Debs Making a New Tradition Blossom
The 18 debutantes at Saturday’s Winter Blossom Ball felt a little like pioneers in their white flowing dresses.
They were just the second group of Chinese-American women to make their social debut; until last year’s ball (which was featured on the television show “Real Life With Jane Pauley”), such an event was unheard of in the Asian community.
“We’re forming a tradition here and hope to continue this for other young Asian women,” said debutante Amy Liang, 19, of Rowland Heights.
About 430 guests attended this year’s affair at the Disneyland Hotel.
The gala, presented by the Chinese American Debutante Guild, raised an estimated $75,000 for the new Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center.
“It took time for some to accept (the idea of Chinese-American debutantes)--especially those who are less Americanized,” explained guild chairwoman Ellen Ong. “In Chinese culture, they always place the boys above the girls. Times have changed. Here we have girls who are very accomplished and have contributed a great deal to the community.”
Women of Accomplishment
Introducing the debutantes were emcees Beulah Ku, executive director of the Assn. of Asian Pacific American Artists, and Matt Fong, member of the State Board of Equalization.
As each girl curtsied and took her father’s arm, emcees listed her community service and academic accomplishments.
Sharon Liu, a freshman at UC Irvine, has participated in Helping Other People Eat (HOPE) and the United Nations Food Drive. She was also captain of her high school varsity tennis team.
“My dad asked me if I wanted to do this and I thought, ‘Why not? I’ve always wanted to be a princess,’ ” Liu said.
After making their formal bows, the debutantes waltzed with their fathers and their escorts before an elegant backdrop of huge Grecian columns with lush floral arrangements. The women and their escorts then sat down to a dinner of sorrel bisque with a flaky pastry top, salad with a sesame dressing, filet of beef bordelaise, seafood angel hair pasta and bananas and strawberries flambe.
Young Helping Old
Ruth Ding, founding chairwoman of the ball, chose the name “Winter Blossom” because “winter signifies age and wisdom and blossom is spring and beauty,” she said.
While the ball celebrates the young, it also helps the old. Proceeds support the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center in Santa Ana, which opened in July to help Asian seniors adjust to life in America. The bilingual center provides referral services, case management, health care seminars, family counseling and recreational activities.
Often, seniors who come to the United States discover their children can’t afford to care for them as they are expected to do in the old country, said Nelson Mar, president of the center.
“Here, both the husband and wife work to pay the mortgage and can’t support their parents,” Mar said. “Seniors don’t understand that. They’re less independent. Our message to them is: ‘Don’t depend on your children too much.’ ”
Taking a Bow
Other debutantes were Julei Ehwa Chen, Wendy Chen, Stephanie Chiang, Monica Chong, Kimbie Fong, Amy Hsieh, Elsa Hsu, Wendy Jan, Carolyn Kao, Sue Ling Lai, Sandra Lau, Sandra Lee, Karen Lin, Esther Wing, Jennifer Wu and Loretta Yuan.
Members of the ball’s founding organizations also attended, including: Richard Chou and Verna Chow, co-presidents of the Orange County Chinese Cultural Club, Eddie Yong, president of the Chinese American Lions Club of Orange County and Margaret Yeh, president of Pan Pacific Performing Arts Inc.
