Cotillion is a two-year social club for outstanding junior and senior girls. The purpose of Cotillion is to organize a group of girls that will bond with one another, become aware of and improve important social skills, and continue growing into young ladies that will share common goals - the most important being to further their education. Lower Valley Cotillion Club is a social organization comprised of outstanding young women in Cameron (La Feria, Santa Rosa, San Benito, Rio Hondo, and Port Isabel) and Willacy Counties.

A Cotillion girl is one who is interested in pursuing a college education, with a career goal in mind. She has very high standards, is involved, confident, social, very well respected, has manners, and likes a challenge. A Cotillion girl is one who is honored to be invited to join, and upon acceptance, agrees to fulfill the responsibility of participating in all Cotillion functions.

A débutante is a girl or young woman who has reached the age of maturity and, as a new adult, comes out into society at a formal "debut" presentation. Debut presentations are often referred to as “débutante balls," "cotillion balls," or "coming-out" parties.

Lower Valley Cotillion Club is a two-year program with a variety of events that take place during the Débutante's junior and senior years of high school. These occasions, which every Débutante attends both years of her term, are:

• Mother/Daughter Luncheon in August
• Fall Luncheon in November
• Junior Dress Approval in December
• Débutante Ball in February
• Spring Luncheon in April

The Presentation Ball will be held in February 2025, with a rehearsal the day before.

Except for the Ball, all events are Sunday best, dresses-only attire. Girls should wear a dress that they would wear to church or an awards banquet. This applies to the mother/daughter luncheon as well. Dresses that are too short, low cut or have cut-outs are not appropriate.

The cost to participate in the Débutante program has increased from $550.00 to $600.00, paid during the junior year. The cost covers all events for two years, including invitations and postage, Mother/Daughter Social, Fall Luncheon, The Débutante Ball Formal Black Tie Event: formal presentation and senior celebration.

In addition to the program expense, the Débutante will incur the cost of her gown, gloves and shoes as well as family apparel for the Ball. The second year, members will need a gown and expenses will vary from girl to girl.

         • Membership Dues (first payment): $300.00 by July 15th

         • Membership Dues (second payment): $300.00 at the Mother/Daughter luncheon in August

         • White gown, gloves, petticoat & shoes: $500-$1,000 must be purchased by December.

         • Photographs (optional): approximately $100 by December.

         • Father/Presenter Tuxedo Rental: approximately $100 by January.

         • Escort's Tuxedo Rental: (escort's responsibility) approximately $100 by January.

Unfortunately, there are no refunds.

To be eligible for membership, a girl must:

• Be a resident of Cameron or Willacy Counties (excludes Harlingen) one full year prior to invitation, unmarried, and classified as a junior in high school fall of entry year.
• Exhibit high moral and ethical standards.
• Pay dues of 600.00 (in 2 installments). Dues are non-refundable. Dues include a non-refundable initial fee of $300.00 due by July 15; the balance of $300.00 is due on or before the Mother/Daughter luncheon in August.
• Wear an appropriate dress to each event and a white ball-gown to the Presentation Ball that meets the specified requirements as outlined under "Dress Requirements".
• Must RSVP to all invitations, whether acceptance or regrets, in writing and mailed to the Senior Advisor within 5 days after being received (not text or e-mail).
• Select a reliable male escort (age 15-20) and an adult male presenter (father or father figure) for the Presentation Ball.

The Lower Valley Cotillion Club Advisory Board is made up of nearly 40 women that work with local high schools to identify deserving young ladies in Cameron and Willacy Counties that will appropriately represent our community and organization. In addition, we encourage young ladies to apply directly for consideration. Applications are accepted through April 30th of the applicant's sophomore year. Invitations to join are mailed in June.

A Legacy is any girl whose mother or maternal grandmother was in Cotillion. Legacies are not automatically admitted, rather they are given preferential review and consideration.

Did you complete an application before the deadline? If you completed the application you would have received a confirmation email upon completion. All applications are time stamped. Please consider that Lower Valley Cotillion Club is a social club with limited membership.