Can anyone keep a secret? In the case of the Denver Debutante Ball, the answer appears to be yes.
Committee members, as well as the families of the girls chosen to make that storied walk down the grand staircase of the Brown Palace Hotel each December, are sworn not to breathe a word until an official announcement is made at an afternoon tea held at a committee member’s home.
Hosting honors this year went to Michelle Hanley, the ball’s public relations chairwoman, who opened her home last Wednesday for the traditional get-together organized by Sharon Martin and Kathy Calkins. Lise Bellmar, who is chairing the Dec. 22 ball, announced that the debutante class of 2009 has 28 members: Walker Cannon, Lizzy Clark, Tay Clarke, Ali Coxhead, Katherine Crew, Liz Deline, Grace Duboc, Taylor Duke, Rettie Duke, Nell Erzinger, Courtney Gallagher, Mary Gallagher, Isabel Gary, Eleanor Hackstaff, Natalie Hackstaff, Kathleen Hickey, Meredith Kaufman, Lark Liedtke, Susan Louis, Caitlin McGonagle, Brooke O’Neal, Shelby Parker, Carlyn Read, Annie Riggs, Maura Shea, Kristen Sheridan, Cory Smith, and Katie White.
Thirteen of the debs are legacies (those who’ve had a mother, sister, aunt or cousin precede them) while several of them are from fourth- and fifth-generation native Colorado families. Two of the girls attend private schools out of state, while the others are seniors at Cherry Creek, East, Mullen and Regis Jesuit high schools; Kent Denver School; and Colorado, Denver and St. Mary’s academies.
Community service plays an important part in their young lives, with Adam’s Camp, Warren Village, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Project Angel Heart and Habitat for Humanity among the area nonprofits benefiting from their gifts of time. The debs also are a well- traveled group, with popular destinations being New Orleans (to help with the post-Katrina rebuilding), and a host of Third World nations where they helped build schools, homes and community centers.
There’s much more about the 2009 debs in my Seen First blog: .
More good stuff.
The late Timber Dick is among those to be honored at the University of Denver Founders Day celebration being held Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center. The dinner marking DU’s 145th birthday also honors Merle Chambers (Evans Award), Helen B. Davis (professional achievement), Anthony Graves (community service), Louise Atkinson (service to alumni) and Craig Harrison (recent graduate achievement). … The Anti-Defamation League kicks off plans for its annual Passing the Torch dinner when Barb and Neil Oberfeld host a reception March 11 at their Greenwood Village home. … My Big Greek Roast, honoring Denver Broncos trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos, takes place March 14 at Invesco Field. Ron Zappolo and Dave Logan will emcee this benefit for Dani’s Foundation; details available at .
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, .
