National League of Junior Cotillions
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Chapter
Welcome
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF JUNIOR COTILLIONS, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS AND CHARLOTTE HARBOUR CHAPTERS
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025!
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF EVOKE PHOTOGRAPHY
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your involvement with—or interest in—the Southwest Florida Chapters of the National League of Junior Cotillions, headquartered at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.
Your decision to enroll your child in Cotillion marks a meaningful milestone. It shows that you recognize something important: as children move through adolescence, they begin to shift from dependence to independence. Enrolling in Junior Cotillion is a powerful step in preparing your child for the next stage of life.
Junior Cotillion is not just about etiquette and dance—it’s about equipping your child with the social awareness and personal confidence that will serve them for a lifetime. The ability to handle oneself with ease in a variety of social situations goes far beyond knowing which fork to use. It’s about learning how to show respect, carry oneself well, and communicate with clarity and kindness.
In Cotillion, students develop responsible behavior, self-awareness, and a strong sense of personal presence. Through personal presentation, communication, and confidence-building activities, your child will learn how to walk into a room with grace, speak to adults with poise, and navigate both formal and everyday situations with ease.
At Graduation, when your child is presented as a Cotillion Graduate, they’ll walk the red carpet with confidence and dignity. In that moment, we celebrate not only their achievement—but yours. You made the decision to invest in your child’s growth, and it will show.
Just as you wouldn’t hand over the car keys without first teaching your child how to drive, it takes intentional preparation to help them master the Social Highway of Life. That’s exactly what Cotillion is all about.
Thank you for the privilege of working with your child. We are honored to walk this journey with your family.
Warmly,
Laurie Coventry Payne
Director, National League of Junior Cotillions
Southwest Florida Chapters
NLJC is one of the finest etiquette, social dance, and character educational programs in the country
IF YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR MEMBERSHIP
CONGRATULATIONS! NOMINATION IS AN HONOR
IF YOU SEARCHED FOR US BY YOURSELF,
YOUR DESIRE TO PROVIDE BETTER FOR YOUR CHILD
QUALIFIES YOU FOR NOMINATION BY THE DIRECTOR
JUNIOR COTILLION IS OPEN TO STUDENTS IN THE 6TH AND 7TH GRADES
LEVEL I ADVANCED, A DUAL ENROLLED OPTION, IS OPEN TO STUDENTS IN THE 8TH AND 9TH GRADES
ACCEPTANCE IS ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS
CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED AND MUST BALANCE BETWEEN THE
NUMBER OF GIRLS AND THE NUMBER OF BOYS IN THE CLASS
DEPOSITS ARE REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE
ONCE ACCEPTANCE IS CONFIRMED, THERE ARE NO REFUNDS IN FAIRNESS TO THOSE ON THE WAIT LIST
REGISTER TODAY!
COTILLION AT THE SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER IS MAGICAL!
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
2301 First Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
www.sbdac.com
Announcements
REGISTRATION FOR THE
2025-2026 SEASON IS OPEN
Registration will be open until classes fill
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
SPREAD THE WORD
Share your cotillion story
ENCOURAGE parents TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN
NLJC, Sidney & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER CHAPTER
www.nljc.com/chapter/sbdac
NLJC, CHARLOTTE HARBOR CHAPTER
www.nljc.com/chapter/charlotteharbor
contact the Director by email
or by phone with questions
DIRECTOR
941-855-0777
If no answer, leave a message
STAFF & ASSOCIATES
DOUGLAS COVENTRY, EVENT MANAGER
EVOKE PHOTOGRAPHY, COTILLION PHOTOGRAPHERS
JOIN US!
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE 2024-2025 SEASON
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE 2023-2024 SEASON
SAVE THE DATES
SEASON I AND LEVEL I ADVANCED NEW PARENT ORIENTATION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 2025
6:15 PM
PARENT RECEPTION
Meet the Director, Managing Board, Advisory Board, and Cotillion Graduates
7:00 PM
PRESENTATION
What to expect and what is expected; how to make the most of your child's Cotillion Experience
SEASON II PARENT ORIENTATION
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd, 2025
Parents will meet in the upstairs Gallery during student check-in
SEASON III ORIENTATION
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, 2025
Parents will meet in the upstairs Gallery during student check-in
LEVEL I ADVANCED
Level I Advanced Students are dual-enrolled.
At least one parent to attend both the New Parent Orientation
and the Season II Parent Orientation
About Director
Laurie Coventry Payne, director of the National League of Junior Cotillions Southwest Florida, established her first chapter in 2004. Since then, over 4,000 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