The Debutante Cotillion returns for its 39th year!
Please view these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for information that may be helpful:
2025 Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program?
A: In the Debutante Cotillion & Scholarship Program young ladies who are juniors and seniors in high school are equipped, encouraged and stimulated to pursue higher education, academic excellence, personal development, and civic engagement. Underserved and minority young ladies are the focus of the program’s objectives which aim to:
Enhance personal, civic and leadership development through structured educational workshops.
Promote high academic achievement and provide scholarships towards higher education.
Promote servant leadership through volunteerism and community service.
Promote high ethical standards, character development, good citizenship, and social graces during the formative years.
Promote camaraderie and positive relationships with other young women.
Promote artistic expression and health through dance and movement.
The program objectives are achieved through an almost seven-month curriculum consisting of educational workshops, activities, community service outings, rehearsals, and social events are all part of the program’s seven-month curriculum. On Sunday, November 9, 2025, the program will culminate with the Debutante Cotillion Scholarship Ball at which the young ladies will be formally presented to society and awarded scholarships.
Q: What does the program involve?
A: The Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program is made up of four key components:
Educational workshops and social activities
Community service
Rehearsals
The Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Presentation at the Indiana Roof Ballroom
Q: What are the application requirements?
A: In order to be considered for the Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program, applicants must:
Be a rising high school junior or senior during the 2025-2026 school year.
Have fully completed the on-line application (including essay, recommendation form, $40 non-refundable application fee, and submission of transcript) on or before Saturday, February 22, 2025. The online application and additional instructions for application are available at www.akaiei.org starting February 1, 2025.
Have a minimum of a C+ unweighted cumulative grade point average, which must be verified by an official transcript from the high school. Transcript must be submitted as a part of the application process.
Participate in an interview. Interviews will be scheduled after the online application and all supporting materials are received.
Q: What is the deadline for submitting an application? Where can I get an application?
A: Applications are due by Saturday, February 22, 2025. The online application and additional instructions for application are available at www.akaiei.org
Q: Is there a fee to participate?
A: Yes. There is a $400.00 non-refundable fee for participation in the program should you be selected. The participation fee is due at the orientation meeting on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Q: What does the fee include?
A: The participation fee covers all materials, resources and food needed for the educational workshops, service activities, debutante rehearsals and specified debutante activities.
Q: Will there be an informational meeting?
A: There will be 2 meetings. The first meeting will be held virtually on February 10, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:00pmclick here to register/join where the program will be explained further, and you and your parents will have a chance to ask additional questions. The second meeting will be for those who are selected to participate in the program.
Q: When does the program start and end?
A: The program will begin at the beginning of May, and continue throughout the summer, and end in November with the formal event of the Debutante Cotillion Ball on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Q: Will I be able to participate in other school activities?
A: You may participate in other school activities; however, you will need to remember that selection into the program involves being able to participate in the cotillion activities including workshops and rehearsals. You must also participate in community service activities. You will want to decide how to balance your schedule. Workshop and rehearsals will be held on the weekends either Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons.
Q: Do I have to buy a dress?
A: Debutantes are responsible for purchasing or renting their own gown, shoes, and crinoline slip for the Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Ball.
Q: Can my family attend the event and what is the date of the event?
A: Yes, in fact, each debutante is required to sell a minimum of one table (10 tickets) and are encouraged to invite family and friends. Tickets are $108. The date of the Debutante Cotillion is Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Q: Are there awards presented on the night of the Cotillion?
A: Absolutely!
Each qualifying debutante will be awarded a scholarship.
The Queen, 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, and 3rd Runner up awards are presented to those Debutantes who have engaged the most in the Debutante experience.
Miss Congeniality is selected by her fellow Debutantes.
A Community Service award is presented to the Debutante who completed the most hours of community service.
A Scholastic Achievement award is presented to the Debutante with the strongest academic achievement.
Attendance awards are presented to each Debutante who has perfect attendance.
Debutante Cotillion & Scholarship Program
The Debutante Cotillion returns for its 39th year!
Please view these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for information that may be helpful:
2025 Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program?
A: In the Debutante Cotillion & Scholarship Program young ladies who are juniors and seniors in high school are equipped, encouraged and stimulated to pursue higher education, academic excellence, personal development, and civic engagement. Underserved and minority young ladies are the focus of the program’s objectives which aim to:
The program objectives are achieved through an almost seven-month curriculum consisting of educational workshops, activities, community service outings, rehearsals, and social events are all part of the program’s seven-month curriculum. On Sunday, November 9, 2025, the program will culminate with the Debutante Cotillion Scholarship Ball at which the young ladies will be formally presented to society and awarded scholarships.
Q: What does the program involve?
A: The Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program is made up of four key components:
Q: What are the application requirements?
A: In order to be considered for the Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program, applicants must:
Q: What is the deadline for submitting an application? Where can I get an application?
A: Applications are due by Saturday, February 22, 2025. The online application and additional instructions for application are available at www.akaiei.org
Q: Is there a fee to participate?
A: Yes. There is a $400.00 non-refundable fee for participation in the program should you be selected. The participation fee is due at the orientation meeting on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Q: What does the fee include?
A: The participation fee covers all materials, resources and food needed for the educational workshops, service activities, debutante rehearsals and specified debutante activities.
Q: Will there be an informational meeting?
A: There will be 2 meetings. The first meeting will be held virtually on February 10, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:00pm click here to register/join where the program will be explained further, and you and your parents will have a chance to ask additional questions. The second meeting will be for those who are selected to participate in the program.
Q: When does the program start and end?
A: The program will begin at the beginning of May, and continue throughout the summer, and end in November with the formal event of the Debutante Cotillion Ball on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Q: Will I be able to participate in other school activities?
A: You may participate in other school activities; however, you will need to remember that selection into the program involves being able to participate in the cotillion activities including workshops and rehearsals. You must also participate in community service activities. You will want to decide how to balance your schedule. Workshop and rehearsals will be held on the weekends either Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons.
Q: Do I have to buy a dress?
A: Debutantes are responsible for purchasing or renting their own gown, shoes, and crinoline slip for the Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Ball.
Q: Can my family attend the event and what is the date of the event?
A: Yes, in fact, each debutante is required to sell a minimum of one table (10 tickets) and are encouraged to invite family and friends. Tickets are $108. The date of the Debutante Cotillion is Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Q: Are there awards presented on the night of the Cotillion?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: You can email us any questions you may have at [email protected]
2025 Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program APPLICATION–deadline SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025.