67th Monmouth County Cotillion : Preparing The next generation of leaders and scholars

Long Branch, NJ – For 67 years, the Monmouth County Cotillion has recognized the achievements of outstanding students and encourage them to attain and maintain high standards in academics, deportment, and citizenship.

Monmouth County Cotillion

Since its inception in 1949, the cotillion has presented over $1.7 million in scholarships to Monmouth County high school students. The program exposes students to public speaking, networking, community service, and etiquette.

D’Naja Samari Jeffries (Queen), Xavier Elijah Norman (King)

67th ball

This year, the 67th annual ball took place at Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, NJ where senior and junior debutantes spent weeks preparing for the big day, rehearsing tedious dances, and meeting with business leaders and mentors. The Ball caps off an intense 20+ week program and introduced 21 seniors and 14 underclassmen from various Monmouth County high schools including Asbury Park, Donovan Catholic, Freehold Borough, Long Branch, Monmouth Regional, Neptune, Ocean Township, Red Bank Catholic, and Red Bank Regional.

Monmouth County Cotillion scholarships

During the ball, participants take home awards and scholarships as they prepare to enter their next phase of academic excellence. This year, the cotillion gave away over $40,000 in scholarships to its participants including The Julia Taylor-Straughter Memorial Awards, Florence B. Hayes Founders Memorial Award, Avery Grant Awards, Cheryl Johnson Memorial Award, Beulah Jelks Awards, McCowan Family Memorial Awards, The Central Jersey Club of NANBPWC Award, Inc. and The Patricia Wilds Family Award.

At the end of the ceremony, a senior escort and debutante are crowed King and Queen who received the highest score on the skills test each participant takes.  This year’s king is Xavier Elijah Norman of Monmouth Regional High School who plans to study Computer Science at North Carolina A&T.  This year’s queen is D’Naja Samari Jeffries of Neptune High School, who plans to study Forensic Psychology at Montclair State University.

Escorts

NJ General Assemblyman Eric Houtaling, NJ General Assemblywoman Joann Downey and Kevin McMillan from the City of Neptune presented proclamations recognizing the $1.7 million in scholarships awarded to date as well as MCCCI’s commitment to Monmouth County youth. MCCCI was also honored by Senator Robert Menendez at his annual “Standing On the Shoulders of Giants” Black History Month celebration in February.

Next year’s cotillion will be held May 7th, 2018 at the Ocean Place Spa and Resort. Students interested in applying, please visit their website.