National League of Junior Cotillions
Pine Belt Chapter
Welcome
MISSION STATEMENT
To act and learn to treat others with honor, dignity and respect for better relationships with our family, friends and business associates later in life and to learn to practice ballroom dance.
The National League of Junior Cotillions doesn't just teach etiquette and ballroom dancing. The purpose of the Junior Cotillion program is to give young people instruction and practice in courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them. Having the knowledge of social skills is important for every child's success in life. Through a program that builds self-confidence, character, and ethical behavior, we're dedicated to making a positive impact on young people and helping them become tomorrow's leaders.
REGISTRATION for 2026-2027 Cotillion Season Classes
is open!
The Greater Pine Belt Chapter
Click on the class tab for more information on these classes.
This Chapter offers classes in the Historic Downtown City of Laurel, MS at the HIstoric YWCO Trest Tea Room,428 West Oak Street at this time and we invite students from all of the surrounding areas in this Pine Belt area.
Class is usuallly on Wednesday after school and other alternate days may be added.
If you are in the Hattiesburg area we offer classes in the Hattiesburg Chapter for you. Please visit the website for Hattiesburg Chapter.
Please read the information below and we look forward to having your child in this program. If you would like you can email us at [email protected] to be included in the invitation list to inform you of this program and details.
Remember to: Like us on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/NLJCHPBC
Please remember to share this info and website with your friends and classmates.
Registration for the 2026-2027 Season is open. It is now time to register for our upcoming season! We are now registering for the Junior Cotillion Year I and Year II and Premier programs for the 2026-2027 Junior Cotillion season. To learn more about the curriculum for the Junior Cotillion and the different level cotillion programs, please visit the About tab. To register, please vist the Classes tab and go to the Section, Classes Available, select your class and Register by clicking on the Registration tab in this section.
My name is Roma Rahaim Graham, Director of this Chapter in your area. We are so proud of this program and the opportunity we offer your child. If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] or call 601-264-7019 h or 601-549-0631 c.
We look forward to our new season and hope that you will enroll today. The Junior Cotillion setting encourages young ladies and gentlemen to be confortable together, make new friends, and enjoy themselves.
We look forward to meeting you.
Thank you,
Roma Rahaim Graham
Director
Preparing today's youth for tomorrow's world
Announcements
Welcome to The Greater Pine Belt Chapter
Note:
We are looking forward to our end of the season Finale with the Grand Spring Ball on March 23, at the Historic YWCO in Downtown Laurel, MS.
Have a very Fun and restful Spring Breaks!
These are several different times for the different schools in the next weeks ahead so enjoy your time off!
Enjoy your time with Family and Friends and Practice some of your social skills you have learned this sesason and put into practice the Cotillion Way!!
Manners Matter all the time!!
Roma R. Graham
Director
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For NEW STUDENTS
Welcome to the NLJC Website
Meets once a month!
"We are looking forward to this opportunity to present the National League of Junior Cotillions program to everyone that may be interested. This program provides an excellent opportunity for children in this area to learn social skills that will be of value to them later in life" says Roma Rahaim Graham, director of the Junior Cotillion Programs in the Greater Laurel and Hattiesburg Areas.
The National League of Junior Cotillions is an etiquette and social dance training program that involves thousands of students nationwide. Through a program that builds self-confidence, character, and ethical behavior, we're dedicated to making a positive impact on young people and helping them become tomorrow's leaders. Students can be upcoming boys and girls 5th-9th graders.
Classes meet once a month to work with most all students schedules.
Please note that I will be available from 3 until 4:00 for any new parent that may have questions or need to register and meet with me. If you cannot attend the first class, you can still register and attend our next Class to be a part of this Season!
Returning and CURRENT STUDENTS:
Reminder!
We are so proud of your participation and we hope all enjoyed this event. Please share with us your photos of the evening. We appreciate your responses and so happy that all had a good time also! Don't forget to go ahead and register for the new Season of Cotillion this Fall. Invite your friends to join and they can attend the Parents' Reception if they would like to learn more about the program.
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NEW STUDENTS:
New Students Start Planning ahead for next season:
Please join us for the Registration for New Season of our Classes as we get ready for our Fall KIckoff.
Please go to the classes tab for more details about the classes and times.
You are invited to attend and share this information with your friends.
Go to the Registration tab on this website and complete information and submit.
We have been coordinating the class times and days with our parents for their suggestions and needs to best suit your schedules. Please let us hear from you. We will be happy to consider additional class times if it works for this group. Please complete your registration online on the Registration tab on the left side of this page and then complete and submit. You will receive information about the classes later this summer. For additional information or registration, please go to the side of this page and click on the registration tab or contact tab and/. or go to the class of your choice in the list below with the class schedule and click there on the registraiton tab and complete and submit.
Any questions please just email us at:
or call 601-264-7019 h or 601-549-0631.
Info for all Membership Dues are listed below each class/ year description in the Classes Available section. Please find the Classes tab on the left side of this page.
On-Line payment, or checks as well as payment plan customized to fit your budget is available. Please contact the Director for more information.
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If you are unable to attend the Parents' Reception yet wish to have your child enrolled in Junior Cotillion, please complete both sides of the registration card and return with a check for membership dues made payable to NLJC or you can register online by click on registration tab and mail the membership dues to the following address.
Mail to:
NLJC Greater Pine Belt Chapter
122 West Canebrake Boulevard
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Our national website is www.nljc.com
YOU CAN ALSO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NLJCHPBC
Roma Graham
NLJC Director
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For Returning Students:
Welcome Back!
Please register for the next level of classes for your new season this Fall! We look forward to having you join us for another fun season.
NOTE: 2026-2027 season.
SEASON TWO:
Class is usuallly on Wednesday and other alternate days may be added.
The Historic YWCO Tea Room
428 West Oak Street
Laurel, MS
Please help spread the word about Junior cotillion and do not forget to send in your student nominations for the next season !! It can be new students from the different grades and some that are in your class that did not get to join us this year and would like to join us next season.
YOU CAN ALSO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NLJCHPBC
PLease view the class section of the tabs to view the class schedule in each class. .
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NLJC Names Ten Best-Mannered People of 2025
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Best Mannered People of 2025! Parents and students love to see who "makes the cut" each year. This student-nominated list is a great way to see who our students value each year. Thanks for all of your nominations, and congratulations to this year's winners!
Each year, Cotillion students and Directors nationwide nominate numerous individuals for the “Ten Best-Mannered People” award. NLJC® strives to recognize the individuals that students look to as frontrunners in social etiquette, all-encompassing manners, and overall, with strong and replicable leadership qualities. These traits are the essence of the NLJC curriculum and foundational components that are embedded within the Junior Cotillion curriculum which has served over 50,000 students to date.
Thank you to those students that participated and submitted your selection that I then forwarded to our National Office to be included with this National process.
CHARLOTTE, NC – Naomi Osaka, recognized for her dignity, kindness, and thoughtful communication on and off the tennis court, leads the National League of Junior Cotillions® (NLJC) list of the Ten Best-Mannered People of the Year.
“These selections reflect individuals who consistently demonstrate honor, respect, and gracious conduct in their lives,” said NLJC Vice-President, Charles Winters II. “Each of these honorees exemplifies the character, courtesy, and leadership qualities we strive to instill in our students. They serve as admirable role models for young people navigating today’s social world.”
The 2025 Ten Best-Mannered People are:
1. Naomi Osaka – for exemplifying dignity, kindness, and gentle communication while inspiring young people to lead with quiet confidence on a global stage.
2. Simone Manuel – for her humility, perseverance, and encouragement of young athletes, paired with a consistently gracious demeanor in competition and public life.
3. Jordan Spieth – for embodying the traditions of golf through composure, honesty, integrity, and exemplary sportsmanship.
4. Caitlin Clark – for demonstrating confidence, courtesy, and poise, earning admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike.
5. Joe Burrow – for calm leadership, respectful communication, and a composed presence both on and off the field.
6. Lainey Wilson – for her authenticity, warmth, humility, and genuine connection with fans and communities, serving as a positive cultural rold model for families.
7. Emma Stone – for her warmth, humility, and kind, respectful interactions with audiences and members of the media
8. Marcus Rashford – for his generosity, compassion, and commitment to helping children in need, using his influence to uplift others.
9. Chris Hemsworth – for maintaining a polite, grounded presence and positive public image despite international fame.
10.Fernando Mendoza – for his humility and gratitude as a young leader, demonstrated on one of the biggest stages in college football, including a gracious acceptance
speech that honored his mother, family and teammates.
Each year, cotillion students and Directors nationwide nominate individuals for the Ten Best-Mannered People recognition. The honorees are selected for their consistent demonstration of good manners, respectful conduct, and leadership behaviors that young people can observe and emulate.
About the National League of Junior Cotillions®
Founded in 1989, the National League of Junior Cotillions® is a national organization dedicated to teaching etiquette, character, confidence, and leadership to young people. NLJC programs serve more than 400,000 students nationwide each year, helping children develop respect for themselves and others while preparing them for social, academic, and professional success.
About Director
The Director for this area is Roma Rahaim Graham. She is a graduate of University of Southern Mississippi and a Masters' Degree graduate with an MBA from William Carey University. Roma is excited to offer this program to families in the Pine Belt Area. I enjoy seeing the students grow with the poise, self confidence, and assurance of knowing the proper way to conduct oneself in different social situations. She is so happy to offer this program to the young people in her hometown.