Among the Debutantes are Miss Devin Diane Pence, daughter of Mrs. Mary Patricia Pence and Mr. Blair Pence(Brentwood); Miss Carolyn Elizabeth Shelton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Joseph Shelton, junior (Brentwood); Miss Chelsea Woods Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Christopher Lewis (Brentwood); Miss Olivia Elizabeth Clifford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson Clifford (Brentwood); Miss Caitlyn McLeod Croft, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wesley Croft (Brentwood); Miss Maureen Kelly Flaherty, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Francis Flaherty III (Brentwood); Miss Molly Stuart Hartwick, daughter of Mrs. Ronald Stuart Hartwick and the late Mr. Hartwick (Westwood); Miss Danielle Nicole Shepherd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Colin P. Shepherd (Bel-Air).
On May 12, 2010, the Debutante families gathered at the Saban Research Institute of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to meet with, and hear a presentation by, Dr. Michele Kipke, Director of the Las Madrinas Endowment for Autism Research, Interventions and Outcomes. Dr. Kipke spoke of the overwhelming increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. She described the lives of these children and explained how early diagnosis and intervention are critical and do make a difference.
Dr. Kipke’s group is developing and analyzing new tools and technologies for early diagnosis, testing and evaluating interventions and therapies, and tracking the outcomes of these interventions to ensure the best care for children with autism spectrum disorders. Following the meeting, the families toured either the neo-natal intensive care nursery in the Hospital or a developmental biology lab at the Research Institute.
The Debutantes, their mothers and their grandmothers were guests of honor at a Tea given by Las Madrinas at the home of Mrs. Warren Brooks Williamson (Alyce) on June 9, 2010. The President of Las Madrinas, Mrs. Robin Patterson Nenninger, formally welcomed the families and thanked them for their contributions and commitment to the Los Angeles community. Among the Las Madrinas members greeting the Tea guests were Debutante Chairman, Mrs. David Adolfo Lamb (Amy), and Ball Chairman, Mrs. Victor Follen Hawley (Diane).
Las Madrinas has supported pediatric medicine for over 75 years and is one of the first Affiliate Groups of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. In 1939, Las Madrinas began its tradition of honoring families who have demonstrated a commitment to the civic, cultural, and philanthropic life of Southern California by presenting their daughters at the annual Las Madrinas Ball. Donations made in honor of the young women by their families, together with the annual support of Las Madrinas members and friends, will contribute to the Las Madrinas Endowment for Autism Research, Interventions and Outcomes.
Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating seriously ill and injured children for more than a century. This renowned hospital is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. As one of America’s premier teaching hospitals, Childrens Hospital has been affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine at USC for more than 75 years and is a leader in pediatric research.
