Emily Moody, Nancy Colin (2015 Ball Chair), Ivy Albert, Pamela

2015 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea Wednesday, May 20th at the beautiful home of Guild member, Emily Moody.  The previous year’s Ball Chairman hosts the annual event; and this year, Pamela Gann continued the tradition.  The Debutante Tea marks the official start of the Debutante social season.

Attending the event were the 33 young women who will make their debut at the 52nd Symphony Ball, October 24, together with their mothers, and members of the 2015 Ball Committee, past Guild Presidents, and past Ball Chairmen.

Guests were greeted by Emily and Pamela, along with 2015 Ball Chairman, Nancy Colin, and Symphony Guild First Vice President, Ivy Albert.  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 Chairmen, 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 Pamela. The Tea was catered by Narvell and included a variety of delicacies, including chicken salad tartlets, dainty cucumber sandwiches, petite tea sandwiches, mini buttermilk pies, stuffed strawberries, and other sweets.  The centerpiece was a towering arrangement by In Bloom, with beautiful spring flowers of pink tulips and roses, purple accents and bright green Bells of Ireland.  Punch was served by past Ball Chairmen and past Presidents Penny Bashore, Stacey Gardner, Carole Jones, Sheryl Livingston, Suzanne O’Connor, Debbie Overcash, Donna Shergy, and Amelia Summerville. 

The young ladies and their mothers looked over scrapbooks of previous debutante years.  They shared plans for the summer season parties and looked forward to the community service projects and their own celebrations.

The Symphony Orchestra Guild sponsors the Symphony Ball each year as a fundraiser for Huntsville’s professional orchestra.

Katie Russell, Kim Russell-Wright, Sarah Gwin Moore, Beth Moore

Julie, Lauren, and Betsy Lowe

Lisa and Laura Layton, Laurel and Camille Shockley, Mary Morgan and Cam Plott

Laura Ragland, Mary Margaret Ragland, Lauren Stevens, Susan Stevens, Stephanie Gilbert, Jodi Rutenberg

Beth Wise, Brenda Milberger, Theresa Taylor

Cathy Lee, Jordan Lee, Melinda Marona, AnnaMarie Marona

Allyson Nuwayhid, Leah Honkanen, Mary Morgan Plott

Keeley McMurray, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Camille Shockley, Hughston May, Cate Rasco

Mallory Castellow, Anna Catherine Brooks, Mary Witty Crump, Katie Vest, Mary Margaret Ragland

Stacey Gardner, Brenda Milberger, Debbie Overcash, Carole Jones

Leah Honkanen, Lauren Stevens, Joie Tucker, Mary Morgan Plott

Front row, left to right:
Stephanie Gilbert, Katie Vest, Katie Russell, Mary Margaret Ragland, Mary Scott Pearson
Back row, left to right:
Lauren Stevens, Cate Rasco, Sarah Gwin Moore, Hughston May, Mary Gray Lindstrom

Front row, left to right:
Mary Morgan Plott, AnnaMarie Marona, Callie Bragg, Susan Purvis, Allyson Nuwayhid
Back row, left to right:
Joie Tucker, Camille Shockley, Jordan Lee, Mallory Castellow, Leah Honkanen

Front row, left to right:
Anna Catherine Brooks, Cameron Seeley, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Lauren Lowe, Abbie Rodgers
Back row, left to right:
Mary Witty Crump, Madeline Rushing, Keeley McMurray, Anna South, Lauren Layton
Not pictured:
Lily Brooks, Emily Ann Clemons, Emily Lapidus

Valley Hill Country Club provided scenic vistas for photographs of the 33 young women who will make their debut at the 2015 Symphony Ball on October 24^th.  The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with three activities: the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Jon Rice Moody, a special Debutantes and Presenters event at Valley Hill 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 Huntsville’s own professional orchestra.  It entails many hours of work by the event sponsor, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild.  Nancy Colin is chairwoman of the 2015 Ball, and this year will be the 52^nd Ball.

The 2015 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 24^th in the Von Braun Center North Hall.

Following is a list of the 2015 debutantes, their parents, their high schools, and colleges:

Callie Christina Bragg, 18, daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vann Bragg, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Anna Catherine Brooks, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gregory Brooks, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Lily Margaret Brooks, 18, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Timothy Brooks, Huntsville High School, Mississippi State University;

Mallory Frances Castellow, 18, daughter of Mrs. Carl Lowe Castellow and the late Mr. Carl Lowe Castellow, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Emily Ann Clemons, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Alan Clemons, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Marian Witty Crump, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bryant Crump, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Stephanie Nicole Gilbert, 19, daughter of Ms. Jodi Louise Rutenberg and Mr. Scott Edward Gilbert, Grissom High School, Auburn University;

Leah Jeane Honkanen, 18, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Andrew Honkanen, Randolph School, University of Georgia;

Emily Rachel Lapidus, 19, daughter of Mrs. Alissa Cohen Lapidus and Mr. Michael Louis Lapidus, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Lauren Alis Layton, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Troy Alan Layton, Randolph School, University of Mississippi;

Jordan Akin Lee, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Alan Lee, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Mary Gray Lindstrom, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Collier Lindstrom, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Lauren Elizabeth Lowe, 19, daughter of Mrs. Huettel Lowe and Mr. Peter Loftis Lowe, Jr., Randolph School, University of Alabama;

AnnaMarie Marona, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wayne Marona, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Hughston Elizabeth May, 18, daughter of Mrs. William Sterling May and the late Mr. William Sterling May, Decatur High School, University of Alabama;

Keeley Malone McMurray, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley David McMurray, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Sarah Gwin Moore, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Elmo Moore, Huntsville High School, Birmingham Southern College;

Allyson Elizabeth Nuwayhid, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ramsay Paul Nuwayhid, Randolph School, Samford University;

Mary Scott Pearson, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Calvin Pearson, Jr., Madison County High School, Auburn University;

Mary Morgan Plott, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Dwight Plott, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Susan Will Purvis, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Thomas Purvis, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Mary Margaret Ragland, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rowland Ragland, Jr., Huntsville High School, University of South Alabama;

Catherine Joseph Rasco, 18, daughter of Mrs. Dowdle Rasco and Mr. Mark Alexander Rasco, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Abbie Porter Rodgers, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Stanley Rodgers, Mountain Brook High School, University of Alabama;

Madeline Jewel Rushing, 19, daughter of Mrs. Tate Rushing and Dr. David Lee Rushing, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Mary Katherine Russell, 19, daughter of Mrs. Kimberly Russell-Wright and Mr. Daniel Lewis Russell, Jr., Huntsville High School, Birmingham Southern College;

Cameron Ann Seeley, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Burton Seeley, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Camille Nicole Shockley, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Lynn Shockley, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Anna Grace South, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher McLeod South, Bishop England High School, Clemson University;

Lauren Grace Stevens, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Richard Stevens, Randolph School/Excalibur Christian School, University of Alabama at Birmingham;

Sarah Reagan Tepool, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Alan Tepool, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Josephine Ann Tucker, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McEachern Tucker, Grissom High School, Troy University;

Katherine Hill Vest, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Lee Vest, Huntsville High School, Auburn University.

A long-standing tradition of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild continues in 2014 as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Pamela Gann, named her ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end of summer social.

A select group of the community’s distinguished men in positions of civic leadership are chosen annually to provide business and financial advice to the Ball Chair and support the event.

Advisors and Ball Chair
seated: Trey Bentley, Randy Roper, Pam Gann (Ball Chair), Moss Crosby, Kevin Webber
standing: Mark Russell, Wayne Bonner, David Lucas, Tony Gann, Ricky Peek

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild established the Symphony Ball as a major fundraiser for the orchestra in 1964, and since the earliest balls, advisors have stepped up to the plate, figuratively and literally.  To show appreciation for their service to the Guild, Pam and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their wives at an Advisors’ Cocktail Party, held at the mountaintop home of Pam and  her husband, Tony, at The Ledges.

Two arrangements of mixed colorful flowers were strategically placed on the dining room table, along with a beautiful arrangement of white roses in the kitchen.  A white and blue hydrangea arrangement filled a silver wine cooler that was given to the Symphony Guild in 1993 by past Ball Chairmen, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, who served as Ball Chairman in 1988.  Cocktail food included an assortment of beef tenderloin, marinated shrimp, fried catfish nuggets, squash fritters, asparagus, and pimento cheese, catered by Narvell.  The floral arrangements were provided by In Bloom.

The 2014 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Michael Patrick Ahearn, Sr. is a managing director and founder of Twickenham Wealth Advisors. His wife is Sara Lowe Ahearn. Their children are Michael Patrick Ahearn, Jr. and Peter Alexander Ahearn.  His civic interests include the Huntsville Museum of Art.  His hobbies are golf and soccer.

Philip Wind Bentley III is the President of Bentley Automotive Group.  His wife is Samantha Hereford Bentley.  Their children Brett Bentley Maxey (Mrs. Nathaniel Vance Maxey), Philip Wind Bentley IV and Sarah Chase Bentley.  He currently serves on the Board of the Downtown Rescue Mission.  He serves on the Board of Directors of Progress Bank and is a trustee for the Alabama Automobile Dealers Association.  His hobbies include flying and hunting.

Ernest Wayne Bonner is the owner of Bonner Land & Cattle Company.  His wife is Charlene (Charlie) Puckett Bonner.  They have one child, Julie Caroline Bonner.  He serves as Chairman of the Von Braun Center Board of Control, board member of ServisFirst Bank and trustee of First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Madison County Cattleman’s Association and the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association.  He has served as the past President of the Alabama Home Builders Association, as well as the Huntsville/Madison County Builder’s Association and the Alabama Angus Association. His hobbies include fishing, raising cattle and attending all University of Tennessee sporting events.

Henry Edward Crosby, Jr., is a managing director and founder of Twickenham Wealth Advisors.  His wife is Leslie Rhett Crosby.  Their children are Henry Edward Crosby III and Harriet Rhett Crosby. He is a founding member of the Hudson Alpha Professional Advisors’ Council, member of the Huntsville Committee of 100, and is a member of the Church of Nativity.  He enjoys fishing, golf and outdoor activities.

Anthony Alan Gann is the CEO/President of SouthBridge LLC.  His wife is Pamela Noller Gann.  Their children are Robert Wilson Moores, Jr., Jon Garrett Moores and Anastasia Rachel Jenette Gann. His civic interests include community support through charitable giving to the Huntsville Young Professionals, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Randolph School.  He is a member of The Ledges Golf Association and managing partner of Venti Properties. His professional associations include IEEE, Eta Kappa Nu, Council Member of TDK America and Council Member of Toshiba America. He has been awarded the Toshiba Sales Rep of the year, TDK Sales Rep of the year and the Xilinx Sales Rep of the year.  His hobbies are golf, guitar and Alabama football.

David Vance Lucas is the general counsel for eLab Solutions Corporation.  His wife is Michele Fisher Lucas.  Their children are Willoughby Caroline Lucas, who was presented in 2012; Fisher Vance Lucas; and Emma Michele Lucas.  His civic interests include Chairman, Huntsville Botanical Gardens Foundation; Board Member, Randolph School; and volunteer teacher, First United Methodist Church.  His professional associations include Admissions to the U. S. Supreme Court, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; U. S. Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit; Alabama State Bar; Texas State Bar; American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; and Federal Circuit Bar Association.  His honors include Chair, Intellectual Property, Alabama State Bar; Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society; and J. A. Campbell Moot Court Board.  His hobbies are hunting, fishing, skiing, and technology.

Ricky Lamar Peek is the   Vice President of Bits, Inc. His wife is Barbie Patterson Peek. Their son is Griffin Patterson Peek. He is a member of the Quarterback Club and coaches both youth football and baseball.  His hobbies are hunting and fishing.

John Randolph Roper is the owner of Randy Roper Interiors.  His civic interests and activities include President of the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association; past member of the Board of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra; Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art; and member of Downtown Huntsville, Inc.  His honors include Path of Honor, Senior Center; Honoree 1^st American Diabetes Association Roast; and Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.

      The Honorable Mark Selby Russell is the President of the Huntsville City Council.  His wife is April Warren Russell.  Their children are Mary Allen Russell and Bailey Katherine Russell.  He is a member of Leadership Alabama Class 17, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 9, Past Chairman Boys and Girls Club, Past Chairman Randolph School Board of Trustees, member of Huntsville Sports Commission, Huntsville Rotarian, and numerous other memberships and associations.  He was recently awarded the Boys and Girls Club of America’s National Medallion for unusually devoted service.  His hobbies include football officiating.

      James Kevin Webber is a partner with Trillanero, LLC.  His wife is Lori Britt Webber. Their children are Forrest Brannon Webber, Britt Elizabeth Webber and Noelle Grace Webber.  He is a member of the Committee of 100, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and is a Randolph School trustee. He serves on the BBVA Compass Bank board and is an inactive member of the Alabama Society of CPA’s. His hobbies include golf, hunting, skiing and spending time with his family.

      Jerry W. Nutt is the announcer and master of ceremonies for the 2014 Symphony Ball.  He is the Account Manager with World Wide Technologies.  His wife is Dorrie Adams Nutt. Their children are Michael Scott Nutt and David Alon Nutt.  He is a past Chairman of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board, Huntsville Community Chorus Board and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society Board.

The Symphony Ball will be held November 1 in the Von Braun Center North Hall.  It will be the 51st Ball held to benefit to our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.