This past December, local 3rd-5th grade students from East Dallas (predominately Lakewood, Geneva Heights, Mockingbird and local private schools) attended the 3rd annual East Dallas Cotillion. Traditionally this program has been held at the historic Filter Building on White Rock Lake, but due to a fire earlier in the fall, classes were conducted at the Tasteful Place at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. 

Students learned life skills like how to properly introduce themselves to others, how to start a conversation with someone new, dining etiquette and table manners, and other social graces. Students walked away from this program more confident in their communication skills. Classes are directed by JDW Cotillions, the national leader in social skills education since 1949.

Service and compassion are always woven into these lessons. Students had an opportunity to positively impact their community by participating in a canned food drive for the DISD Peace Pantry. 

At the Final Party, parents joined their children on the dance floor for the Foxtrot, Swing Hustle, Jitterbug and Waltz. It was a fun evening filled dancing, laughter and lots of face-to-face communication. To learn more about joining the East Dallas Cotillion, visit Cotillion.com.