Tears of joy and laughter were plentiful as the 2010-2011 class of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Guild’s Silver Rose Debutantes honored their mothers during an annual tea last Sunday.

Held at the home of Guild member Shelley Hann, guests comprised of Guild members, debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a traditional light tea buffet and summer-like weather.

Debutante Heather Lincoln kicked off the presentations in a unique way by singing to her mother, Terri.

“I need to sing a song, because no words can describe how much I love you,” said Lincoln, who has starred in show choir musicals throughout her school career.

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A teary-eyed Lincoln followed her brief performance by presenting her mother a scrapbook of photos. “This is from the day I was born to the day I’ll graduate high school,” she said. “It’s for you to look at when I’m away at college.

The mother-daughter tea is one of the many social events held during the seven-month Silver Rose Debutante season, which begins in September and ends in March with a Grand Ball.

Designed to provide female high school seniors with a rich sampling of social, civic and professional skills, the Debutante program also raises funds for Henry Mayo’s laboratory services. Debutantes are required to have a 2.5 or higher grade point average and commit to 50 hours of community service at hospital events.

Many of the Debutante’s mothers consider the tea a highlight of the season, as do Guild members. Karen Kosskrove, who has been with the organization for 14 years, made special cloth-covered Kleenex packets and passed them out to the Debutante’s mothers prior to the presentations.

“All the moms cry,” she said with an empathetic smile.

Carol Garcia of Stevenson Ranch, a breast cancer survivor and single mother, was especially moved by her daughter Vanessa Ferral, who cried as she spoke of praying for her mother’s recovery from breast cancer.

“I almost don’t know how to put it into words,” Garcia said. “I was so surprised. Vanessa expressed a lot of things I had never heard before. During our trying times she always kept a poker face. Once Vanessa started the Deb program, everything really came together for us.”

Scrapbooks were a popular theme among the Debutantes, as well as framed photos and other mementos.

Jennifer Fugger, dressed in a vibrant shade of red like her mother, Donna, briefly displayed a scrapbook she had made for the occasion.

“People comment on how tough I am,” Fugger said. “That’s because you made me the person I am today. You are the most incredible, inspirational, strong, wonderful woman. I am a typical teenage girl and despite that, you still love me unconditionally. I don’t know how I would survive this life without you.”

After the presentations, Fugger reflected on the day and how the Silver Rose Debutante program impacted her daughter.

“You don’t realize how much your children do take in and appreciate,” she said. “This was very touching. I think being a Deb has helped Jennifer further take care of herself, to be a classy young lady and to hold her head up high.”

For more information on Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Guild’s Silver Rose Debutante program, visit www.henrymayogiving.com or call (661) 253-8051.