The Founders Ball

Black Tie • White Glove • American Excellence

June 2026 | Moses Lake, Washington
Date, time, and location to be announced

Spread Your Brilliance

As America celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, The Founders Ball presents Grant County's most dedicated young leaders in an evening that embodies Pride, Purpose, and Preparation.

This is a COMMUNITY program celebrating ALL youth in Grant County — whether you attend public school, private school, homeschool, Dashwood Academy Prep, or are out-of-school youth.

This isn't about who you were born to be. It's about who you've worked to become.

Why This Matters

The Founders of 1776 believed opportunity should be earned, not inherited. They believed in merit over birthright. In capability over connections.

Traditional debutante balls celebrated social status.
The Founders Ball celebrates character developed through action.

✅ No wealth requirement
✅ No family name requirement
✅ No insider connections needed
✅ No requirement to attend Dashwood Academy Prep

Just dedication, achievement, and the willingness to do the work.

Plus: Your debut portfolio becomes your ticket to financial support for your next step — whether that's college, technical training, military service, or launching a business.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

THIS IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE GRANT COUNTY COMMUNITY

✅ Public school students
✅ Private school students
✅ Homeschool students
✅ Dashwood Academy Prep students
✅ Out-of-school youth
✅ ANY boy or girl ages 11-21 from Grant County, Washington

Application Deadline: Requests must be submitted at least 10 weeks prior to June 1, 2026

Scholarships Available: Financial need will never prevent a qualified young person from participating. Geography doesn't determine destiny. Income doesn't limit opportunity.

Program Timeline

Applications open: October 2025
Program begins: November 10, 2025 (first cohort) and January 10, 2026 (second cohort)
The Founders Ball: June 2026

Application forms, scholarship information, and program details coming soon

Service & Leadership

Debuts are expected to meet our 30-hour service requirement, develop portfolios (for Honoraries ages 18-21), and model excellence for peers.

Four Debut Categories

🦚 Junior Debuts (Ages 11-14)
Our youngest achievers master foundational skills and experience formal presentation

🦚 Preparatory Debuts (Ages 15-16)
Students perform in TWO formal presentations as they progress toward their final debut

🦚 Debuts (Ages 15-18)
Young leaders complete the full program and demonstrate comprehensive preparedness

🦚 Honoraries (Ages 18-21)
Young adults present completed community projects with portfolios and verified volunteer hours

Open to boys and girls ages 11-21 throughout Grant County, Washington.

Eligibility Requirements

This program is open to ALL Grant County youth who meet the following:

✅ Ages 11-21
✅ Resident of Grant County, Washington
✅ Willing to meet program requirements
✅ Committed to service and leadership development

You do NOT need to:

❌ Attend Dashwood Academy Prep
❌ Have a certain family income
❌ Have social connections
❌ Be enrolled in any specific school

There are requirements to successfully complete this program. These will be explained during the introductory meeting.

The Evening

June 2026 in Vintage Gold & Founding-Era Elegance

🕯️ Candlelit ballroom with 1700s-inspired décor (antique gold, our signature color)
🎩 Black tie, white glove formal dinner (highest level of dress)
🕊️ Individual presentations honoring each debut's unique achievements
🍽️ Multi-course formal dining where students demonstrate mastery
🎖️ Certification ceremony recognizing a year of dedication
💃 Historical ballroom dancing including founding-era traditions
🏛️ Community leaders as honored witnesses to the next generation

This is cultural enrichment at its finest — creating a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Scholarship Opportunities for Debuts

Completing The Founders Ball program opens doors to scholarships based on your demonstrated merit, completed projects, and documented achievements.

We are actively working with:

• Local businesses and community organizations

• Regional foundations

• National America250 grant programs

• Industry-specific scholarship funds

• Trade and technical training programs

• University and college partners

Your debut portfolio becomes your scholarship application.

The same work you complete to earn your presentation — your certifications, service hours, project documentation, leadership examples, and demonstrated character — qualifies you for financial awards toward your next step.

Whether you're pursuing:

• Four-year university

• Community college

• Technical certification

• Trade apprenticeship

• Military service

• Entrepreneurship

Your achievement matters. Your work has value. Your preparation opens opportunities.

Scholarship amounts and availability will be announced as partnerships are secured throughout the program year. Every debut who completes the program will be considered for available awards based on merit.

This isn't just a ball. It's an investment in your future.

A Charitable Evening That Transforms Community

Proceeds from The Founders Ball support:

• Merit-based scholarships for our debuts — rewarding achievement regardless of income

• Youth programs throughout Grant County

• Services for our homeless neighbors

• Support programs for veterans

• Community leadership initiatives

Your ticket purchase directly supports partnered programs and youth throughout Grant County. When you invest in young leaders, you create ripples of positive change throughout Moses Lake and beyond.

This is character through action. This is how we build tomorrow's leaders today.

For Students & Families

This is a COMMUNITY-WIDE program. You do NOT need to be affiliated with Dashwood Academy Prep to participate.

Eligibility: Boys and girls ages 11-21 from throughout Grant County

Educational Background: Public school, private school, homeschool, online school, Dashwood students, or out-of-school youth — all welcome

Application Deadline: Requests must be submitted at least 10 weeks prior to June 1, 2026

Scholarships Available: Financial need will never prevent a qualified young person from participating.

Program Timeline:

• Applications open: October 2025

• Program begins: November 10, 2025 (first cohort) and January 10, 2026 (second cohort)

• The Founders Ball: June 2026

Application forms, scholarship information, and program details coming soon

For Community Guests

Witness History. Celebrate Excellence.

Join us for this historic first celebration as Grant County's young leaders are formally presented to our community.

Attendance:
Black tie and white gloves required for all guests.

Ticket Pricing:

Public Tickets: $75 per person
Early Bird Rate: $65 (purchased by March 15, 2026)

Young Professional Rate: $50
For ages 21-30 not affiliated with a debut

Invitation-only reserved seating available for debuts' immediate families and honored community leaders.

Ticket sales open: December 8, 2025

Partnership & Sponsorship Opportunities

Help us make history. Support Grant County's future leaders.

Business Sponsorship Levels:

Bronze Sponsor - $250
Logo in event program

Silver Sponsor - $500
Logo in program + table recognition

Gold Sponsor - $1,000
Premium recognition in all materials

Platinum Sponsor - $2,500+
Major visibility, VIP seating, supports student scholarships

Named Sponsorships Available:

• Centerpiece Sponsor

• Photography Sponsor

• Entertainment Sponsor

• Venue Sponsor

In-Kind Donations Welcome:
Venue partnership • Catering support • Floral arrangements • Photography/videography • Ballroom instruction

Small-town businesses, we know cash isn't always easy. In-kind donations are just as valuable and help keep costs down for families.

Contact us for sponsorship details: community@dashwoodschool.org

"250 Years of Promise: Presenting the Future"

Why 2026? Why Now?

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
— Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Founders didn't promise equality of outcome — they promised equality of opportunity. The right to pursue happiness through your own effort, merit, and dedication.

250 years later, Grant County's young leaders prove that promise still lives. Not through inheritance or connections, but through the same values that built America: hard work, character, and earned achievement.

As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, we're reminded that the Founders' greatest achievement was creating the promise of opportunity for all.

The Founders Ball embodies that promise. These young people prove that in Grant County, in 2026, the American dream of self-improvement, achievement, and service remains vibrantly alive.

Ex Historia, Lux. From history, light. From the Founding Era, our Founding Class.

🦚 Pride. Purpose. Preparation. 🦚

Questions? Ready to Apply or Purchase Tickets?

📧 Email: community@dashwoodschool.org

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The Founders Ball is a community-wide program open to ALL youth ages 11-21 in Grant County, Washington. You do NOT need to attend Dashwood Academy Prep to participate. This is an independent program celebrating youth achievement throughout our entire community.