Still sweet after 30 years
20th class of Sweethearts is honored for its volunteer efforts
Eileen and Dr. Ricardo Sotomora can breathe a bit easier now.
The couple, who founded the American Heart Association’s Sweetheart program, saw the 20th class of Sweethearts march across the stage during the association’s 30th-anniversary Central Arkansas Heart Ball. Sweethearts are sophomore-age girls who complete several months in a program focused on heart-health awareness and advocacy.
The Sotomoras also were chairmen of the event, dubbed Ignite Possibilities, held April 1 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center. And for their longtime dedication to the association and its mission, the couple received special kudos.
Guests of the ball sipped libations and browsed silent-auction items before entering a lavishly decorated ballroom for a dinner of sirloin in porcini mushroom sauce and Italian-stuffed chicken breast. They later bid on live auction items and danced to music by Dizzy 7.
David Bazzel was master of ceremonies. KARK news anchors Ashley Ketz and Bob Clausen, along with the sweetheart committee, presented the Class of 2017 Sweethearts, from which a number of award winners emerged. Mary-Kaylin O’Neal Linch of Little Rock Christian Academy was presented the $5,000 Allison Justiss Sweetheart Scholarship in memory of 2007 Sweetheart Allison Justiss, who died in a car accident just months after her Sweetheart ball. Paris Joslin of Pulaski Academy received the Sotomora Service Award for performing the greatest number of program community service/educational hours at 135. Silver and Bronze Service Awards were given to other girls who’d gone above and beyond the required volunteer hours.
The Sweetheart program proved to be of special value to alumna and now-University of Arkansas student Lauren Bradley, who spoke on behalf of the Open Your Heart donation appeal. After suffering symptoms originally thought to be caused by anxiety and a magnesium deficiency, Bradley was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, which causes an abnormally fast heartbeat. Her education as a Sweetheart led Bradley to suspect a heart problem and see a cardiologist.
The evening’s adult honorees were the Sotomoras, Worthen-Cornett Award winners for their support of the association, and Shayla and Scott Copas, winners of the Jerry Davis Corporate Award for their support through Baldwin & Shell Construction Co.
The Heart Ball brought in more than $800,000 for the association, according to communications director Rebecca Buerkle.