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Debutantes honored at 65th George Washington Ball in Lafayette
Members of the Galvez Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Attakapas Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, gathered on Saturday to honor seven debutantes descended from revolutionary ancestors at the 65th George Washington Ball.
The ball was at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, and each year, the ball revisits an aspect of American history, according to a news release. This year, with the event falling on Flag Day, the ball celebrated the history of the American Flag.
Each of the women was eligible to participate in the ball by virtue of their lineage, traced back to a patriotic ancestor who supported the cause for American Independence. Each honoree was sponsored by a member of the Sons of the American Revolution or Daughters of the American Revolution.
Miss Kylie Elise Blanchard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Craig James Blanchard, is a 2024 graduate of John Paul the Great Academy in Lafayette. She currently attends the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and coaches for the Allons Volleyball Club. Her revolutionary ancestor is Jean Guilbeau of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her aunt, Danielle DeKerlegand Cromwell of Galvez Chapter DAR. Her brother, Cameron Blanchard, was presented as a patriot in the 2016 George Washington Ball.
Miss Cecelia Marie Cromwell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tyson Alan Cromwell, is a graduate of the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Cade. She was the yearbook editor, a member of the varsity golf team, and a member of the Junior League of Lafayette's SPARK Teen Board. Her revolutionary ancestors are Archibald Wood of Virginia and Jean Guilbeau of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her parents, Tyson Cromwell of Attakapas Chapter SAR and Danielle DeKerlegand Cromwell of Galvez Chapter DAR. Her father was presented as a patriot in the 1996 George Washington Ball. Cecelia will be attending Samford University in Homewood, Alabama, in the fall.
Miss Grace Elizabeth Herpin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Herpin III, is a recent graduate of the Louisiana School for the Math, Science and Arts in Natchitoches. She received an Excellence Award in Creative and Performing Arts, was a member of the American Chemical Honor Society and through dual enrollment earned an Associate's Degree in General Studies from Northwestern State University during her time in high school. She is a member of the Fort Atkinson Society of Children of the American Revolution having served as Recording Secretary for the Louisiana State Society of C.A.R. Her revolutionary ancestors are Pierre Doucet, Michel Fortier Junior, and Francois Charles Grevemberg of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her grandmother Louise Begneaud Ganucheau of Galvez Chapter DAR. Grace will be attending Centenary College in the fall.
Miss Jillian Paige Kennedy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Kennedy, III, attends the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Cade. She is an Outing Club officer, has been the stage manager and set designer for the school musicals and volunteers with Safari Club International. Her revolutionary ancestor is Amand Broussard of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her grandmother, Judith R Kennedy of Galvez Chapter DAR.
Miss Isabelle Eleanor St. Julien Macedo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otoniel Macedo, is a graduate of Bishop Gorman Catholic High School in Tyler, Texas. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Honor Council, Biology Club, and volunteered with the Red Cross. Her revolutionary ancestor is Firmin Breaux of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her aunt, Valerie Anderson Hoffpauir of Galvez Chapter DAR. Her mother Kimberly McElyea Macedo was presented as a debutante in the 1999 George Washington Ball, and her siblings Valerie Macedo and Alexander Macedo were presented in 2020. She will be attending the University of Dallas in the fall.
Miss Camille Elise Rosenzweig, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Seth Daniel Rosenzweig, is a graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau. She was president of National Honor Society, played varsity volleyball and softball, and participated in competitive dressage. Her revolutionary ancestor is Alphonse Perret of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her mother Julie DesOrmeaux Rosenzweig of New Iberia Chapter DAR. Her mother was presented as a debutante in the 1997 George Washington Ball, and her brothers Luke Perret Rosenzweig and Dennis Steven Rosenzweig, II were presented as patriots in 2020 and 2022. Camille will be attending Tulane University in New Orleans in the fall.
Miss Juliette Alexandra Schmitt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Sidney Schmitt, is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was captain of the gymnastics team where she was awarded 'Most Valuable Gymnast' and 'Outstanding Gymnast,' and she was one of the few high schoolers to compete in the Hyrox Fitness Race in Dallas. Her revolutionary ancestor is Francois Charles Grevemberg of Louisiana. She is sponsored by her grandmother Rose Marie Delhommer Culotta of Galvez Chapter DAR. Her mother Carla Culotta Schmitt was presented as a debutante in the 1989 George Washington Ball, and her sister Isabelle Schmitt was presented in 2021. She will be attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in the fall.
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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Debutantes honored at 65th George Washington Ball in Lafayette
