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
In 2021, the two local chapters of the National League of Junior Cotillions merged into one Regional Chapter.
Classes, events, and balls of NLJC, SWFL meets at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, centrally located in Historic Downtown Fort Myers
Registration is open for 2025-2026
CLICK ON THE CLASSES TAB ON THE LEFT TO REGISTER
NLJC is one of the finest etiquette, social dance, and character educational programs in the country
Photograph taken by EVOKE Photography at the 2024-2025 Graduation Ball directly after the Induction Ceremony
Congratulations, Class of 2025
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE 2024-2025 SEASON
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 recognise 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 the 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 Cotillion 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, National League of Junior Cotillion, Southwest Florida Chapters
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
8TH AND 9TH GRADE STUDENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO DUAL ENROLL AS LEVEL I ADVANCED STUDENTS
CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE WHAT COTILLION IS ALL ABOUT
Cotillion in Southwest Florida is Magical
Click into the tabs to the left for more information or contact the Director by email
NLJC, Southwest Regional Campus working in partnership with the Sidney & Benre Davis Educational Division
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901
To Register, click the registration tabs on the left
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 of students in middle school
to click through our website for further information
www.nljc..com/chapter/sbdac
www.nljc.com/chapter/charlotteharbor
contact the Director by email or by phone with questions
CONTACT INFORMATION
Hover over the names to access the links
LAURIE COVENTRY-PAYNE, DIRECTOR
941-855-0777
If no answer, leave a message
DOUGLAS COVENTRY, EVENT MANAGER
EVOKE PHOTOGRAPHY, COTILLION PHOTOGRAPHERS
SAVE THE DATES
Season I NEW PARENT ORIENTATION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 2025
6:15 PM
PARENT RECEPTION
Meet the Director, Managing Board, Advisory Board, and Coitllion 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 parent 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, 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