B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

The National Charity League Inc.’s Newport chapter welcomed more than

500 guests to its 40th annual debutante ball held recently at the Hyatt

Regency Hotel in Irvine.

The formal coming out party honored 24 college women who have

dedicated the past six years of their philanthropic time to National

Charity League endeavors.

The debutante presentation is the culmination of some 6,500 hours of

community service work performed by these young women in the greater

Newport-Mesa community and adjoining region.

The evening was filled with tears and hugs as the presentations were

made.

Following time honored tradition, the 24 debutantes were presented by

James Francis Roberts. Each young woman was welcomed into society with

fervent applause as she paraded into the ballroom, escorted, wearing her

individually selected floor-length white gown, accented with long white

gloves and a satin muff.

Around each young debutante’s neck was the gold and pearl medallion of

the organization, signifying the completion of the program steeped in

social awareness and community responsibility.

Also introduced to the black-tie crowd was Mrs. John Thomas Lorenz,

president of the Newport chapter of the National Charity League, along

with Mrs. Thomas Marshall Lally, the 2000 debutante activities committee

director.

It was an evening meant for families to rejoice in the splendor of

their daughter’s maturation. A wonderful moment in time between childhood

and adulthood when the innocence and beauty of young life faces the clean

slate of tomorrow -- a slate meant to be filled with promise, both of the

individual and community variety.

The league has offered the slogan, “We search for charity within

ourselves and strive for the graciousness to share it with others.”

It is a message that is surely in continuous need in our society.

Dancing to the sounds of the J. Sterling Orchestra amid a

flower-filled fantasy ballroom created by the talented Andrew Gromeck

Coutoure Flowers of Costa Mesa, the evening proved to be a warm and

gracious tribute to multiple generations of women and their families,

dedicated to strong relationships with this community.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.

CUTLINE

Front Row: From left, Jennifer Porter, Cameran McCallister, Jennifer

Belli, Lesli Hoffman, Kristin McKay, Kaylen Morrison and Kacey

Starzyk.Middle Row: From left, Kellie Abbott, Karrie Rielly, Sarah

Parker, Meghan Feeney, Jamie Jensen, Melinda Tucker, April Mosier, Megan

Wood, Margaux Elliott and Kathyrn Osbourne.

Back Row: From left, Kendra Hollern, Katherine Hoover, Hayley Contant,

Sarah Barker, Anna Finch, Amanda Collopy and Chelsea Godbey.