The Southern Debutante Assembly held its 2018 Presentation and White and Gold Ball on the evening of Dec. 28, at the Greenwood Country Club in Greenwood. Thirty-three debutantes were presented to society at the event.

Flickering candles in hurricane lamps lined the drive to the clubhouse entrance. Twinkle lights entwined a pair of Christmas trees flanking the double-door entry and the pine garland framing the entry. Matching sprays of white dendrobium orchids, porcelana roses, Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas and seasonal greenery were displayed on the doors.

Members of the assembly’s Governing Board greeted the honorees’ guests entering the foyer. Several hundred attended from around Mississippi and other states.

On opposite sides of the foyer, consoles held matching arrangements of blush sweetheart roses, blush hydrangeas, dendrobium orchids, Fuji mums and silver dollar eucalyptus on the lamp bases.

Between the two sets of double doors leading from the foyer to the ballroom was a tall Douglas fir Christmas tree decorated with small clusters of white daisy mums, white Fuji mums, crystal icicle ornaments, gold metallic ribbon and white twinkle lights. 

Along the walls of the ballroom, lighted sconces displayed compact arrangements of white Fuji mums, white dendrobium orchids, gypsophila and silver dollar eucalyptus.

The honorees were presented before a massive arrangement of white gladioli, porcelana roses, white dendrobium orchids, white stargazer lilies, white Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas, gypsophila, silver dollar eucalyptus and areca palm fronds displayed in a ceramic garden urn atop a fluted gilt pedestal.

At the opposite end of the ballroom, the debutantes took their places on a dais accented by four tall white columns, each topped with an arrangement of porcelana roses, white stargazer lilies and silver dollar eucalyptus.

Positioned against this backdrop was a pair of large arrangements of white gladioli, porcelana roses, white dendrobium orchids, white stargazer lilies, white Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas, gypsophila, silver dollar eucalyptus and areca palm fronds displayed in ceramic urns atop fluted gilt pedestals. Flanking each side of the dais were three Christmas trees decorated with gypsophila, shiny gold ornaments and white twinkle lights.

Wearing white formal ball gowns, the debutantes carried bouquets of snow-white roses and Christmas greenery hand-tied with gold silk sparkle ribbon.

The debutantes presented to society included:

Jessica Amis Basinger, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Ray Basinger of Grenada. Presented by Dr. Basinger, she was escorted by her brother, Mr. Brennan David Basinger of Grenada. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Jesse Mike Amis of Batesville and the late Mr. Amis and Mr. and Mrs. William David Basinger of Little Rock. 

Elizabeth Mitchell Cossar, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Payne Cossar III of Senatobia. Presented by her father, Miss Cossar was escorted by her brother, Mr. George Payne Cossar IV of Senatobia. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William James Mitchell of DeKalb and Mr. and Mrs. George Payne Cossar of Charleston.

Honoring six of the season’s debutantes, a luncheon was held on Dec. 27, the day before the Presentation and Ball, at the Crystal Grill in downtown Greenwood.

Table centerpieces were fresh Christmas greenery and red holly berries in crystal vases paired with white flickering votive candles.

The debutantes each received as a memento a glazed ceramic ornament in the shape of a debutante wearing a pearl necklace and a white ball gown accented with gold and, on the reverse, engraved with “SDA” and “2018.” A note accompanying the gift explained that every dress is unique, just like the debutantes who wear them.

Honoring their daughters with the luncheon were Mrs. David Ray Basinger and Mrs. George Payne Cossar III.