National League of Junior Cotillions
Knoxville Chapter

The Knoxville Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions would like to thank you for your interest in our programs!

You are invited to look here and on social media to learn more about our outstanding programs for educating children and young adults in etiquette, ethics and social dance. We began the Junior Cotillion program in Knoxville the fall of 2000. Over 4,000 students from over 30 different schools in the Knoxville area have participated as members and have benefited from our one-of-a-kind curriculum. This program has been offered nationwide since 1978 and has headquarters in Charlotte, NC. It is a time-tested, proven formula for giving students the important social skills and knowledge that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. We are building the leaders of tomorrow and are passionate about sharing the importance of social and life skills training for today's youth. 

JUNIOR COTILLION FOR GRADES 6-8

Parents may register online or by mail. Classes are limited and always fill up so parents are urged to submit the registration as soon as possible since classes are filled in the order of the date tuition is received. Payment of membership dues ($360) can be made online with credit card or Paypal or by mailing check via online invoice. Dues include all costs for the training, dances, the Ball and the Instructional Dinners for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

The Junior Cotillion Season offers once-a-month events for 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys and girls from September until April. Most events are held on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings at Cherokee Country Club. Each class lasts one hour and thirty minutes. The Spring Ball is the grand finale to the end of the season and is held on a Sunday evening in the ballroom at Cherokee. All students enjoy an Instructional Dinner. The schedule is listed here and can be viewed by clicking 'Classes' in the menu. 

Junior Cotillion Year One Sixth Grade Class will cover topic such as proper seating and escort position, introdctions, receiving compliments, manners in the home, thank you notes, basic table manners, telephone etiquette, electronic / social media etiquette and responding to invitations and a three course instructional dinner. 

Junior Cotillion Year Two Seventh Grade Class will cover topics such as manners in public places, characteristics of noble character, being a guest and a host, interview etiquette, dress codes, table manners, telephone etiquette, written communication, polite conversation, formal dinner guidelines, place settings and an instructional dinner. 

Junior Cotillion Year Three Premier Program Eighth Grade Class is designed to provide real world application and includes a cultural event and outing to a theater, as well as classes at the country club. Classes will include interview skills, notes for all occasions, toasting, tipping, international dining skills, good sportsmanship, socializing, dancing with classmates and an instructional reception and dinner. 

Attire for Classes - All Junior Cotillion sessions 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; no athletic shoes or flop flops. Ladies should wear conservative Sunday dresses or skirts and dress shoes for classes. Gloves will be provided. Gentlemen should wear khaki pants, dress shirts, ties, and navy or dark blazers.

Instructional Dinner - Ladies should wear knee length or longer holiday dresses or skirts, short white gloves (provided) and dress shoes. Gentlemen should wear white dress shirts, ties and navy or dark blazers or suits. Khaki pants are fine.

Attire for the Spring Ball - This ball is a semi-formal event for which age appropriate dress is required. Ladies should wear knee-length or longer white dresses. Gentlemen should wear black tie tuxedos and a professional fitting is provided at the last class prior to the ball.  

Student Booklets - Sixth and seventh grade students are assigned a "Cotillion Challenge" which allows them to practice the skills they have learned in class. Booklets are given to students to take home after the first class and are to be brought to every class but not to the balls. Students have the opportunity to earn prizes for completing assignments.

ATTENDANCE NOTE

You must let us know if your student is unable to attend an event. Students are expected to arrive on time and be picked up promptly at the end of event.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.....

STUDENTS WROTE THESE THANK YOU NOTES TO ME:

Thank you for teaching me about manners. I'm very glad to be in this class. I really enjoy the parties. Even though I hide it a little bit. I always have a great time.  - J.C. (6th grade gentleman)

I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be in NLJC. I know I will take away many important lessons from this and integrate them into my daily life. I'm looking forward to the next class! - S.F. (6th grade gentleman)

Thank you so much for spending time and energy teaching us to become young gentlemen and ladies. I appreciate the time you spend with us. - B.W. (6th grade gentleman)

AND PARENTS SENT THESE NOTES:

We appreciate the opportunity for our daughter to take part this coming year. Her brother took part in the cotillion activities in previous years. Coming off of High School Winter Formal and Prom this past weekend, I truly believe he benefited from his Junior Cotillion experience!  -A.B. (mother of two students)

I am so grateful to you for making her a well-mannered young lady. This was truly a wonderful experience. It has helped her make some great friends too! -L.R.J.

As you can imagine, participating in Junior Cotillion is a hard sell to my 12 year old son.  Middle school can be demanding and sports, music lessons, scouts, church and after school activities compete for our time and energy.  Frankly, my son did not want to go to Cotillion on Monday but I persisted and he went. I'm glad I had to pick him up early because I got to see my son, escort two young ladies to a table and pull out a chair for them.  As we rushed to the next event, changing clothes in the back seat, he and I began to talk about Cotillion. I told him how lucky he was that he could practice talking to girls.  We talked about conversation starters.  Then we began to talk about how having good manners has made a difference in our lives. We talked about the importance of knowing how to pull a chair out for a lady and I asked him where, if not for Cotillion, he would have a chance to practice this.  Mindy, the boy told me he was glad he went.  He actually thanked me for sticking to my guns and making him go.  I was shocked. So it is to you I would like to extend my thanks.  What you do is important and does make a difference.  In the end, I want my son to know how to conduct himself so that it comes naturally and that those things that will make him a gentleman will set him apart from the rest. We appreciate what you do.  -S.B. (mother of 7th grader)

DIRECTOR

Mindy Nan Meredith Coulter, founding local director has instructed over 4,000 middle school students to date in Knoxville. She enjoys teaching middle school students etiquette and ballroom dancing. This program is invaluable as it includes social and character training for our future leaders of tomorrow, in addition to manners. Junior Cotillion classes are offered for middle school students every year and Pre-Cotillion classes are offered every season for K-5th grade students.  Mrs. Coulter is also licensed to offer various classes through the Corporate Cotillion program. These etiquette sessions have been tailored for college age students, church groups, clubs, businesses and other community organizations. The Instructional Business Lunch is a popular class she has offered, as well as Dining Etiquette Instruction for Youth Leadership Knoxville, Youth Leadership Morristown and Junior Achievement Miss Business.

She is married to Tom Coulter, President of Meridian Trust and Investment Company, Inc. They have four children. The oldest, Dr. John M. Coulter, a dentist in the Meridian Building in Bearden, is married to Ashley (Robins) and they have 5 children. Daughter Dr. Meredith Oruc is an OB/GYN with Fort Sanders Women's Specialists and is married to Igor, a Physical Therapist. They have two little boys. William was a manager in Atlanta with Price Waterhouse Coopers before moving to Knoxville and is now Vice President at Meridian Trust. Davis is a pharmacist with Covenant Health at Fort Sanders Hospital. The entire family has participated over the years in Cotillion as a student,  assistant or music DJ. 

Mindy was born and raised in Johnson City, TN, graduated from Science Hill High School and received her B.A. in Economics from Randolph Macon Woman's College. She also attended UT and worked as a computer analyst there for several years. She loves to travel, likes gardening, reading, walking, biking, and swimming. She has been active in church, school and community organizations including member of Town and Country Garden Club, Mary Grainger Blount Garden Club, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Leadership Knoxville Class of 2015, TNAchieves mentor, and a Sustaining Member and past Board Member of the Junior League of Knoxville. She is honored to serve in the Knoxville community that she has called home since 1980.