William Penn Life, 2017 (52. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2017-11-01 / 11. szám
Magyar Matters The White Rose Ball: A 60-year history by Laura A. Kuczajda DETROIT — To provide you a history of the White Rose Ball, we must start with the formation of the Hungarian Arts Club, who has sponsored this event for 60 years. The Hungarian Arts Club was formed in 1958 to preserve and foster the Hungarian arts and culture. The Club's goals were to nourish, support and promote Hungarian heritage and present this culture to the people of the United States. In 1956, the Detroit Hungarian community held a formal ball called the "Radio Ball." It was called the "Radio Ball" because a Mrs. Palos, the owner of a Hungarian radio station and Hungarian newspaper, used to chair the event each year. In 1958, Mrs. Palos decided she no longer wanted to chair the event and wanted someone to take over the responsibility. In the fall of 1958, a meeting was held in Delray, Mich., to discuss the formation of a group to continue the tradition of the Hungarian formal ball. Several local dignitaries, business people and well-known local Hungarian artists attended. The group agreed to form the Hungarian Arts Club of Detroit, not only to continue the ball but also to support Hungarian artists and art students. One of the affluent people attending the meeting, who happened to descend from Hungarian royalty (the Csiszars), suggested the group follow in the footsteps of Hungarian nobility and rename the ball "Fehér Rózsa Bál" and make it a debutante ball. The group loved the suggestion. The Hungarian Arts Club of Detroit was bom, and the White Rose Ball tradition began. Dr. Csiszár became the first president of the dub, and membership grew. The club received its legal charter from the State of Michigan on May 31,1960. A WPA member, Olivia Soter, was among the first debutantes, and the Arts Club chose to honor her commitment to the Hungarian community by awarding her the Honorary Chairperson of the 2017 White Rose Ball. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of this Hungarian tradition. The formal black tie event, now held at the historic Dearborn Inn Marriott, features a live band offering traditional ballroom dancing, including csárdás and polkas. One of the highlights of the evening is watching the debutantes and their escorts perform the Palotás, a traditional dance of the Hungarian royal court. The Hungarian Arts Club is seeking applicants for its 2018 Merit Award Scholarship. To qualify, a candidate must be of Hungarian descent and enrolled in a fine arts college-level program. Each candidate must submit a completed application, two letters of recommendation and samples of their work. Deadline for applications and submissions of all required materials is Dec. 2, 2017. For more information and an application, email Scholarship Chair R. Richard Hayes Jr. at Hungarianartsclub2014@gmail.com. The Hungarian flrts Club Supporting Hungarian CuCture andArt Sponsoring Tine Art Students of Hungarian (Descent (White Rose Ball) February 3,201S The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, Michigan > For information on tickets w t or becoming a f)(Zbutant£ or an 0*eort Jj Mb please call: (H Linda Enyedy at 248-352-0927 Following the Palotás, each young woman is introduced into society and completes a formal curtsy to all the guests. She is then escorted back to await the arrival of her father and the performance of the Father-Daughter Blue Danube Waltz. During the evening, the winner of the college scholarship is announced and often times performs a musical piece, should that be their field of study. The scholarships have been awarded in fields ranging from acting and instrumental performances, to singers, dancers, music teachers, sculptors, and designers. All students of Hungarian descent, studying the fine arts, are encouraged to apply. To date, the club has introduced over 450 debutantes, and given away over $90,000 in college scholarships. The Hungarian Arts Club has enjoyed strong support over the years from William Penn Association and other local Hungarian groups and organizations-from ball attendance to financial contributions—and we look forward to these continued reciprocal sponsorships. The current president is WPA member Tamás Markovits with fellow WPA member Linda Enyedy serving as Vice-President. We are excited about celebrating our 60 years, and encourage any former debutantes, escorts and scholarship winners to attend and reminisce with old friends and revitalize their Hungarian roots. If you know of any young Hungarians who would like to participate in the Ball as a deb or an escort, or apply for the scholarship, or if you are interested in joining the club, please contact Linda Enyedy at 248-352-0927. □ 8 0 November 2017 0 WILLIAM PENN LIFE
