Cotillion

KO-'TIL-YEN: To ensemble a group of young people to develop, appreciate, and respect their role in society through dance and social skills education.

I had no idea what a "cotillion" class was the first time I overhead several parents discussing the subject several years ago. When you are raised poor, paying for the acquisition of social skills is a little out of the question! After I figured out what cotillion meant, I learned that in our town many sixth-graders attend this social class at the locally famous Miss Persis Studio of Dance! Miss Persis knows her stuff. She has been at it for 55 years.

So, sure enough, as my daughter prepared for her sixth-grade year, a letter arrived from the studio. I tried to explain to Abigail, as best I knew, what the class was about. She wasn't too sure. As a child of two introverted parents, learning a little social grace sounded like a good idea to me. I enrolled my daughter.

As the time of the first class approached, I reread the class requirements. A strict dress code is required. Boys must wear shirts and ties and girls must wear dresses or skirts. This is going to fun. As I've mentioned before, my daughter is not girly. Trying to get her in a dress wasn't going to be easy.

I pulled a skirt and sweater from her closet along with a pair of Mary Jane shoes. All the while, Abigail is asking me about the class. She is positive that no one from her school will be there. My gut told me otherwise. The next struggle was trying to convince her to let me curl her hair a little.

From the moment we arrived, it was obvious that the only skirt in the room would be on my daughter. I felt like we were at a mini prom. Abigail was WAY underdressed. Fortunately, she isn't too attuned to fashion much less cotillion fashion!

At the end of the 90-minute class, the curtains were opened for the parents to watch. We were all gawking like we were watching the monkeys perform at the zoo. Half of the 100 kids in this course section were from my daughter's school.

I kept trying to read my daughter's facial expression. Was she having a good time or was she hating every minute of it? As they exited the studio paired with their partner, I held my breath.

Before we stepped away from the gathered crowd, Abigail excitedly spoke. "I wish Cotillion was every week. Did you see sew 'n sew? I hope I get to dance with him next time!"

Well, the second class came around. Abigail eagerly put on her new dress (from the 75% off sale rack), black dress shoes (kids resale shop), and panty hose. I wondered if she was too dressed up this time. Nope!

If the girls are wearing satin for a regular class, I can't wait to see what they wear for the final "Spring Fling" class. I better keep scavenging those sale racks!