Fanfare: Medallion Ball candidates honored for volunteer service
By the time the St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind's 54th annual Medallion Ball got underway on November 24, 1,250 guests had filtered into the ballroom of the Wyndham Grand to laud 134 candidates for having collectively donated more than 25,000 hours of their time to volunteerism from their freshman to senior year of high school.
Backstage, the girls took one final glance in the mirror, another swipe of lipstick, at least a handful of selfies. And the nerves?
“I'm definitely more nervous,” said Josie Cost. So, was keeping her calm the job of her cousin and fellow candidate Meredith Massaro?
“Yeah,” Meredith laughed. “I think so.”
Cocktail hour included a VIP reception with Bishop David Zubik, St. Lucy's president Jacinta Dvorak O'Connell, and event co-chairs Heather Ziccarelli and Edyce Rizzi as well as some Medallion Ball alumni.
“I wanted to experience everything,” said Jessica Viehman. “Because my last name is near the end of the alphabet, I walked toward the end and didn't get to see a lot last year.”
At half past seven, the presentation of the honorees got underway. Arm in arm with the beau of their choosing, they were escorted to the stage for the Bishop to present them with their Joan of Arc Medallion. With friends and family looking on, the promenade and waltz got underway.
Amongst the candidates presenting were Zoe Rankin and Giana Barbieri, who both had the highest number of volunteer hours, Hanna Riley, Susan Petnuch, Emily Ready, Libby Usher, Julie Staley, Isabelle Schenler, Margaret Begg, Grace Anania, Mia Beyerl, Alexis Jarvie, Jordan Kipp, Anna Paviglianiti, Meghan Rodgers, Sophia Salvi.
Honor guard included Katherine Donahue Freyvogel, Helen Hanna Casey, Rebecca Freyvogel Mousseau, Anthony Barna, Thomas Freyvogel, Jr., Ronald Petnuch, James Stalder.
The Rick Purcell Band featuring Shari Richards provided the entertainment.
