THE CROWD:Newport-Mesa debutantes make their entrance

They turned the ballroom into a garden of bountiful pink and white roses. The Assistance League of Newport Mesa presented eight young ladies at their summer of 2007 Medallion Debutante Ball at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. The recent Sunday evening ceremony and dinner attracted some 400 community members who came to celebrate the debutante tradition in grand style, as praise was bestowed upon the small graduating class of young women for their dedication to community service. The 2007 Debutantes were Hayley Anne Ayres, Taylor Rae Bryson, Kaitlin Danielle Gritsch, Holly Ann Van Hiel, Robin Mae Ibbetson, Kacie Ann O’Brien, Kelly Ann Parker and Jennifer Lauren Peart.

The evening was emceed by dedicated league supporter Dale Johnston who joined forces with Newport Beach chairwoman Nancy Kelly in creating a spectacular setting for the right-of-passage ceremony. Nancy Kelly was philosophical about her role, stating, “I am honored to chair this most traditional and beautiful event. I never want to lose sight of its main purpose to encourage, recognize and celebrate the community service of these outstanding young women.”

In its 67th year of service to the Newport-Mesa community, the Assistance League is a volunteer nonprofit organization that raises funds to support children and families in need through year-round philanthropic projects including the Assistance League Thrift Shop, Treasures on Consignment, along with a full annual calendar of fund raising events and special projects. Noted programs of the league include the Cheri Harris Dental Health Center, Operation School Bell, Kids on the Block, and the community outreach program.

The debutantes began their induction into the role of community service in the ninth grade, as members of a group known as the Assisteens Auxiliary of the Assistance League. The Assisteens were the first such auxiliary in Orange County, founded in 1962. The girls are required to work a number of hours in each of the league’s different endeavors, as well as assist in fundraising to support not only the projects of the league, but other nonprofit organizations, including Serving People In Need and Someone Cares Soup Kitchen.

In the end after four years, these young women have certainly made a difference. The Assisteens Auxiliary supports groups that help more than 11,500 low income children in the Newport-Mesa community alone.

And it’s not just the graduating debutantes. Many more young girls volunteer and support these programs and choose not to participate in the grand final ceremony. Approximately 30 girls represent each high school class and donate about 1,000 hours during their high school career, which comprise a part of the overall Assistance League of Newport-Mesa 40,000 annual volunteer hours.

These are impressive and remarkable hours that make a real difference in real people’s lives.

Four of the debutantes, Taylor Bryson, Holly Van Hiel, Kelly Parker and Jennifer Peart, received special recognition at the debutante ceremony for volunteering extra hours of service. The young women received diamonds in their gold medallion necklaces as a tribute to their efforts.

The ceremony began as the mothers of the debutantes were escorted into the ballroom by young men, many of them brothers or close family friends of the debutantes.

The fathers followed, awaiting their daughters to be presented, then escorting them to the stage as their accomplishments were announced to the applause of one and all.

The traditional first waltz followed, with music presented by Barry Cole and the Sound of Music Orchestra.

Supporting Nancy Kelly in making the evening a spectacular success were Assistance League board president Karen Treaccar and her husband Thomas, Judy Weightman, Dale and Joanne Johnston, Lynn and Bev Eppey, David and Ann Rogers, Marie France-Lefebvre, Carter Ford, Robert and Diana Brookes, Jacqueline Chung, Jeff Gordon, Ed and Lisa Hupp, Paul and Kelly McKelvey, Thomas and Virginia Sands, Maria and Jonathan Wheeler.

Debutante parents supporting the right of passage included Bruce and Jill Ayres, Ryan and Cameron Williams, Richard and Bree Bryson, Norman and Loni Gritsch, Nader and Cheryl Shah, Bruce and Joyce Ibbetson, Dean and Holly O’Brien, William and Kathleen Parker, Kelly and Joanne Peart, Jhan and Ann Van Hiel.

Also spotted in the Bay Club ballroom were Elizabeth McKelvey, Courtney Sands, Lauren Wess , Christina Brooks, Joanna Brooks, Callen Chung, Whitney Hockinson, Natalie Hupp, and Lauren Wheeler.