More than just pretty faces
By Tricia Decker
Standing backstage ready to ascend the runway, which had converted the Hyatt Regency La Jolla’s Aventine ballroom into both a house of fashion and a platform on which 25 girls and their fathers were going to catwalk down, I reflected upon the goals of National Charity League (NCL).
“Imagine” was the theme of the night, although one need not imagine the wonder that is NCL. These newly presented ladies have done much more than sport lovely white gowns – they’ve given back to the community that has given to them. The NCL class of 2008 collectively contributed 12,000 hours of community service through hard work and dedication to the community.
NCL is a charitable coalition of mothers and daughters whose mission is to foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences. Founded in the 1920s by a group of women in Los Angeles, NCL has blossomed into the powerhouse that it is today. It has more than 140 different chapters in 15 states.
The organization supports multiple charitable programs, such as Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and St. Vincent de Paul.
Leadership development is cultivated through class elections, where girls elect officers to lead their class – a group of about 25 ticktockers (daughters) and patronesses (mothers). Ticktockers and patronesses attend at least one NCL-sponsored cultural event per year. Such events include plays like “Mamma Mia!” and concerts by the San Diego Symphony.
NCL is a six-year program that begins in 7th grade and ends in 12th at a ceremony titled “Senior Presents,” like the one that took place on May 24 in the Aventine ballroom.
Event chairs Wyndam Jackson and Sally Hanger created a memorable night. Hanger said the night was a lot of hard work and a tremendous amount of fun.
Micki Olin and Nancy Pouk were co-chairs of senior presentations. Vicki Eddy was master of ceremonies. These ladies created a transcendent occasion, where fathers presented their daughters into society.
NCL graduates are:
Alexi Archambault, Daughter of Diane and David ArchambaultPresented by her father, David
Meghan Barry. Daughter of Carol and Timothy Barry
Presented by her father, Timothy
Taylor Binder, Daughter of Estel and Dr. Walter Binder
Presented by her father, Wally
Mia Cohen, Daughter of Ursula and Sheldon Cohen
Presented by her father, Sheldon
Catherine Coppenrath, Daughter of Joan and Leonard Coppenrath
Presented by her father, Leonard
Danya Costello, Daughter of Katya Newmark and Matthew Costello
Presented by her father, Matthew
Laura Cummings, Daughter of Micki Olin and Dr. Thomas Cummings
Presented by her father, Thomas
Gia DeMichele, Daughter of Barbara and Mark DeMichele
Presented by her father, Mark
Melissa Helm, Daughter of Jacquelyn and Murray Helm
Presented by her father, Murray
Hillary Hudson, Daughter of Ariane and Drew Hudson
Presented by her father, Drew
Jennifer Huntly, Daughter of Laurence and Mark Huntly
Presented by her father Mark
Alexandria Icenhower, Daughter of Donna and Jerry Icenhower
Presented by her father, Jerry
Delany Maher, Daughter of Mary and Patrick Maher
Presented by her father, Patrick
Caitlyn McCarthy, Daughter of Cheryl and Daniel McCarthy
Presented by her father, Dan
Fiona McNeil, Daughter of Lydia and John McNeil
Presented by her father, John
Megan Morikawa, Daughter of Karen and Derek Morikawa
Presented by her father, Derek
Candace Overlie, Daughter of Candy and Dr. Paul Overlie
Presented by her father, Paul
Kelsey Pouk, Daughter of Nancy and John Pouk
Presented by her father, John
Kaitlynn Reilly, Daughter of Treycie Haigh and William Reilly
Presented by her father, Bill
Natalie Reusser, Daughter of Heidi and Curtis Reusser
Presented by her father, Curtis
Katie Salvato, Daughter of Cindy and Robert Salvato
Presented by her father, Rob
Lindsey Schwartz, Daughter of Mary Rose and Benjamin Schwartz
Presented by her father, Ben
Alexandria Stephens, Daughter of Kathryn and John Stephens
Presented by her father, John
Nicole Thomas, Daughter of Inez and Dr. Theodore Thomas
Presented by her father, Theodore
Amy Twohig, Daughter of Lezlie and Joseph Twohig
Presented by her father, Joseph