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By Lisa Moore
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
Wellesley Cotillion is a town tradition dating back to the 1940s. What started as “The Christmas Cotillion,” an exclusive dance attended by members of a dance class, the Wellesley Cotillion has evolved into a rite of passage for the town’s junior and senior students.
Nearly 700 students and dozens of parent chaperones braved the winter storm on Saturday evening to attend the elegant affair held at Boston University’s Metcalf Hall Ballroom. Donning tuxedos and evening gowns along with their winter boots, the throng of young ladies and gentlemen converged upon Wellesley High School, where attendees boarded one of 17 coach buses rented for the evening to ferry the students safely to the dance. Upon arrival, students followed tradition by going through a receiving line, greeting parent chaperones and introducing their dates, a skill many learned back in fifth grade during ballroom dance and etiquette training.
Once the formalities of the evening were addressed, the students filled the dance hall and lounge. Throughout the evening, a DJ kept the music pumping and the dance floor was filled with a sea of bodies as guests danced to their favorite songs, mingled with friends, and enjoyed a tasty array of hors d’oeuvres, and desserts.
Organizing an event of this magnitude requires a small army of parent volunteers. This year’s committee chairs, Camilla Boyce and Amanda Zarle worked tirelessly for months in preparation for the grand event, organizing parent volunteers, securing the venue, and ensuring the Cotillion would be a safe and enjoyable evening for all.
