Daughters become princesses at ball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Young ladies were treated like princesses by their dads during the annual Father Daughter Ball April 3 at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks.

The Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association treated the girls and their dads to a night of royalty and fun. While fathers could bring more than one daughter, the evening allowed the girls to spend time solely with their dad. No mothers were allowed in an effort to let fathers bond with their daughters.

"The goal is to strengthen the bond between the girls and their fathers by letting them be his baby girl again. They are treated like princesses for the whole evening," said Katrina Sczesny, an ASYMCA Fairbanks program coordinator.

This year the attendees arrived to behold a ballroom decorated in a secret garden theme.

"The secret garden theme allowed the girls to be whatever they wanted. They could be a princess, fairy, or whatever they chose," said Ms. Sczesny.

The purpose of the ball was mutually beneficial for both daughters and fathers. The girls could share a night as princesses while fathers could spend quality time with their daughters.

The Father Daughter Ball is an annual event. Fathers who attend must be active duty, guard or retired military, or a grandfather standing in for deployed members. There is no age limit for the children.

This year one attendee in her mid-forties brought her retired father to the ball, while one father brought his six-month-old daughter.

As the program director found out, the event carries great significance in the lives of the girls. A young girl told her how much it meant to be all by herself with her dad, dancing all night long.

Many military families have felt the loneliness of missing a parent during a deployment. Through the father daughter ball, the sacrifices of the daughters are acknowledged. Although lost time cannot be returned, the ball helps families make the most of the time they have.