By Rachel Nelson
The New Citizens Press
When you hear the word cotillion you think of posh events for upper income, Caucasian families. For many people the images of African-American young ladies are not the first pictures that come to mind. But here in Lansing – and proudly in its 44th year – a group of mothers have hosted a cotillion ball to celebrate just that: the high achievements and hard work of their 12th grade girls.
On March 28, eight Lansing-area high school seniors participated in Les Meres et Debutante of Greater Lansing’s 44th Cotillion, that actually serves more as a rite of passage. For the last seven years, this group of eight young ladies have worked together to complete more than 1,000 hours in community service; attended workshops on finance, healthy living, etiquette and leadership – tools to assist them in life. They did it all while maintaining rigorous academic schedules, participating in activities ranging from dance and varsity swimming, to track, basketball, cheerleading, orchestra, professional modeling, softball and several even held part time jobs.
The 2009 Debutantes follow in the footsteps of other former debutantes; who have taken their experiences in Les Meres and gone on to careers in public service, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship in professions such as medicine, dentistry, education, engineering, communications, public relations, business, aerospace, law, theater, art, and dance.
“Visions of an Enchanted Evening” – 2009 Cotillion
Les Meres et Debutantes annual cotillion is more than just a fancy ball. While negative headlines of drug abuse, unplanned pregnancies, death and violence threaten to define black youth, these eight young ladies and their escorts model achievement and success. They enjoyed one last dance before graduation and parting for college on March 28.
The theme of the 2009 Cotillion, “Visions of an Enchanted Evening,” came to life in full Technicolor that evening. When you walked through the door of the Lansing Center, you stepped into Morocco – transported to Northern Africa where a golden palace draped in fuchsia, purple and turquoise greeted you.
Tunes ranging from the Temptations and Michael Jackson to Aaliyah and Fantasia played in the background while fathers danced with their daughters, escorts danced with the debutantes, and fathers battled the escorts for the honor of dancing with their daughters. The event concluded with the traditional mother-daughter tribute dance.
“Our cotillion was everything we hoped it would be,” said E’lan Brewer, one of the 2009 Debutantes. “It was really worth the hard work and three-hour practices every Sunday,” added Megan Scott, another of the 2009 Debutantes.
History Les Meres et Debutantes and the Cotillion Ball
It was a night truly befitting the club’s proud past. The Les Meres et Debutantes Club is an organization with over 40 years of outstanding history in the Greater Lansing area. It was founded by a group of nine visionary women who wanted to ensure that their daughters were prepared for a life of success and honor.
The organization’s purpose is to encourage the development of college-bound young ladies ages 12 to 18 through a variety of activities that promote good citizenship, strong character, academic excellence, social poise, and grace.
The young ladies begin with the club in the seventh grade and continue through their senior year in high school. They are actively involved in community service activities in the Greater Lansing area and participate in the Presidential Community Service Program where they are required to complete at least 50 hours of community service annually. They participate in a variety of programs and activities in leadership, public speaking, academic enrichment, personal development, charm, and health. The culmination of their years of training, development and service in the community is the Cotillion Ball – an unforgettable event for a truly remarkable group of young women.
2009 Debutantes
Jenessa Janae Davis, JW Sexton High School, will attend Lansing Community College in fall of 2009.
Jade Simone Jackson, East Lansing High School, will attend Lansing Community College in fall of 2009.
Megan Scott, Everett High School, will attend University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2009.
Moriah Lacey Burke, Waverly High School, will attend Ferris State University in fall of 2009.
Kai Nicole Brewer, Waverly High School will attend Alabama State University in fall of 2009.
Victoria Lipscomb, East Lansing High School, will attend either Michigan State University or The Ohio State University in fall of 2009.
E’lan Brielle Brewer, Waverly High School will attend Howard University in fall of 2009.
Avian Sahar Lain, Lansing Catholic High School, will attend Hampton University in fall of 2009.
