Every year, the National Charity League (NCL) a mother-daughter organization, holds a special event that honors the seniors who have spent as many as six years donating dozens of hours to a variety of organizations.
This year, the event will be held March 14 and take place at the Double Tree Hotel in San Jose. The theme of the gathering is “Unwritten,” a song by Natasha Bedingfield. It is meant to reflect the girls’ feelings that even though this event is the culmination of their years in NCL, they are standing on the brink of their future as adults.
The planning took over a year and required many parent volunteers to help make it happen. All of the mothers are involved in one of the committees for the event.
“Some work on the invitations, program, flowers or slide show,” said NCL parent Kathy Ormseth. “Others are in charge of the accounting, RSVP’s and table placement.”
To qualify for the graduation, each girl has to complete the appropriate number of philanthropic and social requirements such as attending an opera or musical. On top of that, they had to choose the right dress and shoes for the ceremony.
“The girls also chose the theme and the music for the event,” said Ormseth. “They had to prepare a guest list and send invitations. The seniors are also awarded a medallion to commemorate their years in NCL.”
Senior Aneesha Sharma is one of roughly 20 SHS girls who was excited to prepare for the event, even if it meant hard work.
“I knew that it would be something I would have to work on, on top of everything else I had going on,” said Sharma, “but now that it’s almost over, all the hard work was definitely worth it.”
The friends and family of the girls being recognized will attend the event. There are typically 200- 400 guests. The venue includes a large ballroom with a stage, a dance floor and about 34 tables.
“Initially the girls being recognized are kept hidden from their guests. There is a reception that lasts about 45 minutes,” said Ormseth.
“Then the ballroom doors are opened and the guests are invited to find their tables.”
Once everyone is seated, and the program starts, the girls are introduced one by one and they take their memorable walk as NCL graduates.