Jun 29, 2008

Debutantes ushered into society at benefit ball

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

The 48th annual Peninsula Ball was a night of traditions and magical moments for 36 debutantes, their families and friends. About 500 guests attended the once-in-a-lifetime evening at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara on June 21.

During his opening remarks, presentation director Christopher Martin set the tone for the evening, saying, "We're proud of a long tradition on the Peninsula - the Ball has contributed more than $3 million in support of families and children in the community. Tonight, we celebrate 36 young women before they go on to college."

Following tradition, the debs wore white ball gowns and long white gloves while performing deep curtsies under an arbor of pink and white roses, hydrangeas, lilies, peonies and lisianthus, carrying bouquets of matching flowers in a gardenia-scented, candlelit garden setting (created by Isabella Boyer Sikaffy of Florabella).

Lighted ficus trees, pale green silk-draped tables with luxurious bouquets and tall, silver candelabra centerpieces filled with the flowers featured in the arbor completed the ballroom decor.

The popularity of the ball - with its 36 debs - has created a new tradition of having two performances of the promenade and first waltzes with fathers and escorts. The Robert Vickers Orchestra played "I Could Have Danced All Night" from "My Fair Lady" for the fathers' dances, and "Que Sera Sera " for the escorts' dances. Both generations showed off the smart steps they perfected at a springtime waltz party hosted by the Bracken Richardson, Robert Caine and David Jones deb families.

As with tradition, Martin officially opened the ball with the introduction of and presentation of flowers to honorary chairwoman Pat Gregory. Pat, who was a deb and former ball chairman, followed in her mother Patricia Hunter's footsteps (Hunter chaired the ball in the early years and was honorary chairman in 1973). Gregory's daughters Diana Horner and Lilla Gregory were debs in the 1990s and her husband Tod Gregory served as presentation director. Martin also presented ball co-chairwomen Lena Dawson and Ann McPherson with matching bouquets.

Participation in the Peninsula Ball is a long-standing tradition for many families. Several debs followed in their sisters' and mothers' footsteps. Marian Huggins received tips on her curtsy from her sister Anna. Alyssa Robinson's mother Mary Lynn Robinson made her debut at the 1977 ball. A trio of 1980s former debs - Natalie Richardson, Marilyn Caine and Barbara Scherling Williams - applauded Edie Richardson and Lindsey Caine. Edie was the family's third generation deb, following in the footsteps of her mother Natalie and grandmother Ann Griffiths, as well as her godmother Scherling Williams. Lindsey Caine also continued her mother Marilyn's tradition.

Caroline Clark's mother Jane Dorst Clark and her sisters Christina and Elizabeth, as well as her aunt Betsy Clark, were all presented over the years at the ball. Caroline's grandmother Ann Dorst and 2006 honorary ball chairwoman Dorothy Cartan III (who is like a second grandmother to her) were all smiles posing for keepsake photos with her during the ball.

Roger Mein said it truly was a special night for his daughter Rachel and their family. "This event has a great tradition and meaning for both our generations and many before," he said. Mein ordered a kilt in the family tartan, the Menzies clan, a year in advance in honor of the occasion and their Scottish heritage. Bailey DeWitt's father Les DeWitt was both an escort and usher, and her aunt Marianna DeWitt Schmit was also a former deb.

Debs presented included Athertonites Kimberly Blears, Laura Child, Jennifer Chiuchiarelli, Giacoma Cusimano, Sara Madding, Alexandra Plain and Molly Stern; Hillsborough residents Sara Buncke, Catherine Callinan, Katharine James, Sloane Lehman, Elizabeth Marquardt and Erin McMahon; Menlo Park residents Madelyn Cobb, Kirsten Fuller, Lisa Gonia, Sarah Vallarino and Katherine Wang; and Portola Valley residents Allison Carlisle, Julia Raab, Katherine Ring and Madeline Turner.

Completing the list were Palo Alto residents Malia Jones, Molly McGlynn and Kirsten Sheridan; Sarah Bohannon and Caitlin Brown of Woodside; and Brittany Westerman and Natalie Draeger of Los Altos Hills.

After the traditional dances, the party was in full swing, starting with a three-course dinner of beef filets and salmon, followed by lemon mousse towers and chocolate domes for desert, and ending with enthusiastic dancers staying until the band went home.

In 2007, the Peninsula Ball Committee officially became the Peninsula Ball Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission to support the mental, physical and emotional well-being of families and children of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

This year the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula was the recipient of event proceeds. Every day more than 900 youths, ages 6 to 18, from East Palo, East Menlo Park and the North Fair Oaks section of Redwood City attend after-school activities at seven sites during the school year and daylong programs during the summer. Executive director Peter Fortenbaugh said the club's emphasis is on academic success. "Our strategy is to create a community of learners in partnership with families and schools."


Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 255 Constitution Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com.