May

2017 Symphony Ball to Present 42 Debutantes

Huntsville Country Club provided a scenic setting for photographs of the 42 young women who will make their debut at the 2017 Symphony Ball October 28th. The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with three activities: the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Ernest Wayne Bonner, a special Debutantes and Presenters event at Huntsville Country Club, and two service projects: one for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the other for Huntsville Hospital. They continue the time-honored Huntsville tradition, which begins anew this summer.

The Symphony Ball, held since 1964, is an annual major fundraising event for the Huntsville’s own professional Symphony Orchestra. It entails many hours of work by the event sponsor, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Patti Thornton is chairwoman of the 2017 Ball, and this year will be the 54th Ball.

The 2017 debutantes, having completed their freshman year at college, look forward to an exciting season of social activities with their families and friends. The Symphony Ball season will culminate with their debuts at a gala event on October 28th in the Von Braun Center North Hall.

Following is a list of the 2017 debutantes, their parents, their high schools, and colleges:

Peyton Leigh Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Todd Brown, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Callie McGinn Campbell, daughter of Ms. Jenifer Campbell and Dr. Allen Campbell, Huntsville High school, Auburn University

Catherine Mae Cape, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lee Cape, Whitesburg Christian Academy, Mississippi College

Hannah Page Clayton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Clayton, Randolph School, Furman University

Sydney Grace Cole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy John Cole, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Sarah Grace Copeland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Graham Copeland, Randolph School, University of Alabama

Molly Kathryn Cornelius, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stephen Cornelius, Huntsville High School, Birmingham Southern College

Lillian Grace Couvillon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hanson Lawrence Couvillon, junior, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Hayley Cynthia Dent, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Vaden Dent, junior, Covenant Christian Academy, University of Alabama, Huntsville

Melissa Meaghan Dillard, daughter of Mrs. David Wade Skidmore and Mr. William Hale Dillard, Randolph School, Samford University

Victoria Prescott Fennell, daughter of Dr. Angela Saint Fennell and Mr. Raymond Prescott Fennell, Randolph School, Southern Methodist University

Polly Elizabeth Gartrell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Conant Gartrell, junior, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Elizabeth Montague Gold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Joseph Gold, Randolph School, Villanova University

Carol Frances Graffeo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anthony Graffeo, Huntsville High School, Samford University

Jordan Patricia Hanks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William James Hanks, Huntsville High School, Auburn University

Mary Grace Hash, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Hash II, Randolph School, Wake Forest University

Windham Elizabeth Hunter, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Vernon Ross Hunter, junior, Randolph School, Vanderbilt University

Alexa Anne Janssen, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eric Wilfred Janssen, Randolph School, University of Alabama

Emory Brennis Johnson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Dee Johnson, junior, Randolph School, Pepperdine University

Macey Ann Johnson, daughter of Ms. Mary Margaret Batson Johnson and Mr. Harold Gregory Johnson, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Caroline Olivia Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Gresham Jones, Randolph School, University of Alabama

Megan Cecelia Kesting, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lawrence Kesting, Huntsville High School, Auburn University

Bonnie Nichole Lioce, daughter of Dr. Lori Lioce and Mr. Nick Lioce, Randolph School, Birmingham Southern College

Anne Dillon Loflin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Phifer Loflin, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Jordan Elizabeth Loftin, daughter of Ms. Roney Loftin and Mr. Gordon Bartley Loftin III, Randolph School, Birmingham Southern College

Claudia Grace Lynn, daughter of Dr. Susanne Lynn and Mr. Jeffrey Leonard Lynn, Randolph School, Auburn University

Lillian Grace Markwalter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eugene Markwalter, junior, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Sarah Alexandra Miner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy James Miner, Independence High School, University of Alabama

Lauren Elle Noller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Christ Noller, junior, Randolph School, Mississippi State University

Elizabeth Chason Norris, daughter of Mrs. Van Valkenburgh Norris and Mr. John Edward Norris, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Megan Danielle Pollard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Kirk Pollard, Huntsville High School, Auburn University

Emily Anne Reiney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keenan Reiney, senior, Randolph School, American University

Hannah Elizabeth Schrimsher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Lee Schrimsher, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Alysa Trotter Sexton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Britt Sexton, Randolph School, University of Alabama

RileyAnne Harrington Sharpe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bruce Sharpe, Huntsville High School, Centre College

Sally Frances Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Franklin Smith, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Evelyn Claire Sutton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stanley Sutton, Huntsville High School, University of North Alabama

Sally Louise Swing, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Anthony Swing, Huntsville High School, Auburn University

Allison Frances Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brent Leigh Taylor, Huntsville High School, Samford University

Emily Allison Tucker, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Scott Tucker, Huntsville High School, Washington and Lee

Meredith Jane Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winston Clay Walker, Randolph School, Auburn University

Taylor Grace Willis, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Albert Edward Willis II, Huntsville High school, Auburn University

May

Symphony Ball to present 42 debutantes

Forty-two young women will make their debut at the Huntsville Symphony
Orchestra Guild 54th Symphony Ball on October 28, 2017. The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Earnest Wayne Bonner, a “Debutantes and Presenters” event at the Huntsville Country Club, and two service projects. They continue the time-honored Huntsville tradition, which begins anew this summer.

Front (L to R):
Peyton Brown, Cacky Cape, Melissa Dillard, Sydney Cole, Sarah Grace
Copeland, Molly Kathryn Cornelius, Lily Grace Couvillon
Back (L to R):
Hayley Dent, Callie Campbell, Hannah Page Clayton, Victoria Fennell,
Polly Gartrell, Libby Gold, Carol Graffeo

Front (L to R):
Jordan Hanks, Mary Grace Hash, Windham Hunter, Alexa Janssen, Emory
Johnson, Macey Johnson, Caroline Jones
Back (L to R):
Megan Kesting, Bonnie Lioce, Anne Dillon Loflin, Jordan Loftin,
Claudia Lynn, Lillie Markwalter, Sarah Miner

Front (L to R):
Elle Noller, Lizzy Norris, Megan Pollard, Annie Reiney, Hannah
Schrimsher, Aly Sexton, RileyAnne Sharpe
Back (L to R):
Sally Frances Smith, Evie Sutton, Sally Swing, Allison Taylor,
Meredith Walker, Taylor Willis Not pictured: Emily Tucker

May

Huntsville Symphony Ball debutantes participate in two service projects

Each year, the Symphony Ball debutantes participate in a community service project and seminar as part of the beginning of the debutante season. Proceeds from the Symphony Ball benefit the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. To highlight music and community service, this year the event joined efforts with two local organizations: the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. The Service Project and Seminar, which was held Friday, the 19^th of May, 2017, started with the debutantes gathering at the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra office.

Sharon Hicks, Director of Education of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (HSO), led the debutantes in their first service project of the day, as they cleaned the violins for the Huntsville Symphony School’s third grade violin program. Ms. Hicks provided a history lesson to the group on the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony School and provided an impromptu violin lesson. While the debutantes were busy cleaning violins, they were entertained by the music of two young members of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra.

The young ladies then boarded the 1920s vintage-inspired downtown Huntsville trolley for a ride to the campus of UAB Health Clinic. The Debutantes assembled packets for their “Coloring Book Project.” The special coloring books depict exciting places from the City of Huntsville and highlight the orchestra and music. The coloring cooks were illustrated by the late Bill May, father of former Debutante Hughston May. The coloring book packets will be given to Huntsville Hospital patients visiting the Pediatric Emergency Room and those in both the Pediatric Unit and the Pediatric ICU.

While the debutantes enjoyed lunch, Candy Burnett, President of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, kicked off the workshop with a “baker’s dozen tips for success” presentation. Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild member Lori Gregory also presented “Polish your Professionalism” reviewing business etiquette to aide in their career development. The event concluded with a Career Planning Workshop where the young Huntsville Hospital professionals conducted round robin sessions highlighting their careers. The ladies learned about the many different career paths within the Hospital from various departments including Business, Nursing, Radiology and more. Many of the speakers were former Debutantes.

Huntsville Hospital employee, Jordan McMullan, who coordinated the hospital visit, is also a former debutante. Debutante Service Project coordinators from the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild were Lori Gregory, Bobsy Ingram, Joanna May and Dana Lusk. The young ladies will be formally introduced to the community during the 54^th Symphony Ball on October 28, 2017.

The Symphony Ball, sponsored by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild since 1964, is an annual fundraiser benefitting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

For further information, call Jennifer Lapidus, 256-520-6175

May

2017 Symphony Ball Debutantes begin social season with afternoon tea

2017 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea, Wednesday, May 17th at the beautiful home of Guild member, Charlie Bonner. The previous year’s Ball Chairman hosts the annual event and this year, Linda Akenhead continued the tradition. The Debutante Tea marks the official start of the Debutante social season.

Attending the event were the 42 young women who will make their debut at the 54th Symphony Ball, October 28, together with their mothers, and the members of the 2017 Ball Committee, past Guild Presidents and officers, past Ball Chairmen, and the wives of the Ball advisors.

Guests were greeted by Charlie, along with 2017 Ball Chairman, Patti Thornton, and Symphony Guild President, Pam Gann. A silver wine cooler filled with beautiful spring flowers graced the entryway as guests arrived. The silver container was given in 1993 by past Ball Chairman, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, 1988 Ball Chairman. It has been used every year at the Debutante Tea since 1993.

The young women enjoyed catching up after their freshman year of college as they enjoyed the delicious tea menu selected by Linda. The Tea was catered by Carlton’s Catering and included a variety of delicacies including country ham and biscuits, chicken salad in pastry shells, cheese ring with fresh fruit, tomato and cucumber sandwiches, and variety of sweets that included strawberry and chocolate bites and iced lemon shortbread cookies. The centerpiece, as well as the flowers in the foyer, was towering arrangements by In Bloom Floral Design Studio, with beautiful spring flowers of white and pink roses, pink peonies, snapdragons, lilies and orchids. Punch and sparkling grape juice were served by past Ball Chairmen and past Presidents Marie Newberry, Suzanne O’Conner, Betty Tomlin, Rosalie Smith, Nancy Colin and Margaret Vann.

The Symphony Ball, sponsored by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild since 1964, is an annual fundraiser benefiting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.