Eliza Rounds was crowned the 62nd Apple Blossom Cotillion Queen Saturday night. Eliza is an honor student at Green Mountain High School in Chester. Photo by Marie Laplante.
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| With last year's queen, Katherine Moulton Photo by Marie Laplante |
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I am just going to put this question out there: Isn't it time to retire cotillions (original purpose to present society's debutantes)? Surely we can celebrate our young women and men with a more meaningful and substantive fundraising event. There is a current movement afoot among young women in our society calling to be taken seriously and not treated as sex objects to be harassed, etc. To them I say, "You can't have it both ways." And to those of you who may be tempted to reply to this comment with the suggestion that this is "sour grapes" on my part, I will share that I grew up in Springfield years ago and was certainly "qualified" to participate in the cotillion but chose not to. All this being said, good luck to all the young people of Springfield. In particular, I hope the young women celebrate all their many achievements and interests, rather than just how they look in a gown. As for the hospital, I challenge you to come up with a better fundraiser.
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ReplyDeleteDear 4:49, I'm thinking you may not be aware of the other portions of the cotillion that are not on display at Dressel Gym? Perhaps you are. Tradition is a wonderful thing. History needs to be respected. Please don't tear down this statue because of the 'history of now'. To the contestants and all the people behind the scenes that pull this off year after year - congratulations! See you next year!
ReplyDeleteNot trying to "tear down this statue", just trying to suggest something more substantive with more attention to achievements/character as opposed to dancing and gowns. I respect tradition, but feel the particular origins of this tradition -- presentation of debutantes from typically upper class families -- is sometimes off-putting.
DeleteOf course a joyless hack would have to chime in that this event should no longer exist. Choreography, dancing, friendships, nice clothes - ugh....how dare they. But boy, wasn't Stormy Daniels GREAT on SNL. Buzz away busy bee.
ReplyDeleteFYI -- I am certainly not a "joyless hack." I participated in many wonderful activities, performances, and clubs while a student at SHS. Plus, I have spent years devoting my life to a career as a professional musician and music teacher, joyfully working with thousands of young people throughout my career. I have put on many performances with young people -- at every grade level. I was just expressing my opinion about a tradition with rather elitist roots and emphasis on looks. My suggestion would be to have such a program with fine clothes, dancing, etc. but no "crownings" of queens. I made no personal attacks and/or politically inflammatory remarks in my comment. It is unfortunate that one cannot express an opinion and/or idea on this site without being subjected to being called a "joyless hack", a person who wants to "tear down statues" or being associated with some political comment regarding Stormy Daniels.
DeleteYeah, how unfortunate. If you think you've made me re-assess my comment with some low key brand of guilt, better break out your violin, because you haven't. You're still a joyless hack to me. Sorry, not sorry. Anonymous Internet.....deal with it.
DeleteNo worries, 7:21. No guilt intended. Just expressing myself. You can think of me as joyless if you want. I am a happy person who walks away with a clear conscience because I rise above name-calling. Best wishes to you.
DeleteI thought there would be "ball room" style dancing. With the ladies and gentlemen floating around the floor in style. But not.
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