Cotillion – a series of instructional classes on etiquette and social dancing for 7th- and 8th-grade students – is coming to the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. The course aims to promote thoughtful behavior toward others and increase awareness of the world in which they live.
Certified etiquette instructor Neena Gaynor will host the classes at the historic WeatherBerry home on Sunday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on February 12, 19, 26, and March 5. The final cotillion is on March 12, where Gaynor invites parents to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and to encourage the students in all they have learned at their dinner dance.
“The WeatherBerry is the premier location for our cotillion,” Gaynor said. “Our goal is to develop the students’ confidence in their knowledge and ability to handle a variety of social situations.”
Laurna Strehl, Executive director at the Garden, said the nonprofit is excited about the new faces and connections the cotillion will introduce to the property.
“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Neena Gaynor. She appreciates the beauty of all we offer at the botanical garden, indoors and outdoors,” Strehl said. “Neena and I felt the WeatherBerry home was a perfect location for the cotillion because it is both elegant and formal but still very homey and comfortable.”
Gaynor said cotillion is more than just how to make a proper introduction, dining skills, waltz steps, or writing thank-you notes. She added that the program had had a lasting impact on her.
“Cotillion elevates our awareness of others by emphasizing the inherent dignity of all people,” she said. “Because of my faith, I believe in the most basic pillars of proper etiquette – that all people are valuable and deserve to be treated with respect.”
Gaynor said space is limited. For more information or to enroll, call Gaynor at 859-230-6171 or email her at [email protected].
“Lessons in etiquette can provide us the confidence to engage with the world — one that, despite all the devices that were supposed to connect us, has become increasingly less friendly and social,” Gaynor said. “I hope cotillion participants will be our community’s next generation of difference makers and servant leaders.”
