Katie is a senior this year at Casady School:

I continued participating in cotillion because I would learn new things each year. I learned how to have a polite and genuine conversation with adults and people I have recently met. I also had a chance to perfect my dance steps, something that takes many classes to do. I’ve even had the chance to learn the boys’ dance steps, while assisting various cotillion classes.

One of my favorite things about Cotillion was getting to go to the Civic Center.  I especially loved seeing The Addams Family!  I attended Cotillion for six years because I knew that every year there would be something fun and different.  It was such a great experience!

Tristan is a Senior this year at Harding Fine Arts Academy.

I started Cotillion in my ninth grade year of my own volition. My mother asked me if I wanted to go, and after hearing that I would learn how to ballroom dance, I jumped for it. I had known about the program for few years beforehand because one of my friends participated in middle school. He described it as “pretty fun”. I found that to be an understatement. I loved going to Cotillion, and it got more interesting with every year.

Coming out of Cotillion, I find that I have more confidence in social situations. I impress others with my knowledge of etiquette, and have gained new respect from both my peers and adults that are influential in my life. I am very grateful to have been able to take part in the program, and I have, and will, urge others to try it out.

Blake Eden is a Senior at Deer Creek:

My involvement with the National League of Junior Cotillions in the Oklahoma City chapter has been an outstanding experience. I had originally planned to attend Cotillion for one year, which most students do, but I loved the program so much I didn’t want to stop! My favorite event each Cotillion season is getting to attend the ball at the end of the class – I love being able to put on a tux, dance, and enjoy a wonderful evening with my friends. It is so hard for me to pick just one aspect of the Cotillion experience that I love the most because I have enjoyed it all! I am looking forward to putting the skills I have learned in Cotillion in my college career.

Cotillion was an amazing experience for me. I will never forget the amazing friends I made or the wonderful dances I learned. I spent 6 memorable years with Mr. And Mrs. Vega and they are truly what kept me going back. They are caring people who love us as their own. Dancing, Outings, Cookies, and the Ball were some of the best things about cotillion but the experience of it all made it worthwhile. I miss it already!  -Kelsey Bowie

Over the many years I’ve done Cotillion my favorite event was the Winter Ball.  Since 5^th grade I’ve enjoyed the dancing portion of the classes the most, because I got to meet a lot of new people and dancing is tons of fun! Mrs. Vega has taught me everything I need to know for all proper occasions, but I specifically appreciate what she taught me about formal dining. I have never felt uncomfortable at a formal dinner since I started taking her classes. Cotillion has been a great experience for me and I hope others are able to learn and enjoy it as much as I did.  - Nathan

Mom’s perspective:

MY big push on why Nathan should take Cotillion and continue was that it would better balance out all of his sports activities. (A Mom’s gotta use every angle possible w/ these guys.)  And, manners never go out of style and are necessary everywhere – even on the baseball field!  lol

Of course, you know that Nathan LOVES to meet new people (especially of the female persuasion) and Cotillion provided that environment.  I STILL crack up when thinking about watching Nathan do the Snowball Dance!  It might be his favorite.  And of course, your enthusiasm and humor is Nathan’s favorite! – Bernadette

… and we couldn’t resist the picture below of Nathan during his 5th grade year at Cotillion…

Cassidy Jackson is a Senior at Casady School:

“When I started Cotillion in the fifth grade I was completely unaware of the huge impact it would have on my life.  I entered as a shy eleven year old girl, not knowing a single person in my class, and I am leaving with much more confidence around others, lifelong friends, and so much knowledge that I will never forget.  I cannot thank the Vegas enough for all their time and personally investing in each and every student; I look up to them in so many ways.  I decided to continue doing Cotillion each year for the opportunity to meet new people and also because I realized that this would not only help me with things in high school, but throughout my entire life.

The classes are so upbeat in the high school program and they add in a variety of things for the students to do such as learning how to properly eat different foods, learning how to tie a tie, going to a play at the Civic Center, and so much more.  At first I dreaded the time spent mingling before the plays we would go see at the Civic Center; but now that I have been in similar situations, I am so grateful to have known how to treat the time and how to make the most out of it.

Being on the Teen Board for four years was incredible as well.  I loved being able to use what I had learned in my personal Cotillion classes and teaching it to the younger grades as a Student Assistant.  I can honestly say that Cotillion has been hands down one of the best experiences I have had.  I cannot believe that time has flown by so quickly; I am going to miss Cotillion so much!”  -  Cassidy Jackson

We LOVE our students!!!

We are kicking off a new series called “Senior Spotlight”.  We thought it would be a fun way to highlight many of the students who have been with us for years!

… We hope you enjoy reading about some amazing kids in our “Senior Spotlight”!!!