To be a Deb or not to be a Deb?

[alum]

Originally Posted by macallan25

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Deb balls are extremely old money......look where they were started.

Young women of age were presented to society in Europe for centuries. Here in the US, the debutante ball was first documented in Main Line Philadelphia.

[Texas Beta]

I know, but it seemed to me that the trend was leading more towards the new. I suppose I don't know enough about the topic!

[macallan25]

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

[PeppyGPhiB]

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.

[PhoenixAzul]

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.

[OleMissGlitter]

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

[trojangal]

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

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

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.

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.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by honeychile

but only one took the year off to do so.

Now that is insane.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

The only one I can think of around here in Pgh is the Medallion Ball

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