May I Have This Dance?
Cotillion Holly Ball 2017
The National League of Junior Cotillions, Hot Springs-Arkadelphia Chapter, recently held its annual Holly Ball at The Hotel Hot Springs. Dressed semi-formally, the students participated in the evening, complete with dance cards, contests, prizes, corsages and boutonnieres.
The Holly Ball gave these cotillion members the opportunity to put into practice all the dances and etiquette they learned during the past half year in classes. They danced the night away doing the foxtrot, cha cha, swing and several elimination games.
Refreshments consisted of chocolate gateau and red citrus punch. The refreshment table was decorated with an antique silver punch bowl, silver candelabras, lighted garlands and topiaries. Wrapped gifts and topiaries adorned the tables clothed in white with red and green napkins.
Prizes were awarded to Caleb Villines, Karson Babb, Zane Pike and Kenleigh Garner for the foxtrot contest; Ben Hollis, Ellie Uldrich, Spencer Moore and Rachel Willard for the swing contest; and Bartley Bledsoe, Kami Brewer, Cross Horner and Olivia Godwin for the cha cha contest. Winners of the Snowball Elimination Dance, which required holding a ball between their heads while doing the foxtrot and cha cha, were Wini Formby, Reed Yaney, Amelia Sweetin and Cayden Jackson. Sage Mooney, Tristen Paullus, Kyndal Fox and Daniel Montgomery won the Jingle Bell Elimination. Prizes were National League of Junior Cotillions drawstring backpacks.
“The members and parents, as well as the director, all had a great time,” according to Susan Humphries, director, in the press release.
Parents who chaperoned were Tammie Barmore, Katrina Yaney, Sheila Coffman, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Smith, Tina Chastain, Lisa Wilson, Kathy Brownlee, Audra Dulaney, Jennifer Henley, Ashley Mahan, Mr. and Mrs. Trey Branch, Mr. and Mrs. Brett Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Blake Lockwood, Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Torrence, Mr. and Mrs Nick Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Johnson, and Mr. and Mrs. Matt Scully.
Serving as the program’s assistants for the year are Hot Springs high school students Montana Cramer, Ian Hollis, Kendell Goff, Lauren McMillan and Katherine Calandro, and Arkadelphia high school students Camille Jones and Caroline Derby.
The local cotillion began in 1993. The seven-month program gives sixth- through eighth-grade students instruction in etiquette, proper manners and social dances. Skills taught include table manners, correspondence, proper introductions, good first impression skills, good posture, paying and receiving compliments, opening doors, assisting with coats and the like.
“It’s designed to train students in the courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them,” said Humphries. “In just the three classes for this year, I have seen these ladies and gentlemen grow in poise and self-assurance. And our second-year students are becoming very mature ladies and gentlemen.”
“The program gives these middle school students the opportunity to learn and practice in a structured, yet fun, atmosphere with their peers,” said Patrick Humphries, husband of the director, who also helps with the program. “We know the self-confidence that they gain helps them to withstand negative peer pressure.”
Membership is open to any interested sixth-, seventh- or eighthgrade student in the county. For information or to get a child on the list for the 2018-2019 cotillion program, email susan.humphries@nljc.com.