Anneke.Net > Memories

My father escorting me across the ballroom floor at the
37th annual cotillion, shortly after I had been "presented."

The 36th Annual Magnolia Cotillion- December 30th, 1997.
Cotillion Pictures- Pictures from the first ball (1997).
The 37th Annual Magnolia Cotillion- December 30th, 1998.
Cotillion Pictures- Pictures from the second ball (1998).

The 36^th Magnolia Debutante Ball
Dec 30^th, 1997

Yes, I was indeed a debutante, at the ripe age of 21. Seven of us had our debut that evening, five being high school seniors (young for debutantes) and the sixth my sister, a college freshman. It was held at the Ritz-Carleton in McLean, Virginia: which was amusing, since it was a beautiful hotel attached to a large shopping mall (Tysons II: The Galleria). We kept joking that we should go shopping in our cotillion gowns, just to see people's reactions (since they were really wedding dresses, although we always got Sshhh!'ed when we said that ;)).

We all had a blast- it's not nearly as 'patriarchal' and stifling and old-fashioned and un-PC as one might think it is. It ended up being a beautiful evening with debutantes in (wedding!) cotillion gowns and long white gloves holding nosegays, women in ball gowns and men in tuxedos or cut-away tails and gloves. It was certainly a sight to behold, and I don't regret it for a second: truly a great experience.

After the previous week *filled* with parties, we all knew each other well and had a great time... swing dancing in a floor-length gown isn't as hard as one might think, and there is something to be said for a ballroom full of elegantly dressed people waltzing-- or twisting-- or singing along with "Brick House".

If you ever have the chance to do it, give it a thought before condemning it-- there is something to be said for elegance. In the meanwhile, I'll try to get some more pictures of the evening and previous events up eventually.

1997 Cotillion Pictures

Unfortunately, although the pictures are here, I would like to have them in better form on this page... I'll try to improve their aesthetic inclusion here soon.

Near the beginning of the debutante ball, one gets presented to "society"/the gathered masses <smile>, as they announce your name, parents, escorts, and so on. After "bowing" (kneeling) you proceed down the stage, descend the steps, and "bow" to your father before crossing the ballroom on his arm.

This is of my sister and I and our respective cotillion escorts: Mike Polifko, Lindsey, me, and Duncan Crosby. We all had a lot of fun-- the semi-smiles on their faces are due to their inability to produce real smiles on command <grin>. We also had a picture of the whole group, which turned out fairly well: it includes my Uncle Brian, my (mom's sister) Aunt Anne, Mike, Lindsey, my mother, father, me, Duncan, my friend Miriam and Lindsey's friend Kermit (his real name, yes).

A pretty neat picture of Lindsey dancing with her escort, Mike.

The 37^th Magnolia Debutante Ball
Dec 30^th, 1998

We attended our second cotillion on December 30th, 1998, with Lindsey and I attired in black gowns this year, as "post-debutants" traditionally do. I have to say, it was a lot of fun being able to attend the festivites, without being an actual debutante: we can enjoy ourselves without being the center of attention. Below are some pictures...

1998 Cotillion Pictures

Dancing with Duncan Crosby, who was my escort for both the first and second cotillion.

Everyone doing the Electric Slide. From left to right: Leila Crosby's escort(?), Margaret Polifko, (unknown), Dave, Mike Polifko, Duncan Crosby, (me), Lindsey Hackman (my sister), my mother, and my father.

From left to right: Mike Polifko (Lindsey's escort), Lindsey, my mother, my father, me, and Duncan Crosby (my escort).

This picture amused all three of us (My sister, father and I), since we never kiss our father on the cheek (heck, we can't reach that high!). But it was a cute (albeit posed) picture.