The National League of Junior Cotillions has announced the appointment of Joy Collins as the new NLJC Director for the Demopolis-Blackbelt Chapter in Alabama.

The National League of Junior Cotillions program, which features character education, etiquette, and social dance training for fifth-through eighth-grade students, includes five classes and two balls over an eight month period.

The purpose of the National League of Junior Cotillions program is to give students instruction in ballroom dance and practice in the social courtesies needed for better relationships with their family and friends. Students actively learn life skills through a creative method employing role-playing, skits and games.

The social behavior component ranges from rules of conversation to formal and informal table manners. In addition to the usual courtesies connected with dancing, etiquette instruction is also provided with regards to the following: acknowledgment of gifts, behavior at cultural and civic events, correspondence, interaction in groups, introductions, paying and receiving compliments, receiving lines, sportsmanship and sports etiquette, instructional dinners, telephone courtesy, and many other areas of social conduct.

Collins is a native of Demopolis and still lives there with her husband, Woody Collins. Together they have raised two sons in the community. Joy is the former owner of The Mustard Seed, a gift shop in Demopolis and has over 35 years of retail experience. Today she works with Blackbelt Gardens and Gifts, serves in her church in several different capacities, and is involved in numerous community activities. She is a member of the Arts Council, the Demopolis Historical Society, a member of the 21 Luncheon Club, and a former student of Leadership Marengo. Joy feels the NLJC curriculum is something that she wants to be able to extend to her community.

The National League of Junior Cotillions is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the program was established in 1979. There are now over 400 chapters in 27 states across the country, involving thousands of students. President Charles Anthony Winters said, “We are delighted to see this training introduced in Demopolis, Alabama. It has had a great impact on the self-esteem and social development of young people across the country.”

If you would like to know more about the program, call Joy Collins at 334-341-3174.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, October 30 issue of the Demopolis Times.)