Welcome

WELCOME TO NLJC, SWFL 

Advance Registration is open for Season I 2025-2026 

CLICK ON THE CLASSES TAB ON THE LEFT TO REGISTER

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Parent, 

Thank you for 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, there is a significant shift from dependence to independence. Enrolling in Junior Cotillion is a major step, one 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 within the realm of personal presentation, communication and confidence. In these next few years, your child will learn how to carry themself 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

Douglas Coventry, Acting President Coventry Payne Foundation 

TESTIMONIALS FROM PARENTS 2024 - 2025 SEASON

Schedule of Events 

TO REFERENCE THE 2024-2025 SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, CLICK HERE

2025-2026 SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS * 

* SEASON I - THE FUNDAMENTALS 

* SEASON II - COTILLION'S SIGNATURE SEASON  *

* SEASON III - THE SEASON IT ALL COMES TOGETHER  *

Season III is where it all comes together. Students explore American cultural traditions, deepen their conversational skills, and refine their character through themed dances, theatre outings, and etiquette experiences. From a Country Dance to an elegant Masquerade Ball, each event builds toward confident, gracious living. The season culminates in a formal Graduation celebration, where students demonstrate all they've learned with poise, gratitude, and joy. It’s a beautiful finale to their Cotillion journey.

* 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. 

[email protected]

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

JULIA WRONA, BOOKKEEPER

Cotillion in Southwest Florida is Magical

Join us! 

Announcements

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.

[email protected]

(941) 855-0777 

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