Eleven young women from La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Glendale, Altadena and the surrounding area will be honored by the Glendale Chapter of National Charity League Inc. at the 72nd annual Senior Presentation Ball on March 18 at the Castaway in Burbank.
The Senior Presentation Ball is a tradition for the Chapter, highlighting and thanking the Class of 2023 for their 2,049 hours of community service. The young women, or Ticktockers as they are known, began their NCL journey in 7th grade, working with their mothers, called Patronesses, to support the chapter’s philanthropic partners.
Over the years, the class volunteered at American Red Cross, Arroyos and Foothills, Ascencia, Door of Hope, La Cañada Tournament of Roses, Operation Gratitude, Twelve Oaks Senior Living, Union Station, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, YWCA of Glendale, the Chapter’s annual rummage sale and more.
“The Senior Presentation Ball is a National Charity League tradition that celebrates the culmination of the Ticktocker’s six years of community service, leadership development and cultural experiences, which are the pillars of our program. The chapter members, families and friends are delighted to recognize the Ticktockers’ many accomplishments, volunteer service and the mother-daughter bond that is the cornerstone of NCL. They have truly embraced the spirit of NCL and we look forward to their exciting and successful futures,” explained Mia Husfeld, president of the chapter.
The ball will include a welcome from Ticktocker Audrey Shaverdian, president of the Class of 2023, and from Grade Level Advisers Beth Cater-Murphy and Linda O’Callaghan. The class has chosen the theme “Enchanted Evening” and their song is “Willow” by Taylor Swift.
The evening will include the presentation of each Ticktocker, the Father-Daughter waltz, the Senior Service Award and a farewell toast. The chairs of the Presentation Ball are Monica Ordubegian, Stacy Sartor and Jennifer Sullivan.
The Mistress of Ceremonies for the Ball will be Fiona Wertheimer. Wertheimer is an extraordinary and beloved member of our National Charity League Glendale Chapter. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics as a doctor of osteopathic medicine specializing in both pediatric and neonatal-perinatal medicine. She also is an assistant professor of pediatrics at L.A. County + USC Medical Center. She is no stranger to this senior class as it was her voice the girls walked to last year during the Class of 2023 Fashion Show.
The Glendale Chapter of NCL Inc. was first organized in 1942 and became a chartered chapter of National Charity League Inc. in 1958. It works with more than 20 local philanthropies, supporting them with hands-on service. Through the mother-daughter relationship, National Charity League Inc. develops strong women leaders serving and impacting communities today and for generations to come.
The Class of 2023 Ticktockers include:
Sarah Bougdanos
Sarah Bougdanos’ favorite NCL experience was tutoring kids at Hathaway-Sycamores.
Through NCL, Bougdanos developed a deeper appreciation for giving back and was awarded NCL’s highest Hour Glass Award for philanthropy hours, which included weekly shifts at Huntington Hospital.
At Flintridge Preparatory School, she is active in the Student Community Action Council and Senior Peer Counseling programs. She is also the varsity softball team captain, winning the CIF All-Academic Team award.
She is an AP Scholar with honors, a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Deans Honors List and Spanish Honors Society. Additionally, Bougdanos works as a counselor for Tom Sawyer Camps over the summer and during the school year.
Bougdanos plans to enter college as a pre-med major.
She is the daughter of Liz Miller-Bougdanos and Gene Bougdanos.
Riley Breckheimer
Riley Breckheimer’s favorite philanthropies included time spent with the kids and families of our many charities. She especially enjoyed tutoring at Hathaway-Sycamores.
She has been a Ticktocker council representative and president. She also held a variety of other Ticktocker chair positions.
At La Cañada High School, Breckheimer has played second base on the junior varsity and varsity softball team. She has been playing softball since she was 7 years old, and she has enjoyed her time with her countless teammates and friends.
Breckheimer has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation throughout high school and received the AP Scholar award.
In the fall, Breckheimer plans to study mathematics at a four-year university.
She is the daughter of Holly and Peter Breckheimer.
Catherine O’Callaghan
Catherine O’Callaghan has been a part of the National Charity League since the 7th grade.
One of her favorite philanthropic activities has been tutoring the children at Hathaway-Sycamores. O’Callaghan loved being able to help children one on one with their homework, and she enjoyed the privilege of playing with them afterward. She also enjoyed making blankets for Ascensia.
O’Callaghan attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, where she is a member of the Fashion Fits Club, Mental Health and Wellness Awareness Committee, Forensics Science Club, and Health and Fitness Committee. She is also a member of Bundles of Love, a nonprofit started by a fellow student.
O’Callaghan plans on majoring in psychology in college and becoming a therapist with her own private practice.
Audrey Shaverdian
Audrey Shaverdian’s favorite NCL philanthropic activity has been providing child care at Door of Hope, and she has enjoyed the personal connections made with many families over the years.
Shaverdian has held many Ticktocker positions, including VP of Philanthropy, VP of programs, and is now president of her senior class.
Shaverdian attends Crescenta Valley High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation.
This year, Shaverdian completed her final year of the Women Founders Network Junior Judge Program, where she acted as a venture capitalist and learned to assess startup companies.
In the fall, Shaverdian plans to attend a four-year university and major in business or legal studies. She hopes to go to law school in the future.
She is the daughter of Josefina Teroganesyan and Valod Shaverdian.
Kate Shaw
Kate Shaw’s favorite NCL philanthropic activity has been decorating and delivering cards for the residents at Twelve Oaks.
Shaw has held several Ticktocker positions including recording secretary, corresponding secretary and father-daughter chair.
At La Cañada High School, Shaw is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and co-founded Ocean Buddies, an ocean awareness club to organize beach cleanups and fundraisers for sea animal habitat restoration.
Shaw played varsity volleyball for three years, and she has played club volleyball for six years, while being captain for four.
In the fall, Shaw plans on majoring in business at a four-year university.
She is the daughter of Mandy and Brent Shaw.
Ali Corrente
Ali Corrente’s favorite philanthropy was Hathaway-Sycamores. She loved connecting with the kids and helping them with their schoolwork.
Corrente also enjoyed the opportunity to bake pies and create art for the residents of Twelve Oaks. She has served as recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and historian and held many other Ticktocker chair positions during her time in NCL.
Corrente attends La Cañada High School. She is a longtime softball player and has played center field for the junior varsity and varsity softball teams. She is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and has also received several awards for photography.
Corrente is interested in majoring in advertising or graphic arts in college this fall.
She is the daughter of Melissa and Joe Corrente.
Amanda Grabel
Amanda Grabel’s favorite NCL philanthropy activity has been running bingo nights with Ascensia.
She has also loved to bake for organizations such as Twelve Oaks and Union Station, which dovetails with the home bakery she and her family opened in 2020.
Grabel is graduating from La Cañada High School, where she has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation since her freshman year. She also has been recognized as a double varsity athlete in both tennis and track.
This year, Grabel is captain of the varsity tennis team and finished third in doubles in the Rio Hondo League.
In college, Grabel plans to major in political science and eventually get a law degree.
She is the daughter of Rori and Jonathan Grabel.
Nikki Hughes
Nikki Hughes’ favorite NCL activities include cooking and serving meals at Union Station and working on the LCF Rose Parade float.
She’s held various class positions, including VP of philanthropy. Hughes attends La Cañada High School, playing on the varsity volleyball team since her freshman year. She has earned both First- and Second-Team All-Rio-Hondo-League honors, the Offensive Player of the Year award, and the new Legacy award.
Hughes has served on LCHS’ Spartan Kindness Club since its founding in 2018, and she does training/stats for the boys’ volleyball program. A club player since age 9, Hughes is going on to play Division 1 volleyball at UC Riverside.
Hughes plans to pursue a career in the sports medicine/sports psychology field.
She is the daughter of Vivien and Kevin Hughes.
Camden Murphy
Hathaway-Sycamores is Camden Murphy’s favorite NCL philanthropy. She enjoyed mentoring, teaching and playing Jenga.
She will always remember the impact of delivering provisions after Houston’s Hurricane Harvey in her first year of NCL. She has received NCL’s Yellow Rosebud Award (50+ hours) each of the past three years.
Murphy held many positions during NCL, most notably serving as president during her junior year.
A competitive gymnast since the age of 3, Murphy is the reigning State Beam Champion, Regional All-around Champion and Western National Floor Champion.
At La Cañada High School, Murphy is a National Honor Society member.
Murphy will attend a four-year university and major in psychobiology, with a the goal of pursuing physical therapy as a career path.
She is the daughter of Dr. Beth Carter and Dr. Michael Murphy.
Riley Thornburgh
Riley Thornburgh’s favorite philanthropy was tutoring at Hathaway-Sycamores, and she also enjoyed making blankets for Ascencia.
Thornburgh’s NCL positions included Ticktocker council representative, historian, and VP of programs and hospitality.
Thornburgh, a senior at La Cañada High School, has been on the varsity tennis team for four years. She has also been riding horses for the past eight years.
Thornburgh is in the National Honor Society, is the public affairs coordinator of the Science National Honors Society, and she is the president of the LCHS Equestrian Team Club. She was awarded as an AP Scholar with Honor and as a National Merit Scholarship finalist.
Thornburgh will be attending Northwestern University in the fall of 2023, and she plans to study chemical engineering.
She is the daughter of Chu and Don Thornburgh.
Allison Woo
Allison Woo’s favorite NCL philanthropy is Ascencia Homeless Shelter. Over the years, she has enjoyed being an intern on their team, making PB&J sandwiches, and connecting with the residents.
At La Cañada High School, Woo has been on the varsity tennis team for four years and was co-captain in her senior year. She is an associate ambassador for the Harvard Foreign Policy Initiative and volunteers at the USC Pacific Asia Museum.
In her free time, Woo likes working out, trying new restaurants and going to the beach.
She plans to attend a four-year university majoring in biochemistry, with the hope of exploring a career in the sciences.
She is the daughter of Angela and Dennis Woo.
For more information, visit nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/glendale/.
First published in the March 16 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
