It is written, "as the twig is bent, so grows the tree." Enter the ladies of St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind , who have helped shape the lives of our young women by guiding them on the path of service to others. Since 1964, when Susanna Freyvogel and the late great Anne Hanna founded the Medallion Ball, this cherished tradition has launched 3,660 points of light into the world. Their 683,300 volunteer hours have improved the plight of children, the elderly, the sick, the homeless and beyond. Extraordinary!
SLA's amazing graces have enriched our community with the true meaning of giving. You should also know they have raised millions for the Blind and Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh ... without the benefit of an office or a single paid staffer. Families are drawn to the vibrant scene every year with its new crop of volunteers. The ball is their reward and they can channel their inner princess.
So it came to pass on Friday at the Downtown Hilton that the Class of 2006 bowed at a fairy-tale gala for 116 high school seniors of all faiths. Not just pretty faces, but ascendant novas logging more than 18,000 volunteer hours (a minimum of 100 is de rigeur ) to a charity of choice. Like Fox Chapel High's Katie Walker , who went to Haiti to help establish a medical clinic there. Katie also joined a volunteer group in New Orleans to rebuild homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Gowned in shimmering white, each made her bow before the Most Rev. William Winter , retired Auxiliary Bishop (replacing now-Archbishop Donald Wuerl , who had joyously presided over many Medallion Balls of yore). Around her neck was placed a sterling Joan of Arc medallion for her good deeds and, on the arm of a white-tied escort, she floated down the length of the ballroom floor. Then, as Rick Purcell's orchestra played on, all the dewy beauties and their young swoons began the Grande Promenade before whirling off to "Eidelweiss" and the Medallion Waltz to roaring applause.
It was big -- very big. But the additional tables required to seat 1,325 black-ties cramped the presentation's grande finale and CeCe Capron's exquisite choreography. Not that anyone minded in the crowd of cheering folks and young socials, many of whom were "Medallion Girls" and escorts in their salad days. The seamless fantasia would not have been possible without a very hands-on steering committee led by its beautiful first ladies: chair Rhodora Noethling with Ted and co-chair Kristine McGinley with Chris (both bowed as MGs in '93 and '98 respectively). And the superb pacing of WTAE-TV's Mike Clark as emcee.
Sheila Weiner of the Event Group orchestrated the stunning ambience to swan by. Especially the ballroom ceiling that was dramatically swagged in a white starburst design dripping crystals. Tables were covered in midnight blue, lit by pinspots and centered with soaring bouquets of cymbidium orchids, roses and hydrangeas ... all white, all gorgeous, all by Lori Grandon of Botanically Correct. After supper, off came those long white gloves and cutaways as John Parker expertly commanded the bandstand and that party rocked. Ah, yes, I remember it well. And so do you.
Leading the glitterati at the 43rd annual ball were such as SLA prexy Regina Callahan with Dr. Larry ; Dame of St. Gregory Katherine with Knight of Malta Tighe Freyvogel ; Knights of Malta Jim Haberman and Ron Petnuch ; Steve and Helen Hanna Casey ; Elizabeth and Denis McCarthy ; Julia and Dr. John Gleason ; Ann and Chris Donahue ; Annie and Dennis Cestra ; Veronica and Lou Guarino with MG Vanessa ; Carol and Doug MacPhail with MG Lisa ; Meg and George Cheever with MG Mary ; Kathy Beuchel and Fred Egler with MG Moira and grandparents Ruth and Fred Egler ; Lynn and Bob Hagan ; Diane and Dr. Larry Crossett with MG Erin ; Terry Jancisin ; Annie and Gus Engel ; Alice and Craig Campbell with MG Kristen ; Marina and Ken Lehn with MG Skyler Roeshot ; Penny and Paul McKenna ; and Susan and David Lackner with MG Jillian and grandparents Lois and Dan Lackner (Dan's late brother Msgr. Paul Lackner founded St. Lucy's Guild for the Blind).
Midst the frothy confections and Knights of Columbus honor guard, we also spotted Andrew Uram and Julia , who has attended all 43 balls, with George Ley and Gloria , who has worked on all 43 balls; Jackie and Dr. Bob Capretto with MG Colby ; Francine and Larry Altman with MG Lauren ; Jackie and Gerry Dudley with MG Margaret ; Lisa and Bob Pompeani with MG Chelsea ; Cathy and Dr. Tony DiGioia with MG Maria ; Karen and Tom Gorman with MG Tracy and grandmama Marjorie Hughes ; Marion and Dr. Mark Gannon with MG Elizabeth and grandparents Joan and Norbert Gannon ; Justine Merriman ; Maryann and Phillip Bacharach with MG Grace ; Janice and Moses Simmons with MG Kelleyah ; Janet Baron and Richard Antonucci with MG Sarah ; Lisa and Brian Sullivan with MG Madeline ; Nancy and Peter DelPresto with MG Margaret ; Joyce and Edward Ley with MG Diana ; Cordelia and Robert Kohler with MG Margo ; Lisa and Judge Kevin Sasinoski with MG Megan ; and Laurie and John Kirkpatrick with MG Julie .
