For more than 25 years, groups of outstanding young ladies have been introduced to the Indianapolis community through the Debutante Cotillion. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. signature program promotes and cultivates elegance, scholarship and poise in distinguished young ladies.
Alpha Mu Omega Chapter of AKA has used the Debutante Cotillion program as a method to award scholarships to young women for their scholastic achievement, community service, fundraising efforts, and overall participation in the debutante program.
Funding for the scholarships will come from patron donations and solicitations. Deserving young ladies have been awarded more than $350,000 since 2006 through the Alpha Mu Omega Chapter, Ivy Endowment Debutante Cotillion.
This year, the cotillion will take place on Nov. 13 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, where organizers plan to host a memorable and rewarding experience for the debutante participants.
Program objectives
Among the program objectives of the Debutante Cotillion are:
• To encourage the development of young ladies into good citizens by AKA members’ 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.
The mission of the Debutante Cotillion is to provide social development through cultural and educational workshops, promote community service and volunteerism, culminating with the young ladies debut into society.
The keys to the success of the program are to promote unity and a spirit of friendship that is instilled in the participants through a fun, co-operative and memorable environment.
The Debutante Cotillion program is made up of five key components: workshops, community service/volunteerism, special programs, rehearsals, and the Debutante Cotillion presentation.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible to become a debutante, young ladies must be a junior or senior enrolled in an accredited Central Indiana high school during the 2011-2012 school year. They must participate in an orientation and interview session.
Additionally, they must submit the following: Debutante application form with a $25 non-refundable fee, along with an official sealed transcript showing at least a C-plus GPA, which must be maintained throughout the program.
