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Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Being a debutante is not just gowns and galas
Published January 21, 2009
The Mid-Texas Symphony will present eight new belles at this year’s Black and White Ball.
The ball is not just a presentation of the girls but a display of a year’s worth of hard work, commitment and responsibility.
Seguin High School senior Amanda Medina said that she was prepared for the dedication that the program entailed.
“It’s a lot of commitment your senior year,” Medina said. “We knew that coming into it.”
Susana Hendricks, a guild member of the Mid-Texas Symphony Association, said becoming a debutante has its benefits.
“The girls learn to be well rounded and that’s a huge benefit,” said Hendricks.
To become a Mid-Texas Symphony debutante, the candidate must be a senior in high school and a Guadalupe County resident during the year of her presentation. They must also maintain a good scholastic standing and high moral standards. They also have to be nominated by two guild members, and be the daughter or granddaughter of an active guild member.
Hendricks said that the event is a wonderful display of what the girls have learned. She said many of the skills they pick up can be used throughout their lives — such as how to communicate on a professional level, how to meet people and introduce themselves in the proper way.
Shelby Kauitzsch, a Seguin High School senior, agreed that the skills learned will not be forgotten.
“We’ve learned a lot of things that we can carry out through out our lives, that are not often taught, like etiquette and manners,” Kauitzsch said.
Hendricks, who has been involved with the association for years, says the program helps to strengthen the girls’ relationships with their families. The girls spend the year working with their mothers to plan the main ball, along with a few smaller, individually-planned parties.
The father or another male relative plays an important role, as well, she said. They learn how to waltz with the girls through dance lessons and they have a father-daughter dinner — but most the most important role that they have is presenting their daughter at the ball.
“The night of the ball, every year, it just strikes me as those daddies walk out their daughters, in their white dresses, it is a big moment,” Hendricks said. “It’s rare that you don’t see the dad’s eyes fill up with tears.”
With the Black and White Ball approaching, the girls admitted to feeling a few butterflies.
“[I’m] so nervous,” said Seguin senior Megan Blair. “But it’s what we’ve been waiting for and I’m excited.”
Hendricks said along with planning the ball and learning proper etiquette, for part of their service as a debutante, the girls usher at the three of this season’s six symphonies, help in the hospitality room and deliver Poinsettias that were bought during the Poinsettia sale fundraiser.
On the day of the ball, the girls finish their themed auction packages that are to be sold to the highest bidder at the Motif Silent Auction. The packages are comprised of donations from individuals and local businesses that all centered around a subject like hunting or theater chosen by each of the girls.
The debutantes agreed though, it is not all hard work.
“It was a bonding experience,” Medina said. “I would have never met LeAnne [Heckman] or Stephanie [Bohmler] if it was not for this program. In a way, it brought us together.”
Hendricks said that the ball is an emotional experience and an opportunity to celebrate social graces and time-honored traditions.
“It’s a really fun night,” she said. “I cry every year. It’s that beautiful and moving.”
The Mid-Texas Symphony Ball will begin at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum. Advance tickets are $70 and are available at Gift and Gourmet and at the Edward Jones office at 116 S. Moss St.
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