The 12th annual Cotillion Ball was held at Westfields Marriott last Saturday where five local women — Kelly Eisenhart, Tawnya Novak, Christine Stein, Katherine Cestare and Bree Melton — were introduced to society. The ball presented future debutantes, as well as post debutantes and alumni.
"The only thing that could surpass this evening is my wedding day," said Tawnya Eisenhart, 18, of the ball. "It really made me feel like Cinderella."
Tawnya is the daughter of Nancy and Keith Novak of Fairfax City. She carried a 3.8 GPA for four years at Chantilly High School.
"It was a truly magical night," said Francine Gallagher, who has been the director of the debutantes since 1996.
The glamorous evening began Saturday at 7 p.m. with a 30-minute cocktail hour, and then moved on to the inspection of the 14 cadets from the Virginia Military Institute.
The military cadets wore their dress blues, while the debutantes wore white "Cinderella" gowns.
"It was amazing how polite the cadets were; they must have been the most polite boys I’ve ever come in contact with," said Katherine Cestare, 17, daughter of Susan and Russell of Little Rocky Run. She maintained a 3.8 GPA while at Centreville High School.
The formal dinner at 9 p.m. consisted of either salmon or filet mignon, with a side of broccoli and mashed potatoes. Later on the debutantes were presented to society. Each of the five ladies were formally introduced and curtsied for the audience. Throughout the ballroom a variety of colored gowns could be found.
"Each of the five groups wore a different color in order to distinguish the category they participated in," said Gallagher. The pages wore floral gowns, while the post debutantes wore black, and the future debutantes wore solid pastel dresses. The five debutantes could be seen in all white gowns. As for the alumni, they could choose from any color, besides white.
For Christine Stein, 17, this initial introduction which lasted about five minutes was her favorite part of the evening.
"That first moment coming out, seeing every one smiling while I got to curtsey was amazing," said Christine, daughter of John and Gabriele of Oak Hill.
Following the introduction, each father shared a separate formal dance with his daughter. After all five presentations were complete the new debutantes enjoyed one final dance with their father to music played by the Rondevu Orchestra.
Following the presentations, the 226 people who attended the ball socialized and danced.
"It was all so much fun, just being around and dancing with so many outgoing people. I really felt like a princess," said Bree Melton, 18. The daughter of Andrew and Sherrie Melton of Little Rocky Run just graduated from Centreville High with a 3.8 GPA.
Prior to the ball, each girl participated in the "social season," which lasts about a year. Throughout this period, the girls partake in a series of community activities — some more fun than others. For instance, the girls attended etiquette classes ranging from learning about stationery to dinner manners. The girls also took ballroom dancing lessons, went to holiday teas, and had garden tours.
These activities help prepare the future debutantes for a variety of social situations that may lie ahead.
"Old Dominion has been a wonderful experience for me because I met wonderful people and participated in fun activities," said Kelly Eisenhart. "It is something that all girls should experience."
Kelly is the daughter of Larry and Sidney Eisenhart of Oak Hill. She played field hockey while attending Oakton High School.
Each one of these five young ladies will follow the tradition and become post debutantes. The girls will also begin volunteering at the Oatlands Plantation, and will again have the benefit of attending the annual debutante ball.