Debutantes Get Preview of April 12 Ball

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The young women who will be recognized at the Quad City Mexican-American Organization’s annual Debutante Ball got a sneak peak recently of what to expect on the grand night.

The 24 high school seniors and their families were invited to a Debutante Tea hosted by the cultural organization at the Deere-Wiman House in Moline for a briefing of the event.

The ball is scheduled at 8 p.m. on April 12 in Davenport’s Col Ballroom. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

Yvonne Jorge, president of the Quad-City Mexican-American Organization, and Michael Cervantes, its operations manager, told the debutantes that the event is a chance for the community to recognize the young women and their accomplishments.

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Each woman will be recognized individually at the Debutante Ball and escorted by an older male member of their respective families, usually a father, uncle or grandfather. As each debutante is presented their extracurricular activities and plans for the future will be stated. A dance will follow after the individual presentations and guest speeches.

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Cervantes said past debutantes have gone far after graduating high school, and underscored the importance for the girls to go to college and not settle for less.

“For us, it’s about education,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to go higher than you think you could go.”
In addition, Cervantes encouraged the young women to take advantage of scholarships and loans, especially in being a double minority as a Hispanic female.

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Alina Avila, a debutante from Moline High School, said she believes most of the women want to go onto college, including herself.

Avila’s plans include studying law. Other debutantes have equally high aspirations, such as medicine, while others are still undecided where and what to study.

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However, those unanswered questions for the future aren’t stopping them from looking forward to the Debutante Ball.

“It’s an honor,” said MHS debutante Gabriela Cruz, who is eyeing Black Hawk College after graduation. “It’s my night to shine. I’m proud of all my accomplishments, and I’m ready.”

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