These polished Club Cotillion students get acquainted and share a smile while taking a break for punch.

By Elean Gersack with photo courtesy of JDW Cotillions

Come April, girls dressed in party dresses and boys dressed in sports coats and ties will expand their social skills while dancing to current musical favorites like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. It’s cotillion time!

Professional ballroom dancers and instructors Jon and Vivian Williams founded Jon D. Williams Cotillions (JDW) in Colorado Springs near the Broadmoor more than 60 years ago. This traditional dance and social etiquette program for young men and women now has 53 programs nationwide and is run by the Williams’ son, Jon Williams III.

Starting on April 1, the Douglas County Cotillion will welcome fourth and fifth graders and sixth though eighth graders at The Wildlife Experience on Sunday evenings. The ‘tweens and teens will use ballroom dancing as a means to gain confidence and to learn how to effectively and positively present themselves now and in the future.

In the years to come, children will want to be taken seriously by teachers, administrators, coaches, and eventually college recruiters and bosses. “Your behavior in a situation is what people see and is potentially the first impression,” said Lesley Gibson, Douglas County Cotillion chairperson.

JDW has changed with the times. “Good manners will never go out of style, and while many of the cotillion lessons are timeless, JDW Cotillions teaches lessons on e-mail, cell phone, text etiquette and cyber bullying,” shares Katherine Mason, vice president and director of EPS Division of JDW Cotillions. She adds that they explore students’ social responsibilities, contributions to the world, as well as how to distinguish themselves as ladies and gentlemen.

Club Cotillion, for fourth and fifth graders, focuses on the notion that good social skills contribute to good character. The curriculum includes meeting new people and making friends, conversation skills, courtesy and manners, cell phone savvy, and table manners.

The program for sixth though eighth graders, Survival Etiquette Essentials (SEE), takes social skills a step further by exploring social intelligence. The curriculum includes first impressions, verbal and non-verbal communications, high-tech etiquette, appearance and dress, character development and advanced dining etiquette.

This year, JDW has partnered with the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF). For each Douglas County School District student registration, $5 will go back to the student’s school of choice.

“The Douglas County Educational Foundation is proud of our new partnership with Douglas County Cotillion,” said Michelle Tripp, Douglas County Educational Foundation. “The skills gained through social education classes are vital to the future success of our students as they enter into the 21st Century workforce.”

Mason adds that partnering with DCSD is a symbiotic relationship for both parties. “Cotillion promotes community, and this community will only benefit from happy, healthy children who care about their role in the world.”

Both programs will be held at The Wildlife Experience on April 1, 15, 22, 29 and May 6. Club Cotillion will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and SEE is planned from 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Visit www.cotillion.com/jdw/ to learn more or to register.