The 2007-2008 Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Guild Silver Rose Debutantes were presented to the Santa Clarita Valley on Saturday, Oct. 6, during a special tea.

On the menu were tasty hors d'oeuvres and finger sandwiches, fantastic desserts and high emotions as 11 seniors were given a silver medallion by members of their families.

The medallion, a traditional silver rose emblem, will be worn by the debutantes at the 2008 Silver Rose Ball.

Each debutante also received a pink rose and modern etiquette guide.

"Being a debutante provides skills that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Good manners never go out of style," said Guild president Virginia Hart. "It also looks great on their college resumes."

There are 13 Silver Rose debutantes in this year's class; 11 were presented at the tea.

The presented debutantes included seniors Chantalle Alexandrea Maria Barritt and Kiara Lin Price of Valencia High, Nicole Marie Bergantino, Desiree Danielle Gravel, Kimberly Nicole Hedman and Dominique Picker-Lombardo of Hart High, Stephanie Stein and Shawnie Wise-Hawkins of Canyon High, Jillian Rose Tuso of West Ranch High, Ashley King of Santa Clarita Christian School, and Nicole Alicia Ryan, who is home-schooled.

Charlotte Heather Boon of Los Angeles Lutheran High School and Rachel Cox of Valencia High were unable to attend.

Throughout the 2008 season, debutantes will volunteer 50 hours of community service, learn about etiquette, plan and produce a social gathering, as well as attend fund-raising events sponsored by the guild.

The guild also offers a Junior Debutante Program for juniors in high school. Five juniors, bedecked in immaculate white aprons, assisted at this year's tea.

The Silver Rose Debutante Program was created in 1986 and if their alumni are any indication, this year's crop of debutantes have a bright future ahead.

"We've had debutante reunions and the women that attended were just amazing," said Terrie Cipriano of the Henry Mayo Health Foundation. "These are women that have lived all over the world and entered into some incredible professions."

Proceeds from the Silver Rose Debutantes entrance fees and Silver Ball attendance benefit Henry Mayo's laboratory services. The program is chaired by hospital guild members and the tea was planned and attended by Kristine Crowder, Rhona Jukes, Deborah Weyand, Karen Krosskove, Phyllis Grekin, Eva Murray,Terrie Cipriano, Patti Fincher,Susan Beasley and Virginia Hart.

"Henry Mayo is proud to support this program," Cipriano said.