Debutantes Bow to Tradition at Two Balls
Twenty-four young women made their formal St. James bows Saturday at the National Charity League’s Debutante Ball.
About 550 guests attended the 32nd annual ball presented by the league’s Newport Beach chapter at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. The $85-per-person gala honored the debutantes for their six years of community service with the league.
Rite of Passage
The debutantes were dressed in sparkling white gowns with long white gloves and satin muffs.
“I’m not sure what this is for,” said one deb, waving her muff.
They entered the ballroom through leaded glass doors--a traditional feature of league balls. There, amid Victorian urns filled with roses, lilies and orchids, they bowed before the crowd and took the arms of their fathers. After being escorted to the dance floor, the debutantes joined in the traditional waltz with their fathers and escorts.
“Being a debutante is very nerve-racking. Is it an outdated idea? I don’t think so,” said Geraldine Schlutz, ball chairwoman. “We stress manners and knowing how to do things correctly--skills they will use all of their lives.
“To come out here and take a bow in front of 550 people has to be a growing experience.”
For the debutantes, the ball was a milestone.
“Along with graduation from high school, this signifies you’re not an adolescent anymore,” said Susan Ihrke, 18, of Corona del Mar. “We’re going off into the adult world.”
English Garden
The ballroom glowed with mirrored tables set with raised centerpieces of English bouquets surrounded by votive candles and white rose petals.
“We wanted an English garden atmosphere,” Schlutz said.
Guests enjoyed a dinner of crab and grilled corn in a fish-shaped pastry with lobster-pepper sauce, exotic greens with goat cheese crouton and balsamic dressing, breast of chicken with shitaki mushrooms and petit filet with pink peppercorn sauce and a dessert trio.
The ball marked the culmination of the debutantes’ volunteer work with Ticktockers, the league’s mother-daughter organization for seventh- through 12th-graders.
“Tonight we’re recognizing the debs,” Schlutz said. “They’ve put in 5,000 total hours of volunteer work.”
The debutantes worked at the league thrift shop, helped at day care centers and performed other community work.
“Because of the volunteer work, I’ve come to appreciate how fortunate we are,” said Heather Warmington, 18, of Newport Beach.
Making their debut were Christina Allen, Lindsay Boris, Joy Brogger, Kristen Coleman, Kendra Dietrich, Wendy Eastman, Kathleen Ensley, Tara Fox, Megan Glasgow, Christina Holmgren, Susan Ihrke, Regina Jensen, Jenny Johnson, Nicole Kirwan, Amelia Leason, Kate Lyon, Kirsten McFarland, Caren McKinley, Amanda Miller, Ashley Skarman, Kristen Vitti, Heather Warmington, Michelle Whiton and Camilla Zenz.
Other guests included Thomas and Linda Boris, Ski and Kathy Harrison, Clement and Lynn Hirsch, Ronald and Alexa Jensen, William and Romy McFarland, James Roberts and James and Vicki Warmington.
Taking a Bow
Seventeen debutantes dressed in shimmering white gowns were honored at the 39th annual Debutante Ball presented by the Children’s Home Society--Newport Harbor Auxiliary.
About 350 guests attended the ball at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. The $130-per-person gala was expected to raise $50,000 for the Children’s Home Society, California’s oldest and largest nonprofit charity.
Formal Introduction
Steven Riccabona, master of ceremonies, introduced each debutante and her father to the audience. After being escorted around the perimeters of the dance floor to a favorite song, the debutantes made their St. James bows.
The ballroom was decked in peach roses and peach silk moire, with antique gold details.
“One mother told me she felt she was in an elegant New York ballroom,” said Kathy Reed, ball chairwoman. “Between the setting, the decorations and the girls, everything looked beautiful.”
Guests were served a gourmet dinner of asparagus and mushrooms in puffed pastry, petit filet and poached salmon and lemon meringue tarts with fresh vanilla sauce and toasted pecans.
Homes for Children
Proceeds from the ball will support the Children’s Home Society services, including adoption, child care, foster families, group homes, family support and shelters.
“Our girls wanted to be very informed about what this was about before making up their mind to becoming debutantes. Helping CHS seemed more important to many of them than the actual ball,” Reed said. “The girls are more interested in what’s happening in our society rather than a fancy party. This evening they’re very proud of what they represent. They represent the children and CHS.”
Making their debut were Jeanine Anderson, Jennie Bertone, Carolyn Bonadio, Elizabeth Browne, Colleen Daniels, Kathleen Donnelly, Heidi Garmon, Meghan King, Aimee Newett, Traci Pichler, Katie Riley, Maria Roybal, Corrie Sumner, Melissa Van Dyke, Casey Van Meter, Viivi Vanderslice and Terilyn Walker.
Other guests included auxiliary president Vickie Riccabona, David and Dianne Balak, John and Linda Bertone, Lee and Diana Bromiley, Andrew and Leslie Cies, Marion and Lula Halfacre, Michael and Pam Howard, Bob and Karen Kendall, Edward and Nancy Kriz, Cathy McLarand, Jim and Sheri Murphy, Malcolm and Pam Paul, Richard and Marilyn Read, Terrill and Nica Sheward, Gared and Fran Smith, Chriss and Victoria Street, and Per and Jackie Trebler.