Ten young women in traditional formal white gowns, long gloves and pearls were presented as the 2025 Colorado Springs Debutantes in a sparkling December ball in Broadmoor International Center.

The evening’s floral theme was “Velvet and Vines” and special flowers and colors were red Venturoso Rose and white O’Hara Garden.

The debutantes and those serving on ball committees join a tradition that often has family social lineage including mothers and grandmothers. In the receiving line for 2025 were Honorary Ball Chairman Dede Benning, who had made her debut in 1968, followed by her daughter, Dr. Megan O’Rourke Berson, a Colorado Springs Debutante in 1990 and this year’s ball chairman. A number of past ball chairmen were honored during the ceremony.

The ball was dedicated to the late Susan “Sue” Bohmer Tyson, a past chair “and devoted friend,” who was represented by her children, Kimberly H. Tyson, Lauren K. Tyson and Dwight B. Tyson.

The 2025 Colorado Springs Debutantes:

Olivia Jean Chura, daughter of Ric and Megan Chura, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore James Chura of Duluth, Minn., and Stuart Douglas Grant of Silver Lake, Ohio, and the late Mrs. Grant. She graduated from Air Academy High School and attends Pennsylvania State University.

Elaine Elizabeth Cross, daughter of Jerry Cross III and Anne Laye-Cross, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Ryland Cross II of Longmont and Darryl Martin Laye of Colorado Springs and the late Mrs. Laye. She graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Lake Forest College.

Olivia Morgan Davalos, daughter of Dr. Jorge Davalos Jr. and Jo-Ann Davalos, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Davalos of Miami, Fla., and Mrs. Joseph Angelo DiNoia of Las Vegas, Nev., and the late Mr. DiNoia. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and attends Emory University.

Jordan Rose Gibbs, daughter of Dr. Gordon and Erin Gibbs, granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frederic Andrews Gibbs Jr. of Colorado Springs and Mrs. Gerald Dominic Reilly of Colorado Springs and the late Dr. Reilly. She graduated from Score Academy and attends The University of Florida.

Leila Niente Sather, daughter of Mark and Cindi Sather, granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Melvin Sather and Mrs. Joseph Slaton of Tempe, Ariz., and the late Millard Chiang. She graduated from Fountain Valley School and attends Lafayette College.

Stella Marie Scuilli, daughter of Sam and Melinda Scuilli, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Vincent Scuilli of Spring Lake, N.J. and the late Shirley Marie Silva. She graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends Georgetown University.

Margarete Katherine Somich, daughter of Matthew Somich and Sara Connolly-Somich, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Xavier Connolly of St. Augustine, Fla., and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Karl Somich of Cooksburg, Pa. She graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends University of Colorado Boulder.

Madeleine Sabel Soteres, daughter of Dr. Daniel Soteres and Dr. Allison Sabel-Soteres, granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Stephen Sabel of Cherry Hills Village and the late Dr. and Mrs. Peter Spiros Soteres. She graduated from Fountain Valley School and attends Davidson College.

Riley Quinn Walsh, daughter of Richard Walsh and Amelia Walsh, granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Terry Wayne Larkin and Mr. Anthony Patrick Goder of Dartmouth, Maine, and the late Mrs. Goder. She graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School and attends University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Isabel Jean Winegar, daughter of Phil and Hanni Winegar, granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wayne Winegar and Mr. and Mrs. Dale Alvin Gerlach of Colorado Springs. She graduated from Rampart High School and attends Pacific Lutheran University.

The Post Debutantes from 2024, wearing emerald green and carrying bouquets with a mix of red and pink roses, were Kate Virginia Bolio, daughter of Retired Army Col. Brian Bolio and Suzette Bolio; Chase Adaline Bradley, daughter of Retired Air Force MSgt. Karl Bradley and Retired Air Force MSgt. Julie Bradley; Emily Rose Briggs daughter of Robert Briggs III and Sandi Briggs; Anne Marie Dalsaso, daughter of Dr. Tom Dalsaso Jr. and Colleen Dalsaso; and Aleena Marie Khan, daughter of Dr. Khurram Khan and Dr. Tiffany Willard.

After walking the red carpet to the stage with their fathers and escorts, the young ladies were presented with curtsies to the formal receiving line: Honorary Ball Chair Dede Benning and Dr. Allen Benning; Debutante Ball Chair Dr. Megan O’Rourke Berson and Dr. Andrew Berson, and Honored Patrons Jon and Becky Medved. Curtsies to families and guests followed.

2025 Debutante Ball Receiving Line: from left, Honorary Ball Chair Dede Benning and Dr. Allen Benning; Ball Chair Dr. Megan O’Rourke Berson and Dr. Andrew Berson; Honorary Patrons Becky and Jon Medved. Photo by Adam Houseman, Houseman Studios Denver

2025 Post Debutantes: front row from left, Kate Bolio, Emily Briggs, Anne Dalsaso; back row left, Aleena Khan, Chase Bradley. Photo by Adam Houseman, Houseman Studios Denver