Pittsburgh’s Cinderella Ball is a dream evening for 11 debutantes
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It’s a night that fairy tales are made of — from the young women dressed in pristine white gowns and elbow-length gloves to the glittering pumpkin and illuminated carriage.
And, of course, daughters waltzing with their dads and Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming.
On Jan. 25, 11 young women were presented to society on the arms of their fathers in age-old traditional cotillion style. More than 325 guests filled the elegant grand ballroom on the 17th floor of the Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The 94th annual Cinderella Ball, Pittsburgh society’s debutante ball, is the oldest continual charity gala in Pittsburgh and second-oldest debutante ball in the United States.
Honorees included:
Katherine Ferko Bennett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Frederick Bennett
Katharine Davis Fleischner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Conrad Fleischner
Lauren Elizabeth Gaydos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthew Gaydos Jr.
Elena Elizabeth Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Joseph Hoffman
Alexandra Ruth Keefer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Alan Keefer
Sophia Marie Marquette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stephen Marquette and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Daniel Stephens
Lauren Anne Peterson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bradley Peterson
Meghan Quaid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John James Quaid
Daniella Arabella Santucci, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Francesco Santucci
Adeline Morrow Todd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Baton Todd
Cassidy Jane Walsh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Alan Walsh Jr.
The Cinderella Ball supports local, civic and charitable organizations and awards a scholarship to the debutante who has contributed the most volunteer hours. Santucci and Marquette each contributed over 100 hours at this year’s beneficiary, The Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust was announced as beneficiary for 2021.
At the Frick, the girls logged over 530 hours, from working in the gift shop to gardening.
“I love the community service aspect of this,” says Hoffman, from Greensburg. “I enjoyed connecting with all of the girls. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Peterson of Fox Chapel, who attends Shady Side Academy, says her parents instilled in her the importance of volunteering. She especially enjoyed her time at The Frick Pittsburgh because it’s located in the city.
“It’s not just about wearing pretty dresses,” Peterson says. “It’s so much more than that. It’s a night that celebrates women’s contributions.”
“For me it’s about being presented to the city of Pittsburgh,” says Gaydos, of Elizabeth Township, who attends Serra Catholic. “It’s a special night waltzing with my dad.”
Fleischner’s mother, Dawn, of Squirrel Hill, says her daughter, who attends The Ellis School, enjoyed “creating a relationship through volunteering and working together to develop skills she can use later in life.”
As is customary, Cinderella was selected by Prince Charming. His name is a well-kept secret until he selects Cinderella from a beautifully decorated pumpkin. It was the sixth Cinderella Ball for Prince Charming, Robert William Cochran, a Fox Chapel resident and Shady Side Academy graduate, a freshman at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, studying business. His three sisters were previously presented, he served on the floor committee twice and his brother also has been a floor committee member.
“It’s so cool they thought of me,” says Cochran. He selected Adeline Morrow Todd, a third-generation debutante.
“The moment for Cinderella to be announced came so quick that I was caught off guard,” says Todd, of Fox Chapel, who attends Shady Side. “It made it extra special that I know Robert from Shady Side.”
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Wishing the debutantes well were Cinderella Ball chairs Laura Penrod Kronk with Claude Frederick Kronk and Britton Peyton Wean with Jarrett David Orzechowski, master of ceremonies Addison Lanier II and Jamie Wise Lanier, Catherine Loevner, Christina Elizabeth Rath, Sara Deutsch Scaife, Elizabeth Anne Teti and Thomas Mark Teti, Diane Waldman and Harold Keith Waldman, Kelly Alexis Waldman, Tim McVay and David Bush, Elizabeth Barker, executive director of The Frick Pittsburgh, and Nicholas Gigante, vice president of development for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
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For dinner, the Omni William Penn’s executive chef Michael Fischetti prepared blackened shrimp and grits, filet mignon with béarnaise or gorgonzola port wine, roasted potatoes, asparagus and carrot spears and warm chocolate lava cake.
Floral arrangements were handled by Pete Donati & Sons.
The Rick Purcell Band entertained during dinner and then The Move Makers performed to a dance floor filled with debutantes and their friends and families, as well as Prince Charming and Cinderella … until the clock struck midnight.