Two Sets of Debs Take Their Bows in St. James Style : The auxiliary of the Children’s Home Society and a chapter of the National Charity League present 28 young women.

Following years of tradition, two groups of Orange County debutantes made their formal St. James bows this weekend.

Twelve debutantes were honored when the Newport Harbor Auxiliary of the Children’s Home Society staged its 40th annual ball Friday at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. More than 300 guests attended, raising more than $30,000 for the society.

French Flair

After being ushered into the ballroom by their fathers, the girls bowed beneath an archway on a stage decked with flowers. The girls, all dressed in long white dresses per debutante protocol, then danced a traditional waltz with their fathers and escorts.

The ballroom looked like a French garden, with three-foot-high cherubs holding massive sprays of flowers at each table and peach drapery with gold tassels adorning the stage.

“I was a debutante for this same group in 1966,” said Leslie Cies, co-chairwoman of the ball with Jackie Trebler. “This ball has a great deal of tradition.”

Tradition of Caring

Children’s Home Society of California was founded in 1891, and the Newport auxiliary began in 1947.

“This is our 40th ball, and I’ve attended 20 of them,” said Fran Smith, auxiliary president.

As the state’s oldest and largest nonprofit child welfare agency, the society offers adoption services, day care, foster family care, expectant parent counseling, child advocacy and public education. Debutantes learn all about the services, touring the district office in Santa Ana and meeting with birth mothers who give up their children for adoption.

“Being a debutante is not so much wearing the dress, it’s doing something for other people,” Cies said.

Making their debut were Kimberly Balfour, Leah Carpenter, Darci Dutton, Caroline Francis, Kimberly Haynes, Megan Hitchcock, Tammy Maas, Travis Moody, Heather Riccabona, Mei-jen Stokesbary, Anne Swayne and Lindsey Ueberroth.

The debutantes attend high schools in Corona del Mar, Rancho Santa Margarita and Newport Beach.

Debs for Charity

Looking like princesses in their white ball dresses, 16 debutantes were formally presented to society Saturday when the Newport Chapter of the National Charity League held its debutante ball. More than 300 people attended the $85-per-person gala at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

One by one, the debutantes entered the ballroom through leaded glass doors and made their St. James bows. They walked the length of the ballroom on the arms of their fathers to a song of their choice.

“One year we had a girl pick the USC fight song,” said Chrys Vollmer, chapter president.

The ball paid tribute to the debutantes by listing their accomplishments as each was presented. In keeping with deb tradition, the girls danced with their fathers and then with their escorts.

In honor of the debs, white roses and orchids graced each table, where guests enjoyed a dinner of angel hair pasta with smoked salmon and caviar, scampi, filet mignon and raspberry tart for dessert.

A Debutante’s Duties

Being a debutante is not all roses and white satin. “The girls really have to earn this. Each has put in six years of service,” Vollmer said.

The girls join the chapter under the Ticktocker program in the seventh grade and each puts in 20 to 30 hours of community service every year. They help out in the league’s thrift shop, day care or senior service center.

“They learn to give and not always to take,” said Peggy Rich, ball chairwoman.

The league supports various charities, last year donating $40,000 to Human Options Step II, a low-rent apartment house for women making the transition from a shelter for battered women to independent living.

The debutantes were Keri Armstrong, Heather Bray, Jennifer Cunningham, Kimberly Edelhauser, Dani Foley, Amy Garrison, Stacy Gerry, Jill Hamilton, Lindsey Harrison, Kirsten Henwood, Danielle Lewis, Stephanie Martin, Lorian Newcomer, Annette Stayner, Ashley Swan and Julie Willgeroth. Most are students of Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools.