Young Debs Inc. Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a youth development program is an important decision for both students and families. The following frequently asked questions provide an overview of the Young Debs Inc. Debutante & Beau Youth Presentation Program, our expectations, and the commitment involved. We encourage families to review this information together to determine whether Young Debs Inc. is a good fit for their student and family.
About the Program
What is the Young Debs Inc. Debutante & Beau Youth Presentation Program?
Young Debs Inc. is a youth development and mentorship organization serving students in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Our Debutante & Beau Youth Presentation Program combines mentorship, etiquette education, life-skills development, community service, cultural enrichment, academic accountability, and leadership development with the traditions of a Debutante and Beautillion/Cotillion program.
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Our goal is to help students develop confidence, character, discipline, cultural awareness, and practical skills that will prepare them for success in school, college, careers, and their communities.
Is Young Debs Inc. simply a Cotillion or Debutante Ball program?
No. The formal presentation is only one component of the Young Debs Inc. experience.
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Throughout the program year, students participate in youth workshops, etiquette education, service-learning projects, cultural activities, mentoring, academic enrichment, social experiences, and other opportunities for personal and leadership development.
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The annual Lavender Gala is the culminating celebration where eligible participants are formally presented and recognized for their accomplishments and growth throughout the program year.
Who is eligible to participate?
The program serves students beginning in the 3rd grade through 12th grade, generally ages 8–18. Participants are grouped according to grade level:
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Young Debutantes and Beaus: Grades 3–8
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Junior Debutantes and Beaus: Grades 9–11
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Senior Debutantes and Beaus: Grade 12
Students do not have to attend a Baltimore City public school to participate. Young Debs Inc. welcomes eligible students from throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area and surrounding communities.
What are the basic expectations for students?
Students are expected to maintain at least a B/80% academic average, demonstrate respect for themselves and others, maintain appropriate conduct at school and in the community, participate consistently in program activities, and meet the expectations outlined in the Student & Parent Handbook.
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Students are also expected to demonstrate personal responsibility, integrity, good citizenship, appropriate behavior, and accountability for their choices.
Program Commitment & Participation
How long does the program run?
The primary Debutante & Beau program generally begins with orientation in the fall and continues through the Lavender Gala in June.
Families should view Young Debs Inc. as a year-long youth development commitment rather than a short-term class or one-time formal event.
Students are encouraged to return annually through 12th grade as long as they remain eligible and in good standing with the organization.
How often are students expected to participate?
Activities are scheduled throughout the program year and may include etiquette classes, youth workshops, community service, cultural activities, social outings, academic enrichment, special events, and Lavender Gala rehearsals.
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Some activities are held on weekday evenings (virtual Youth Workshops only), while others occur on Saturdays (e.g. in-person youth workshops, etiquette classes, social outtings) Certain workshops may also be offered virtually. Families receive a program calendar to assist with planning.
Young Debs Inc. understands that students may participate in school sports, clubs, academic programs, employment, college tours, and other activities. Families are expected to communicate known scheduling conflicts in advance.
Does my child have to attend every Young Debs Inc. activity?
We understand that students have school, family, athletic, extracurricular, and other responsibilities, and we do not expect every student to attend every activity. However, consistent participation is an important expectation of the program.
Attendance at workshops, etiquette classes, service-learning activities, cultural events, and other qualifying program activities is documented throughout the year. Participation is also considered when determining whether a student is in good standing and when evaluating scholarship eligibility. Students are expected to participate in 70% of activities throughout the season.
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Families should review the annual Student & Parent Handbook for current participation requirements and procedures for reporting excused absences.
What if my child plays a sport or participates in another extracurricular activity?
We encourage students to remain involved in school sports, clubs, performing arts, academic programs, employment, and other positive extracurricular activities.
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If an ongoing activity conflicts with the Young Debs Inc. schedule, parents should provide the applicable school, team, or activity schedule when possible so conflicts can be documented.
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Communication is essential. Families should notify Young Debs Inc. as early as possible when a student will miss an activity so that we can work with families whenever reasonable.
Academics, Mentoring & Personal Development
Are there academic requirements?
Yes. Students are expected to maintain at least a B/80% academic average and remain in good academic standing.
Young Debs Inc. places a strong emphasis on education and personal accountability. Families are expected to provide requested academic progress information during the program year so that the organization can monitor students' progress and provide support when appropriate.
What do students learn in the program?
Programming varies from year to year, allowing returning students to continue developing existing skills while being exposed to new experiences and learning opportunities.
Students may participate in workshops and experiences addressing topics such as:
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Etiquette and dining skills
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Study habits and time management
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College preparedness
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Resume and personal statement writing
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Interview skills
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Health and hygiene
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Financial literacy
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Communication and public speaking
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Self-confidence and self-worth
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Leadership and decision-making
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Community service and civic responsibility
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Cultural and performing arts experiences
We emphasize both life skills and soft skills. These are practical abilities students can carry with them into high school, college, the workplace, and adulthood.
Are students assigned mentors?
Mentorship is an important part of the Young Debs Inc. mission. Mentors provide encouragement, guidance, academic support, and assistance with personal and professional development. Students are assigned to a mentor.
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Students also benefit from interaction with other adult volunteers, professionals, guest speakers, community partners, and members of the Young Debs Inc. leadership team.
These relationships expose students to adults with different educational, professional, and life experiences and help students begin developing networks outside of their immediate school and family environments.
Dues, Financial Assistance, Fundraising & Scholarships
How much does the program cost, and are payment plans or financial assistance available?
Annual program dues are $550 per student. There is a discount for families enrolling more than one child. Dues help support the cost of the Young Debs Inc. experience, including eligible program activities, workshops, etiquette instruction, cultural enrichment opportunities, program materials, and participation in the Lavender Gala.
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Young Debs Inc. recognizes that families have different financial circumstances. A limited number of full or partial sponsorships may be available each year for families experiencing financial hardship, based on available funding.
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We also work with families prior to the start of the program season to establish reasonable payment plans when needed. We encourage families experiencing financial hardship to communicate with us early so that we can work collaboratively to help ensure that finances do not unnecessarily prevent an eligible student from fully participating in the program.
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Families should also plan for certain personal expenses that are not included in annual dues, such as required formal attire, shoes, accessories, and other personal items associated with the Lavender Gala.
Is fundraising required?
Fundraising plays an important role in helping Young Debs Inc. provide quality programming, enrichment activities, scholarships, materials, and additional opportunities for participating students. Students and and families are required to participate in at least 1 fundraising activity for the 2026-2027 Season.
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Students and families are encouraged to support designated fundraising activities throughout the program year. Certain fundraising or Souvenir Journal requirements may also apply to students seeking scholarship consideration or to specific participant classifications.
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Because fundraising activities and requirements may vary from year to year, families should review the current Student & Parent Handbook for specific requirements.
Does every student receive a scholarship?
Scholarships are not guaranteed. Young Debs Inc. establishes an annual scholarship fundraising goal; however, actual awards depend upon available scholarship funds and each student's eligibility.
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Scholarship consideration may include factors such as academic standing, participation in qualifying program activities, completion of required documentation, fundraising participation, advertisement sales when applicable, achievement awards, service, and overall good standing in the program.
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Final scholarship awards and amounts are determined by Young Debs Inc. in accordance with the scholarship guidelines established for that program year.
The Lavender Gala & Growing With Young Debs Inc.
What is the Lavender Gala, and is participation required?
The Lavender Gala: Presentation of the Young & Junior Debutantes and Beaus is the culminating formal event of the Young Debs Inc. program year. During this special occasion, students are formally presented and recognized before their families, friends, and community.
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Students who wish to participate in the formal presentation must meet applicable program requirements and attend the required Lavender Gala rehearsals. Rehearsals are necessary to prepare students, parents, escorts, and other participants for the processional, presentation ceremony, promenade, and formal dances.
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Because rehearsals are required for participation in the presentation ceremony, Lavender Gala rehearsals are not considered scholarship-earning activities. The rehearsal schedule is made available at Orientation in the fall.
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The Lavender Gala itself is not a fundraising event. Gala tickets are sold at cost to cover expenses associated with hosting the event.
What are the benefits of my son or daughter participating in Young Debs Inc. for multiple years?
Young Debs Inc. is intentionally designed to allow students to grow over time. Many of the skills we teach are soft skills and life skills that require repeated practice, reinforcement, and real-world application before they become second nature.
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Confidence, for example, is not developed during one workshop or one program year. Confidence is practiced. We provide students with repeated opportunities to communicate with adults and peers, speak in front of others, demonstrate proper etiquette, serve their communities, attend cultural experiences, develop independence, take on responsibilities, and step outside of their comfort zones.
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Participating for multiple years gives students opportunities to:
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Develop and strengthen meaningful friendships with other participants.
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Continue building character, accountability, maturity, and leadership skills.
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Practice and strengthen communication, etiquette, professional, and interpersonal skills.
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Experience new cultural, educational, service-learning, and social opportunities each year.
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Build lasting relationships with mentors, professionals, community leaders, volunteers, and organizational partners.
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Expand and strengthen a personal and professional network that can continue beyond high school.
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Progress into greater leadership roles and responsibilities as they mature.
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Take advantage of external learning, service, academic, professional, and leadership opportunities that may become available through Young Debs Inc. and its community partners.
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Develop a longer record of involvement, service, leadership, and achievement that may strengthen future college, scholarship, internship, and career applications.​
Longevity also allows mentors and program leaders to truly get to know a student's strengths, interests, goals, personality, and areas for growth. Over time, these relationships can create greater opportunities for individualized guidance, leadership development, recommendations, networking, and connections to outside opportunities.
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Our goal is not simply for students to complete a program year. We want them to continue developing into confident, capable, well-rounded young adults who are prepared to navigate college, careers, and their communities.
Is Young Debs Inc. Right for Your Family?
Young Debs Inc. may be a good fit for your family if you are looking for more than a one-time social event, etiquette class, or formal presentation.
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Our program is designed for students and families who value education, accountability, mentorship, etiquette, service, cultural enrichment, leadership development, personal growth, and community.
Students should be willing to participate, learn, meet new people, accept guidance, practice new skills, and challenge themselves.
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Parents and guardians also play an important role. Families should be prepared to review program communications, meet deadlines, support their student's attendance and participation, provide transportation when required, and reinforce program expectations at home.
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The Young Debs Inc. experience is a partnership among students, families, mentors, volunteers, and the organization. The Lavender Gala may be the culminating celebration, but the experiences, relationships, confidence, character, and skills students develop along the way are the heart of the program.