Dear Prospective Junior Debutante, Parent, Guardian or Sponsor:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University is the first Greek-letter organization established by African American college women. Alpha Kappa Alpha has more than 355,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located throughout the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Japan, Liberia, South Korea, South Africa, United Kingdom, the US Virgin Islands and Dubai.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Pi Omega Chapter is currently accepting applications for its 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program. The Debutante Cotillion Program is an excellent opportunity for young ladies to experience a wide array of cultural, academic, and social activities, while obtaining scholarship funds to support their future educational endeavors.

For over three decades, with support from the community, Theta Pi Omega Chapter has awarded thousands of dollars to deserving young adults in scholarship and book awards. We are proud of the Cotillion's legacy in positively impacting the lives of our young adults throughout our community and beyond.

The Debutante Cotillion Program is seeking young ladies who are high school freshmen and sophomores, who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, possess exceptional character, and have outstanding involvement in extracurricular activities and community service to participate as Junior Debutantes.

Please carefully read all attached materials being mindful of all rules as outlined. Each form should be thoroughly completed. All materials must be submitted electronically using the links provided no later than 11:59 pm, May 3, 2025. Applications that are not electronically time stamped by the deadline and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

We look forward to both your timely submission and meeting you in person.

Tanya Y. Jackson, President

Penny McPherson Myers and Rita Toliver-Roberts, Cotillion Co-Chairmen

GENERAL INFORMATION

Information Session:

The Cotillion Information Session for prospective participants (Debutantes, Junior Debutantes, and Escorts) and their parents/guardians will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The attire is business.

To be eligible for participation, junior debutante candidates must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements: 

• Currently enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in high school
• Be of good character and reputation
• Hold a minimum academic average of 2.5 cumulative GPA prior to and for the duration of the program
• Have plans to attend a post-secondary educational institution
• Complete the Junior Debutante Cotillion Program Application
• Provide an official transcript
• Provide one (1) letter of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher
• Sign the Participant Contract, along with a Parent or Legal Guardian
• Sign the Participant Certification Form, along with a Parent or Legal Guardian
• Sign the Media Release Form, along with a Parent or Legal Guardian
• Upon acceptance, pay a non-refundable participant fee of $250 by the established deadline

Expectations of all Junior Debutantes:

Participation in the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program is an 8-month commitment and includes mandatory participation in weekly rehearsals, cultural, social, and civic activities. The following are some of the requirements for the Junior Debutante participants:

• All participants must attend the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
• Pay a $250 non-refundable program fee by the required deadline
• Sell no less than 5 patron/journal ad pages
• Sell no less than 5 Cotillion Ball tickets to friends, family, and other supporters
• Follow the required protocol for all payments
• Attend all scheduled program events
• Participate in a group community service project
• Learn and perform simple to moderate dance routines
• Respectfully participate in all weekly dance sessions
• Follow the direction of the Cotillion staff/instructors/volunteers
• Maintain the minimum required academic 2.5 cumulative GPA throughout the program
• Stay with the group while on site and while in attendance at Cotillion related outings
• Refer to the Cotillion Handbook

 Financial Requirements:

• Program Fee: $250 which covers all workshops, dance rehearsals, light refreshments at dance rehearsals, a cultural activity for participants, mother/daughter tea ticket for Junior Debutante and Cotillion Ball ticket for Junior Debutante.
• Ticket Sales: Each Junior Debutante will be required to sell no less than 5 tickets to the Cotillion Ball.
• Cotillion Ball Attire: Each Junior Debutante will be responsible for the purchase of the selected dress as chosen by the Junior Debutante Co-Chairmen.
• Ad Journal: Each Junior Debutante will be required to sell at no less than 5 Ad Journal pages.

 The Debutante candidate application will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Completeness
2. Spelling, grammar, content and presentation
3. GPA
4. Extracurricular activities
5. Essay

Application Checklist: All applications must be thoroughly completed in order to be reviewed and considered. Applications must be submitted electronically:

• One (1) COMPLETED application package
• One (1) Unofficial Transcript (to be submitted with the application)
• One (1) Official Transcript (Upon acceptance an official transcript is required)
• One (1) Recommendation Letter (from school counselor or teacher)

Incomplete applications and applications submitted after 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2025, will not be considered.

If you have any questions, please contact the Debutante Cotillion Program Co-Chairmen via email at cotillion@thetapiomegachapter.org. The Theta Pi Omega Chapter Debutante Cotillion Program Committee reserves the right to eliminate any incomplete or late applications.

PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION

At least 1 Parent/Guardian MUST complete the following information:

ACADEMIC/COMMUNITY INFORMATION

ESSAY INFORMATION: The Application must include a 250 word essay on the question below:

How can the 19th Debutante Cotillion Program be an important part of your personal development?

Applicant Participation Contract:

By signing this form below, I affirm that all contents of the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program application are accurate and complete, as submitted, to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that falsified statements and misrepresentations will result in immediate dismissal from the program and that any fees paid up to that point are non-refundable. I authorize representatives of the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program committee to verify statements made in the attached application packet.

I agree that, as a Junior Debutante, I will:

• Pay a $250 non-refundable Program fee by the established deadline of May 24, 2025 (program fees not paid by the due date will result in dismissal from the program);
• Sell no less than 5 Ad Journal pages;
• Sell no less than 5 Cotillion Ball tickets to friends, family, and other supporters; and
• Actively participate in all events and programs relating to the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program and represent myself, my family and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Pi Omega Chapter with courtesy and respect.

Your signature below indicates that you have read and agree with the entire Applicant Participation.

 

Participation Certification Form

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® – Theta Pi Omega Chapter expects all participants in the 19th Debutante Cotillion Program to uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and conduct. Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on themselves and the organization at all times, including on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Vine, Snapchat, YouTube, Tumblr, and others. Inappropriate or harmful use of social media that negatively impacts the participant, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, or others will not be tolerated.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Theta Pi Omega chapter retains the right to exercise exclusive control, regarding the participation of any applicant in the Debutante Cotillion Program by declining an applicant's participation; withdrawing the privilege of participation; and by further declining any participant's participation in the Debutante Cotillion.

Each participant is requested to certify and affirm the truthfulness of each of the following statements by signing below:

• I am neither married, nor have I ever been married, nor will I become married prior to or during the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program.
• I am not pregnant, nor will I become pregnant prior to or during the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion.
• I have neither been arrested, charged, nor convicted of a criminal violation, nor have I ever been the subject of any prior criminal violation, or any other violation of a rule or policy that reflects poor moral.
• I will not use illegal drugs or alcohol while participating in the 19th Biennial Debutante Cotillion Program.
• I am neither the subject of a pending suspension or expulsion, nor have I ever been suspended or expelled from any school for any reason.
• In the event of a change of circumstance after the date of this certification regarding any matter contained herein, I will immediately and forthrightly notify the Cotillion Chairmen of the details of any such matter, with the full understanding that the Theta Pi Omega Chapter retains the exclusive rights, at any time, to decline my participation for failure to adhere to all participation criteria.

Your signature below indicates that you have read and agree with the entire Participation Contract.

Media Release Form

I hereby grant Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Pi Omega chapter permission to use my likeness in a photograph/video in all its publications, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration.

I understand and agree that these materials will become the property of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Pi Omega chapter and will not be returned.

I hereby irrevocably authorize Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Pi Omega chapter to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute this photo/video for purposes of publicizing Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Pi Omega chapter’s programs or for any other lawful purpose. In addition, I waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written or electronic copy, wherein my likeness appears.

I hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Pi Omega chapter from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.

I have read this release before signing below and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this release.

Your signature below indicates that you have read and agree with the entire Media Release Form.