Debutant ball connects Airmen to Italian culture, tradition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Nine Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, paired with young Italian women and 20 other dance couples June 22 during the 16th Annual Debutant Ball in Cordenons, Italy.

During the ball, 18-year-old women, or debutants, were introduced into society for having reached the age of adulthood. The practice has been widely followed since the late 1800s. The event is similar to a high school prom in the U.S. Debutants were also accompanied by Italian army soldiers and other local Italians.

"This is the fourth year we have had Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing participate [in the ball]," said Brig. Gen. Barre R. Seguin, 31st FW commander. "I'm very very pleased and proud of [the Airmen's] participation. They look very sharp, along with all the men, and the beautiful women who are participating tonight. This cultural exchange is one of the great joys and benefits of being here in your beautiful country; and I thank you, on behalf of our Airmen, for welcoming us to participate in such a grand event."

After months of practice, the 58 dancers -- the men in their finest suits and women decked in white dresses -- marched into the Eurotennis Club Arena before hundreds of onlookers to begin the event.

"We started preparation in March with three to four hours of practice, twice a week; and three to four hours of practice every day the final week before the event," said Senior Airman Jake Mazza, 31st Comptroller Squadron travel team lead and ball veteran.

"You're never in your comfort zone but you do the best you can. If you don't overcome that, it's not going to be fun for you."

During the first practice, Mazza was paired with Andrea Moretti, who would remain his dance partner until the event.

"My partner was very outgoing," Mazza said. "It took a long time to connect with my partner last year. This year, even though there was the language barrier, we made it fun."

Mazza admits that the language barrier was the least of his worries.

"I have two left feet," he said. "A lot of the movements were definitely a real struggle for me. Of course I was nervous, but when the event started, the nerves stopped."

Participants danced to the Viennese Waltz, Modern Swing and a choreographed dance for the song "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry. During the event, the Airmen presented the choreographers with American flags.

"The day we began the debutant ball classes, we were just a bunch of nervous Airmen," Mazza said in a short speech during the event. "We didn't know what to expect from the experience, but we found out it was the best thing we had done since being in Italy. The support we received from everyone was amazing from start to finish. The biggest thanks though go to the dance instructors who never gave up on us. Thank you for providing us with memories for a lifetime and please accept these gifts from us showing our gratitude toward all of you."

After participants were presented with a certificate and small gift, the event culminated with a final dance. The men danced with the debutants' mothers, as the debutants danced with their fathers.

"I had a blast," Mazza said. "I'm going to miss everything about this day. I'd recommend participating to any other guy on base. It'll be their best experience ever at Aviano."

This marked the base's largest participation in the event to date. The participants included Senior Airmen Kendrell Hamilton, 31st Communications Squadron; Mazza; James Lewis, 31st CS; Justin Nalley, 724th Air Mobility Squadron; Devan Poissant, 31st CS; Joseph Schmidt, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron; and Airmen 1st Class Curtis Bernsdorf, 31st CS; Cordarris Hill, 724th AMS; and Jawanza Lynch, 31st Maintenance Squadron.