Texarkana Cotillion Club presents 2012 debutantes to society
Eight debutantes dressed in traditional gowns and carrying bouquets of red roses were presented to society Thursday, Dec. 27 at the Texarkana Debutante Cotillion’s annual Presentation and Ball at Texarkana Country Club. Frank Poff, master of ceremonies, introduced each young lady. Pianist Vickie Al-Dubais and violinist Andrea Finley played each debutante’s chosen theme song.
Shannon Ku Brewer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Brewer of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of the late William Brewer and Alma Brewer of Mountain View, Ark., and the late Ming Shing Ku and Dau ShauKu of Pasadena, Calif. Shannon is a sophomore at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where she is double majoring in Biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine and in Political Science. Shannon received a Chancellor’s Scholarship to Texas Christian University and was admitted to the John V. Roach Honors College. She is a Chancellor’s Leadership Program Fellow, a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Delta, a premedical honor society, a member of the Catholic Community Organization and the National Residence Hall Honorary. Through Delta Gamma Fraternity, Shannon has helped make Braille Bibles and raised funds for her philanthropic cause, serving the visually impaired. She was a coach for Delta Gamma’s Anchor Bowl and a committee member for recruitment. She participated in TCU LEAPS community service, Theta 5K, fundraising for Pi Kap Push and served on the application review committee for the Chancellor’s Leadership Program. Shannon participated in Fort Worth’s Race for the Cure, donated food to local homeless shelters and played music for the elderly at local nursing homes. Shannon received the Leadership Texarkana Wilbur Award, the Girl Scouts USA Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and is a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church. She was a graduate of Texarkana’s Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders program and received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and was a founding member and concert master of the Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra. Shannon was Founder and President of PAL/Players and Listeners 501 (C)(3) Non-Profit Organization. PAL brought the performing arts to senior citizens in area nursing homes and was commended by the Texas House of Representatives for service. She was a member of the Texarkana Community Ballet and Judith McCarty School of Dance. Shannon was involved in community service with the American Cancer Society, Randy Sams’ Homeless Shelter, St. Edwards Outreach Center, CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Shannon was presented by her father and escorted by James Wirt Burnett III, son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Burnett of Texarkana. Her presentation song was “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Ray. Shannon chose a strapless gown of ruffled organza in soft ivory. Her gown featured a sweetheart neckline with a fitted basque bodice of pleated organza and a corsolette back. A beaded applique adorned her hipline, with a self fabric flower. Her skirt featured rows of ruffled organza which flowed to a sweep length. Her gown was designed by Madeline Gardner for Mori Lee.
Lauren Nicole Hadaway is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Hadaway of Hooks, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Bobbie Skinner and Kathy Whitehead, both of Texarkana, Ark., and Joe and Jeanie Hadaway of Wake Village, Texas. Lauren was presented by her father and escorted by her cousin, Chad Whitehead of D’iberville, Miss. Chad is the son of Doys and Pam Whitehead of Texarkana, Texas. Lauren is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Lauren majoring in nursing with plans to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Lauren attends Cross Church of Fayetteville and actively participates in CRU, a campus-wide ministry. A member of the Psi chapter of Chi Omega, Lauren is involved with her chapter’s weekly Bible study and serves as a sisterhood support leader. She participates in the Make a Wish Foundation and helped to fulfill a young girl’s wish for a trip to Disney World this past August. Lauren also enjoys participating in other community service such as reading to children at a local Fayetteville elementary school. She is certified in CPR and First Aid and has been awarded the Bronze and Silver Girl Scout awards. Lauren entered to the song, “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman. She wore an ivory tulle and lace strapless A-line gown with a sculpted sweetheart neckline with antique rose patterned detail, re-embroidered lace and an oatmeal tulle overlay.
Erin Mattson Keil is the daughter of Melissa Keil and Matt Keil of Texarkana. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl LeForce of Idabel, Okla. and Dean Keil and the late Barbara Keil of Texarkana, Ark. She was presented by her father and escorted by Joshua Scott Cole, the son of Julie and Scott Cole of Texarkana, Texas. For her presentation song, Erin selected “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers. She attends Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth and is a sophomore majoring in fashion merchandising with a minor in business. She is a member of the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She volunteers with Kinderfrogs and Meals on Wheels at TCU and is a member of the Fashion and Beyond Club.
Erin attended the University of Oklahoma her freshman year in Norman, Okla. and participated in the University Sing. She was a member of the Campus Activity Council and volunteered for Reading is Fundamental and the Center for Children and Family Incorporated. Erin is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Texarkana, Ark. The ball gown Erin chose had a V-neck bodice and fully draped skirt made of hand–cut organza bias flanges and tulle swirls and was a Vera Wang design.
Laura Marilyn Miller is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miller of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Warner Henderson, and the late Billie Rae Henderson of Texarkana, Texas, and A.P. Miller, and the late NetaFaye Miller of Texarkana, Texas. Laura is a sophomore at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders-Speech Pathology, with a minor in Psychology. Laura is a member of Chi Omega Sorority, Iota chapter. She is also a member of Texas Sweethearts, a University of Texas spirit organization. Laura is a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Feed My People of Austin, and BeHive After-school Tutor Program for Austin ISD. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies, and has been named to the Dean’s Honors List for Fall 2011 and Spring 2012. She is a member of Hardy Memorial United Methodist Church of Texarkana, where she volunteers with The United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission for Youth. Laura was presented by her father and entered to the song “River Runs in You.” She was escorted by Andrew Tarwater, son of Rusty and Ann Tarwater of Texarkana, Texas. Laura chose a gown of white silk organza. Her gown featured a sweetheart rouched neckline and a fitted bodice. A wide band of venice lace encrusted with crystals and covered with pearls defined her waistline. Bias cut organza ruffles adorned the circular skirt. Her gown was designed by Madeline Gardner for Mori Lee.
Allison Blayne Morriss is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Morriss of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josh Morriss Jr. of Texarkana, Texas and Dolly McGinnis and the late Sam McGinnis of Texarkana, Texas. Allison attends the University of Mississippi where she is a sophomore majoring in theatre. She has been on the Dean’s Honor Roll three times, is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is part of the Ghostlight Repertory Theare. She attends Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. Allison was presented by her father and escorted by her best friend, Zachary Owen. She entered to “Maybe” by Charles Strouse. Allison chose a beautiful Mori Lee, ivory gown that flowed into a full Aline. The neckline was a modified sweetheart with a heavily beaded band at the waist with lace cap sleeves.
Susan Morgan Nash is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tim H. Nash of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Ben Nash and the late Doris Nash of Texarkana, Texas, and Dan Bennett and the late Earlene Bennett of Texarkana, Texas. Morgan is a sophomore at University of North Texas, Denton, Texas where she is majoring in Speech Pathology. She is an active member of Chi Omega Sorority. She has received the Red and Yellow Award for having the true spirit of a Chi Omega member. She has served as a representative on the Cardinal Cabinet committee and was correspondence chair for the past two semesters. She is a member of Central Christian Church in Texarkana, but attends The Village Church while living in Denton. She participates in her sorority intramurals and helps with the Spirit Team. She participated in Greek Week 2012 in which her sorority won first place. She has been on the Dean’s List every semester and maintains a GPA of 3.8. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Domestic Violence, Kids Around the Block, and the Make A Wish Foundation. She is a past recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders Program. Morgan was presented by her father and escorted by Braydon Kyle Jones, Texarkana, Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Jones, Texarkana, Texas. She entered to “Turning Page” by Ryan Curtis O’Neal. She wore a gown of white luxe taffeta in a ball gown design by Madeline Gardner for Mori Lee Bridals. Her gown featured a sweetheart neckline of softly ruched taffeta. A band of venise lace embellished with crystals and pearls adorned her waistline. The full circular skirt flowed to a sweep length and featured self-fabric buttons at the back which extended the length of the train.
Jordan Lasca Tidwell is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Tidwell of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Tidwell of Dekalb, Texas, and Gordon Huddleston and the late Lasca Huddleston of Texarkana, Texas. Jordan was escorted by her brother, Jackson Tidwell, and presented by her father, John Tidwell. She is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., where she is majoring in broadcast journalism. Jordan is a member of the Nu Chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority, where she serves as the assistant to vice president of public relations. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Council and the Oklahoma Press Association Media House Scholar. She attends First Baptist Church of Texarkana. She is also involved in Freshman Follies, Varsity Revue, OSU Up Close, Relay for Life and Up Till Dawn. She entered to “Your Song” by Sir Elton John. Jordan’s gown designed by Mori Lee was strapless with a structured bodice and dazzling jeweled detail at the top of the bust. Ruching wrapped the bodice and flowed into the sweeping skirt and a mermaid flared shape with an A train at back.
Sarah Elizabeth Wilson is the daughter of Mr and Mrs. Scott Wilson and Jodie and Renée Baker of Texarkana. She is the granddaughter of Jodie and the late Frank Wilson and Tom and Mary Ann Vahle. Sarah is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she is majoring in hospitality. She is a member of the Delta Iota chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She participates in events through her sorority to support St. Jude’s Children hospital with events such as the annual Pancake Pig Out and Frats at Bat. She has volunteered in Texarkana with the Buddy Walk, Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure and Step Up for Down Syndrome. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Texarkana. Sarah is a volunteer at the Fayetteville Animal Shelter and participates in the VAC Literacy Program by reading after school with students as a part of the Boys and Girls Club of Fayetteville School Kids Connection program. For Sarah’s presentation song she chose “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton. She was presented by her father and escorted by her stepfather. Sarah’s dress was a strapless taffeta ball gown with a sweetheart bodice. It was detailed with a bow complete with a broach at her waist. Her dress was completed with a low back and sweep train.