The Sentinel-Record - HER - Hot Springs
Seventy Years of Tradition
Debutante Ball celebrates milestone
Though debutante events traditionally signified a girl's eligibility for marriage, today the debut marks a coming-of-age, celebrating the girls and their contributions to the community. The Red Rose Debutante Ball continues this tradition for its 70th year on Saturday, Dec. 19 in its original venue of the crystal ballroom in the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa.
The first debutante ball in the United States took place in 1857 in New Orleans and debuts quickly became longstanding traditions throughout the country. The first Red Rose Ball was organized by the social editor of The Sentinel-Record, Polly Parrot, in 1945 with 15 young ladies participating. The annual debutante ball tradition began officially the following year.
“We may be the only program left in Arkansas,” said board member Shannon Ahlbrandt. “Little Rock used to participate every other year for a while. If there is another in the state, we don't know about it.
“While the program has evolved with the times, many of its beautiful traditions, cherished by generations of families, remain unchanged,” she said.
Today, the ball follows those traditions set decades ago: Debutantes wear a long, white gown, formal-length white gloves and carry a bouquet of red roses when presented before hundreds of family members and friends. The girls, escorted by their fathers, give a low, formal bow and present a rose from their bouquet to their mothers in the crowd.
“In a rapidly changing world, tradition is something concrete and dependable in our society,” said Ahlbrandt. “The Debutante board members are proud that this beautiful tradition has remained an important part of Hot Springs' holiday season for 70 years.”
The debutantes' “little season” starts in the summer with educational programs meant to instill life skills such as etiquette, self defense and good nutrition. But perhaps most importantly, the girls are taught “the social and moral obligation” of giving back to the community through the event's partnership with Our Promise Cancer Resources. With this charity, the girls created beaded bracelets for cancer survivors, donated hats and scarves, and participated in yoga as therapy for cancer classes.
This year's debutantes also launched a new program, “Creations of Hope,” the brainchild of sponsor and debutante board member Frances Iverson, who is a cancer survivor herself. During the summer the debutantes transformed bare mannequin heads into pieces of art for cancer patients to place their wigs.
“The heads are meant to uplift and encourage survivors, even amidst the turmoil of cancer,” said Ahlbrandt.
The Debutantes' Creations of Hope mannequin heads will be on display at the presentation and ball. Afterward, the heads will be given to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers with a message of hope from each girl's perspective attached.
Sponsors decorated their own mannequin heads as well and shared their personal cancer stories with the girls. “My sister had colon cancer,” said board Chairwoman Laura Gehrki. “So my head was in honor of her. It's a touching display and sets the tone for the debutante season.”
This spirit of community and volunteerism translates into everyday life for debutantes, current and past.
“The Hot Springs Debutante program has produced many outstanding volunteers,” said Ahlbrandt. “Kerry Lockwood Owen gave a speech last summer to this year's debs, inspiring them to continue their volunteerism throughout their lives. She encouraged the young ladies to make a difference in the community, nurture and improve society, and to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Kathy Storey was a debutante in 1964 with her husband, Steve, as her escort. The couple will be married 50 years this June. “I remember we were all so excited to see each other,” Storey recalled, “as we had been off to school for our first semester. There were no cellphones or Facebook, so Christmas was our first opportunity to be together.”
The 70th presentation and Red Rose Charity Ball will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, in the crystal ballroom of the Arlington Hotel at 7:30 p.m. As is tradition, all former Hot Springs debutantes are welcome to attend. “We want former debutantes to know they are always welcome to attend the ball and take a walk with us down memory lane,” said Ahlbrandt.