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THE DEBUTANTE'S BALL
"While dancing,
a lady should consider herself engaged
to her partner,
and therefore not at liberty to hold
a flirtation,
between the figures,
with another gentleman."
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The History of the Debutante Season
The word, "debutante," comes from the French word, "debuter,"
which means "to lead
off."
The debutante tradition, as we know it in the United States,
has its roots, as
many of our customs do, in England. The idea
that a girl should
be presented to society stems from the time
when a daughter of
marriageable age needed to find a husband of
suitable and similar
social standing. The daughters of the landed
aristocracy, the
lords and ladies of England, married within a very
small circle and
often had a very large dowry that went with them.
The court of the kings and queens of England is known as the
court of St. James.
It was the center of all power. Because of the
weather and the requirements
of the hunt, the court was in
London from April
until the end of July. During this time, the
aristocracy came
in from their country homes and opened their
city houses and the
social season commenced.
After the Industrial Revolution, as the middle class began to
make large sums of
money, the aristocrats were anxious to make
alliances with wealthy
entrepreneurs. The middle class daughters
could be presented
if they could find a sponsor from among the
aristocracy. The
Season started with the presentation to the Court
during which the
young lady bowed to the Queen-thus the name
the St. James Bow.
Parties followed this, each family giving their
share. It was hoped
that at the end of the season, a girl would
have found a husband.
The idea of the presentation of young women to society started
in this country in
1748 when 59 colonial Philadelphia families held
"Dancing Assemblies,"
the forerunner to the Debutante Ball. The
tradition continues
today throughout the United States with the
majority of balls
being held from November through January.
In our guild, the Debutante Year is the finale for four to six
years of philanthropic,
cultural and social training, welcoming the
debutante into a
world of civic responsibility and social awareness.
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"If a lady refuses to dance with you, bear
the refusal with becoming
grace; and if you perceive her afterwards dancing with another, seem not
to notice it, for in these matters
ladies are exempt from all explanations."
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young women have completed the service and social requirements of the club's Burdette Purdum Debutante Guild. The ball will be held on November 30 in the Grand Ballroom of the Huntington Hotel, Pasadena. The 1896 debutantes are Jennifer
Barrera, daughter of Mrs. Jeanette Maloney and Mr. Joseph Barrera; Elizabeth
Clingerman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Clingerman; Danielle Ghezzi,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ghezzi, Sr.; Lisa Hernandez, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. John
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"The practice of chewing tobacco
and spitting on the floor is not
only nauseous to ladies,
but is injurious to their dresses. They who
possess self-respect will surely not be guilty of such conduct."
"As ladies are not entitled to the privilege
of asking gentlemen to dance,
it is the duty of gentlemen
to see that ladies shall not sit long waiting for partners, it is one of
the greatest breaches of good manners, that a gentleman can be guilty of
in the ballroom, to stand idling whilst ladies are waiting to be asked."
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Philosophy The Debutante Guild was founded primarily to offer young women the opportunity to develop a commitment to volunteer service. Because the most effective volunteer work is performed with dignity and a respect for others, we must offer our young women the opportunity to accomplish these skills. We also believe the relationship
between mother and daughter is very special, a relationship we have an
obligation to encourage and enhance. To this end, we must offer opportunities
for mother-daughter participation in projects for enrichment not only of
the family but also of
At the culmination of our program, the Debutante Ball, the Debutante Guild of the San Marino Woman's Club recognizes the accomplishments of the debutante and allows her to be presented wearing the gold medallion of the SMWC. This presentation is given in her twelfth (12th) year prior to graduation from high school.
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"Sets should be formed with as little confusion
as possible. Running to
obtain a position should be carefully avoided, and all should strictly
refrain from volunteering directions about the dance unless by requested
of the
Master of Ceremonies."
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General Obligations 1. Regular meetings shall
be held the first Monday evening
2. Elected officers shall
be Chairman, First Vice-Chairman
3. The Chairman shall appoint with
the approval of the
4. Dues shall be $10.00 yearly. Delinquent after November meeting. Monthly fees for Guild as described by Debutante Guild Board. Presentation fees to be set yearly by the Debutante Guild Board. 5. Written response is required
of mother and daughter of
6. Ticket shall be purchased by
sponsor and Debutante
7. Sponsor and Burdette obligation
to the Guild shall be
8. All events that can be,
will be prepaid and the money is
9. Any changes in these standing
rules must be approved
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1. The Guild Chairman shall appoint a committee to review applicants for membership into the Guild. This committee may include, but shall not be limited to Membership Chairman, Guild Advisors, Burdette Advisor, Grade Level Representatives and Guild Members. The purpose of this committee shall be to review and recommend to the Guild Board prospective members of the Guild who will make a commitment to uphold the goals, policies and ideas of the Guild. 2. The Membership Committee shall use, but not be limited to, the following criteria in recommending membership (Exceptions and recommendations shall be made by the Debutante Guild of the SMWC executive Board).
a. All Burdettes should be sponsored by their Mothers or Grandmothers.
The Sponsor will be a member of the SMWC in good standing (that is all
dues and fees paid). The Sponsor will also agree (by signing the membership
application), to comply with the Standing Rules and Policies of the SMWC,
and the Debutante Guild, to assume financial esponsibility for the Burdette
and herself in Guild activities, and to serve on various committees of
b. Written statements of recommendation by two people known by the applicant will be submitted. The Guild application shall be completed and signed by the two sponsors of the SMWC and where applicable by a Burdette member. The applicant must indicate a willingness to participate in community and Guild activities. c. Past history of various school, other clubs, and church activities. d. Summary of participation in volunteer community projects. e. Honors or awards achieved. f. Future personal goals of Burdette. g. Reason why Sponsor and Girl want to join our Guild. h. The first year in the Debutante
Guild shall be
i. Upon approval by
the Membership Committee, a letter will be sent to prospective members
to inform them of acceptance into the Guild.
3. The membership of Burdettes at each grade level, 7th through 12th, shall be limited to 15. As vacancy occurs in membership, applicants who are on the waiting list will be admitted upon invitation of the Membership Committee.
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1. The sponsor shall
2. The Sponsor shall
c. Attend Debutante Ball.
e. Minimum four years membership in the Guild. f. Work on General
Club Ways and Means project.
************ Requirement for Good Standing for Burdettes
1. The Burdette shall
c. Attend Debutante Ball.
2. Community Service-specific
number of hours to be determined by the Guild.
e. Kidspace.
3. The Burdette shall volunteer an additional hour service for each unexcused no-show activity and volunteer two additional hours of service for meeting missed without excuse. 4. If a Burdette or sponsor
has not been attending meetings regularly or is lacking in service hours,
a private meeting will be held with Burdette and Sponsor, Membership Chairman
and one other Board Member to seek a solution to the problem.
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Special award given for 25, 50, 75, 100 hours of service beyond the required ten hours of service. Annual Lorene Land Award given for most service hours per year. Code of Conduct 1. The Guild does not authorize
or condone any parties before a Guild function.
3. Any person attending a Guild function and appearing in an erratic or
unacceptable manner will be asked to leave.
5. If there are behavior problems, girls will be talked to by two sponsors. If this is not effective, then the matter will be referred to the Executive Board. The mother will be notified. |
"A gentleman should not address a lady
unless he has been properly introduced."
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