FMC to bring back Cotillion program

Deep in the history of Canyon Lake’s most popular clubs is a Cotillion Club that has ceased to operate. The Canyon Lake Family Matters Club is bringing it back.

“We are excited to bring back the Cotillion and Etiquette program to the community,” Shawna Bowen, the club’s founder, said. “Cotillion is designed to introduce students to social skills fundamentals that will instill confidence in developing positive relationships.”

The program will start in January. The club will begin taking sign ups for the classes in November.

Family Matters is seeking additional help to keep the program running, Shawna said.

The social skills fundamentals that the class will teach includes Introductions, Courtesy and Consideration, Listening and Conversation, Making Good Choices, Table Manners Dining Etiquette, First Impressions, Self-Confidence and Respect, and Teamwork and Leadership.

Instruction for the curriculum is age-appropriate and based on grade combinations (elementary through high school), class specifics, and/or time considerations.

The primary skills at each level are covered in all progressive levels, in addition to the introduction of new and advanced curriculum as levels progress.

“Dance education is incorporated in each class level as an integral component of the social skills training,” Shawna said.

“Dance breaks down inhibitions, establishes respect, develops confidence, and teaches students how to appropriately interact with the opposite gender in a positive environment.”

Classes will be held once a month with the two-hour classes beginning at 6:00 p.m.

“Parents are not allowed during class time,” Shawna said. “Parents will be invited to an end-of-year ball to observe all the learned skills.”

The first hour of each class will be an etiquette lesson and the second hour will be a dance lesson. The classes are repeated every six months to make sure there is retention and so students can join in at any time.

Once the classes have been taken for a year, students will have completed each class. In the high school program for classes 7-12, students will be doing selected classes in lieu of the repeated Pre and Junior etiquette programs.

As November approaches, more information will be made available about signing up for the classes.