Medallion Ball: St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind

While most of greater Pittsburgh filled the malls and shopping centers on Black Friday, 119 young women and their escorts put the final touches on the waltz they would preform later in the evening at the 48th Medallion Ball, presented by St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind.  

Founded in 1957, St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind aims to instill in young women the importance of service-to-others. The Auxiliary raises funds in support of the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, located in Homestead. Each year, the Medallion Ball is the Auxiliary's most notable charity event. 

The event, held at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh and honoring the community service of young women from the region, was under the patronage of His Excellency the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, D.D. The lavish evening began with the presentation of the candidates, during which time, each girl was honored with a personalized medallion bearing the silhouette of St. Joan of Arc. Each girl had her moment in the spotlight as the night's emcee, Sally Wiggin, announced the candidates' and escorts' names. Following the two-hour presentation ceremony, the candidates and their escorts returned to the ballroom floor for the Grand Promenade and Medallion Waltz. 

The Anniversary Waltz was a moment for past Medallion recipients to have a spot on the ballroom floor for a dance of their own. Everyone returned to their tables for the evening's delicious fare—lobster, filet and the most decadent of chocolates for dessert. Once dinner was served, candidates had the opportunity to visit with their families for a photo-op and quick conversation before returning to the dance floor for some more upbeat music. 

The fashion at the ball was impeccable. Candidates donned white floor length gowns and long white gloves, often topping off their classic looks with pearls. More exciting than the white gowns were the dapper outfits the escorts wore. Local tuxedo shops set the escorts up for the evening, providing the men with white tie and tails. Like the candidates that evening, the escorts also wore crisp white gloves, adding even more elegance to the lavish night.  

Dancing went all the way into the early morning hours, but, even as the night drew to a close, the true importance of the event was clear. The glamour and grandeur of the evening was in recognition of the extensive work of each Medallion candidate. Over a period of four years, the Medallion Candidates had collectively completed nearly 24,000 hours of service within and around their communities. The 48th Medallion Ball was a night to remember for everyone in attendance.