Debutante Kristen Carrieres (front) with sister Katelyn Carrieres
Toni Bolling Lutter
Kristina Marie Carrieres of Gila Butte Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) made her debut before the DAR State Society on May 8 at the Arizona DAR State Conference. She was escorted by her father, James Carrieres, with her mother Peggy and sister Katelyn in attendance; both are members of Gila Butte Chapter. Carrieres is a fourth generation Gila Butte Daughter and entered the Society as a junior member in the chapter organized by her grandmother, Organizing Regent Mary Wolf of Sun Lakes.
DAR debutantes are women between the ages of 18 and 22 who are DAR members or have submitted their membership applications to the National Society. They meet the same membership requirements as every Daughter, and enter as juniors holding full DAR membership.
At the State Conference Gala Banquet, nine debutantes were presented to State Regent Gillian Morse with Lynn Forney Young, President General of the National Society, at her side. Morse is an Honorary Regent of Gila Butte Chapter.
The debut was chaired by Julia Forrest, who orchestrated the event with the assistance of co-chair Judith Mente; both are members of Gila Butte. The ceremony featured trumpeter Oswaldo Zapata of the ASU School of Music, who heralded the debutante procession with the fanfare God of Our Fathers, also known as The National Hymn, written for our nation’s Centennial of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.
DAR is a national volunteer women’s service organization which this year celebrates its 125th anniversary. Each member traces her bloodline directly to a patriot of the American Revolution. Patriot refers not only to military service, but to those who provided supplies and support to the Revolutionary Army. Other patriotic service includes servants in civilian governments and those who took an oath of allegiance.
Gila Butte Chapter meets in Sun Lakes and welcomes all women over the age of 18 who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Research support is available. For membership information call 602-430-6048 or go to the Gila Butte chapter website at gilabutte.arizonadar.org.