Having a Ball: Seniors Evie Ordonez and Maren Dickerson are preparing for the JLWJC 74th annual Community Ball

It was early June when seniors Evie Ordonez and Maren Dickerson each received an elegant, stamped envelope in the mail.

They were invited to the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, Inc. 74th annual Community Ball on Dec. 7, which Ordonez and Dickerson will attend as new debutantes.

“This has to be a joke,” Ordonez said. “But it wasn’t a joke, and [I had to] RSVP by the end of the week, or else they would find someone else.”

To become a participant in the Community Ball, both girls had to be selected and reviewed by JLWJC “sustainers” — league members who no longer have one specific role in the organization — and also closely looked at by Community Ball Co-Chair Emily Burns-Kates.

A family friend and JLWJC sustainer recommended Ordonez, while Dickerson was recommended by her mother.

“Many of [the ball participants] are children or grandchildren of [JLWJC] membership,” Burns-Kates said. “But then again, we do look very closely at the kid’s leadership, volunteering, and just being an all-around great kid and person.”

The first practices of the season began in mid-October when the debutantes and escorts — male participants — were lined up and put in pairs based on height.

Since then, Dickerson, Ordonez and 44 other students from various schools have met every Sunday evening to practice their ball dance.

“At first, I was like, ‘What am I doing?’” Ordonez said. “We’re all wearing our sweatpants and sweatshirts and our heels, but it’s really fun.”

Debutantes and escorts have until their last practice on Nov. 17 to learn a specific dance routine, which lasts for three songs — “Long Live” by Taylor Swift, “Rainbow Connection” by Willie Nelson and a surprise song that participants have yet to discover.

Most participants, including Dickerson and Ordonez, have very minimal traditional waltz experience. However, Dickerson still finds ways to look forward to the intense practices.

“I had two giant blisters on each of my big toes [and] I was [like] ‘Is this going to be like this forever?’” Dickerson said. “But, it definitely gets easier and also, it makes me feel fancy.”

Although dance practice is the main focus of the preparations, there’s one aspect that both Dickerson and Ordonez believe is one of the most essential parts of the ball — the ball gown.

Whether it’s the color, material or shape, the gowns aren’t the traditional white, bulgy dresses commonly associated with debutantes.

Each debutante wears the same dress to the Community Ball, but they’re all custom-made year-to-year, allowing the girls to wear dresses different from those of the past.

“We did a luncheon, and [JLWJC] made it a special thing,” Ordonez said. “A girl came out wearing the dress, [and] this year it’s off the shoulder, black velvet and pink.”

In addition to the conventional practices of the ball, JLWJC partners with KVC Health Systems Holiday Heroes Program, a nonprofit organization program that provides help to teens and children during the holiday season. This year, ball participants are being put into groups of four and given a foster child for whom they will provide gifts.

“One girl [in foster care] wanted an electric blanket and funny slippers,” Burns-Kates said. “So we’re just hoping that we can bring some fun stuff to their Christmas.”

With seven practices during the season, escorts and debutantes work together to provide gifts to those in need, learn the various moves incorporated throughout their dance and create new friendships during their short time together.

“I made a couple of new friends, [and] I saw one of them at DECA, so now I know them from other places,” Dickerson said. “It’s a good way to meet new people.”

The Community Ball, held at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center, lasts an entire day, with fittings, makeup and presentations of the escorts and debutantes.

Each debutante is presented by their father and then performs their waltz with their partner. Afterward, attendees and participants eat dinner and enjoy the rest of the night with family and their new friends.

“It’s really just a great experience,” Burns-Kates said. “And I will be honest, it has been magical to watch them get to be friends so quickly.”