Debutante Cotillion

For over 20 years, young ladies have been presented to the Indianapolis community through the Debutante Cotillion.  This AKA signature program promotes and cultivates in the young ladies Elegance, Scholarship and Poise. Since the Cotillion’s inception in 1986,   Alpha Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., has used the program as a means of awarding scholarships dollars to young women for their scholastic achievement, community service; fundraising, and overall participation in the program.  Funding for the scholarships will come from patron donations and solicitations.

This year, our cotillion was held in December at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Program Objectives of the Debutante Cotillion

 To encourage the development of young ladies into good citizens by our example.

• To promote high ideals and character building for young ladies during their formative years.
• To help young ladies acquire social graces and good citizenship through group activity..
• To promote understanding and friendship between the members of the organization and others
• To develop new friendships, provide volunteer service; engage in structured leadership; etiquette; and educational workshops that will enhance their educational and social skills
• To benefit young ladies who have the dedication, ambition, motivation, and drive to pursue fully to the end, a career that will enable them to make a contribution within their community

Program Overview

The mission of the Debutante Cotillion is to provide scholarships and promote community service and volunteerism for high school juniors and seniors.  Part of the key to the success of the program is the spirit of sisterhood and development that is instilled in the participants in a fun and memorable environment.

The Debutante Cotillion program is made up of five key components:                       

• ·         Workshops
• ·         Community Service / volunteerism
• ·         Special programs
• ·         Rehearsals
• ·         The Debutante Cotillion Presentation

The culmination of the program activities is the Debutante Cotillion Ball.  This year's, the Cotillion was held on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.               

The Debutante Cotillion program has maintained a long standing history of scholastic achievement. Through the years, over 400 young ladies have participated in the Cotillion.  Former Debutantes have gone on to attend colleges and universities throughout the United States.  Each year one participant in the program is named queen and has received scholarship awards based on her fundraising efforts and successful completion of the program. Former Debutante queens have been:

The Debutante Cotillion program is enhanced through workshops, providing Debutantes with current information and a medium for discussion on relevant topics; activities, such as participation in the College and other programs designed to promote sisterhood among the participating Debutantes.  Additionally the young ladies will have the opportunity to interact with community leaders and establish mentors who are interested in their future development. The Debutante Cotillion has not only been a vehicle for scholarship, but it has also been a means in which young women can provide service to the community.  Over the years, Debutantes have provided more than 5,000 hours of service to community agencies in the Indianapolis area. 

Eligibility Requirements 

• Must be a junior or senior enrolled in an accredited central Indiana high school
• May not be married nor have children
• Must participate in an orientation and interview session
• Must submit all required materials – debutante application form with a $20 non-refundable fee and an official transcript to evidence a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 grade scale. This minimum must be maintained throughout the program.
• Must pay a $250 participation fee.  The fee is to cover part of the debutante’s expenses.
• Must sell and pay for one table of 10 dinner tickets.
• Must pay a fee of $25 for any check returned for insufficient funds.

A minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service is required.  However, debutantes are encouraged to give as much time as possible to their selected organization(s). Information pertaining to service will be provided.

Debutantes will be required to participate in various workshops and other activities through the cotillion program.Debutantes will be required to attend all dance rehearsals.