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.
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