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Conti and Crabbs continue cotillion tradition

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October 16, 2009

Allison Jackson

While many girls were teasing their hair and applying their makeup for homecoming, Marisa Conti and Hannah Crabbs were preparing for an even bigger event: Cotillion.

“It was like homecoming only 10 times better,” junior Marisa Conti said.

Cotillion, an event that occurs every year the week before Columbus Day, features young ladies who are referred to as debutantes.  Debutante is the Italian word for “coming out” and Cotillion is an event that celebrates a young lady coming out or growing up and taking another step toward adulthood.

For three Sundays, Conti and Crabbs participated in dance lessons, worked on etiquette techniques and learned traditional Italian songs.

“My dad and I took dance lessons at Riverfront Dance Studio,” Conti said. 

The debutantes also prepared for Cotillion by attending a mother-daughter luncheon to learn more about their Italian heritage and the tradition of Cotillion.

The night started with dinner at Tangiers at 6:00 pm and was followed by the actual ceremony.  Crabbs and Conti were escorted by their fathers as their names were announced and they walked across the stage.  Conti wore a beautiful white wedding dress with elbow-length white gloves. Both Crabbs and Conti wore red corsages and their fathers wore red boutonnières.

“Having my father as my escort gave me a chance to grow closer to my dad,” Conti said.

As the night proceeded, the debutantes danced with their fathers to traditional Italian music.

“We do a dance called tarantella,” Conti said. “It’s a traditional Italian dance.”

Throughout the entire experience Conti realized that Cotillion was an important part of her Italian heritage.

“I did it because my grandma really wanted me to do it and my sister and my cousin have done it,” Conti said.  “My favorite part was getting introduced and learning about my heritage.”

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