44Th Annual Debutante Ball Huge Success

There is nothing more exhilarating or rewarding than when family and friends come together to celebrate their youth.  Approximately 300 guests, family and friends did come together for the 44th Annual Debutante Ball sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 

At this memorable event, eleven beautiful and accomplished young ladies of Armenian descent were presented by their fathers to Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.  The Primate entered the ballroom with the eleven escorts and blessed  the crosses which were presented to each of the debutantes by their fathers.  The six  young cross bearers were:  Alina Lucine Barsa,m and Ariana Barsam, daughters of Raffi and Hasmig Barsam; Sarine Sophie Fuentes and Sevana Isabella Fuentes, daughters of William and Tina Fuentes; Lauren Ashley Missakian, daughter of John and Renee Missakian; and Ramsey Claire Sarkisian, daughter of Keith and Kirsten Sarkisian.

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

The evening began with a reception  at 5:00 p.m., followed by the presentation of the debutantes at 6:00 p.m,  Cynthia Dickranian Norian, Chair of the Ladies Auxiliary, in her welcoming remarks, congratulated the families of the debutantes and escorts and thanked them for their participation and support.  The Invocation was delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, whose inspiration it was to establish the Debutante Balls as a tradition here in Los Angeles.
Norian introduced the Master of Ceremonies, Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, who 
represents the 46th Assembly District which encompasses a large portion of the South San Fernando Valley.  Nazarian presented  each debutante, stating their academic achievements and accomplishments and goals and objectives for the future; he then introduced the debutante’s father and her escort of the evening.

Following are the Debutantes and Escorts of the 44th Annual Debutante Ball:
    
Gabriella Anahid Abaci, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Peter Abaci of Monte Serono, CA;
granddaughter of Mary and the late Zeki Abaci and Jean and Sooren Manougian;
escorted by Benjamin Avedis Nikssarian, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Nikssarian.

Melanie Belle Besnilian, daughter of George Besmilian, Esq., and Dr. Annette Besnilian
of Porter Ranch, CA; granddaughter of Solak and Silva Avedissian and Ardo Besnilian;
escorted by Stephen Matthew Matoesian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Matoesian.

Claire Jean Bogosian, daughter of Dr. Jeff Bogosian and Joan Yazejian Bogosian of  Rolling Hills, CA; granddaughter of Aram and Lucille Bogosian and the late Edward and Jeanette Yazejian; escorted by Cameron Richard Ring, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Ring.

Eliana Silvia Goncuian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Varjuan Goncuian of Calabasas, CA. granddaughter of Nubar and Silvia Ohanian and Sarkis and Vartuhi Goncuian; escorted by Nicholas Tigran Norian, son of Mr. Thomas Norian and Ms. Cristy Norian.

Kathleen Grace Kedeshian, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Paul Kedeshian of Pacific Palisades, CA; granddaughter of Katherine and Edward Dagermangy and Sarkis and the late Grace Kedeshian; escorted by Jack Hagop Tashdjian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Armen Tashdjian.

Alana Kupke, daughter of Mr. Michael Kupke and Mrs. Christine Abrahamian Kupke of Diamond Ball, CA; granddaughter of Sally Abrahamian and Rita Kupke; escorted by Hayk Arthur Israelyan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Israelyan.

Brooke Lilian MacArthur, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark MacArthur of Santa Clarita, CA; granddaughter of Dwane and Lily Johnson and John and Patricia MacArthur and the great granddaughter of Dr. Vahe and Emilia Churukian; escorted by Nicholas Arthur Kupke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kupke.

Kasandra Jean Norian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Norian of Ojai, CA; granddaughter of Ken and Cindy Norian and Bill and Karen Ghormley; escorted by Matthew James Simonian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Simonian.

Samantha Sarah Surmeian daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Surmeian of Chatsworth, CA; granddaughter of Asien and the late Stephen Surmeian and Barry and Mary Ann Jordan; escorted by Peter Rafy Julius, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rafy Julius.

Gigi B. Woodall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Woodall of Newport Beach, CA; granddaughter of Betty and Roger Shatafian and Bill Woodall; escorted by Mark Gettas, son of Mrs. Araxie Yetenkian Gettas.

Olivia Zorayan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Zorayan of Irvine, CA; granddaughter of Avedis and Zvart Guluzyan and Antranik and Virginia Zorayan;escorted by Franklin Manas Chelebian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Chelebian.

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.  

Heartfelt thanks  were expressed by His Enminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian to  Cindy Norian, Chair and the members of the Ladies Auxiliary for their continued dedication and magnificent efforts in again planning and preparing another successful debutante ball.  The Primate stated: “ This dedicated group of distinguished ladies pursues a noble purpose in reaching out to the community and cultivating within the hearts of the faithful the essence of the Christian spirit.  Your stellar work ethic exemplifies your love for Christ and the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church.”

A special commemorative booklet was provided to each guest to treasure and remember a beautiful  evening.