The 45^th Annual Debutante Ball, held on the evening of June 24 was a night to remember for over 500 guests, who came together for the presentation of twenty-two young women of Armenian descent.  This traditional event, held in the Ballroom of the world famous Beverly Wilshire Hotel brought together young and old, families and friends to join in the celebration of our heritage and youth.  The Debutante Ball is organized by the Ladies Auxiliary, the longest serving women’s committee in the Western Diocese, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.  The evening began with a reception at 5:00 p.m., followed by the presentation of the debutantes at 6:00 p.m. and dinner and dancing at 7:00 p.m.

The presentation began with Mrs. Cynthia Dickranian Norian, Chair of the Ladies Auxiliary, inviting everyone to rise for the Archbishop’s entrance and the presentation of the crosses, which were carried this year by Cross Bearers:  Amelie Barsam, Samantha Rae Panossian, Leah Simone Panossian,  Kathleen Patricia Powell,  Ani Nicole Svadjian and Victoria Taglyan.  The Primate entered the ballroom  with the twenty-two escorts and blessed the crosses which were presented to each of the debutantes by their fathers.

Mrs.  Norian,  then welcomed the guests, and in her remarks congratulated  the familes of the Debutantes and Escorts and thanked them for their participation and support.  Mrs. Norian stated   “This joyful event centers on our youth and celebrates the sacred institution of family, our shared heritage and the Christian values which we hold in reverence.  It brings the youth from all our churches together in a festive atmosphere and is regarded by our Armenian community as one of its  most beautiful family evenings.  One of the pleasures of recent years has been welcoming as debutantes and escorts  the daughters and sons of past participants.”

Mrs. Norian introduced the Master of Ceremonies, Aris Janigian,  highly acclaimed novelist and one of the most important Armenian-American writers of his generation.  Janigian captivated guests with his remarks, stating “What we are here to celebrate is not just these amazing debutantes, but the long history of our people that brought us to this place and time…Armenians through extraordinary resilience and imagination survived the Romans, the Persians, the Turks…In truth what we are witnessing here tonight is very nearly a miracle.  Yes, we are celebrating these most intelligent and talented debutantes, but we are also celebrating our extraordinary culture that has not only survived, but thrived, to bring us here tonight.  Something that should inspire ‘awe’ I all of us.”

Janigian presented each debutante, stating their academic  achievements and accomplishments and their active participation in the Armenian church and community. This was followed by his introduction of the debutante’s father and her escort of the evening.

With an exquisite bouquet of flowers in her gloved hand, each young lady enters the stage and stands framed by a beautiful floral backdrop; the radiant debutante then makes her traditional curtsy to society in her beautiful white gown as she is formally introduced by the Master of Ceremonies.  Fathers and daughters dance the first dance of the evening, followed by Armenian music to which debutantes and escorts perform traditional dances as veneration to their homeland. 

Following the presentation of the debutantes, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan delivered the Invocation.  His Eminence expressed his wholehearted thanks and appreciation to Mrs. Norian, Chair and the members of the Ladies Auxiliary for their outstanding organizational efforts and continued dedication in again planning and preparing another successful debutante ball.  

The Primate stated “At the Western Diocese, the year 2018 has been dedicated to the youth.  The youth, a vibrant and a beloved segment of the community is a large family of the faithful of Christ whose life is defined by God’s divine love.  Such gatherings and fellowships as the Debutante Ball create the milieu for the cultivation of the Armenian identity in the hearts of the youth.  Such events serve as a calling for our youth to devote themselves to the faith of our forefathers, to rekindle in their hearts the love for their ancestral homeland and to lead lives as noble citizens of the blessed country of the United States of America.”

We were also honored to have with us this evening His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese. 

A special highlight of the evening, was the presentation by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, to Cindy Norian  with an award from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, in recognition of her outstanding service and contributions, not only to the Armenian community, but to the American community.

Debutantes and escorts, families and friends, enjoyed a gala evening, dancing to the music of Park Avenue West, Murray Middleman and DJ Kozzmo, Melcon Skenderian.

The list of the Debutantes and their Escorts:

The Debutantes and Escorts of the 45^th Annual Debutante Ball were:

Seeran Leela Ajemian, escorted by Chad Michael Bailey

Christine Erika Balian, escorted by Adam Mihran Arzoumanian

Brittany Chantal Balouzian, escorted by Vahe Yacoubian

Audrey Jean Bogosian, escorted by Luke Harold Melkesian

Khori Michaela Cranford, escorted by Christopher Najrian

Talia Ariella Demir, escorted by Peter Deirbadrossian

Nazeli Gharpetian, escorted by Christopher Haig Shrikian

Krista Angel Hanessian, escorted by Peter Chelebian

Grace Veronique Hachigian, escorted by Avedis Alex Tufenkjian

Joy Tatiana Kasakian, escorted by David Estephanian

Sophia Talina Kedjidjian, escorted by Alec Muradliyan

Vanna Lee Kizirian, escorted by Andrew Aram Arzoumanian

Mirey Kurekcuoglu, escorted by Dvean Shahnazarian

Elizabeth Johnson MacArthur, escorted by Daniel Yacoubian

Natalie Nevair Markarian, escorted by Alexander Shant Gourdikian

Alexa Dee Mikaelian, escorted by Alex Levon Hachigian

Colette Barsom Nishanian, escorted by Chase Baburov

Kelly Elisa Norian, escorted by Mihran Krikor Markarian

Alexia Julie Ouzounian, escorted by Luke Muradilyan

Corrie Elizabeth Phillips, escorted by Anthony Zorayan

Michelle Maral Tashjian, escorted by Alexander Gabriel Zakarian

Isabel Marie Zavian, escorted by Kristopher Mikaelian