VISITING
AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE
JANUARY
2011
2010
CHICAGO DS 50th ROSENBALL
Forwarded
by Chicago
Donauschwaben
On November 27, 2010, the Jugendgruppe and over 400 guests
celebrated the 50th anniversary of Rosenball. On behalf of
myself, and the Jugendgruppe, it was a real honor to participate in
this monumental occasion.
In the weeks leading up to Rosenball, the Jugend worked
tirelessly in order to perfect the ten dances to be performed that
night. Some of our older Jugend members even added a sixth part to
Fledermaus-Quadrille.
During
the last two practices before Rosenball, we were very thankful to
welcome home our college students, and other gentlemen from the
American Aid Society, and the Milwaukee Donauschwaben. Without them,
it would be difficult to have a Rosenball!
Finally, the night had arrived. After spending the entire day
getting ready, the handsome gentlemen and elegant women arrived at 5
pm at the hall for the cocktail party. Our Rosenkoenigin Alexandra
Kuechel and her family hosted the party. While enjoying appetizers and
socializing, the couples exchanged boutonnières and corsages and
shared a picture together. As guests began to arrive, the group
picture was taken, and was followed by pictures of the Rosenball
couples. Thank you to Mr. Fuentes for taking such great pictures!
Dinner was served, and the program began later that evening at
8:30. The program began with the acknowledgment of all the dignitaries
present that night. Next, all former Rosenkoenigin were honored. It
was really special to see twenty-five former queens. It was neat to
see how the crowns and sashes have changed over the years. After the
presentation, our youth group leader, Frau Hauer, introduced each of
the fifteen Rosenball couples.
Once all the couples were introduced, the dancing program
began. Nervous and anxious, the Jugend stepped onto the floor and
began the program. After a forty-five minute program, the Jugend
waltzed off the floor and sat down to a delicious dinner. The applause
we received was immense. It seemed that everyone truly enjoyed our
performance. It was also a very special performance because the
founder of the Polonaise, Frau Habschied was present, as well as
former dance leader, Frau Evi Rill.
After enjoying a delicious dinner, the Jugend boys began
purchasing roses for their partners. The Jugend also began to exchange
roses with each other. Then, other guests began to purchase roses. All
164 dozen roses were gone in record time, just about twenty minutes!
Piles of roses began forming on tables around the hall. At eleven
o’clock, the roses were counted to determine who had the most roses
and become the next Rosenkoenigin.
At 11:15, the Jugend marched up to hear the results. But first,
Rosenkoenigin Alexandra Kuechel took her final dance with her partner
Steven Mueller. She then gave her farewell speech and thanked everyone
for a great year.
Finally,
it was time to announce the results. Assistant Youth Group leader Frau
Heidi Fuentes announced the winners. The second runner up was Stefanie
Lorenz, the first runner up was Ingrid Laszlo, and the 50th
Rosenkoenigin was myself. I was crowned by Alexandra Kuechel, and
accepted a bouquet of roses from my partner, Will Riess. Assistant
Youth Leader Maria Toth read my biography.
What an honor to be the 50th queen.
It was also a huge honor and
surprise to accept the hand-made rose crown from the first
Rosenkoenigin, Frau Lampe-Viereckel. I was overwhelmed with emotion.
It was such a wonderful act of kindness.
After
accepting the crown, I shared a dance with my partner, President
Blaumueller, my dad, both of my Opas, my uncle, and Prinz Manfred II.
Looking back on this night, it was such an honor and a privilege to
dance in the 50th Rosenball. I am also very thankful to be
the 50th queen. I will try to do my best this year as I
represent the Verein and the club. Thank-you so much for this
opportunity. I will never forget this extraordinary night!
By
Elizabeth Hauer
|
Jugendgruppe
Chicago
Donauschwaben |
Wilma
Lampe-Viereckel and Elizabeth
Hauer |
|
|
Former Queens
Chicago
Donauschwaben |
|