22 Debutantes Presented at Madrinas Ball
Las Madrinas president Jane Ackerman stood amidst the masses of red poinsettias as Las Madrinas Debutantes were about to be presented at the 54th annual Christmas ball and wished the 850 in attendance “the warmth of life, love and friendship, which is the true meaning of Christmas.” And then attorney Anthony Liebig introduced 22 debutantes individually, while they circled the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton with their fathers, curtsying in their white gowns and long white gloves to the white-tie audience.
Premiere Party
For more than half a century Las Madrinas has remained the premiere Christmas party. While most parties have turned black-tie, Las Madrinas remains formal, men wearing cutaway tails, women rushing to the bank vault for a one-night-out display of dazzling jewels--before they rush back. Because of the occasion, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles has received millions over the years in Las Madrinas contributions, from parents whose daughters are presented, from loyalist Las Madrinas members and from debutantes of years back. This year’s commitment is to molecular pathology at the hospital.
The first debutante presented Wednesday evening was a bustled Caroline Reich, daughter of Peter and Louise Reich, a former debutante herself and a Las Madrinas member. The orchestra played “Sweet Caroline” as she and her father circled the dance floor, and friends clapped proudly. Bustle bows on deb gowns are important this year. Victoria Schroeder, presented next with her father, Jon Schroeder, was bowed. So was the next, Angela Westwater, with her father, John Westwater, and later Spencer Holberton, presented by her father, Terry Holberton III, and Kate Neville, the pretty blond daughter of John Neville.
Tradition is rampant at deb balls. Kathryn Bucher, daughter of Larry and Theresa Bucher, wore the same gown her mother had worn as a deb for Las Madrinas. And pride in the young women is rampant. The beams on the faces of John Sturgeon, presenting his daughter Anne, a Duke freshman, and on Alexander McGilvray, presenting Leigh Converse McGilvray, a University of Colorado freshman, were significant. So were the cheers that lasted all around the dance floor for Katy Galbraith and her father, James Galbraith; for Carey Hotchkis and her father, John Finlay Hotchkis; Wendi Worthington and her father, William Worthington; Angela Toberman and her father, George Toberman; Dana Reinisch and her father, Dr. John Reinisch (on the staff at Childrens Hospital); and Lisa Johnson and her father, Richard Luther Johnson.
When prominent Southlanders move from Los Angeles, they still savor friendships and have their daughters come out at Las Madrinas. Thomas and Corinne Werdel of Bakersfield presented their daughter Hilary; James and Dorothy Meyler of Rancho California, Karen; Dr. Lawrence and Victoria Browne of Newport Beach, Katrina, and Richard Parley Booth Jr. of Newport Beach, Laura.
More debs: Diane Alexander, presented by her stepfather, Stephen Flaherty; Jennifer Hees, daughter of Berta Hees and the late William Rathbun Hees III, presented by her brother; a vibrant blond Lynn Crabtree, presented by her father, Dr. James A. Crabtree, and Marilyce Pace, by her father, Dean Pace.
