How often do you get a chance to dress up with the whole family and attend a ball? What is a cotillion ball anyway and why is TIA having one?
For the last three years, TIA students have enjoyed a unique social event. A Cotillion, a more formal and reserved debutante ball, gives students the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and showcase a dance they learn in school during P.E. class. Learning a dance each year is required for all students at all campuses and “after learning it, many students end up going to the Cotillion who would have otherwise not attended,” said Arlene Canez, Administrator at TIA’s West Campus.They Key Difference Between TIA's Cotillion and a Typical School Dance?
This year’s Cotillion held on Friday, April 27th, 2012 was no exception. The event had 90 staff, students, and family members in attendance. That’s a key difference between TIA’s annual Cotillion and a typical school dance. It gives the families of students the opportunity to dress up and come together for an elegant dinner and dance as a family. The faculty of TIA set out with a purpose to create a unique and purposeful event with the goal to bring families together, teach students to interact socially, and showcase their dance talents.This Years Dance: Tango!
Of the four schools in Tucson, three schools had enough students attending to showcase their dance with this year’s student vote being the Tango. One unique highlight to this year’s event was the attendance of TIA’s very own dance club. They received a great response as they showcased the Salsa. Students visited and danced the night away with fellow students from other schools. It was amazing to hear how much interaction and social building took place between students from different campuses. It’s easy to understand cliques and students grouping up with their friends. TIA has designed this event so that all the schools in Tucson can come together, interact, watch each other’s showcase, and grow in their social skills. It’s like a prom with parents but, more elegant, less stigma, and more educational. Mrs. Canez said, “The students didn’t separate out, they actually got to know each other!” To encourage attendance, TIA allows students to make payments on their tickets.