Essence de Noire

2019-20 Cotillion Participant Guidelines

Southfield Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

The Experience

The Essence de Noire debutante experience is designed to be a rite of passage and presentation to society for young women. It is the intention of the Southfield Alumnae Chapter to assist the participants in becoming emotionally strong, socially smart, and spiritually connected. Activities emphasizing these characteristics will be implemented in the effort to ensure that each young lady experiences personal growth and receives preparation to be a leader in service to the African-American community.

Program Overview

Activities are planned for participants that will encourage growth in the areas of life skills, goal setting, and health, as well as commitment to themselves, family, and the community. Participants will have a memorable, fun, and engaging educational experience. A time commitment from three to five hours per week will be required, beginning in September 2019 and concluding with the in April 2020. There may be some exceptions during weeks that dance rehearsals are scheduled; please refer to the calendar of events for details. Planned activities include the following:

• Orientation/kick-off • Cultural activity • Five program workshops • Scholarship initiative • Community service project • Community service luncheon • Scheduled dance rehearsals • Formal Cotillion ball

Attendance is mandatory at every event. Unavoidable absences must be approved by the Cotillion chairs no later than one week prior to the event. Each debutante must attend a minimum of 80 percent of required events, and any absences must be excused.

Eighty percent equates to two missed activities. • Each participant must participate in the Community Service Project, Community Service Luncheon, Cultural Activity, and Cotillion Ball. • Each participant may be excused from one workshop and one dance rehearsal with proper notification.

Participation Requirements

To participate in the Essence de Noire Cotillion, all applicants must:

• Submit a completed application • Be in grades 10, 11 or 12 when school starts in the fall of 2019 • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale • Maintain a minimum participation level of 80 percent • Participate in the Scholarship Initiative • Submit a participation fee of $1300 per Debutante • Plan and participate in the Debutante community service project • Cover the cost of one table at the community service luncheon • Have both a senior escort and a junior escort (both male) o The senior escort may be a father, uncle, other adult family member, or friend. o The junior escort may be a brother, cousin, other youth family member, or friend. o Participation is required at dance rehearsals and the Cotillion ball by junior and senior escorts. o Escorts must agree to Cotillion attire guidelines, including required fees.

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Application Process

Applications for the Essence de Noire Cotillion can be downloaded at deltasac.org/cotillion. A completed application includes:

• A transcript of your high school coursework through December 2018 (please contact us if there are any problems obtaining this document) • One recommendation form completed by a school official • An essay (must meet the indicated requirements) • A signed commitment form (applicant and parent/guardian)

The electronic application will be available beginning April 13, 2019 and must be submitted by September 30, 2019 or before all slots are filled (whichever is earlier) to be considered. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and applicants will be notified of their acceptance status within two weeks of submission.

Participation Fee & Payment Guidelines

Both time and monetary commitments are required as part of this experience; however, the return will far surpass the investment!

The $1300 participation fee will cover the following:

• Six workshops (including materials, facility use, and refreshments) • Junior escort etiquette workshop materials • Cultural activity (including dinner up to $50) • Debutante professional headshot • Junior escort professional headshot • Choreography and dance rehearsal fees • Two Cotillion ball tickets (for debutante and junior escort) • Cotillion ball photos & video • Flowers for Cotillion ball (corsages, boutonnieres, roses) • Professional makeup application for Cotillion ball (debutante only) • Cotillion ball package o True white, floor-length gown with full petticoat o Single strand of pearls and matching pearl stud earrings o White pumps (closed toe and closed heel) o Opera-length satin gloves o Gown alteration and fitting fees

The participation fee is nonrefundable* and non-transferable. Payment of the fee may be made in full at once, or in up to five installments.

The fee schedule is as follows:

May 19, 2019 First Installment Due $200 June 15, 2019 Second Installment Due $200 September 15, 2019 Third Installment Due $300 October 20, 2019 Fourth Installment Due $300 November 17, 2019 Final Installment Due $300

Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, certified check, or money order. All checks must be written using blue or black ink and made payable to Delta Sigma Theta. Please denote Cotillion in the memo section if submitting payment by check. 3

All payments can be made in in person on the dates listed above only, or mailed to the address below:

Delta Sigma Theta - SAC P.O. Box 486 Southfield, MI 48037 Attention: Cotillion

If submitting payments by check, they must be received by the deadline dates listed above.

*Participants that voluntarily withdraw from the program prior to the September 2019 funds submission date may be eligible for 50% refund of funds paid, not to exceed $200. No refunds will be issued after the September 2019 funds submission date. A withdrawal form must be submitted in order to withdraw from the program.

Scholarship Initiative

Participants may solicit ad sales and patron donations from family, friends and/or businesses. Seventy percent of each debutante’s profits from ad sales and patron donations (after ad book production expenses) will be presented to the debutante in the form of an individual scholarship, and the remaining thirty percent will be contributed in the name of “Essence de Noire 2020” to the Scholarship Fund of the Southfield Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Size Cost Cover (Three Available) Inside Front | Inside Back | Outside Back $350 | $350 | $400 Full-Page $175

Half-Page $100 Quarter-Page $65

Business Card $35 Patron Donation (Name listed on patron page) $10

*The three cover ads (inside front, inside back, and outside back) are available on a first come, first served basis to participants once the registration fee has been paid in full.

Cotillion Ball

Debutantes and Junior Escorts will have special seating for the night. Parents and other invited guests may attend the Cotillion ball at the cost of $65 per person. A limited amount of discounted tickets will be available for participants in Southfield Alumnae Chapter's youth programs. Ticket sales will cover the costs for the evening, with any profit being contributed to SAC's scholarship fund in the name of "Essence de Noire 2020."

Tables will accommodate eight guests. You will be asked to submit a guest list by table, as well as menu selections for each of your guests. Cotillion ball tickets are available and will be distributed on a first paid, first reserved basis. Each debutante will have one prime-seating table reserved. The deadline date for guest list and meal selection submissions will be determined and communicated during the process.

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Prizes and Awards

Category Award/Prize Eligibility Cotillion Scholar 70% of profit from Ad Sales Debutante in good standing and Patrons Funds will be payable by Chapter check following the Scholarship Special gift, , Certificate of Debutante with highest GPA at the end Achievement of the Cotillion Experience as evidenced by official transcript received

Sisterhood Special gift, Sash, Certificate of Debutante with the most votes from the Achievement court and the advisors Service Special gift, Sash, Certificate of Debutante with the most votes from the Achievement court and advisors, Debutante with the most points accumulated in conjunction with the Community Service Project (Proposal, project planning/implementation, luncheon, etc.) Miss Essence de Noire Crown, Trophy, Sash, Certificate of The Debutante earning the most points Achievement from participation in the activities associated with the Cotillion Experience

• The Debutante selling the most Cotillion Ball tickets will receive 75% of profits from Ad Sales and special recognition at the Cotillion Ball. • The Debutante raising the most money in Ad Sales will receive 85% of the profits those Ad sales and special recognition at the Cotillion Ball.

Disqualification

Any of the following will result in immediate disqualification from the Essence de Noire Cotillion debutante experience:

• Failure to meet participation guidelines • Failure to meet payment deadlines • Disrespectful behavior towards participants (mentors, , or escorts) • Involvement in any incident resulting in a written report and meeting with parents

Any funds related to the Essence de Noire Cotillion debutante experience that are generated and/or submitted prior to disqualification are nonrefundable.

Contact Information

Please contact us with any questions at [email protected]. The Cotillion chairs may also be reached by phone:

• Lisa Montgomery, Cotillion Committee Chair at 313-585-5325 • Christina Owens, Cotillion Committee Co-Chair at 281-684-2879

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