Debs Dreaming of a White Debut
Eight young women in white shone in the spotlight Monday when they were formally presented at the Laguna chapter of the National Charity League’s debutante ball.
About 180 guests, many of them friends and families of the debs, attended the holiday-themed ball at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point. The $75-per-person gala was the third annual debutante ball for the chapter, which covers Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point.
Taking a Bow
The program began on a humorous note when the debutantes’ fathers entered the stage to the tune of “Here Comes Santa Claus.”
One by one, debutantes in white sparkling gowns stepped into the hotel ballroom through a gazebo trimmed in green garlands, white mini-lights and gold moire fabric. After making their formal St. James bows, they waltzed with their fathers while the band played “Silver Bells” and Eric Clapton’s “You Look Wonderful Tonight.”
“Besides getting married, this is one of the only times in my life I’ll be in the spotlight,” said Kelly Peters, 18, of Laguna Niguel, who looked almost like a bride in her white satin gown. Both sets of grandparents came to see her make her debut.
“This is a part of our society that may get lost in the rush of our busy lives. It’s a kind of elegance the girls wouldn’t otherwise experience because they’re so busy,” said Donna Connolly, chapter president.
“They learn a certain grace--there’s not a lot of opportunities for them to be out of jeans and sweat shirts.”
Before their debut the women fretted about tripping on stage.
“I practically fell down the stairs during rehearsal,” said Kristine Woods, 18, of Laguna Beach. “I’m learning to walk in high heels.”
Grad Night
The gala was a kind of graduation ceremony for the women. It marked the end of their six-year involvement with Ticktockers, the league’s mother-daughter community service program. The debs began the program as seventh-grade girls and ended it as young women in college.
“This just tops off our six years together,” Woods said. “When we started we didn’t know each other, and now we’re real close.”
Each deb put in hundreds of hours of volunteer work with Special Olympics, shelters for battered women, homes for the elderly and other charity groups.
“Between the girls they’ve probably put in 3,000 hours of volunteer work. They’ve really earned this,” said Karen Linden, event chairwoman.
For the debs, working with others proved rewarding.
“It was so nice to feel we were making a difference,” said Sarah Golden, 19, of Laguna Beach.
Festive Feast
Guests were seated at tables decorated with towering white floral sprays and garlands of white tulle with pearls and gold silk flowers.
They were served a gourmet dinner featuring spinach and mushroom salad with toasted almonds and mustard-grain vinaigrette, grilled swordfish or filet mignon in Madeira sauce and vanilla creme brulee with seasonal berries.
Other debutantes were Monica Gehling, Ciji Jones, Jennifer Norwood, Samantha Ruh and Erika von Merkatz.
Guests included Vern and Connie Buwalda, Mark and Patty Canright, Frank and Joy Curry, William and Joan Cvengros, John and Karen Flatt, Diana Gehling, Mary Lou Hill, Sharon Jones, Peter and Penny Keyser, David and Rosie Kuhn, Burr and Sue McKeehan, James and Judy Montgomery, Stephen and Marilyn O’Keefe, Michael and Val Spadaro, Lon and Vonnie Stone and Judy Woods.
