Sparkling Christmas tree lights and bouquets of flowers, a scarlet carpet, young ladies in pristine white gowns with white pearls and flawless white gloves, fathers and escorts in white ties and tails.

It all signaled that special Broadmoor International Center night when 19 young women, all college freshmen debutantes, made their social debuts.

As is tradition, this 49th annual ball was held during the holiday season on Dec. 22

The young women, who made deep curtsies to the receiving line and the guests on the arms of their fathers, were chosen for school accomplishments, volunteer activities and contributions to the community as well as for the community contributions of the families.

Since 1967 the Debutante Ball has raised more than $600,000 to acquire art for the permanent collection at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. There were already hints there could be something extra special being planned for next year’s 50th anniversary gift to the FAC.

The 2015 Colorado Springs Debutantes

Lauren Elizabeth Agee, daughter of Alan and Karin Agee, granddaughter of Joan Agee of Colorado Springs and the late Jack Agee and Foster and Sharon Kinney of Redwood City, Calif. Lauren graduated from Air Academy High School and attends the University of Denver.

Kaitlyn Gray Cameron, daughter of Dr. Kirk and Kelly Cameron and granddaughter of Dr. Paul and Virginia Cameron of Larkspur and Audrey Mitchell of Colorado Springs and the late Robert Mitchell. Kaitlyn graduated from The Classical Academy and attends the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Dylan Ryan Craddock, daughter of Matthew and Jenny Craddock and granddaughter of James Berry and Linda Craddock of Colorado Springs and Thomas Conde of Mouth of Wilson, Va., and Susan Conde of Colorado Springs. Dylan graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Rhodes College.

Margaret Sophia “Sophie” Deignan, daughter of Dr. Michael Joseph and Katharine Deignan and granddaughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary Deignan of Glen Allen, Va., and Richard and Jane Hogan of Keysville, Va. Sophie graduated from Fountain Valley School and attends Lafayette College.

Madeline Rose “Maddie” Duven, daughter of William and Susan Duven and granddaughter of the late Donald and Helen Duven and Robert and Dolores Wascher of Colorado Springs. Maddie graduated from Palmer Ridge High School and attends the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Brianna Jean Fett, daughter of BJ and Beverly Fett and granddaughter of the late Dr. Bennie John and Edna Fett and Joan Motz of Colorado Springs and the late Merle Motz. Brianna graduated from Coronado High School and attends Montana State University.

Mary Bolen Caroline Fleming, daughter of John Jr. and Judy Fleming and granddaughter of John and Elizabeth Fleming of Fairhope, Ala., and the late Norman and Opal Richardson. Caroline graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Creighton University.

Payton Joanne Gubser, daughter of Lt. Col. Peter and Andrea Gubser and granddaughter of retired Lt. Col. B. Ross and Sue Gubser, of Colorado Springs, and Charles Green Jr., of Palm Bay, Fla., and Joan Cox of Colorado Springs. Payton graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends the University of Puget Sound.

Emiko Frances-Lilikoi “Emi” Hasegawa, daughter of Matthew Chaim Tatoa Hasegawa of Kamuela, Hawaii, and William and Abby Gorab and the granddaughter of Dr. Lawrence and Mary Gorab of Colorado Springs and Joe and Pamela Bricker of Colorado Springs. Emi graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends the University of Denver.

Alena Carlanne Marrese, daughter of Thomas Joseph Marrese of Castle Rock and Wynetta Pauline Massey of Colorado Springs and granddaughter of the late Michael and Anne Marrese and Donald and Avis Massey of Independence, Mo. Alena graduated from Palmer High School and attends Truman State University.

Anna Grace McBroom, daughter of Christopher Edward McBroom and Carol McBroom and granddaughter of Robert and Patsy McBroom of Fairhope, Ala., and the late Louis and Doris Pejza. Anna graduated from Pine Creek High School and attends Youth with a Mission Worship Discipleship Training School in New Zealand.

Molly Rose Guiyun Merkert, daughter of George L. Merkert III, of Los Angeles, and Lila Rioth and granddaughter of Ruth Merkert of Colorado Springs and the late Dr. George Merkert Jr., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rioth. Molly graduated from Palmer High School and attends Colorado College.

Molly Marie Montoya, daughter of Don Ray and Amy Johnson and granddaughter of Chesley Johnson of Leander, Texas, and Betty Johnson of Colorado Springs and the late Kenneth and Dolores Ochs. Molly graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Western State University.

Madison Paige “Maddee” Morley, daughter of James and Robin Morley and granddaughter of the late Herbert and Elizabeth Morley and Peter and Barbara Foster of Colorado Springs. Maddee graduated from The Colorado Springs School and attends Baylor University.

Peyton Reese Nelson, daughter of David Dean and Dayna Nelson and granddaughter of Judy Bauer of Leland, N.C., and the late Jack Nelson, and James Gorman of Evergreen and Vandra Prey of Arvada. Peyton graduated from Pine Creek High School and attends San Diego State University.

Lauren Cecilia Paul, daughter of Stephen Jon Paul and Dr. Amy Katherine Curran and granddaughter of Stephen and Anna Paul of Denver and the late Laurence Jr., and Rita Curran. Lauren graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Chapman University.

Regan Celeste Pinello, daughter of Andrew Berndt and Allison Pinello and granddaughter of Anetka Pinello of Calhan and the late RL Pinello and Roy and DeAnna Berg of Colorado Springs. Regan graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends the University of Colorado at Boulder College of Music.

Nataya Cathryn Fengyan Stepleton, daughter of Jon Elliott and Tamra Stepleton and granddaughter of the late Merlin and Margaret Stepleton and the late Marvin and Iris Renzelman. Nataya graduated from The Colorado Springs School and attends The College of Idaho.

Shelby Irene Wielgus, daughter of Charles Jr. and Nancy Wielgus and granddaughter of Irene Wielgus and the late Charles Wielgus of Larchmont, N.Y., and Grace Maud of Las Cruces, N.M., and the late Jerry Gipson. Shelby graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Elon University.

More photos: gazettedev.gazette.com/life/around-town