It depends on the ball and who you are/who your family is.

Believe it or not, even Seattle has a history of debutante (cotillion) balls. Most residents here would never know/guess it if they didn't grow up here, but those of us from the wealthier suburbs have heard about them. I believe they still happen, but they're very hush-hush.

The only one I can think of around here in Pgh is the Medallion Ball, but it is more of an honor thing than a "social coming out". The girls do a ridiculous amount of community service and are recognized with the St. Joan of Arc medal by the Bishop of Pittsburgh.

I think that AKA and Zeta Phi Beta might also have one each in the area, but don't quote me. I seem to remember one girl I went to high school having a deb/ recognition ball through one of the NPHC sororities.

That all being said...wasn't really an option for me, nor was it my style. I had/have a particular disdain for pageantry/beauty contests/cotillions/antiquated social traditions (IMHO) . If you want to do it, that's great, but my family doesn't have the time nor the money to do it.

Queen of Mardi Gras
 

This year's Queen of Mardi Gras is a Phi Mu from UGA....story posted below from the Times Pic

http://www.nola.com/living/t-p/index...560.xml&coll=1

In Birmingham, we have several debutante balls, usually affiliated with the ballet, symphony, and graduate chapters of some sororities. The main difference that I've seen in them is that the African-American debutantes are usually high school seniors ( as one of my own students did her debut this past fall) where as the predominantly white debutantes are generally college freshman or sophomores. A friend of mine attended her niece's debutante ball in Texas and said it was gorgeous, but a little pricey. Parents had to drop $10,000 to start with, not counting dress and other expenses. Total tab at the end of the season she said was around $19K

I was a deb because my grandmother is active in the organization that sponsors the event. We had to wear white ball gowns and the guys were in white tie. I did it to make my grandmother happy as she is a wonderful lady and the party was kind of fun but its no big deal. The whole deb thing is kind of big in the South where I live. The reaction of my college friends when I tell them about it is "You didn't actually do that".

Agree with BadCat. It's you do it to make the family members who did it before you happy. I don't know if I'll "make" my kids do it, but I want them to have the option.

Also I wish I could have had cash instead of that dress I will never again wear. Mostly that.

There used to be more, notably the late Southern Club. Three of my chapter sisters debuted at various balls, but only one took the year off to do so. Nowadays (is that a word?), the Medallion Ball is the only one I hear of, though.

Bingo. I was supposed to be in one, my mom signed me up and everything. But when I saw the information packet that listed what we'd need and how much everything was, I asked my mom if I could drop out and have a car instead. She obliged. :cool:

The Cinderella Ball here is extremely well known and one of the oldest in the country.

Now that is insane.

One of my co-worker's daughter's debuted recently. It was a HUGE ordeal - it seemed like she (the mom) was constantly running errands for it over lunch, after work, taking days off, etc., all in preparation for this thing. I didn't stress out that much over my wedding!

I bought my deb dress from a girl from my high school who was a deb two years before me. It was gorgeous and I got it really cheap. Where I come from a lot of dresses are resold. I sold it to another girl last year.

She was from Texas, and her parents really didn't want her to go to Pitt. I think it was part of the deal - she could go to Pitt as long as she made her debut. I really think her parents were hoping that she'd change her mind and stay in Texas. She's a doctor in Texas now, or was, the last time I heard about her.