Carefully following state guidelines and under an Arkansas State Health Department approved plan, the Hot Springs Debutante Coterie presented 19 young ladies at the 75th Annual Red Rose Presentation in the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa's Crystal Ballroom on Saturday, Dec. 19.
The ballroom was decorated with hundreds of red roses that provided a stunning backdrop for the presentation by Master of Ceremony Mr. Forrest Spicher. Music by the Clyde Pound Trio with C.E. Askew on drums, David Higginbotham on upright bass, and Clyde Pound on keyboard, accompanied the young ladies during the presentation.
Afterward, the debutantes and their families enjoyed a private candlelight dinner in the Venetian and Fountain rooms, which provided a beautiful setting adorned with bouquets of red roses and festive holiday decorations.
The previous evening, the debutantes and their escorts were treated to an elegant rehearsal dinner, also held in the Venetian Dining Room. Hostesses were Ms. Sherri Arman, Dr. Lyndsey and Mr. Michael Dolan, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Dowdy, Mr. and Mrs. Ronni Formby, Ms. Malka Ivy, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Kuhn, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Malone, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mardis, Mr. and Mrs. Len Pitcock, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Stone, Ms. Teresa Tribble, and The Rev. and Mrs. Lamar Trieschmann.
The Hot Springs Debutante Program works to impart the social and moral responsibility of community service through participation in Our Promise Cancer Resources, http://www.ourpromise.info. This local nonprofit organization provides financial, professional and educational assistance to cancer patients and their families. All funds raised by Our Promise Cancer Resources stay in the local community -- an important factor to both Our Promise and the Hot Springs Debutante Coterie. Over the past seven years, the Debutante Coterie has raised over $77,000 for Our Promise, with this year's guests contributing over $9,000 to the grand total.
Hot Springs Debutante Coterie Sponsors are Mrs. Brian Gehrki, Mrs. John Vines, Mrs. Thomas Pierce III, Mrs. Archie VanGorder III, Mrs. Michael Wood, and Mrs. John C. Horner III. Advisors to the board are former sponsors Mrs. Brad Hudgens, Mrs. Cecil Cupp III, Mrs. Kirby Williams, Mrs. William Blocker and Mrs. William Ahlbrandt.
The young ladies making their debut were:
Miss Taylor Kay Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Clayton Bell, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs. She was presented by her father and escorted by Dalton Michael Pitts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pitts, who attends Lake Hamilton High School.
Miss Isabel Marie Butler, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael D. Butler, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Zakary Lawson Butler, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Miss Katherine Elizabeth Calandro, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Calandro, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was presented by her father and escorted by Marshall Montgomery Ellis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Ellis, who attends Lakeside High School.
Miss Zoe Lynn Cattaneo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Charles Cattaneo, who attends the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She was presented by her father and escorted by Tyson Alan Keeney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Miles Keeney, a graduate of Lakeside High School.
Miss Mary Catherine Cowen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Powell Cowen, who attends the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She was presented by her father and escorted by William Brant Perrigo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brant Perrigo, who attends Lakeside High School.
Miss Mollie Kathryn Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Murray Davis, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs. She was presented by her father and escorted by Connor Brent Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brent Thomas, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs.
Miss Alexis Lauren Graves, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Scott Graves, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs. She was presented by her father and escorted by Sterling Allan May Jr., son of Mr. Sterling Allan May, who attends Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas.
Miss Erin Elisabeth Graves, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brett Gordon Graves, who attends Harding University in Searcy. She was presented by her father and escorted by brother, Evan Brett Graves, a graduate of Harding University.
Miss Staley Layne Graves, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Derek Graves, who attends the University of Central Arkansas. She was presented by her father and escorted by Noah Wayne Erikson, son of Ms. Lenora Erickson and Mr. Craig Erickson, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs.
Miss Brooklyn Noel Inscore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Allen Porter, who attends the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She was presented by her father and escorted by Alan Wendell Godwin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Godwin, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs
Miss Hayzley Michelle Irwin, daughter of Mrs. Alisha Kristen Irwin, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was presented by her uncle, Mr. Justin Irwin, and escorted by Jack Stephen Keeling, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Keeling, who attends the University of Arkansas.
Miss Jessica Meredith Jennings, daughter of Ms. Melissa Darciann Williams and Mr. Charles Wayne Jennings, who attends Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. She was presented by her father and escorted by David Graham Carter, son of Ms. Alison K. Carter, who attends Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala.
Miss Madison Isabella Mears, daughter of Master Sgt. and Mrs. Russell Mack Mears, who attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She was presented by her father and escorted by Ezekiel Gavin McCain, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith McCain, who attends Lake Hamilton High School.
Miss Meighan Elizabeth Mears, daughter of Master Sgt. and Mrs. Russell Mack Mears, who attends Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. She was presented by her father and escorted by Matthew John Mory, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mory and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stallman. He is a Petty Officer 3rd Class in the United States Coast Guard.
Miss Claire Michelle Monte, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eric D. Monte, who attends Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. She was presented by her father and escorted by Edward James Ivy, son of Ms. Malka Ivy and Dr. Donald Ivy, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Miss Malli Elisabeth Rainwater, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dylan E. Rainwater, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Yancy Wall Rainwater, who attends Lakeside High School.
Miss Ainsley Claire Rottinghaus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rottinghaus, who attends Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. She was presented by her father and escorted by Brooks Warren Bell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Bell, who attends Lakeside High School.
Miss Annemarie Van Oversteeg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Van Oversteeg, who attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Falco Pieter Van Oversteeg, who attends Hot Springs High School.
Miss Josie Allison Whelan, daughter of Ms. Isis Joanne Whelan and Mr. John Joseph Whelan, Jr., who attends National Park College in Hot Springs. She was presented by her father and escorted by Mason Scott Vondenstein, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Vondenstein, who attends National Park College.