On Feb. 8, 17 local seniors will be graduating from the six-year NCL program, which provides opportunities for philanthropic work while instructing the girls in leadership training, cultural savvy and social etiquette.

Founded in Texas in 1925, the league's prime focus is volunteer work with chapter-selected philanthropies. The Saratoga­Los Gatos chapter, established about 15 years ago, highlights outreach within the area for a variety of organizations, including the Special Olympics, Nike Animal Rescue Foundation, Our Lady of Fatima Villa, Sacred Heart Community Services and the American Cancer Society.

What distinguishes the NCL from other volunteer organizations, however, is that the majority of volunteer hours are done by mother-daughter teams.

"My daughters love it," says Jana Galt of Saratoga. "This provides us the chance to stay in touch and keep up a relationship."

Her graduating daughter, Marissa, agrees.

"My mom and I have always been close, so working together has never been awkward or weird," she says. "But I know some girls who didn't want to spend time with their mothers. Hopefully this has allowed them to bond."

Marissa acknowledges that the organization helped her recognize need in the community. "I enjoy it," she says. "It brought me awareness. If I weren't a part of the league, I wouldn't know what's out there."

"It is a really good way to connect the community and teach the kids how to give back," Galt says. "Los Gatos and Saratoga have so much. It is good to show the volunteers that not everyone is like us."

According to NCL guidelines, hour standards are set per chapter per grade level. The Saratoga­Los Gatos chapter requires 12th-graders to perform 10 hours of service for a philanthropic cause and 10 hours at the league per year.

Galt heard about the program through the community and was immediately interested. Luckily she knew someone who could sponsor Marissa—a requirement of prospective inductees, who must be selected and sponsored by existing members.

"You must be sponsored because it is a way to make sure the girls are committed—that they do the philanthropy for the sake of doing it, not just for their college résumé," Galt says.

Saratogan Hally Clark heard about the program while volunteering for a project unrelated to the league. She thought it sounded like "a great idea" for both her and her daughter Brooke, as it provided "lots of opportunity to figure out what you like to do and how to give back to the community."

In addition to their philanthropy work, the girls are instructed in social graces. By organizing and throwing tea parties, learning how to respond to invitations and practicing how to walk in a gown and heels, the league strives to prepare these young women for adult life and society.

"A lot of their socializing instruction is teaching them the aspects of growing up, being social and part of the community," Clark says.

The private ceremony will be held in San Jose, with seniors inviting a total of 250 family members and close friends. While donned in the traditional NCL graduation garb of a white wedding dress, the young women will celebrate to the theme of "Unforgettable."

"We chose 'Unforgettable' this year because we hope the girls had an unforgettable time in doing really neat community service," Clark says. "We hope that they will be unforgettable within the organization as well."