A Return to Grace, and Cha-Cha-Cha

Out on the dance floor, Kelly shone in a long, white gown and towered over her partner of the moment, 12-year-old Andrew Jones. "One. Two. Cha-cha-cha. One. Two. Cha-cha-cha," she directed, varying their pace with an occasional command: "TURN."

The five-course series includes lessons in table manners, phone etiquette (such as, girls should only call boys when changing plans, getting homework or returning a call) and how to settle into a chair. "We teach the boys to sit strong and the girls to sit pretty," Michie said.

The program costs about $300, and Michie said occasionally scholarships are available so that more young people can have the chance to learn job interview skills and the proper way to enter a restaurant with a date (boys should let girls walk ahead, unless they are seating themselves, in which case the boys should lead).

Next year, Michie would like to start an advanced program for third-year students, which would include an extra trip to the country club for lessons in tennis and golf etiquette. She also has plans to add a theater component so young people can practice the proper way to be seated, along with a catered reception so they can learn how to conduct themselves around heavy hors d'oeuvres.

"You think it's, like, really boring and gross, but it turns out to be pretty fun," said Brendon Wells, 12, of Purcellville, who along with many of his male classmates did not come to cotillion by choice.

"Gentlemen, rise," was Brendon's cue from the night's emcee to get out of his chair. Upon standing, he buttoned the top two buttons of his jacket as he had been taught to do and then went around to help his dance partner with her chair so he could escort her to the refreshment table for cake and punch.

This program is about teaching young people "to treat others with honor, dignity and respect," said Anne Colvin Winters, who co-founded the National League of Junior Cotillions in 1978.

"There's nothing old-fashioned about being kind and considerate," Winters said.