Annual Apple Blossom Cotillion seeks student participants

High school senior girls in the Springfield Hospital and Springfield Medical Care Systems communities are invited to participate in the 59th annual Apple Blossom Cotillion, which will take place May 1 and 2, 2015. One will be chosen to join the select group of Apple Blossom Queens. This special community event has become both a tradition and a rite of passage for area young people. Interviewed by a judges’ panel, girls will present themselves and perform with and without their escorts.

The theme for this year’s production is “Totally ‘80s,” featuring songs and styles from that decade. The master of ceremonies for the 15th consecutive year is Larry Kraft, director of development for SMCS. The directors of the 2015 Cotillion are Pam Church Shaughnessy and Kyla Beardsley White, assisted by Carrie Patch Jewell and Lisa Rushton.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career Award and Springfield Hospital and the SMCS community health center network.

An orientation for all parents and participants, including elementary schoolers, is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4. A weekly rehearsal for high school couples starts immediately after orientation. Rehearsals for elementary school participants start on Sunday, March 1. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, at Riverside Gymnasium in Springfield.

Elementary children invited to participate

Elementary school children in grades K-through-4 also are invited to participate in the Apple Blossom Cotillion. These younger performers, are introduced in couples, just like the high school participants and escorts, and will perform several singing and dancing numbers.

Children should apply in couples — a girl and her male escort — just like the high school participants. Elementary school couples that submit a completed application by the due date of Monday, Dec. 8 are eligible to participate unless the number of applicants exceeds the capacity of the production. In that case, a random drawing will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 to determine the participants.

An orientation for all parents and participants, including elementary school, is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4. Weekly rehearsals for elementary school participants start on Sunday, March 1.

Parents who would like their children to participate may obtain an application form from the Springfield Hospital Development office, 802-885-7644, or lkraft@springfieldmed.org.

High school applications are available at www.springfieldmed.org and at area high schools. Applications must be received by Monday, Dec. 8. For information, call Larry Kraft, 802-885-7644, or lkraft@springfieldmed.org.