Les Fleurettes:
For nearly 60 years, The La Cañada Thursday Club has sponsored young women from our community in the “Bal Blanc de Noel” presentation of Les Fleurettes debutantes.or nearly 60 years, The La Cañada Thursday Club has sponsored young women from our community in the “Bal Blanc de Noel” presentation of Les Fleurettes debutantes.
This year, the Thursday Club will present 12 young women to society on Sunday evening, Dec. 27, at a black-tie gala to be held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The Bal Blanc de Noel is the culminating event that celebrates their completion of a 16-month program of social and community service, as well as cultural education, personal development training and etiquette instruction.
The presenter for the evening will be La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Laura Olhasso. During the ceremony, Judith Cooper, Thursday Club president, will present the traditional camellia charm to each debutante as a gift from the club. Following the presentation, the debutantes will dance the traditional first waltz with their fathers.
Nancy Pittson is the group’s provisional chair. Denise Greenawalt is chair of the Bal Blanc de Noel. Kaitzer Puglia is the Thursday Club’s board of directors liaison for the debutante class.
Les Fleurettes provisionals who will be presented as debutantes on Dec. 27 are: Morgan Alyson Chan, Amanda Rose Johnson, Cecilia Dillon McCollum, Nicole Lindsay Morrison, Melissa Anne Pittson, Julia Anne Christine Marie Heath Rowe, Kelsey Louise Walker, Samantha Marie Wickersham, Sara Mary Wickersham, Jessica Jordan Yamamoto, Elisa Estrella YiDonoy and Elizabeth Eve YiDonoy.
Morgan Alyson Chan
Morgan Alyson Chan is the daughter of Drs. Garry and Marsha Chan, and the granddaughter of Roy and Daisy Chan and Eddie and Maxine Choy. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Morgan has been an active member of the La Cañada High School Pep Squad for three years, first as a junior varsity cheerleader, then as a “flaggie,” and now a “songie.”
She is a four-year member of the Green Club and currently serves as its vice president. She has also been a four-year member of the French Club, and she is currently its treasurer. Morgan is active in ASB and this year she is the senior historian. Morgan has been a member of the California Scholastic Foundation for three years and has been involved in Pilots, a community service and leadership program, for four years.
Morgan has been active in Girl Scouts since the fifth grade, has earned her Bronze and Silver awards and, in 2008, she was selected for the Minerva Leadership Program.
This summer, Morgan completed her Gold Award project by organizing and teaching a cooking course for girls at Maryvale Residential Treatment facility. This project was especially meaningful for Morgan as it allowed her to combine her passion for cooking with her commitment to community and social service.
Morgan loves the outdoors and enjoys snow skiing, snow boarding, long boarding, traveling, visiting art museums, cooking and spending time with her friends. Morgan plans to attend a four-year university with a major in business. While in college, she hopes to have the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad in a culinary arts program.
Miss Morgan Alyson Chan is being presented by her father, Dr. Garry Chan.
Her escort is Matthew George Arkfeld and her presentation song is “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Amanda Rose Johnson
Amanda Rose Johnson is the daughter of Kenneth and Gail Johnson. She is a senior at Crescenta Valley High School.
Amanda Rose is passionate about soccer. She plays varsity soccer and has been recognized as a “Scholar Athlete” each year of high school. She has held several leadership positions on the team, including captain. Amanda Rose also plays in the Crescenta Valley Soccer Club with which she has traveled to compete against teams from all over the country and internationally. In her junior year, she was on the All-Area and All-Pacific League Teams. She was named as ALL CIF 3rd Team goalkeeper for the Southern Section, and, in January, was named “Goalkeeper of the Week” by the L.A. Daily News.
Amanda Rose is a member of the California Scholarship Federation for academic achievement. She has also earned the President’s 2009 Volunteer Service Award in recognition of her hours of volunteer service tutoring at-risk kids in science and has always made it a priority to volunteer with charitable organizations within her community and at school.
She loves traveling with her family and enjoys participating in all sports including wake boarding, water skiing, snowboarding, snow skiing, surfing, swimming and having adventures with her friends. She is also interested in the arts. Amanda Rose has accepted a scholarship to play soccer at the University of New Mexico Highlands next fall. When she’s not playing soccer, she plans to major in history and minor in art. After graduation, Amanda Rose would like to be a teacher and soccer coach, or a sports nutritionist.
Miss Amanda Rose Johnson is being presented by her father Kenneth Charles Johnson. Her escort is Joseph Aloysius Roach IV. Her presentation song is “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Cecilia Dillon McCollum
Cecilia Dillon McCollum is the daughter of Steven and Katy McCollum and the granddaughter of Ross and Mary McCollum and Theodore and Mary Barry. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Cecilia is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and the National Honor Society.
Music is very important in Cecilia’s life and she loves every type and style. Her favorite school activity is performing with La Cañada High School’s Chamber Singers, the most intensely auditioned ensemble on campus. Cecilia has traveled with the Chamber Singers to perform in Hawaii and will be part of the group that will compete in Washington State next spring.
Cecilia has studied theater for the past three years and has performed in high school productions of the musicals “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Gypsy,” and also the improvisational original production of “Sick.” She earned an honorable mention notice for her performance at a local theater festival and she has won an award in her theater class.
She has been involved in Girl Scouts since the first grade and has earned several awards including: Leadership, I Live My Faith and her Bronze and Silver awards. In her spare time, Cecilia enjoys playing tennis, going to the beach and spending time with her friends.
Cecilia plans to attend a four-year university — ideally, one that is located on the coast. She hopes to become a music teacher.
Miss Cecilia Dillon McCollum, is being presented by her father, Steven Craig McCollum. Her escort is Kevin Michael Hurlbutt and her presentation song is “Here Comes The Sun.”
Nicole Lindsay Morrison
Nicole Lindsay Morrison is the daughter of Rudolph and Rosanne Morrison. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Nicole is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She has been a member of La Cañada High’s PTSA for the past four years and currently serves as its vice president of publicity. She has always enjoyed working with young children. This year, as an independent project for school, Nicole is a “student” teacher in a second-grade class at Paradise Canyon Elementary School. She so enjoyed cheerleading during her freshman and junior years that she became a certified cheerleading trainer for the Gladiators. While Nicole was a member of the La Cañada frosh/soph girls’ basketball team, she also served as assistant coach of the grades 3/4 Spartan girls’ basketball team. She was elected president of the Alpha Delta Society, which raises funds for needy children and animals.
Last summer Nicole was one of four students selected to intern for the city of Los Angeles and she worked downtown in the publicity office of the mayor. She volunteers as a candy striper in the ER at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and has worked as an intern photographer at a local weekly newspaper for more than two years.
Nicole has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. Her Gold project involved collecting Christmas gifts and clothing for the siblings of children being treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She was a banner carrier in the 2008 Rose Parade as a member of the Tournament of Roses Troop.
Nicole enjoys dancing, baking, shopping, concerts, movies, watching football and hanging out with her sister and friends. She is active at La Cañada Presbyterian Church.
Nicole plans to attend a four-year university in Southern California to pursue a degree in nursing. After college, she hopes to come back to live in La Cañada.
Miss Nicole Lindsay Morrison is being presented by her father, Rudolph Eugene Lindsay Morrison. Her escort is Vartkes Stephen Najarian. Her presentation song is “Come Fly With Me.”
Melissa Anne Pittson
Melissa Anne Pittson is the daughter of Glenn and Nancy Pittson and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kapec and the late Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Pittson, Sr. Her sister, Victoria, was a 2005 Les Fleurettes debutante. Melissa is a senior at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
Melissa is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, and Mu Alpha Theta, an international math honor society. She has received First Honors throughout high school.
Melissa has been on the Sacred Heart tennis team for four years, the past two of which have been varsity, and has earned the Coach’s Award. She has participated in student leadership throughout high school, serving as her class secretary for two years and currently as ASB secretary. Melissa was a Journey leader for her junior class retreat and is a Kairos leader for her senior class. She is also a member of the Amnesty International Club.
A dancer for 12 years, Melissa has studied ballet, contemporary, tap and jazz.
She is a member of DanceInfusion, a competition dance company. Last summer, she traveled to New York with the group to attend dance classes. She has earned the “Dancer of the Year” and “Elegant Force” awards from her dance studio.
She has been a Girl Scout for 11 years, earning her Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Melissa put her 10 years of art classes to good use with her Gold Award project, which involved implementing an art program at Union Station Homeless Shelter where she conducted workshops with children. Melissa has been selected to be a banner carrier in the 2010 Rose Parade as a member of the Tournament of Roses Troop.
Melissa is a lector at the youth mass at St. Bede Church and is the president of the Thursday Club’s 2009 class of Les Fleurettes provisional debutantes.
Melissa plans to attend a four-year university back east to major in business. She hopes to spend a semester studying abroad. After college, she intends to pursue a career in interior design.
Miss Melissa Anne Pittson is being presented by her father, Glenn Robert Pittson, Jr. Her escort is Alex Abramian and her presentation song is “Just the Way You Are.”
Julia Anne Christine Marie Heath Rowe
Julia Anne Christine Marie Heath Rowe is the daughter of John Rowe II and Monica Heath. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John N. Rowe and the late Barbara Anne Heath. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Julia was a member of the LCHS girls’ varsity water polo team and the LCHS swim team, both league champions.
Julia has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has traveled to many national Girl Scout workshops and retreats, focusing on Leadership education for young women. Last year, Julia was selected to represent over 9,000 local Girl Scouts as an official voting delegate to the 2008 National Girl Scout Convention in Indianapolis. She also participated in the Mt. Wilson Vista Girl Scout Council Tournament Troop, marching in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade. She earned her Gold Award in March of this year for organizing the “Peace, Love and Music” Concert in the Park to raise awareness for several local social justice organizations.
Julia has twice traveled to Tijuana, Mexico to build homes with Esperanza International, and participated in the San Francisco Faithful Fools ministry. She has contributed more than 600 hours of service to local foothill communities through numerous volunteer organizations including the L.A. County Regional Food Bank, L.A .County Dept. of Children and Family Services, Union Station Pasadena, AIDS Project L.A., Youth and Government, ONE.org., and created 60 gift boxes for our troops through Operation Gratitude. She especially enjoys working with younger girls as a role model and mentoring leadership skills.
Julia is currently president of her senior high youth group at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena, where she has served for many years in various capacities on its youth board.
Julia plans to attend a four-year university to study political science and history.
Miss Julia Anne Christine Marie Heath Rowe is being presented by John David McClelland. Her escort is Matthew Lynn Whitham and her presentation song is “Imagine.”
Kelsey Louise Walker
Kelsey Louise Walker is the daughter of John and Andrea Walker and the granddaughter of Jacqueline Murray Hodges, Patricia Lummis Walker and the late Lewis Allan Walker. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Kelsey is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and the National Honor Society. She has been involved in Youth and Government and traveled with her group to Sacramento to present a proposal to the state Board of Education.
Kelsey has been a member of the French Club and the Smile Club and is currently a member of T.A.C.H., the Green Club, and is a four-year member of the pep squad. As a senior, she is on the song squad, which she loves because she is passionate about dance. Prior to becoming involved in cheer, Kelsey jumped rope competitively. She attended three Junior Olympics and won the “All Around Silver” medal in the 15-17 age division.
In her junior year, Kelsey was appointed as a prom commissioner in ASB and was on the team responsible for planning and executing the 2009 prom. It was during this experience that she fell in love with event planning.
For the past two years, Kelsey has volunteered as a candy striper at Huntington Memorial Hospital. Kelsey enjoys spending time with her friends, going to the movies, and baking — cupcakes are her specialty. She also enjoys traveling with her family and has wonderful memories from their trip to Paris.
Kelsey plans to attend a four-year university in California to study marketing and communications. She hopes to pursue a career in event planning.
Kelsey Louise Walker is being presented by her father, John Murray Walker. Her escort is Eric Thomas Jilg and her presentation song is “What a Wonderful World.”
Samantha Marie Wickersham
Samantha Marie Wickersham is the daughter of Patricia and Paul Wickersham and the granddaughter of Mrs. Ann Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Chase Wickersham, the late Mrs. Jeanne Cole, and the late Mr. Paul O’Sullivan. She is a senior at La Cañada High School. Samantha is a member of La Cañada High’s Marching and Concert bands, is clarinet section leader, and is also a member of the Band Council.
She has been a drama student for four years and has participated in community theater. While acting in La Cañada High’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” she realized her passion for technical theater. She was the assistant director for “A Christmas Carol,” worked with costumes, and operated the microphones and soundboard for plays during her junior year. She is on the technical team to work on six more plays this year.
Samantha has been in the Drama Club, Spanish Club, Young Musicians Club, and the Palpitating Panther Jumprope Team, where she participated in the Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. She is also a member of La Cañada High’s Parent Teacher Student Assn.
Samantha has been involved in Girl Scouts since the first grade and has earned her Leadership Award and her Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Her Gold Award project involved developing an independent summer school program at a Title I school where she tutored students and helped parents work with their children. As a Girl Scout, Samantha worked as a counselor at a local Day Camp and at Camp Mariposa.
Samantha has traveled throughout the United States, Ireland and Spain. This summer she plans to travel to Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands with her grandmother. In addition to the clarinet, she plays piano and guitar, is a dedicated Float Teen, and loves her small group at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. Samantha is secretary of the Les Fleurettes provisional debutante class of 2009.
Samantha plans to attend a four year university and is looking forward to studying abroad. Miss Samantha Marie Wickersham is being presented by her father, Paul Koch Wickersham. Her escort is Nicholaus Nathan Mizrahi and her presentation song is “Make Someone Happy.”
Sara Mary Wickersham
Sara Mary Wickersham is the daughter of Paul and Patricia Wickersham and the granddaughter of Mrs. Ann Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Chase Wickersham, the late Mrs. Jeanne Cole, and the late Mr. Paul O’Sullivan. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Sara is a member of La Cañada High School’s Concert and Marching bands. She has served on Band Council as band librarian and is currently baritone section leader.
As much as Sara enjoys music, she also enjoys theater. She has participated in community productions as well as high school plays. She acted in the high school’s production of “A Christmas Carol” and has a role in the upcoming “Dracula.”
Sara has been a member of the Young Musicians Club, Spanish Club, Drama Club, and the Palpitating Panther Jumprope Team where she participated in the Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. She is also a member of the La Cañada High School Parent Teacher Student Association.
Sara has been a Girl Scout since first grade and has earned her Leadership Award and her Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Her Gold Award project involved developing an independent summer school program at a Title I school where she tutored students and helped parents work with their children. As a Girl Scout, Sara worked as a counselor at a local Day Camp and at Camp Mariposa.
Sara loves to travel and has toured the United States, Ireland and Spain. Last year she visited Norway, Finland and Russia with her grandmother. Sara plays piano, baritone and clarinet. She loves her small group at La Cañada Presbyterian Church and is a Float Teen. Sara plans to attend a four year university and would love to study abroad.
Miss Sara Mary Wickersham is being presented by her father, Paul Koch Wickersham. Her escort is Benjamin Thomas Gibbs, and her presentation song is “Que Sera, Sera.”
Jessica Jordan Yamamoto
Jessica Jordan Yamamoto is the daughter of Peter Yamamoto and Cheryl Shepherd and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Yamamoto and Mr. and Mrs. Grant Shepherd. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Jessica has played JAO (Japanese American Organization) basketball since the fourth grade and basketball for LCHS since her freshman year. In her sophomore year she was a starting guard on the junior varsity team and at the end of the season was moved up to the varsity team during playoffs.
Jessica was a part of the high school’s theater department for three years and performed in “A Christmas Carol,” “You Can’t Take it With You” and “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream.” As a member of the ALFIE Players, she performed in “Fame.”
Jessica is a two-year member of Youth and Government. She is looking forward to traveling to Sacramento with the program again this year to meet with members from other delegations across the state.
Jessica was a Girl Scout for seven years and earned her Bronze Award.
Jessica loves to express herself with her wardrobe, whether she puts on a funky outfit or something more classic. She enjoys altering her clothes to make her outfits more unique.
She loves to bake a variety of desserts. Her specialty is “Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake,” which is perfect at Thanksgiving.
Jessica plans to complete her general education requirements at a local community college and then transfer to a four-year university by the sea when she has finalized her decision on a major.
Miss Jessica Jordan Yamamoto is being presented by her father, Peter Paul Yamamoto. Her escort is Adam Arthur Overgaard and her presentation song is “Fly Me To The Moon.”
Elisa Estrella YiDonoy
Elisa Estrella YiDonoy is the daughter of Elias and Elsie YiDonoy, and the granddaughter of Evita Quan. She is a senior at La Cañada High School. Elisa has been a member of the La Cañada High School’s theater department for the past four years, and has acted in several productions including: “A “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Elisa is also a member of the pep squad and is a varsity cheerleader.
Elisa is an active delegate and officer in the Youth and Government Model Legislature. She has served as a National Issues commissioner as well as a bill writer for her delegation. This past October, Elisa was appointed as one of the four National Issues Commission presiding commissioners by the California Youth governor. As a presiding commissioner, Elisa will lead the hundreds of delegates in the National Issues Commission program. She is looking forward to participating in this year’s Sacramento Conference.
Elisa has been a Girl Scout since the first grade. Her Gold Award project involved directing and producing a Christmas play with the children at the Vista Nueva Transitional Home in Los Angeles. Elisa worked closely with the cast members and their families throughout the process, and was touched by the joy the experience had brought them.
Outside of school, she enjoys photography, baking, traveling and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Elisa plans to attend a four-year university and wants to pursue a career as an attorney.
Elisa Estrella YiDonoy is being presented by her father, Elias YiDonoy. Her escort is Ian Connor Balisy. Her presentation song selection is “I’ve Got the World On a String”.
Elizabeth Eve YiDonoy
Elizabeth Eve YiDonoy is the daughter of Elias and Elsie YiDonoy, and is the granddaughter of Evita Quan. She is a senior at La Cañada High School.
Elizabeth is passionate about art and has been painting and drawing since age 3. She has been part of the La Cañada High School’s art department since her freshman year and her artwork has been chosen for display each year in the school’s annual Spring Art Show. She has received the student choice award for ceramics, the student of the month award, and been recognized for her great character and motivation in class.
Elizabeth has been singing in La Cañada High School’s Women’s Ensemble for the past two years, is a member of the Spanish Club, and has also been involved in Youth and Government.
Elizabeth has been a Girl Scout since the first grade. She has earned her Bronze and Silver awards, and is working toward her Gold Award.
Elizabeth is fond of photography and taking photos of wildlife and landscapes. In her spare time, she enjoys watching classic films, going to musicals and attending concerts with her friends. She also likes to go to the beach to swim and body surf.
Elizabeth plans to go to a local community college and then transfer to a university to study law. She hopes to become an attorney working in the art or film industry.
Miss Elizabeth Eve YiDonoy, is being presented by her father, Elias YiDonoy. Her escort is Gabriel Sakai Cummings and her presentation song is “L-O-V-E.”