoon at the Theatre and the Graduation Ball are held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.
Afternoon at the Theatre this season is held at the Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples
The Graduation Ball is held at the Club at the Strand in Naples.
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE SEASON III SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2025-20226
* In the case of a global, national, or local emergency, balls, classes, or events may be rescheduled or cancelled
Cotillion Dress Code
DRESS CODE SEASON I - LADIES - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON I - GENTLEMEN - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON II - LADIES - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON II - GENTLEMEN - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON III - LADIES - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON III - GENTLEMEN - LINK
COTILLION DRESS CODE STANDARDS - LADIES - LINK
HOW TO BE LOVELY - TIPS ON CHOOSING A FORMAL GOWN - LADIES - LINK
Mission
The Mission of the National League of Junior Cotillions is to teach children how to treat others with dignity and respect for better relationships with family and friends and to teach social dance
About Us
Cotillion in Southwest Florida is managed by the Coventry Payne Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 in partnership with the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers, Florida
Benefits of Membership
The National League of Junior Cotillions, founded by the late Anne Winters in 1979 and headquartered in North Carolina, is one of the finest character education programs in the country. Cotillion in SWFL is a three-season program. Each season builds on the lessons and skills taught the previous year. Lessons include Manners in the Home, Table Manners, Basic Party Courtesies, Etiquette in Public Places, Characteristics of a Young Man or Woman of Good Characterr, and much more.
Registration
The membership drive for the upcoming season opens on February 14th. Advance registration is recommended for all three seasons. Class size is limited and must balance between the number of boys and girls in a class.
Acceptance
Provided the class is open, and space is available, students are accepted in the order in which their deposit was received. Only students whose registration is accompanied by a deposit are considered for acceptance. Deposits are held in a set-aside account until acceptance is confirmed. Once acceptance is confimred, there are no refunds in fairness to those on the waitlist. The number of students in class must balance between girls and boys. To keep the class in balance, we accept one girl and one boy together on a first-come, first-served basis. The only exception to the first-come, first-served policy is this: Should a girl or a boy nominate their own corresponding registration, the girl or the boy is accepted with the acceptance of their nominee provided the director is notified in advance.
Membership Fees & Payment Policies
Membership fees must be paid in full by September 15th to attend class. No student may attend the opening event or any subsequent events until memberships are paid in full. If membership fees are not paid in full by the due date, a student on the waitlist will be offered your place. There are no refunds once acceptance has been confirmed.
Payment Plans & Sponsorships
Payment plans are recommended. The Foundation handles memberships through an outside accounting and bookkeeping firm. Contact the director for information on payment plans.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PARENT REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS
To register, click the registration tab on THE LEFT and follow the prompts TO REGISTER
CONTACT INFORMATION
LAURIE COVENTRY-PAYNE, DIRECTOR
DOUGLAS COVENTRY, EVENT MANAGER
COURTNEY MCGIRT, GLT ADVISOR & MANAGER
EVOKE PHOTOGRAPHY, COTILLION PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cotillion in Southwest Florida is Magical
Join us!
Announcements
SPREAD THE WORD THAT ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS OPENSHARE YOU COTILLION STORY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILYIf you think well of your child's friends and their families, offer them this opportunity so they have first dibs Registration opens to the public mid-March TESTIMONIALS FROM 2024-2025 PARENTS |
About Director
Laurie Coventry Payne, director of the National League of Junior Cotillions Southwest Florida, opened her first chapter in 2004. Since then, 4000+ students have registered representing six counties and fifty-two schools in Southwest Florida.
Miss Laurie was a professional classical dancer in Europe. Upon retirement, Miss Laurie earned her master's degree in environmental science. She worked for several years as an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University before becoming the executive director of a non-profit Foundation. The Foundation manages, supports, and sustains programs for students that encourage creativity, build character, and strengthen community. NLJC is the Foundation's largest program.
Miss Laurie to her husband of thirty-six years. She has five grown children, three grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Pony.
Laurie Coventry Payne, M.S.
(941) 855-0777
if there is no answer, leave a message