Debs, Beauty, Curtsies, Altruism
Thirty-one young ladies in billowing, scalloped, bowed and lacy ball gowns, wearing long white gloves and carrying rose bouquets, were presented at Las Madrinas Debutante Ball on Tuesday evening in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. They received an inspirational message in philanthropy.
Said Las Madrinas President Mary O’Connell, escorted to the podium by William Mingst, the presenter, and by Paul Grossman, chairman of the Men’s Floor Committee: “Twenty-nine years ago, I walked across this same dance floor on the arm of my father. I did not particularly think about philanthropic efforts, but I liked a good party. I have since learned that Las Madrinas is more than a good party.”
Las Madrinas has completed its $3-million endowment for molecular pathology at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, she said, and for 1994 has pledged $1.5 million for work in molecular genetics. “Thousands of children will be the beneficiaries of our efforts. It is this tradition that we wish to pass on to debutantes every year.”
Traditionally, the occasion is one where family love is celebrated and treasured. In one of the poignant moments of the evening, twins Katrina and Sarah Kuehn were announced to the 800 formally attired dinner guests and circled the dance floor not once but twice on the arms of their father, William Kuehn, to extra applause and double curtsies. Each got a kiss. Katrina goes to UC Berkeley and Sarah to Stanford.
With special aplomb, Amanda Barrett, regal in a scalloped gown and a French twist, was the first deb to be announced, greeted by her father, Olin Barrett. Her mother, Ann, was last year’s Las Madrinas president. The final presentation was Elena Duque Grant, with her father, Richard Angus Grant Jr.
In between was a youthful burst of blushing young women in white, with only occasional nerves over a curtsy. Emily Luck looked like a china doll on the arm of her father, Dr. James Vernon Luck Jr. Other debs with their fathers: Dorothy Shea, with John Shea; Mary Stephens, George Stephens Jr.; Barbara Thomas, Geoffrey Thomas; Cameron Westwater, Douglas Westwater; Catherine Juillard, Dr. Guy Juillard; Megan Keith, Dennis Keith; Kelly LeRoy, Michael LeRoy; Neville Anderson, Carl Anderson; Catherine Cannon, Jeffrey Cannon; Katherine Carlson, Christopher Carlson; Catherine Daily, Milton Daily Jr.; Suzanne Huntley, Dr. Ross Huntley; Devon Hollingsworth, William Hollingsworth; Danielle Ferraro, Dr. Kenneth Ferraro; Meegan McLaughlin, Edward McLaughlin III; Katherine McRoskey, John McRoskey; Virginia Miller, Llewellyn Miller; Katherine Quinn, John Quinn; Elizabeth Rogers, Richard Rogers; Anne Woolley, David Woolley; Catharine Erikson, John Erikson; Stephanie Fremdling, John Fremdling; Laura Hunt, Jack Hunt; Candace Overland, Mark Overland; Johanna Pirko, Thomas Pirko, and Sarah Schoellkopf, Fred Schoellkopf III.
On cue, the group mass curtsied, well-coached by David Balfour. Then fathers, seated at the sides of the ballroom, sashayed to the dance floor for the waltz to the Bob Hardwick orchestra’s “Ciribiribin.”
Said attorney Kevin O’Connell, husband of Mary O’Connell: “This is sentimental, but there is something very touching about it.” Hospital chairman David Thomas and his wife, Peggy, and Childrens Hospital President Anne O’Melveny Wilson were at the same center table.
Top accolades went to ball chairwoman Kacey McCoy, attentive all night to detail and in the company of husband Peter, daughter Shane and son Patrick. “I’m an ambience person,” complimented Joan Graves, “and this room is the most beautiful.” Robert C. Smith of Laurels Custom Florist cast his spell with elegant roses and lilies, with the assistance of committee members Laurie Stoneman, Cece Baise, Cheryl Baker, Nancy Birdwell, Susan Connell, Cindy Connolly, Missy Crahan, Susan Hull, Clare Webb and Cheryl Ziegler. All evening, deb chairwoman Barbara Fountain nurtured the young crowd.
Las Madrinas members are reported to have been extra generous in donations this year, but debutante families also substantially contributed.
Guests included Mary Adams, Peter and Elaine Adams, Geoff and Aileen Cowan, Carrie and Peter Tilton, Peggy Galbraith, Penne and Bill Durst, Brook and James Young, Bill and Susan Armistead, Larry and Theresa Bucher, Sally and Stephen Keller, Bob Forward, Daisy and Bill Spurgin, and Nick and Patty Weber. Also, escorts and stags--Nick Techentin, Phillip and David Baker, John Russell, Anthony Liebig, Christopher Baise, William Doheny, Brian Given, Andrew Mingst, David McIntyre, Kevin O’Malley and Peter Von der Ahe.
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Holiday Perfect: Hollywood Park Racing Charities donating $601,000 to 77 charities . . . Santa Anita opening the day after Christmas . . . Fraternity of Friends and the Blue Ribbon celebrating the opening night of the American Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” at the Music Center . . . The Five Acres open house . . . Banning Residence’s Victorian Christmas with Santa in a sleigh . . . The Christmas Carol Ball to benefit Newport Beach’s Hoag Hospital . . . Smith College Club of Pasadena’s party with President Ann Geisler. . . .
A mother/daughter tea for National Charity League Ticktockers at the home of Vicki and Jill Pike . . . Barbara Sinatra’s fund raiser at the Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage for the Eisenhower Medical Center . . . Anne Banning Auxiliary’s Nordstrom fashion show chaired by Jan Atchity at the Century Plaza for 800 . . . Delta Delta Delta’s Sleighbell Luncheon with Suzanne Dillard at the helm . . . St. John’s Hospital’s “friend-raiser” at “Sunset Boulevard” chaired by Betty Williams . . . The National Charity League luncheon at Chasen’s headed by Karen McGovern. . . .
The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Noel Champagne Brunch at California Yacht Club . . . Women’s Care Cottage in North Hollywood receiving $50,000 from the United Parcel Service Foundation . . . Los Angeles County Museum of Art remaining open Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m for holiday visitors . . . Pasadena Historical Society’s Colorado Street Bridge commemorative Christmas ornament . . . The Salvation Army ringing the bells so diligently for charity . . . Order of Malta Auxiliary hosting Mass and a Christmas party for El Santo Nino Community Center, chaired by Patrick Hickey and Paul Daze.
