New 'social graces school' open for Topeka students

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A local woman is hoping to bring some class to the Capital City this fall with the opening of a new series of etiquette classes for area youngsters.

KSNT 27 News spoke with Valerie Thornburg, a local teacher and adjunct faculty member at Washburn University's Biology Department, about her new etiquette school for children: Capitol Cotillion. Students can hope to learn about how to do classic dances, dress formally, set a table properly and more.

Thornburg said courses like this are a common sight in her home state of Virginia. She saw a need for a "social graces school" in Topeka while teaching at a local school several years ago.

"I was teaching science in Most Pure Heart's basement, it started with teaching the waltz as a calorie-burning lesson," Thornburg said. "I learned none of them knew how to do a waltz."

Classes for Capitol Cotillion will be offered at The Beacon event space in the downtown area starting this fall. Thornburg said students will learn things like the art of conversation, how to maintain eye contact, give proper handshakes and how to move a conversation forward. There will also be lessons on how to set tables properly and tie bowties.

"Kids really do need something like this," Thornburg said.

Students from 2nd to 4th grades and 6th to 8th grades can apply for classes at the Capitol Cotillion. Tuition costs for 2nd-4th graders is $55 while 6th-8th graders will need to pay $410. If a boy-girl pair register at the same time, tuition is taken down to $328 per student. Sessions for older students run from September to December this year and from January to April in 2025.

The Beacon can be found at 420 SW Ninth Street in Topeka. To learn more about Topeka Cotillion or register for a class, click here. You can also follow Topeka Cotillion on Facebook or Instagram.

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