Valkyrie Voice

NEWS FEED

MGM Ladies Shine as Oakleigh Belles

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• National Honor Society - November 2, 2011

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There are thirty-eight young ladies throughout Mobile County who can claim the title of Oakleigh Belle.  These young ladies went through an interview process and intense study about the historic Oakleigh Mansion and its history in Mobile.  They now represent the historic home as tour guides and ambassadors for our city.  The girls dress in costumes as representatives of the popular old Mobile home that sits as the grand dame of the Oakleigh Historic District in downtown Mobile.  Mary G. Montgomery can proudly claim four of these thirty-eight Oakleigh Belles as our own.  While Oakleigh Belles may remind you of the other group of ladies wearing hoop skirts and curtseying about town, they are not the same group.  The Oakleigh Belles concentrate on becoming docents of the historic home, and their dresses are not all the frill of the Azalea Trail Maids.  The Belles wear dresses that are a bit more practical to historic living, and they represent the Historic Mobile Preservation Society.  This Society focuses on making sure our historic buildings and landmarks are cared for and preserved in their most purest state.   

Among the four belles who represent MGM, Brooke and Dawn Allen are two.  The Allen twins trained and interviewed to claim positions as Oakleigh Belles which in turn helped them with their process of becoming Azalea Trail Maids.  As Oakleigh Belles they got much practice learning about our city of Mobile and talking to visitors and tourists.  They also made some appearances as Oakleigh Belles such as being a part of the North Pole Stroll Christmas celebration.  Brooke and Dawn have been Belles for about four years.  They said that all the Oakleigh Belle dresses are the same, but they DID get to choose their fabric for the skirts of their dresses. 

To become an Oakleigh Belle, interested young ladies should find application information at historicmobile.org.  The application has a deadline of February 17.  Interviews are held during the months of January and February.  Candidates must be at least a freshman in high school when interviewed.  The Preservation Society looks for girls with good communication skills, interest and involvement in our community and good grades.  Each interview could last about thirty minutes as the judges get to know each candidate.  Each interested candidate must also compose an essay.