The Crowd: Debuting in a 50-year tradition
In a grand, decades-old tradition, 22 young women were presented at the National Charity League Inc. 2010 Debutante Ball on Saturday evening at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Irvine. The occasion marked the 50th anniversary for the Newport Beach chapter holding its debutante ball the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving. The women, many of them attending universities across the county, traveled home to Orange County to take their formal bow.
In keeping with the sentimental 50th anniversary recognition, organizers erected a presentation stage resembling the first one set up in 1960 featuring white satin drapes gathered with gold rope. Two gold, floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflected the debutantes and their fathers with a chandelier hung strategically above the presentation platform where the debutants performed the traditional St. James bow.
The colors of the evening were predominantly pink, white and gold. Karla Flores of Elegant by Design created the stage and centerpieces, which were fashioned of pink roses mixed with pink and white hydrangeas.
Chapter President Leslie Sullivan, joined Jennifer Lefebvre, director of debutante activities, in producing the grand party. Lefebvre’s husband, Channing Alain Lefebvre, escorted her at the Nation Charity League Inc. Ball in Newport Beach in 1986 before they married. Channing Alain Lefebvre volunteered his time and experience with John Ursini as floor chairmen for the ball. Michael Vallini served as masters of ceremonies keeping the evening moving for the some 380 guests attending.
The crowd dined on a menu designed to replicate the menu that was served in 1960. A salad of Bibb lettuce, watercress, and assorted treats drizzled with a French vinaigrette proceeded a main course of filet mignon in duxelles and puff pastry accompanied by béarnaise sauce and paired with sautéed shrimp and vegetables. Dessert was a chocolate medallion engraved with a gold “50th” in a pots de crème. Following the formal presentations, the crowd danced until midnight hour the 15-piece Jay Sterling Orchestra. The band also played a song selection for each of the debutants as they were presented.
The graduating debutante class completed more than 8,200 hours of community service assisting a diverse group of charitable causes supported by the National Charity League Inc., including the American Cancer Society, Hoag Hospital Candystripers, Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, Share Our Selves, Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Costa Mesa Senior Center.
The 2010 National Charity League debutantes are Madelyn Beck, Kristin Burger, Mackenzi Burke, Kirby Burnham, Devyn Davis, Charlotte Farrell, Alix Fitch, Bridget Fox, Andrianna Frinzi, Jacquelyn Graham, Lauren Grupe, Melissa Hancock, Brynn Johnson, Jennifer Kalmbach, Claire Layton, Sally Mace, Kayleigh Moore, Claire Ramser, Kimberly Ramser, Madison Simmonds and Jordan Team.
THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
