'I Felt Like Cinderella'
Being a debutante at the White and Red Ball is a meaningful experience for the women who participate. In this section, you will learn what it means to be a debutante from these women in their own words.
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Emily Rafalik (2014) discusses what it meant for her to be a debutante.
Carol Schabelski Kolbash 1961: “I felt just like Cinderella because of all the excitement and glamour. […] 33 years later, the magic was repeated when my husband and I presented our daughter, Mary Anna.”
Emily Krakowski Limbach, 1985: “Perhaps the most tender memory of that night was of my Grandmother Marie and my Grandfather Bill dancing the Polonaise. I was as proud of them as they were of me.”
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In this interview, Alexandra Ciesla Cornwell (1998) talks about what it means to be a debutante in her family.
Michelle Ludwig, 1987: “I realized at the moment of my Presentation that the world was at my feet, and that I could accomplish all that I set out to do! I was both exuberant and humble.”
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Listen as Kathy Lesny, 2006, explains the debutante experience.
Eva Bucki Dickow, 1983: “I was sort of a ‘reluctant debutante’ at first, but as the rehearsals progressed, I got more excited about the Ball and my Presentation.”
Nina Siemaszko (left), 1987: “On the night of my Presentation, I was so nervous that I was afraid that I had not done my bow well. But when I stood up and turned back to my Dad, his wide smile told me I had done well!”
Loriann Smoron, 1991: “I was the last in line of Debutante sisters, so it was an extraordinary event for me and Dad. I will treasure the memories in my heart forever.”
Renata Bielowicz (seated), 1994: “I remember the friendships I made through our rehearsals—we formed a little family.”
Here, Lara Boris Kuechel explains what it was like for her to be a debutante in 1985.
Amanda Peckwas, 1993: “My Presentation was very memorable for me, because even though my Daddy was ill, he was able to […] present me, just as he had my two older sisters. We lost Daddy not long after that Ball.”