59TH MEDALLION BALL

99 volunteers honored for 17,000 hours of service

Pittsburgh’s post-Thanksgiving tradition, St. Lucy’s Auxiliary to the Blind’s Medallion Ball, featured 99 medallion candidates and their families and escorts. Always held the Friday after the feast, the 59th Medallion Ball gave extended family in for the holiday another reason to celebrate. The Bishop’s Reception at the Wyndham Grand, Downtown began the evening.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik was joined by ball chair Bonnie Bagay and SLA president Michelle Lantz Echnat in a receiving line during the general

reception.

“This dream of my mother’s has been a reality for 59 years, which is pretty amazing,” said Helen Hanna Casey, a member of the Honor Guard.

Her mother, Anne Hanna, was a founder and chaired the first ball in 1964 with Susanna Freyvogel.

“This is an outstanding organization of women committed to young women and committed to keeping the idea of volunteer service alive,” Hanna Casey said. “This is about everybody committing and giving back to their communities. This is what these girls have done now for 59 years.”

This class of candidates for the Joan of Arc Medallion volunteered for more than 17,000 hours over three years, leaving so many organizations and individuals thankful for their help. Volunteering changed those who participated as well.

“Interacting with patients

has definitely made me more open- minded and empathetic,” said Maria Silvaggio, daughter of Dr. Vincent and Sue Silvaggio. She gave her time to UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital and St. Margaret’s Hospital Foundation.

“At the end of the day, it makes you feel really good about yourself,” said Genevieve Esber, who gave her time to the Valentine Project.

Many others expressed

the same sentiment and said they would continue to volunteer.

After the presentations to the bishop, the young women with their medallions promenaded on the arms of their escorts to the loud applause of family and friends. That was followed by the waltz and dinner and dancing to the Rick Purcell Big Band and the Bachelor Boys Band.

John Colombo photos for the Post-Gazette St. Joan of Arc Medallion winners waltz with their escorts at the Medallion Ball on Friday at Wyndham Grand hotel in Downtown.

Olivia Cuba, left, Victoria Crowley, Mary LaPorte and Grace Kelly at the Medallion Ball at Wyndham Grand hotel in Downtown.

Hudson Bordeau takes Kathryn Allen’s hand to escort her across the ballroom.

John Colombo for the Post-Gazette Kara Fisher, left, Markella Jahn and Marina Gzikowski at the Medallion Ball on Friday at Wyndham Grand hotel, Downtown.