To be a Deb or not to be a Deb?

[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.

[DSTRen13]

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!

[BadCat25]

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.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by kddani

Now that is insane.

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.

[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.