General Description
What is a Diplomat? A Diplomat [dip-luh-mat] is a person who deals tactfully with others.
What is a Debutante? A Debutante [deb-yew-tont] is a young woman making her
formal entrance into society.
Presentation programs have traditionally been a rite of passage associated with wealth
and privilege. Young women from wealthy families often spent thousands of dollars on
finishing school and dance classes for a chance to invite friends, families, and community
leaders to a formal ball where the debutante was presented to society. Young men were
taught to be gentlemen and learned to exhibit many levels of etiquette and gentry, and
were also presented to society by way of military or boarding school graduations and as
selected escorts of debutantes. However, because of the exorbitant costs involved, these
special presentation programs were out reach for most young people. We know that
culturally appropriate rites of passage from adolescence into adulthood are critically
important to all young people. Without accepted and honored ceremonies, young people
are initiating each other into adulthood using the symbols of "maturity" that they see as
the privilege of adults around them: alcohol, drugs, violence, and sex.
Families will be happy to know that the Greater Cincinnati Debutante and Diplomat
Scholarship Program is a high quality alternative to the traditional high cost of a
presentation ceremony for their sons and daughters. By combining resources and
working together voluntarily, we are able to provide this exciting experience for young
women and men in our community free of charge.
Who established the program? The Winton Woods Community Coalition (the Sponsors of the Greater Cincinnati Debutante and Diplomat Scholarship Program) was founded on
August 25, 2000, as a result of concerned community members joining together to address substance abuse and related issues. The Winton Woods Community Coalition (WWCC) is made up of individuals representing the following community sectors:business, law enforcement, media, parents, youth, school, prevention, treatment organizations, health care, youth service organizations, faith community, local
government, and business professionals.
What is the mission of the WWCC? Our mission is to create a community-wide
atmosphere of urgency and provide resources for reducing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug usage by youth. In the spring of 2006, the Winton Woods Community Coalition saw the need to fervently support the positive development of all youth in our community rather than focus solely on at risk youth using multiple strategies across multiple community sectors. Because Pride data indicates that high school aged youth are morelikely to en gage in high risk behaviors, the WWCC is implementing strategies aimed at high school aged youth.
The Greater Cincinnati Debutante and Diplomat Scholarship Program is unlike any program in the region. Becoming a Debutante or Diplomat helps to prepare participants for higher
education, a role in the business world, and society. Each year, the Program culminates in a
black-tie Presentation Ball, where the Debutantes and Diplomats are presented to their
family, friends, and other respected members of the community.
- The program reinforces the commitment to learning by encouraging academic excellence
and supporting future academic pursuits. The program also provides local college tours
and enrollment and financial aid application assistance.
- The program focuses on social competencies through professional etiquette. Participants
are taught social etiquette, interpersonal skills, table manners and personal style that
equip young adults to meet life's opportunities and challenges with confidence.
- The program bolsters the positive identity of participants through professional dance
lessons. Dance teaches social skills, that we believe, are as important as having a good
understanding of science or math -- how to interact, how to present oneself, and how to
show respect for others.
- Each participant is encouraged to take part in community service, to increase their sense
of community ownership and civic responsibility and to ensure that they have the assets
in place that colleges and universities and scholarship programs look for when selecting
candidates.
- Finally, the program focuses on defining boundaries and expectations regarding alcohol,
drugs, and early sexual activity through Prevention Education. Emphasis is placed on
educating participants about risk reduction and providing them with information on
young women’s and men’s health issues.
Photo of Debutantes and Diplomats at Presentation Ball
2006-2007 Program
In addition, participants will have the opportunity to compete for 4 scholarships and
raise an unlimited amount of capital to fund their Ohio 529 College Savings Plan.
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