RBR Students Rise and Shine at Cotillion

Stark white princess ball gowns and black tuxedos with tails, parasols, tiaras and a gallant court of junior maidens can only mean  the 61^st annual  Monmouth County Cotillion.  This highly anticipated spring affair is steeped in black cultural tradition. On May 14, the 29 senior debutantes and escorts ready to make their mark on the world were presented in grand style at Asbury Park’s Convention Hall. 

Commonly known as The Cotillion, the event was founded by Florence Hayes to provide scholarship opportunities for Monmouth County students like Shavon Shobe and Jhakiel Jackson, both of whom attend .  This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Hayes.  The gala event is a culminating day of weekly Sunday rehearsals and social activities that include a high tea, fashion and talent show, and the mentor career day program, which all started in January.

Indeed, the weekly practices paid off with signature dance routines executed with perfection. The debutante specialty dance was performed with parasols and was choreographed by Patricia Wilds to "The Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet," arranged by Henry Mancini. A jazz routine paired the debutantes with their escorts, and was a perfectly synchronized show stopper.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our kids and talent in a positive manner,” said Red Bank Regional Principal Risa Clay, who has been coming to the event for 15 years.  “That’s been the tradition of the cotillion.”

Dawn Kaszuba, director of Student Personnel Services at Red Bank Regional, witnessed the event for the first time this year.

“I am impressed by the opportunity for our kids to show the commitment that they can make,” she said. 

Shobe, who compared the preparation of the event to a triathlon, discovered the grueling experience to be well worth it.

“Preparing for the run is going to the tea, because you’re learning about the tradition of the cotillion,” said Shobe, who plans to attend Jefferson Community College in Kentucky. “The swimming portion of the triathlon is the selling of the ads and tickets, because it isn’t as easy as it seems. Getting rejected sometimes by people is like cramps you may get while swimming.  Reaching the finish line is the actual day. You’ve made it and can give yourself a pat on the back and be proud that you were successful. It was a long process but it is worth the efforts put forth.”  

Jackson, who plans to attend Florida Memorial University in the fall said, “This experience kept me busy and helped me grow up. I feel like I am accomplishing more. “

Other local escort participants were Samuel Jones Jr., of Red Bank, and Jesse Moorer Jr., who is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank.  Moorer escorted his daughter, Shae Moorer, whose experience captured the essence of the cotillion.

“All of us realize there is something beyond high school," said Moorer. "We all understand and have grown from the tools they’ve given us in preparation for life by doing things the right way."