Seventeen debutantes sponsored by the La Cañada Thursday Club presented at Saturday’s Bal Blanc de Noel
Following a tradition going back more than six decades, the La Cañada Thursday Club held its Bal Blanc de Noel on Saturday, presenting debutantes who have spent 16 months preparing for the occasion as part of the club’s Les Fleurettes program. The young women have been immersed in social and community service activities, cultural education, personal development and etiquette instruction.
The black-tie gala will be held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The presenter for the evening will be Mayor Pro Tem Laura Olhasso. Thursday Club President Gale Caswell will present the traditional camellia charm to each debutante. Following the presentation, the debutantes will dance the traditional first waltz with their fathers.
Jody Platisa is ball chairman, with Jeanie Kay serving as her co-chair. Kim Bartine-Ortiz is the group’s provisional chair.
The 17 Les Fleurettes provisionals and their accomplishments follow:
Sara Bartine
Sarah Katherine Bartine is the daughter of Kimberly Bartine-Ortiz and Errol Wiley Bartine III. She is a senior at La Cañada High School, where she participated in the Associated Student Body.
She was named a prom commissioner in her junior year. This year, she serves as publicity chair and historian. Sarah played on the junior varsity tennis team her first three years of high school.
Sarah is on the Miss La Cañada Flintridge Court, serving as a community ambassador. She also enjoys her small group program at La Cañada Presbyterian Church.
Sarah loves reading, playing tennis, traveling, learning about history and visiting museums. Her greatest joy comes from painting and sketching both at school and in her spare time. One of her art pieces won a local artistic competition sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.
Sarah plans to attend a university and major in art or art history. She hopes to pursue a career using her love for travel and her creative art skills.
She is being presented by her father at the ball. Her escort is Sean Connor Mintie. Her presentation song selection is “Daughters.”
Kathryn Battaglia
Kathryn Grace Battaglia is the daughter of Julie and David Battaglia. She is a senior at La Cañada High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She was a 2012 Les Tupper Award winner.
For two years, Kathryn has been the head student representative for the California State Parent Teacher Assn. At school, she serves as a news editor for the Spartan newspaper, is communications director for the French Club, works with the New Orleans St. Bernard Parish Club, and is a member of the Baking Club. She has been active in the YMCA’s Youth and Government program.
She was recently named an Emerging Leader for Girls Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. In 2011, Kathryn earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. She was a member of the 2012 Tournament of Roses Troop.
For the past two summers, Kathryn has worked as an intern at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for the Criminal Grand Jury. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding and reading.
She was accepted at Emory University and plans to study English.
Kathryn is presented by her father. Her escort is Joseph Jacob Abram. Her presentation song selection is “Your Song.”
Jessica Carbonetti
Jessica Marie-James Carbonetti is the daughter of Taylor and James Carbonetti Jr.
Jessica is a senior at La Cañada High School, and is in the art program. She has received several awards for outstanding art achievement.
Jessica has been a lifelong gymnast, and was active in the Gladiator Cheer program. She joined a competitive cheer program, Platinum Cheer Force, where, with her squad, she won two national championships. She has been a member of the school Pep Squad for four years. She has been on the Varsity Song Squad for two years.
Jessica is passionate about all types of music, and enjoys playing the guitar . She is a talented artist and designer, and has begun to design and sell her own fashions. She enjoys going to concerts, drawing, spending time at the beach and hanging out with friends. More recently, her classmates voted her “Best Eyes.”
Jessica hopes to attend Loyola Marymount University or go to a local design college. She has aspirations to work in the music or fashion industry.
Jessica is presented by her father. Her escort is John Clinton Cooper. Her song selection is “Surfer Girl.”
Tiana Marie Connell
Tiana Marie Connell is the daughter of Tina and Robert Connell.
A senior at La Cañada High, Tiana is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She is a four-year member of the Pep Squad and a second year Varsity Song captain, as well as the Pep Squad captain. She had been a member of Victory Cheer, a competitive cheer program, for four years. Tiana also enjoyed singing with the Concert Choir.
Tiana has volunteered at Huntington Hospital for the past two years. She was a delegate for Youth and Government, and participates in mission trips with Habitat for Humanity. Tiana is passionate about shopping, fashion and style.
As a third-generation member of the Saint Anthony Society, Tiana was honored to serve as a princess on its Royal Court and celebrate Italian culture through community service at Casa Italiana Cultural Center. She hopes to travel soon to her grandparents’ homeland of Italy.
Tiana plans to attend a university, with the goal of pursuing a career in the medical field.
Tiana is being presented by her father. Her escort is Anthony Robert Connell. Her presentation song is “Save the Last Dance.”
Madeleine Claire Fisher
Madeleine Claire Fisher is the daughter of Melinda and David Fisher.
Madeleine holds the office of historian for the 2012 Les Fleurettes. At La Cañada High, where she is a senior, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation.
She has played on her school’s volleyball, basketball and softball teams. She has performed in several stage shows with drama programs sponsored by the Assistance League of Flintridge and her school’s theater department.
Madeleine is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award. Her Gold Award project, Warming Hearts, involves supporting senior citizens in the community. Her passion is volunteering. From helping in the snack bar as a first-grader to working as a Huntington Hospital Candy Striper today, Madeleine has found that serving others is very rewarding.
In 2012 she traveled to Nassau, the Bahamas to build sidewalks and curbs for All Saints Camp. She also traveled to Mississippi with her youth group at La Cañada Presbyterian Church to work with Habitat for Humanity.
Madeleine plans to attend a university with the goal of pursuing a career in medicine.
Madeleine is being presented by her father. Her escort is John Timothy Louk. Her presentation song selection is “You Are My Sunshine.”
Caroline Rose Fontes
Caroline Rose Fontes is the daughter of Patrice and Christopher Fontes. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Caroline is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, P.T.S.A., National Honor Society and the Athletic Leadership Council. She is also an Assistance League Assisteen, and a Confirmation teen lead for St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church.
She has earned varsity letters in her school’s cross country and track teams. Caroline has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and earned the Gold Award this year. She was a member of the Tournament of Roses Troop and a banner carrier in the 2012 Rose Parade. She was recently named one of 100 Emerging Leaders for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. She was also named to the Council Advisory Board.
Caroline enjoys photography, cooking, and dancing, but running is her favorite activity. Her interest in both athletics and children has led to her interest in pursuing a career as a pediatric physical therapist.
She plans to major in anthropology at a university, and hopes to enter a physical therapy graduate program.
Caroline is being presented by her father. Her escort is Nicolas Sebastian Lopez. Her presentation song selection is “Sweet Caroline.”
Lynn Catherine Gilmour
Lynn Catherine Gilmour is the daughter of Karen and John Gilmour. She is president of the Les Fleurettes deb class and a senior at La Cañada High School.
Lynn is a member of National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, the National Society of High School Scholars, and Parent Teacher Student Assn. She is on the executive board for Teens for the Advancement of Children’s Hospital, is president of the Baking Club and a member of the Spanish Club. She has played tennis on the junior varsity and varsity tennis team for four years.
Lynn earned the Girl Scout Gold Award last June. She was honored to be a banner carrier in the 2012 Rose Parade. She is very involved with La Cañada Presbyterian Church and La Cañada Young Life.
Lynn had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to help rebuild buildings in the Bahamas and to help those with AIDS. She also went on a trip with Habitat for Humanity to Mississippi.
She plans to attend a university to work toward a degree in psychology. She hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
Lynn is being presented by her father. Her escort is Christian Morrow Gilmour. Her presentation song selection is “Clocks.”
Katherine Patricia Goetz
Katherine Patricia Goetz is the daughter of Christine and Richard Goetz. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Katherine is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She is the secretary of the French and Baking clubs, and is membership chair of the Parent Teachers Student Assn. She was a member of the junior varsity tennis team. She is a member of Bridge, a peer-counseling group at school.
She earned her Girl Scout Gold Award in June. She has also participated in a youth group at La Cañada Presbyterian Church.
Katherine has participated in the Y’s Youth and Government program. She also attended Gary Spatz’s Acting Conservatory, gaining acting experience in front of a camera.
Katherine attended Grammy Camp in Nashville and New York University’s music business program. She also studied language in France for a month. She loves to travel and experience other cultures. Katherine loves to sing and make music videos.
Katherine plans to go to a university. She is interested in the music business and television and film production.
Katherine is being presented by her father. Her escort is Andrew J. Blumenfeld. Her presentation song is “Never Say Never.”
Kelly Eileen Jacobs
Kelly Eileen Jacobs is the daughter of Lynn and George Jacobs. She is a senior at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
She is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and Mu Alpha Theta. She was chosen to be a leader at a Kairos, a religious retreat for the senior women at her high school.
Kelly has participated in school sports, including volleyball and cross country. She has been on the varsity softball team since her freshman year. Last year she made First Team All-Mission League. She will be captain of the varsity team in the spring. Kelly has been playing softball since she was 5, and has played travel ball competitively since her sophomore year.
Kelly volunteers with Flintridge Guild of Children’s Hospital and at Santa Teresita School.
Kelly enjoys all outdoor activities especially hiking and going to the beach. She has an adventurous spirit and is always up for trying new things.
She will be attending Loyola Marymount University next fall. She plans on majoring in athletic training and hopes to pursue a career in sports medicine.
Kelly is being presented by her father. Her escort is her brother, George Daniel Jacobs. Her presentation song selection is “I Hope You Dance.”
Janna Kristine Johnson
Janna Kristine Johnson is the daughter of Kelly McCord Moore and Stephen C. Johnson. She is a third generation La Cañadan and is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Janna has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation and has received numerous awards in writing. She played volleyball for the Spartans and was a member of two local club volleyball teams. She volunteers regularly at events for children with special needs. She also enjoys skiing and hiking.
Janna earned her Girl Scout Gold Award and is a member of the Assistance League of Flintridge’s Assisteens group. She values her work experience at her family’s law and accounting practices.
Janna was host sister to exchange students. Greatly influenced by her experience as a host sister she plans to study in Paris this summer. She hopes to be prepared for this experience as a member and current officer of the French Club.
Janna has been accepted at Tulane University in New Orleans and plans to major in either business and legal studies or political science. She hopes ultimately to attend law school.
Janna is presented by her father. Her escort is Matthew Harvey Fung. Her presentation song is “Blue Eyes.”
Marilyn Grace Loubier
Marilyn Grace Loubier is the daughter of Leslie and Gregg Loubier. She is a senior at Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena where she is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
At Westridge, Marilyn has been in the Glee Club for three years and is a member of the Madrigals a cappella group. This will be her third year on the varsity lacrosse team. She is also co-president of the school’s Service Committee. Marilyn will serve as an ambassador for the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Marilyn has been a cheerleader with Victory Cheer Company for seven years, competing in both regional and national competitions. As a freshman, she was a member of the St. Francis Cheer Squad and also on a competitive jazz dance team. Marilyn interned at Caltech. She has been a Girl Scout for 11 years.
Marilyn enjoys baking, running, yoga and singing. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe. In the spring, she will travel to Japan with the Westridge School Glee Club.
Marilyn plans to attend a university and double major in business management and science.
Marilyn is being presented by her father. Her escort is Gregg Joseph Loubier Jr. Her presentation song is “Satin Doll.”
Kara Elizabeth Lankey
Kara Elizabeth Lankey is the daughter of Becky and Jeffrey Lankey. She is a senior at La Cañada High School and is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, the National Society of High School Scholars and Mu Alpha Theta.
Kara has played on the varsity soccer team since her freshman year and she was selected to the Rio Hondo League First Team for 2011 and 2012. She was named the Team Defensive Most Valuable Player for 2011 and 2012. Kara also plays for the Crescenta Valley Soccer Club.
She was on her school’s varsity track and field team during her sophomore and junior years. She was a founding member of the Athletic Leadership Council.
Kara is a member of the Parent Teacher Student Assn. and has held the office of secretary for two years.
Kara volunteered at Tom Sawyer Camp and was hired as an assistant counselor the summer after her junior year.
Kara was recruited to play soccer at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., where she plans to major in either business or education.
Kara is presented by her father. Her escort is Alden Reiss Geller. Her presentation song selection is “Here Comes the Sun.”
Kendall Layne Millard
Kendall Layne Millard is the daughter of Janet and Neal Millard. She is a senior at Westridge School for Girls.
For three years, Kendall was on her school’s varsity equestrian team with her horse, Liam. She also gives tours to prospective Westridge students through the Service Committee.
Kendall serves as a princess on the 2012 Miss La Cañada Flintridge Court. As an active member of the Service Learning group at her school, Kendall dedicates time to social justice issues throughout the area. Kendall volunteers as a Candy Striper at Huntington Memorial Hospital.
She enjoys acting in her school’s plays. In the summer , Kendall spent three weeks attending UCLA’s theater conservatory program. She is also an accomplished singer.
Kendall enjoys traveling. She has visited more than 23 different countries. Her favorite place to vacation is New York City, where she enjoys watching Broadway musicals.
She plans to go to a university and major in theater with a minor in psychology. After graduation, she hopes to either pursue an acting career or will attend law school to become an entertainment lawyer.
Kendall is being presented by her father. Her escort is her brother, Tyler Patrick Crouch. Her presentation song selection is “For Good.”
Bryant “Annie” Monroe
Bryant Ann Monroe (“Annie”) is the daughter of Lindsay and Scott Monroe. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Annie is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and is a California Interscholastic Federation scholar-athlete. She was honored to be chosen as La Cañada High School Homecoming Queen this fall. Annie is president of the Athletic Leadership Council.
Annie has been a member of the varsity softball team for four years. Her team won back-to-back CIF State Championships in 2010-2011. She plays travel softball for the So Cal Raiders. Annie enjoys many outdoor activities, and loves to paint, bake and make sushi.
For the past two years, Annie has been a youth group leader at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. She traveled to Mississippi with Habitat for Humanity where she helped frame a house . She recently traveled to the Bahamas where she helped rebuild dilapidated sidewalks at the All Saints Camp.
Annie was recruited to play softball at Loyola Marymount University. She plans to earn her degree in athletic training, and hopes to continue her education to become a physical therapist.
Annie is being presented by her father. Her escort is Avery Blake Schwartz. Her presentation song selection is “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Lauren Amy Streeter
Lauren Amy Streeter is the daughter of Linda and John Streeter. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Lauren has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation and the French Club, the theater program, and has played on the Comedy Sportz team. She loved being a part of the culinary arts program for two years.
She just finished her fourth season on LCHS’s volleyball team. Lauren has played club volleyball for several years. Lauren also played soccer and softball in high school.
Lauren is very involved in her youth group at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. She is a member of the youth leadership team and is a small group leader for junior high girls. Lauren enjoys community service projects, such as volunteering at Harambee School and feeding the homeless at Union Station. She was also part of the Y’s Youth and Government program.
Lauren hopes to attend a university on the East Coast. She plans to study communication and psychology, and hopes to play collegiate volleyball. She aspires to work with children with special needs in her career.
Lauren is presented by her father . Her escort is Joshua Daniel Thompson. Her presentation song is “September.”
Allison Brooke Thornton
Allison Brooke Thornton is the daughter of Marla and Thomas Holman Thornton III.
A senior at La Cañada High School, Allison is a second year member and editor of the school yearbook. She was awarded the Industry Education Council 9-12 Yearbook Award for 2012.
After five years as a La Cañada Gladiators’ cheerleader, Allison made the freshman cheer squad. In her sophomore year, she made the Varsity Cheer squad. For the past two years, Allison has been a trainer for the La Cañada Gladiators.
Allison attended Tom Sawyer Camp for nine years. She loves hiking and skiing at Mammoth as well as biking and the beach in Coronado, two of her favorite places in California.
An avid photographer, she has taken classes at the Art Center School of Design. This year, she is pursuing an independent project in photography and creating a photography portfolio. She loves taking pictures at concerts and several bands have posted her pictures on their Facebook pages.
Allison plans to attend a university to pursue degrees in photography and business with a goal of starting her own photography business.
Allison is being presented by her father. Her escort is Cameron Fernando Aenlle-Rocha. Her song selection is “Wonderwall.”
Elizabeth Grace Upton
Elizabeth Grace Upton is the daughter of Kimberly and Michael Upton. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Elizabeth is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation and Mu Alpha Theta. She has been a member of the band through high school and a member of its wind ensemble. Elizabeth has also been a member of the Math and the Spanish clubs.
In October, Elizabeth earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. She has been a counselor for a local Girl Scout camp where she planned, organized, budgeted, and led a weeklong camp for incoming first and fourth graders. Elizabeth is active in her church and is a teen leader for her youth group. This past summer, Elizabeth went on a teen service trip to Peru to help build a greenhouse for an impoverished mountain community so they can grow fresh vegetables for their children.
Elizabeth enjoys cooking, baking, listening to and playing music, sketching and reading. She plans to go to an out-of-state university, and is interested in studying business or marketing.
Elizabeth is being presented by her father. Her escort is Stefan Kinsman Chao. Her presentation song selection is “You’ll be in My Heart.”