97th annual Cinderella Ball celebrated on Father’s Day

For a girl, her father is her first love.

On Sunday, that bond was evident as dads and male role models reached out for the hand of the young women they’ve embraced their entire lives at the 97th annual Cinderella Ball — fittingly on Father’s Day.

Sixteen debutantes were presented to society, each on the arm of her father or father figure, in front of nearly 400 friends and family inside the Carnegie Museum’s Hall of Sculpture in Oakland. Dressed in a white or off-white ball gown and long gloves, each debutante paused to curtsy, and extended their hand to make a formal entrance into society.

The Cinderella Ball is Pittsburgh’s oldest fund-raiser and one of the longest-running debutante balls in the U.S.

“This was a wonderful evening,” said Eric John Roberts of Monroeville, who presented his daughter Enysah Ann Roberts, a graduate of The Ellis School in Shadyside. “It was the perfect Father’s Day gift.”

John Murray Cathey of Ligonier had twin daughters who were debutantes — Beatty Mellon Cathey and Sterling Mellon Cathey, graduates of St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire.

“It was a doubly special evening and one I will definitely remember,” their father said.

Master of ceremonies was Charles R. Altman, who grew up in Fox Chapel, is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University school of drama and had the role of the puppet Prince Tuesday on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

There was a cocktail hour in the Scaife Foyer. Dinner was served a little after 8 p.m. in the music hall. Guests dined on two floors.

The meal began with a salad of mixed greens, mozzarella and basil pesto vinaigrette followed by roasted chicken breast, asparagus and herbed risotto and a selection of fruit tarts, lemon triangles, macarons, vegan chocolate chip cookies and double fudge brownies all prepared by Mark Balach, director of catering for Culinaire.

Jeff Donati of Pete Donati & Sons florist created blooms atop pedestals adorning each table. A flower wall donated by The Fancy Fleur was a spot for capturing photos. The Rick Purcell Big Band entertained guests while they dined. The John Parker Band welcomed everyone to the dance floor until late evening.

Courtesy of F. David Astudillo

Debutantes and their fathers or father figures do The Waltz at the 97th annual Cinderella Ball on June 18 at The Carnegie Museum in Oakland.

The girls, required to do a minimum of 30 volunteer hours each with the beneficiary organization, spent more than 465 combined hours volunteering at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in Highland Park. They learned how to care for animals, assisted with the Asian Lantern Festival, ZooBoo and created holiday wreaths auctioned to support the Sea Turtle Second Chance Program. It funds veterinary care, rehabilitation and release back into the wild for injured sea turtles.

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They accrued additional volunteer opportunities through the Leadership Forum for Young Women, launched in 2020, which provides experiences at the primary beneficiary and other non-profits. The debutantes attended networking events and professional development training events.

Courtesy of F. David Astudillo

Scholarship winner Enysah Ann Roberts (center) of Monroeville, a graduate of The Ellis School in Shadyside, is recognized for her volunteer work at the 97th annual Cinderella Ball on June 18 at The Carnegie Museum in Oakland.

The Cinderella women’s committee recognized Enysah Ann Roberts for the most volunteer hours.

“This evening encompasses all of our work over the past year,” Roberts said. “We can continue to use what we learned volunteering in our everyday lives.”

Volunteering is important, said debutante Catherine Grace Barrett Brentzel, a student at University of California Santa Cruz who has family in Irwin, and was presented by her godfather Dr. Richard Gordon Jewell.

“What a magical event,” she said. “Volunteering gave me a new perspective on the zoo.”

Dr. Jeremy Goodman, zoo president and CEO, said it is incredible to be among the “esteemed beneficiaries” of the Cinderella Ball. The partnership with the Cinderella Ball is “such a great match,” he said. The girls worked hard and the zoo staff appreciated having them, especially during special events and the wreath making.

Courtesy of F. David Astudillo

Cinderella Audrey Pearl Badeer and Prince Charming Robert “Bobby” O’Brien at the 97th annual Cinderella Ball on June 18 at The Carnegie Museum in Oakland.

As is customary, the evening begins with the introduction of the chairs. Co-chairing the event were Sara Deutsch Scaife, Margaret Dauer Marquette and Mary Dauer Colville. The presenters — fathers and father figures — then enter as well as members of the floor committee.

The debutantes are presented and the scholarship awardee announced.

A highlight is the evening is the entrance of Prince Charming, a well-kept secret. One of the most notable men to serve as Prince Charming was Henry John Heinz III, who later served Pennsylvania as a United States Senator.

This year Robert “Bobby” O’Brien, a Shady Side Academy graduate and freshman at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas was announced as Prince Charming. He randomly selected Cinderella and held a glass slipper perched upon a tufted pillow holding the name card of Audrey Pearl Badeer of Fox Chapel.

After they danced, the debutantes and their fathers did a waltz followed by the grand march in the Hall of Sculpture.

“Being chosen as Cinderella is truly a fairy tale,” said the Shady Side Academy graduate, who was presented by her father R. John Badeer. “ I felt like a princess. This is a special night for my parents too. And to have it on Father’s Day is wonderful. My dad is my prince charming.”

The zoo will be the 2024 beneficiary. The 98th Cinderella Ball will be held in the summer of 2024 at a place to be determined.