SCSSAR 2015 Colonial Ball
The South Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution held its twenty-second Colonial Ball with Debutante Presentation on December 19th. It was held in the Gold Ballroom at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston overlooking Marion Square and festive downtown Charleston.
The Colonial Ball was organized in 1976 in part to celebrate the Bicentennial anniversary of the founding of our country and our shared heritage. Greg Ohanesian has served as Ball Chair since 1999. Each debutante presented is a direct descendant of a patriot, or patriots, who fought in or supported the American Revolution.
Eight debutantes from across the southeast with presenters and escorts took part in a colorful, dramatic presentation before more than one hundred and fifty guests. The Ball opened with the Presentation of Colours by Citadel Cadets followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem. Then, walking the length of the extensive ballroom in white ballgowns with white tie presenters and then floating though a sword arch of six Citadel Cadets in full dress uniforms, each debutante took a formal bow and was then seated at the front of the ballroomby her escort. Harp music accompanied the formal presentation. Afterward, the debutantes exited with their escorts to the rousing chords of “Scotland the Brave” played by a talented bagpiper.
Debutantes, presenters and escorts included Maggie Elizabeth Camp presented by Colby William Furtick, Jr. and escorted by Alfred Banks Camp, IV; Murray Kate Crider presented by Bennie Voyde Crider and escorted by Maxwell Daniel Stacey; Haleigh Ellen Dixon presented by Mr. Thomas Mark Dixon and escorted by Zachary Tyler Bush; Rebecca Reed Howell presented by Mr. Scott Cullom Howell and escorted by Joaquin Basile Patron; Virginia Scarlette Elena Matsumoto presented by the Hon. Glenn Victor Ohanesian andescorted by Samuel Hinkley;Anne-Marie Gunter Noblitt presented by Mr. John Gunter Noblitt and escorted by William Raven French; Allie Morgan Ottingerpresented by Dr. William StanelyOttinger and escorted by Spencer QuimbyKerdock;and Kathryn Dianne Schemine presented by Mr. Mark Allen Schemine and escorted by Zachary Brice Ohanesian.
Guests were served a three course dinner which included she crab soup, an entrée of three items (filet mignon, filet of salmon, and chicken wellington), and a dessert of French cheesecake with a raspberry and blueberry topping.
The nine-piece orchestra played until midnight. Each debutante first danced the waltz with her presenter, followed by a waltz with her escort.
Special recognitions during the Ball were as follows: Ms. Diane Culbertson, Regent, SCSDAR; Mrs. Ann SalleyCrider, Chaplain General, NSDAR; Cmpt. and Mrs. T. Rex Legler for their generous financial support of the Ball; all Ball contributors;Mrs. Greg (Barbara) Ohanesian and all former Debutantes in attendance. Also aiding in Ball preparations were Karolan Ohanesian(Glenn’s wife), Mandy Johnson Shaw and husband, Marcus Shaw of Wallace, Kelly Byrd of Blenheim, and Cmpt. and Mrs. Bill Prewitt.
The evening prior to the Ball featured a formal reception held at the Carolina Yacht Club with a dining room overlooking the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor.
The Ball financially supports scholarships and patriotic education.