Two-minute highlight film of the Cotillion For Success® lessons. The Cotillion For Success® civility program includes ten filmed lessons to show students before each dance session. These lessons include communication and mentoring, in addition to manners and etiquette.
2022 Cotillion For Success® Mini Documentary
The Problem Addressed By The Cotillion For Success® Civility Program
Children are often unsure of themselves and lack the confidence to appropriately and respectfully socialize. Many students lack the family unit or role models to encourage even the basics of citizenship in the United States of America. Our adolescents, workforce, and community as a whole, suffer from this lack of stability, encouragement, and youth development. Tragically, student suicide is often the result of isolation. Isolation is often the result of fear of socialization and lack of self-esteem. Because students become more courageous when they are in a setting that teaches self-respect, confidence in knowing appropriate behaviors, and the importance of respecting others: manners, etiquette, and dancing are among the most effective solutions to combating fear and loneliness.
The famous quote by Frederick Douglass, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,” speaks to this challenge.
Socialization and Youth Development
Cotillion For Success® includes an instruction manual and ten filmed manners and etiquette lessons that can be self-administered by schools and other organizations. The targeted age for this Cotillion For Success® program is nine to twelve years, however, because good manners do not change or go out of style, the lessons can benefit all ages. The recommended class size is under 40 students. The non-exclusive license is for a ten-year period, and may be used by municipalities and districts with an unlimited number of students in multiple age groups.
Program Background and Update
In 2019 Sharen Black originated the Cotillion For Success® program in Las Vegas, Nevada. The objective of the youth development and socialization program is to bring civility and manners back into our communities.
Leadership, One Dance Step at a Time
Social skills are important. They are like good manners. Using them properly makes it easier to relate to other people with positive outcomes. Children with age-appropriate social skills can more effectively communicate, make decisions, solve problems, create and maintain successful relationships, and manage their own behavior. A lack of age-appropriate social skills interferes with children’s relationships with other children, teachers, family members, and their community in general.
Social skills DO NOT come naturally to all children. But, social skills can be learned. Social narratives – lessons that focus on traditional social skills and positive behaviors are useful tools to this end. Cotillion For Success® strongly promotes the value of education.
Sonya Holdsworth Speaks About The Cotillion For Success®
Associate Superintendent CCSD Region 1
Las Vegas, Nevada
2019 Cotillion For Success® Mini Documentary