Miss Mary-Stuart “Studie” Montague Price daughter of Capt. Allen Ingram Price, U.S.N., retired, and Mrs. Elizabeth Montague Price of Chevy Chase.

The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball is an annual dance and formal debutante presentation of young women in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1949 by Miss Mary-Stuart Montague Price, one of the grande dames of Washington society. "Studie" passed away in 2025.

Studie made her debut at the Bachelors Cotillion in Baltimore and at a private ball hosted by her parents in Washington, D.C. While still a young socialite in her 20s, prominent local families asked her to assist in presenting their daughters to society. This launched Studie into what became her life’s passion - bringing people together at great parties and promoting the enduring charm of a young lady in a white ballgown. By the late 1940s, her successes in individual debuts led her to start The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball.  In the seven decades since, hundreds of young women and their families have traveled to Washington, D.C. at Thanksgiving to “have a ball.”

Studie's deep respect and admiration for military service men and women inspired their participation. This tradition continues today as we proudly welcome both debutantes and floor committee members from the service academies and those in active service.

Beyond the National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball, Studie facilitated international debutante presentations in London, Madrid and Versailles. She was the Washington Chairman of the "Ball of the Silver Rose" in Vienna, Austria; its successor, the Ball des Rosenkavaliers; and the New York Debutante Assembly and New Year's Day Ball. She was a sponsor of the Palm Beach Opera Ball and Debutante Cotillion, the International Debutante Ball of Dallas, the Sons of the American Revolution Colonial Ball, the New York Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball (Infirmary Ball), and the Debutante Register. She was the honorary Chairman of the La Jolla Debutante Ball.