Around & About: Debutante Ball a night to remember

Check back Monday for more photos and a complete list of the debutantes.

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Dec. 27 was a night to remember for the 64 debutantes and 49 stags who were presented at the 46th annual Omaha Symphony Guild Debutante Ball at the Embassy Suites La Vista.

The college freshmen made their social debut to more than 900 family members, friends and symphony supporters. Families of the participants were honored for their volunteerism and support of the Omaha Symphony and other civic and community organizations.

The debutantes, wearing traditional white gowns and gloves, held presentation nosegays of red roses. The stags, in white ties and tails, wore traditional red rose boutonnieres.

During the festivities, Karen German, Debutante Ball committee chairwoman, presented a check for $130,000 to James Johnson, president and CEO of the Omaha Symphony Association, and Beth Pusic, president of the Omaha Symphony Guild.

The money will support the guild's mission of promoting the growth and development of the Omaha Symphony's educational programs.

Tom Kerr was the evening's master of ceremonies.

"The Deb Ball is one of my favorite events because it's long on elegance, pageantry and family pride," he said. "My favorite thing is being able to stand at the podium and announce the debs with their fathers. Watching their faces is a treat."

Andrea Ramsey of Andrea's Designs had transformed the ballroom into a wintry wonderland. Red rose centerpieces set atop silver and jeweled ornaments in glass bowls adorned the jet black table linens. Votive lights surrounded the centerpieces.

Sheila Nelson was the evening's choreographer. Glittering willow branches arranged in slate urns provided an elegant backdrop as the debutantes and stags appeared onstage.

After the Grand March to the song "The Crunchy Granola Suite" from the musical "Fosse," the debs and stags danced together as Rod Griffith sang "Sway" from the movie "Shall We Dance." That dance was followed by one in which the debs danced with their fathers and the stags with their mothers.

Then guests and participants danced the evening away to the music of Robert Glaser and the Sing, Sing, Swing Orchestra.

Ellie Hansen was thrilled as she watched the presentation of her granddaughter Brooke Hansen.

"How special of an evening it was," said Ellie Hansen, who was a member of the first Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball Committee in 1966. "It was wonderful for our family to have my granddaughter presented this year."

Dwyer Photography served as the ball photographer. Suburban Bridals assisted with the debutante dresses, and Mr. Tuxedo dressed the stags and fathers.

One debutante wore an unusual accessory for her presentation. Maggie Emodi was on crutches after knee surgery to repair an injury she received playing volleyball for Trinity University.

Her mother, Maureen Emodi, made a cover out of ivory silk-like material for the tops of the crutches, put a crystal "E" monogram on the side of each crutch and then wrapped the lower part of the crutches in ivory ribbon embellished with crystals.

"We figured if she had to be on crutches, we might as well make the best of it," said Maureen Emodi.

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The Opera Omaha Guild celebrated the holiday season with its annual Victorian Tea on Dec. 9 at the Millard Brandeis mansion. Mark Maser and his mother, Delores, hosted the festivities in their home, which was decked in Christmas splendor.

The dining room table and sideboards featured savory and sweet treats provided by the Victorian Tea committee. Champagne, sherry and port were served as a prelude to the real star of the event — the tea. Mona Christensen presided at the tea table.

Baritone Kirk Vaughn-Robinson, who will play the role of Pish-Tush in Opera Omaha's production of "The Mikado" this spring, accompanied by J. Gawf, the resident music director for Opera Omaha, delighted everyone with old English Christmas carols.

Seventeen Opera Guild past-presidents were honored at the tea, which is a longtime tradition that serves as a thank you to all members and the Opera Omaha staff for their work on the guild's fundraising efforts.

Mark Maser, Jennifer Locke and Mary Ellen Mulcahy were the chairmen of the event. Victorian Tea patrons were Vernie Jones, Sharon McGill, the Maser family and Dr. Debra Reilly-Culver. Sheila McNeill is president of the Opera Omaha Guild.

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