Every year for the last eleven, the Cary Debutante Ball Society honors the achievements of outstanding young women in the Cary Community. On January 3rd amid white lights, bow-tied garlands, and candelabras brimming with red roses, the tradition continued as 26 high school seniors were presented to society at the annual Cary Debutante Ball.

Families, friends, and the community gathered at the Embassy Suites of Cary to celebrate these young women who not only succeed in their academic endeavors but significantly impact the people they lead, teach, and serve. These young women are service focused and unselfishly give of their time; individually raising money for the victims of hurricane Ike, leading Appalachian service projects, and working with special needs children. While the program spotlights the girl and her accomplishments, this experience truly is a family affair that involves the girl’s parents and siblings.

Deb mother, Beth Knox recalls her favorite memory of the ball, “I will always treasure watching my daughter be formally announced and taking that deep, Southern curtsy. In that one moment, I saw skinned knees, bleary slumber party eyes, and awkward pre-teen grins melt away and this poised and elegant young woman emerged right before my eyes. And I have never been so proud!”

The Cary Debutante Ball Society, founded by Carol Riddick and Kaye Martin, is made up of over 30 professional, philanthropic, and community leaders who volunteer all year to make the ball a reality. For roughly five months choreographer, Teresa Strasser and rehearsal coordinator, Marie Pulliam, give the debs the poise, grace and confidence to perform the ball night dances: the garland waltz, the Marshall promenade, and a father-daughter waltz. Ashley Diane Bryant, a Debutante, shared, “The highlight of the Ball for me was performing the father/daughter waltz. Even though we had practiced it a million times, I STILL had to call out the steps for my Dad so we were laughing and having a good time throughout the whole dance. I will remember it forever.”

This year's class included:
Sarah Helen Anthony, Morgan Lane Bost, Jordan Pollard Bowles, Amanda Jane Brookie, Emily Jeanette Brown, Ashley Diane Bryant, Lauren Michelle Calloway, Lauren Katherine Chriscoe, Shannon Beale Cobb, Amanda June Decker, Christie Lee Duckett, Kae Ashleigh Eller, Rebekah Jean Evans, Kathleen Griffin Garrison, Blakely Alexa Garrity, Eva Lynn Godwin, Danielle Claire Hoffmann, Marie Elizabeth Iannone, Morgan Taylor Joyner, Lindsay Michelle Knox, Leah Johnston McCann, Allison Elizabeth McKinley, Laura Hope Medlin, Victoria Paige Mottin, Megan Elizabeth Oliver, and Allison Elizabeth Spencer.