The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League introduced the 2021-2022 debutantes during Announcement Weekend festivities held May 27- May 30. The weekend marked the official start of a season of events culminating with the 36th Presentation Ball, which will be held February 12, 2022.
The weekend began with the announcement party at Stanley Korshak on Thursday evening, May 27. On Friday morning, May 28, Stanley Korshak hosted a couture gown show which was followed with an evening mixer at Mattito’s. On Sunday, May 30th, an afternoon reception was held at Etro in Highland Park Village.
The Honorary Chair for the 2022 Presentation Ball is Sherwood Wagner, a longtime supporter of the DSO and the Dallas community.
The Presentation Ball Chair is Elizabeth Gambrell and DSOL President is Venise Stuart. Elizabeth and Venise know well what to expect during the debutante season. Elizabeth’s daughter Eleanor made her debut in 2020. Venise was Presentation Ball Chair in 2015 and also had an Honor Guard son, Marcus.
The formal announcement of the debutantes by Stan Gardner went flawlessly. Heather Moore and Kendra Averitt were among the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to coach the debutantes and the honor guard in the staging area.
There are numerous parents who have had debutante daughters and honor guard sons in prior years.
Margaret and Barry Hancock’s daughter Katherine will be making her debut and they know the debutante season well. Daughter Mary Margaret made her debut in 2016 and son James was an Honor Guard in 2020. However, their history with the Presentation Ball dates even further back starting with the first ball held in 1987 when Barry was an Honor Guard. He met Margaret the next year when she made her debut and they were married a few years later. With Katherine’s upcoming debut, all the family members will have participated.
Janie and David Condon’s daughter Grace will be the third (and last!) debutante in the family to be presented.
The Presentation Ball was created with the vision of long-time League member Tincy Miller, who also chaired the first ball. She was introduced to provide the background and history of the annual event.
“The Presentation Ball brings families and friends together, with friendships old and new creating a Camelot experience to carry you a lifetime,” said Tincy. “We do not remember the days, we remember the moments. This is a Camelot moment.”
Other attendees included Sarah Jo and Mark Hardin, Kim Noltemy, and Marena and Roger Gault.
The 2021-2022 debutantes are: Nora Arnold, Virginia Baker, Bailey Beaird, Cambridge Bender, London Boscamp, Abigail Brannon, Riley Cheek, Grace Condon, Amelia Cox, Erin Daugherty, Eliza Davis, Katherine Downing, Katherine Edwards, Katie Elliott, Virginia Fielder, Sydney Goodiel, Katherine Hancock, Audrey Hanna, Emily Hea, Reva Henderson, Ava Heppner, Julia Hicks, Stephanie Hirschbrich, Sophie Hung, Madigan Jacoby, Grace Judin, Claire Koonsman, Story Langston, Ashley Laughlin, McKinley Lawson, Brooke Marvel, Ashlyn Meuse, Anna Mikeska, Kate Murray, Ashlee Newton, Abbey Perry, Mary Tarver Reid, Anna Robinowitz, Annie Sawers, Bella Scott, Sarah Smith, Lydia Szuwalski, Margaret Thompson, Samantha Ungerman, Ella Varel, Annie Walker, Elizabeth Walsh, Tory Wicklund, and Kelsey Wittmann.
The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Over $12 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event.
Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $20 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.