16 seniors honored at Cotillion of Achievements Ball

By Jazmine Knight

16 high school seniors (8 males and 8 females) from across Buchanan and Andrew county have been recognized for their impeccable achievements..

The 37th annual Cotillion for Achievement Ball was hosted at the St. Joseph Country Club. 

Each student, from ten different schools, gets the opportunity to invite their closest friends and family as they honor their leadership qualities, academic excellence and community involvement. 

Finalists for cotillion are selected from a panel of judges who analyze the student’s application, GPA and extracurricular activities in school and in the community to find the most well rounded candidates.

Leading up to the ball, the students endured a rigorous program where they participated in various activities to prepare for this night. 

At the ball, guests will be served dinner with an awards ceremony and waltz to follow. Students get to choose their own waltz partner, however most choose a parent. 

At the end of the night, each student will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Two students (one male and one female) will be selected to receive a $2,000 scholarship. 

Proceeds to these scholarships are generated locally and all of the money goes directly back to the students.

Cotillion board member, Mary Beth Revels, says there are so many wonderful things she loves about the cotillion.

“They really get to be honored and their families are here to hear the wonderful things that they’ve done,” she said. 

Revels says the students favorite part is typically the endless leadership opportunities that cotillion unlocks. She continues by stating that each student is so poised even when faced with intimidating tasks. 

“It can be intimidating,” Revel said. 

“They are standing there in front of the entire group of everyone who is in attendance to hear all about the achievements that they’ve done.”

Revels says she’s really proud of this program and how they’ve been able to honor these special students.