THE CROWD:2006 debutantes presented at charity ball

The Newport Chapter of the National Charity League Inc. presented 25 young women to society at its 2006 Debutante Ball at the Hyatt Regency Irvine Hotel.

The gala represented the culmination of several thousand hours of community service performed by the debutantes over six years — from seventh grade through their high school graduation.

Attended by nearly 500 guests, the romantically inspired floral decor was created by Newport’s Andrew Gromek of Couture Flowers. The evening was led by Mrs. Jeffrey Grant, director of debutante activities and Mrs. Allan Stokke, president of the Newport Chapter of National Charity League.

Hollywood personality Michael Villani served as presenter, introducing the young ladies and their escorts.

The debutante ball in Newport Beach is a serious rite of passage. It is not just about the girls — it is also about their mothers, fathers and siblings, and the friendships made as young girls while coming of age.

The service program is also taken seriously. Not every girl and mother is accepted, and because the program lasts six years, a strong commitment to serve must be present. Yes, there is the glamour of the ball, but it is simply a graduation of sorts.

It is the lessons lived and learned along the way that matter most.

Finally, it is all about passing serious community values from one generation to the next.

This, perhaps most of all, is the greatest contribution to society, and to the future well-being of the American community.

The 2006 National Charity Debutantes are Maribel Vivian Avila, Karly Helen Bennett, Jacqueline Marie Bradburne, Christine Suzann Burke, Ashley Ann Carnahan, Amanda Marie Carver, Brooke Elizabeth Chandler, Maclay Catherine Coldren, Kelly Jura Curtis, Carly Etta Dobson, Sophia Marie Hillgren, Danica Elizabeth Kalmbach, Elizabeth Ann Layton, Kallan Kristeen Lucas, Shannon Margaret Maguire, Stephanie Riley McDonald, Megan Sandy McKay, Katherine Ann McKitterick, Katarina Milosavljevic, Nicole Marie Newquist, Allyson Patricia Page, Sienna Nicole Palmer, Kalyn Nicole Shah, Brittanny Marie Sturgess, and Caroline Beach Wilkinson.