Sophie and Ted Kollaja. Photo by Celii Photography.
When the Richardson Symphony League hosts its annual Debutante Ball March 29th, six Lake Highlands debs will perform their deep bow and be “presented” to the community. Mattie Briscoe, Ali Brown, Avery Denson, Kate Gavigan, Caroline Haskins and Anna Howard will be joined by senior women and men, known as Honor Guard, from the Richardson area, having completed a rigorous program of community service, leadership opportunities and cultural growth.
“The history of debutantes and debutante balls in the United States dates back to the early 1800’s” said Sally Crawford, long-time member of the Richardson Symphony League and former president of the Dallas Bar Association. “In those days, a debutante (French for “female beginner”) was a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who had reached the age of maturity and was being introduced to polite society – she was making her ‘debut’. Originally this meant she was eligible to marry. Needless to say, a lot has changed in the last 200 years!”
Alex Kollaja escorts Sophie as she takes her bow. Photo by Celii Photography.
“Today, debutante balls are held in most major cities throughout the United States and are most often charity events. Young ladies and young men, usually between the ages of 16 and 19, are formally presented to society (i.e. their communities) at a debutante ball or cotillion (or beautillion for the men). These are coming-out parties. The debutantes wear white gowns, have an escort, are presented by their fathers or another family member and perform a full court bow, also known as the St. James Bow. A debutante ball is a wonderful, time-honored ritual filled with excitement and fun – not just for the debutantes but also for their families and the community.”
The League, which hosted its first ball in 1966, raises money for the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Students serve as volunteer ushers and greeters at performances and assist as general ambassadors for Richardson’s critically-acclaimed regional orchestra. They also provide service hours for events and causes such as Santa’s Village, Cottonwood Arts Festival and the Richardson Animal Shelter.
Seniors 2013 Barrett Cole, Megan Hayes, Sara Scherper, Beau Neal, Kristen Miller, Elizabeth Seitz and Sophie Kollaja at the ball.
“I joined the League in 2000 because my daughter heard about the presentation ceremony and she could not wait to dress up in the white gown and long white gloves and take a bow on the stage at the ball,” added Crawford. “Now, over 14 years later, I am still a member of the League and I have met dozens of wonderful people that I am privileged to call friends. I am also proud that I have had the opportunity to give back to my community in ways that I could not have imagined the day my daughter came home and said she wanted to be a debutante. Participating in the League and the debutante program also brought my daughter and me closer together – it was an experience that we shared together then and still share.”
Barrett Cole dances with her brother Christian, an Honor Guard. Photo by Celii Photography.
If you are interested in joining the League or if your son or daughter in interested in participating in the honor guard or debutante program, you can call the RSO office at 972-234-4195 for details. The RSL Ball will be held on March 29 at the Renaissance Hotel Richardson, 900 E. Lookout, beginning at 6 p.m. The community is invited. You can find out more on the RSL website here or email League President (and LH resident) Valerie Briscoe at wbbvcb@sbcglobal.net.
Debs at Cottonwood Arts Festival.
Welcoming guests at a concert.
