The 2007 Becas Ball was an unqualified hit, exceeding it's advance billing. The Patio Los Arcos at the Westin Resort and Spa was dazzling with sparkling lights augmented by the shining stars in the almost cloudless sky, and a bit later by the colorful fireworks from the Marigalante! Dressed in their finest, gals and guys mixed and mingled during the Westin Resort & Spa's complimentary cocktail hour, as Los Bambinos, clad in their orange shirts, designed and fabricated by Bambino cousin Luis, strolled among the guests entertaining them with their own inimical renditions of songs of yesterday and today.

Becados (scholarship students) in their bright pink T-shirts, escorted guests to their tables, sold raffle tickets, helped with the live auction, passed out and collected pledge sheets, along with other chores. A word or two with any of those bright young Vallartenses was enough to make us realize that even if we had not been dazzled with this fabulous event, knowing that we were helping provide an education for such delightful and deserving young people was worth much more than the price of admission!

Dinner, served to 360 guests, was an epicurean delight. It started with a fresh and bountiful mixed green salad with choice of dressings, followed by Arrachera (beef) filled with cream cheese and spinach and chicken breast filled with a red pepper and chipotle sauce artfully presented with a medley of vegetables and potatoes. Finally we were served dessert of chocolate cake or marble cake decorated fancifully with bits of chocolate accompanied by coffee or tea. During this delightful dinner, Joe and Kirstie Johnston performed a professional tango, after which many were enticed to the dance floor to display their skills. The DJ provided a gamut of music selections but never succeeded in stumping this group as the dance floor was always full.

Becas Vallarta Presidents Mariel Fregosa and Mary Ellis were everywhere greeting and attending to every last detail. They recognized the donors who contributed to making the evening a special event: Michael Shultz, MC and designer of the setting, Ada Colorina, Burt Hixson and Gerry Battle (Villa Verano), Cocina Marta en Vallarta, Lynne Baristow and Dine - Developer of Punta Mita - - all donors of the live auction items, Bruce's Back Alley Bistro,. Maripepa Gonzalez, Abigail Duenas and Raul Contreras all of the Hotel Westin Resort & Spa, Pepe Del Real, Peter and Buri Gray. Special recognition was offered to scholarship students attending; the Becas Ball Committee; past and present volunteers; the International Friendship Club represented by Susan Schabel for its continued support and this year's gift of $30,000 pesos; Los Bambinos for their generous gift of a percentage of their CD sales, amounting to over $30,000 pesos over the past three years, as well as this year's $10,000 pesos; and to Ed Hutmacher of Santa Barbara Theater who always matches Los Bambinos contribution from the sale of their CDs during their Santa Barbara concerts.

You didn't have to be in attendance to become a sponsor of one or two of these bright young people. For only $160 US you can sponsor a junior high student for one year, $450 US for a high school student and $600 US for a university student. To become a sponsor. Call 223-1371 or e-mail at phvicars@gmail.com for more information.