Youth Application Overview
Collin County Alumnae Chapter
Since its founding in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has clearly distinguished itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans. Over the years, a wide range of programs addressing education, health, international development, and strengthening of the African American family have evolved. In realizing its mission, Delta Sigma Theta provides an extensive array of public service initiatives through its Five Point Programmatic Thrust, Delta Academy, Delta G.E.M.S, EMBODI, and the Collin County Alumnae Chapter's Annual Cotillion.
Delta Academy:
The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is a unique program designed for young ladies ages 11-14 years (grades 6-8). The goals of the Academy are to enhance or spark interest in math, science, technology, and/or careers where minority women are scarcely represented. The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy’s aim is to shape well-rounded young women by focusing on African American history, literacy, character development, healthy choices, and service learning.
Eligibility and Requirements:
- Young ladies, 11 to 14 years of age (grades 6-8), who have potential for success but limited opportunities.
- Young ladies who are interested in developing themselves and sharpening various skills (i.e., literacy, math, and science).
- Young ladies identified by schools, churches, youth groups, or concerned individuals as candidates.
- Young ladies interested in service, education, and technology.
- Young ladies who enjoy learning new things.
- Young ladies who express interest in math, science, technology or other non-traditional careers.
Delta G.E.M.S:
The Delta G.E.M.S. program addresses the needs of young African American young ladies in grades 9 through 12 (Ages 14 – 18) with a framework for the participants to discover and understand their individual brilliance by embracing the aims of the G.E.M.S. theme, Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully. The Delta G.E.M.S. program includes monthly workshops and outreach activities to engage young ladies in experiences for personal development in the areas of leadership, self-awareness, community service, and college & career preparation.
Eligibility and Requirements:
- Young ladies, 14 to 18 years of age (grades 9-12), who have potential and need guidance, support, and skills to achieve success.
- Young ladies interested in developing leadership skills.
- Young ladies who are interested in actively pursuing future college and/or career options.
- Young ladies who could benefit from encouragement and support in pursuit of higher learning.
EMBODI:
EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) is a national program sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The purpose of the program is to focus on improving the plight of the African American male. EMBODI is designed for boys who are in 8th - 12th grades.
Eligibility and Requirements:
- Young men who are no younger than 13 years old and no older than 18 years old as of their most recent birthday (grades 8-12).
- Young men who have potential and need guidance, support, and skills to achieve success.
- Young men who are interested in actively pursuing future college and/or career options.
- Young men who could benefit from encouragement and support in pursuit of higher learning.
Cotillion:
This nine-month youth development program is designed to educate, enlighten, and empower high school juniors and seniors, while enhancing their personal growth as these young ladies transition into adulthood. Through a series of life skills workshops and cultural events, the selected teens will learn etiquette and social graces, prepare for college, and participate in service projects. Upon completion of this program, CCAC will present our Debutantes to society. This is a fee-based program, and acceptance is contingent upon meeting all requirements.
Eligibility and Requirements:
- Applications will be considered until the capacity is met.
- Applicants must be a 2026-2027 high school senior for Debutante status, or a 2026-2027 high school junior for Lady in Waiting status.
- Applicants must be a female Junior or Senior between the ages of 16 and 18.
- Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, based on a 4.0 grading scale (clearly identified on and verified by the official transcript).
- Applicants must demonstrate interest and involvement in public service and community-related activities.
- Applicants must demonstrate goals, aspirations, and plans to pursue an education beyond high school.
- Applicants must have evidence of good moral character, which includes but is not limited to:
- No record of poor discipline at school or in the community.
- No criminal, misdemeanor, or court record of any kind.
- Must not be a parent.
- If you are currently pregnant, or become pregnant during the Cotillion Season, you will become ineligible and not allowed to continue participating in Cotillion activities and the Cotillion presentation.
- Applicants must not have previous or current employment in places of entertainment, i.e., bars, clubs, etc.
- Applicants must be able to commit to attending all necessary rehearsals and activities that occur throughout the Cotillion Season
- If selected, debutante applicants understand that an Escort is required to participate, and applicants are responsible for securing an Escort to present them at the cotillion ball.
- If selected to participate in the fee-based Cotillion program, applicants and their families must agree to adhere to all program guidelines. These include, but are not limited to: timely payment of all required fees, compliance with the youth code of conduct, adherence to the dress code, and demonstration of respectful behavior.
The completed application must include:
- Delta Academy, Delta G.E.M.S, EMBODI, and Cotillion: Application must be completed and signed.
- Cotillion: A copy of an official school transcript with a minimum 2.5 GPA based on a 4.0 grading scale. The GPA must be "clearly identified" on the transcript. Transcript copies are to be emailed to ccac.cotillion@gmail.com.
- Cotillion: Letter of Recommendation (can not be from a family member) must be signed and emailed directly to ccac.cotillion@gmail.com from the individual supplying the recommendation.
- Cotillion: A current photograph