April 8, 2026

No part of Creation is neutral and meaningless, and this includes how we dress, the music we listen to, and how we spend our time. ECCS Protocol was created and crafted with intention and care, making it an event that stands apart from other more typical school dances or proms. 

The word “Protocol” is used at military academies to describe a formal dance, explains Thomas Caucutt, our Dean of Classics and Latin Department Head. “It was decided to call ours Protocol because we wanted to give it a name different from ‘prom.’ We wanted to set some distance between ourselves and the cultural stereotype of prom.”

It is different in many ways, especially in that it’s meant to be a social occasion first and foremost, not a romantic one. “There's an emphasis on showing courtesy to others in the way we dine, dance, practice good manners, conversation, etc. It was also designed to train young men and women to be just that - grown up! So although we want to have fun, there's not the same lowest-common-denominator standard of dance, music, and clothing,” says Mr. Caucutt.

The reality is that there are cultural pressures that have to be resisted since Christians recognize the holiness of the human body in a way our culture doesn't. “Certain musical choices will be more in harmony with God's design and others less so,” he adds. “Of course the kids are like fish swimming in the not-too-pristine waters of our secular culture, so they can't always see what's wrong with some music, dance or clothing choices. But we tried to put something lovely and attractive in front of them, something that agrees with God's harmonious design and not the awkward and ugly parts of our culture marred by sin.”

Mrs. Lesia Holcombe, our Director of Logic & Rhetoric (L&R) Operations, originally became involved with the first Protocol in 2010 as a volunteer. In 2014, she organized the event for the first time, and that was also the first year it was held at the American Village where it continues to take place.

It is an event that truly brings students, teachers, and staff together. Mrs. Holcombe explains that seniors choose the theme and submit ideas for decorating and food. They also present a program leaving "responsibilities" or items to the juniors, and the juniors present a program honoring the seniors. Mr. and Miss ECCS are announced on the night of Protocol as well.

“Teachers and staff come together that night to serve our students a three course meal. They dress in black and wear white aprons. They enjoy it as much as the students!” Mrs. Holcombe says.

The end of the meal brings another unique aspect of the evening, which is the dance card. Each student receives a card that includes 20 dances to fill out with various dance partners for ballroom dances. The DJ also throws in line dances throughout the night. Dance lessons begin when the students are in 6th grade preparing for Cotillion, our middle school dance, and over the years leading up to Protocol, they are prepared well.

When explaining why ballroom dance is included in Protocol, Mr. Caucutt says: “The relationship of men and women found in God's design made ballroom dance our natural choice. Male and female have unique and distinct roles, each has their own part to play, they cooperate together, and this can only be done well by honoring one another.”

Protocol 2026 will take place at the American Village on Saturday, April 11.