RSVP : The Las Madrinas Ball Presents 41

The Las Madrinas Debutante Ball was smoother than satin as 41 young women, all college freshmen, were presented at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles white-tie party in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. As debs were announced by Kevin O’Connell, some received a hug from deb chairwoman Cheryl Baker before walking on stage. After descending several steps, each deb was met by a smiling father (or grandfather) and escorted around the ballroom floor to the applause of 860 guests. Each then curtsied to Las Madrinas President Barbara Fountain individually and in the grand group curtsy.

Only then was the pressure off, as proud, ebullient fathers claimed their daughters for an official waltz. Following the protocol of years past, the girls’ escorts were then invited to cut in, and finally the solo stags took to the dance floor.

No one could remember when there had been more debutantes than 41, although it appears there have never been more than 50. There were at least two families with three generations of Las Madrinas debs. Jane Rhodes was presented in 1940, her daughter Julie Reilly in 1964, and her granddaughter Lindsay Jane Reilly was among this year’s class. All were at the ball.

A magnificent Christmas tree stood at the entrance to the ballroom, decorated with gold ribbon, twinkling lights and pink nosegays. The tables were festooned with floral topiaries of roses in gilded Versailles boxes. The look was the choice of ball chairwoman Clare Webb of Santa Monica, assistant chairwoman Kay Onderdonk of Pasadena and the expert help of Jacob Maarse Florist’s Jim Longest.

The day before the ball, debutantes arrived at 9 a.m. to rehearse with presentation director David Balfour. They took a break for luncheon with their fathers, and the rehearsal continued past 4 p.m.

That accounted for the fact that the debs were near collapse when they met escorts and stags in full regalia for a pre-ball party in the sky-top Escoffier Room. Debs Sydney Clark and Renee Strauss, with white gowns plumped voluminously, rested. Mary McAdam admitted, “Everyone’s legs are so sore from curtsying.” Todd Morelli appeared in white tie, top hat and black coat, and said, “I’m ready.” Las Madrinas member Nancy Birdwell and numerous members of the Men’s Committee, headed by Richard Anson Hotaling, stood by with encouragement.

At the pre-party, Jim Young, who escorted his wife, Brooke, to her own Las Madrinas ball, was chosen to lecture to the escorts and stags. “This is a very special event for Childrens Hospital,” he said. “The debutantes want your enthusiastic applause. Make sure all the debs are dancing all the time . . . and be responsible and don’t drink. Life is about choices.”

If there was one universal look to the long white lace, silk or taffeta gowns (worn with long white leather gloves), it was the pouffy style, with covered buttons and bows and bustles at the back.

Las Madrinas means “the Godmothers.” The group was founded in 1933 to render financial support and volunteer service to the hospital. First held in 1939, the ball annually honors families who have contributed significantly to the community. For instance, in 1993, the group successfully completed a $3-million endowment for molecular pathology, and the same year began a new $1.5-million endowment for molecular genetics.

Debutantes were Caitlin Adams, Lauren Armistead, Kelley Barker, Brooke Bartholomew, Kathleen Callaghan, Rebecca Cannom, Sydney Clark, Tara Clougherty, Sara Doughty, Whitney Gaunt, Lisa Geller, Kelly Gentile, Margaret Gilman, Margot Goodan, Elizabeth Grausam, Evans Hankey, Casey Hogan, Devon Mudd Holliday, Perry Hull, Leslie Judd, Katherine Kirwan, Danielle Lee, Lisa LeRoy, Carolyn Leslie, Jennifer Luck, Mary McAdam, Casey Huntington McCloud, Virginia Mielke, Carolyn Miller, Laurie Miller, Sarah Neal, Elizabeth Nesbitt, Courtney Overland, Kathryn Perkins, Lindsay Reilly, Ranee Rhodes, Boyden Rohner, Suzanne Soiret, Amanda Wells, Leigh Winter and Kristin Woolley.