2025/2026 Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion Participant Packet
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To successfully execute the mission of the Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion, there must be a team of qualified professionals leading its implementation. The following outlines the positions on our Steering Committee and their corresponding job descriptions. This list is not exhaustive, but it does identify the basic job descriptions for each coordinator/director.
Dr. Gordon S. Jones, Senior Pastor
Karsten Rogers, Youth/Young Adult Pastor
Marsha Bardo, Director - 615-554-4459 marshabardo@aol.com
Juanita Anderson, Director of Celebrations & Events - 615-767-7332 aboveallassistant@gmail.com
Meredeth McCraw, Director of Communications - 615-474-3262 meres3sons@hotmail.com
Terrica Mixon, Director of Ticket Sales - 615-997-4883 mixon.terrica@yahoo.com
Kay Higgs, Director of Programming- 615-545-3108 kayhiggs@gmail.com
Jennifer Hutton, Self-Knowledge Coordinator
Ebony Israel, Cultural-Knowledge Coordinator
Johnny Holliday, Economic-Knowledge Coordinator
Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion Email Address: Cotillion@riversidenashville.org
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The above-mentioned quote challenges youth-development programs in two key areas: (1) disseminating the knowledge attained by previous generations, and (2) facilitating a healthy environment for the innovation of past ideas into new ideas. Both of these benchmarks require a strategic, systematic approach to mentorship, education, and discipleship. Getting these types of results will not happen on accident; it takes an intentionally formatted curriculum to bring about past and present consciousness in a student.
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Riverside’s Youth & Young Adult Ministries is committed to achieving the two above-mentioned benchmarks through its Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion program. The cotillion seeks to develop junior and senior high-school students in the areas of God-knowledge, Self-knowledge, Cultural-knowledge, Economic-knowledge, and Educational-knowledge over an eight-month mentorship program. This mentorship training is comprised of mandatory activities lead by qualified professionals, covering five target development areas (i.e. God, Self, Culture, Economy, and Education). Once a candidate has successfully completed the standards of all five development areas, they will be presented to the community at a formal cotillion gala and confirmed as exceptional, conscious, young adults.
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The Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion program is comprised of training exercises that exist to improve competence in five key areas: God-knowledge, Self-knowledge, Cultural-knowledge, Economic-knowledge, and Educational-knowledge.
Below, the requirements for each target area have been outlined.
God-knowledge
Attend spiritual retreat
Attend two (2) 412-type events
Attend four (4) bible studies
Self-knowledge
Attend one purity-focused seminar
Attend one etiquette event
Attend two High-School community outreach events
Cultural-knowledge
Attend one cultural field trip
Perform in the Nosce Te Ipsum Talent Show
Participate in a group dance presentation and attend the required rehearsals for a performance at the Nosce Te Epsom Cotillion/Beautillion
Economic-knowledge
Attend a resume building seminar and successfully generate an updated resume
Attend a Career Mixer event
Successfully build your own scholarship fund of at least $1,500 by philanthropically engaging donors and sponsors
Educational-knowledge
Complete FAFSA application (Seniors only)
Attend a College Preparatory event
Each Cotillion/Beautillion participant must complete the requirements by the calendared target date. Failure to complete the requirements or two unexcused absences from the monthly events, may cause the candidate to forfeit participation in the Cotillion/Beautillion celebration and they will not receive a refund of the $500 raised participant fee. NTI will still retain a percentage of all funds raised. The curriculum above only outlines the baseline requirements—please see the program calendar for a complete list of event offerings.
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Before applying for this exclusive program, please consider the following minimum requirements. A Debutante/Beau:
Must classify as a junior or senior in high school or home school as of August 31, 2025.
Must possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better on a four-point scale as of August 31, 2025.
Must exhibit high moral and ethical standards.
Must be unmarried and have no children.
Must have plans to pursue a post-secondary education at a college, university, or certified trade program.
Participation Fee - $500 (plus a percentage of total funds raised) which includes all activities listed.
Table Sales - Each participant will be required to sell 8 tickets (one table) to the gala celebration. Cost of any unsold tickets will be deducted from funds raised by the participant
Fundraising - Each debutante/beau will be required to raise a minimum $1,500 (not including the participation fee).
Secure a gown (debutantes) or tuxedo (beaus) that comply with NTI Attire Committee Guidelines and meet their approval.
Attend mandatory scheduled events, including seminars, vespers, retreat and rehearsals.
Be on time to scheduled activities. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Tardiness may result in fines (refer to the Fee Schedule).
Exhibit an attitude desirous of participating in NTI Program. Your participation is strictly VOLUNTARY!!! If at any time during the course of this program your attitude, words and/or behavior reflects that you are not interested in participating further, the NTI Committee reserves the right to terminate your contract with NO REFUND of your participation fee.
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The Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion is a voluntary process that partners with students, parents, and the Riverside Nashville Seventh-day Adventist Church to provide a rite-of-passage opportunity for outstanding high-school candidates. Due to the voluntary nature of the program, there is a no-tolerance policy for any activity deemed unbecoming of a cotillion candidate. The Nosce Te Ipsum Cotillion/Beautillion operates under a two-strike policy. After the first infraction, the offender and parents will be required to attend a parent-facilitator meeting where behavior will be addressed. The candidate will then remain on probation for the remainder of the program. Should another infraction occur, the candidate will be dismissed from the program and as mentioned above and will NOT receive a refund of participation fees. Any donations received, minus a percentage of total funds raised, will be retained and made available for the participant’s educational expenses only.
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PARTICIPATION FEE (includes the following): $500 (Plus a percentage of total funds raised)
Complimentary Cotillion/Beautillion Tickets (2) for the participant and the participant’s escort
Cultural Activities
Educational Activities
Workshops
Professional Photography Session
Rite of Passage Ceremony with Sash
METHODS OF PAYMENT: Online donations and electronic payments only. Payments and donations should be submitted to the “donation” tab found on our official website. (nticotillion.org)