The board members and Selection Committee of the Hot Springs Debutante Coterie recently announced the 18 young ladies slated to make their formal debut at the annual Red Rose Presentation, Dinner and Charity Ball on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The following ladies, who have demonstrated academic excellence, school involvement, and community service, comprise the 74th group of Hot Springs Debutantes:
• Miss Baylee Nicole Barton -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Derek Barton.
• Miss Katelyn Nicole Beckwith -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Beckwith.
• Miss Makayla Nicole Chapmond -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Chapmond.
• Miss Madison Ragon Connaway -- daughter of Mr. Jonathon Connaway and the Honorable and Mrs. Terry Smith.
• Miss Olivia McKaley Dolan -- daughter of Dr. Lindsey and Mr. Michael Dolan.
• Miss Trinity Faith Dooley -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Dooley.
• Miss Emma Kirsten Ferguson -- daughter of Ms. Kathleen Ferguson and Mr. William Ferguson Jr.
• Miss Morgan Paige Fincham -- daughter of Ms. Amy Fincham and the late Mr. Timothy Fincham.
• Miss Laney Kaye Herman -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Herman.
• Miss Raegan Laine Hickam -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Horner III.
• Miss Annabeth Rose Hrdlicka -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hrdlicka.
• Miss Kennedi Laine Kelley -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Kelley.
• Miss Abigail Rose Lawrence -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lawrence.
• Miss Annabelle Nicole Neilson -- daughter of Mrs. Robert Zunick and Mr. Robert Neilson.
• Miss Jaci Marie Palmer -- daughter of Ms. Rebecca Lambert and Mr. Jason Palmer.
• Miss Kaitlynn Jean Peters -- daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Brian Peters.
• Miss Brooke Taylor Powell -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Powell.
• Miss Isabella Reese Shelley -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Shelley.
The 2019 Debutante Season began with a Mother/Daughter Celebration at Hot Springs Country Club, hosted by the Coterie board members, Mrs. Brian Gehrki, Mrs. John Horner III, Mrs. Thomas Pierce III, Mrs. Archie VanGorder III, Mrs. John Vines, and Mrs. Michael Wood. Advisors to the Coterie are Mrs. William Ahlbrandt, Mrs. William Blocker, Mrs. Brad Hudgens, Mrs. Cecil Cupp III, and Mrs. Kirby Williams.
A special "thank you" to the following former Debutante mothers for helping co-host this year's tea: Mrs. Brian Albright, Mrs. Christopher Corjay, Mrs. Robbie Davis, Mrs. Rick Dwyer, DeaAnn Richard, Mrs. Paul Rice, Mrs. Jesse Slick. Mrs. Gregory Whorton, and Mrs. William Wisley, the board said in a news release.
The "Little Season" of parties and events honoring the 18 young ladies will take place from July 13-19. These events will revolve around the coterie's mission, which strives to provide young ladies with opportunities to grow in social responsibility, self-confidence and poise, the release said. The Debutante Program also provides a setting to enhance strong family relationships among the young women through mother-daughter and father-daughter opportunities.
Friends and family interested in hosting a party can call Laura Gehrki at 501-617-2784.
"The Debutante Program also works to impart the social and moral responsibility of community service through participation in a local charity project. The Debutante Program has a permanent charitable partnership with Our Promise Cancer Resources (www.ourpromise.info). This local nonprofit organization provides financial, professional and educational assistance to cancer patients and their families, serving 21 counties.
All funds raised by Our Promise Cancer Resources stays in the community -- an important factor to both Our Promise and the Hot Springs Debutante Coterie. Over the last seven years, more than $60,000 has been donated to Our Promise on behalf of the Hot Springs Debutantes," the release said.
The Red Rose Presentation and Charity Ball are a "long-standing Hot Springs tradition and a highlight of the Christmas season," the release said. Family and friends will gather at for the event on Dec. 21 in the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa's Crystal Ballroom for the formal presentation, where the young ladies are presented to society. As in tradition, former Hot Springs Coterie Debutantes are welcome to attend the ball.
Society on 06/16/2019