The Sentinel-Record - HER - Hot Springs
2016 Debutante Coterie
Eleven young ladies made their formal debut at the 71st annual Red Rose Ball on Dec. 17 in its original venue of the Crystal Ballroom in the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa.
The ballroom was decorated with hundreds of red roses that provided a stunning backdrop for the presentation by the master of ceremony, Forrest Spicher. Music by the Clyde Pound Trio with Paul Stivitts on drums, David Higginbotham on upright bass and Clyde Pound on keyboard accompanied the young ladies during the presentation.
Afterward, the Debutantes, their friends, and families enjoyed a reception and dance with music provided by the band Tragikly White. A private candlelit dinner was held at the Arlington prior to the presentation for the Debutantes and their families.
The first Debutante ball in the United States was held in 1857 in New Orleans and has since been a tradition throughout the country.
Proceeds from the Red Rose Ball were donated to Our Promise Cancer Resources, a nonprofit organization that provides financial, professional and educational assistance to cancer patients and their families. All funds raised by the organization stay in the local community. Over the past four years the Debutante Coterie has raised almost $40,000 for Our Promise, with this year’s guests contributing $8,000 to the grand total.
The members of the 2016 Debutante Coterie also participated in the newest Our Promise program, Creations of Hope. The project is the brainchild of Frances Iverson, a Debutante sponsor and cancer survivor. Creations of Hope began as bare mannequin heads and are transformed into symbols of hope, with the purpose to uplift and inspire lives touched by can-
cer. The Debutantes' Creations of Hope were displayed to guests along with a descriptive paragraph written by each Debutante, and will be given to a recipient who is associated with the Debutante’s inspiration for her Creation of Hope.
The following young ladies made their debut at this year’s ball:
Katelyn Michelle Bondhus, daughter of Colonel and Mrs. John Harrison Bondhus, who attends the University of Central Arkansas’ Schedler Honors College. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Airman 1st Class John Michael Bondhus, who attends the University of Central Arkansas and serves in the Arkansas Air National Guard.
Ashlee Lane Burgess, daughter of Deena Burgess and the late William F. Burgess, who attends the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She was presented by her uncle, Grady Joel Bean, and was escorted by her brother, William Drexler Lee Burgess, who attends Lake Hamilton High School.
Madison Elizabeth Capps, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bullen Jr., who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Hayden Martin Capps, who attends Lake Hamilton High School.
Anna Catherine Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Lane Carter, who attends the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She was presented by Steven Daniel Lowry. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lowry and attends Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Brittany Elizabeth Dooley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Andes Dooley, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs. She was presented by her father and escorted by Joseph Douglas Ervin. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven D. Ervin and attends
Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, N.J.
Lauren Nicole Irwin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Todd Irwin, who attends National Park College. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Steven Miles Irwin, who attends Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.
Shelby Bryce Powell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Edward Powell, who attends Lyon College in Batesville. She was presented by her father and escorted by Andrew Thomas Diehl. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Thomas Diehl and attends National Park College.
Kandis Brooke Price, daughter of Ms. Tonya Price, who attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She was presented by her grandfather, John Alden Aughenbaugh, and escorted by Jacob Aaron Lynch. He is the son of Reverend and Mrs. George Lynch and attends Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.
Sophie Elizabeth Rudder, daughter of Dr. Katherine Hurst and Dr. James Kevin Rudder, who attends Saint Louis University in Missouri. She was presented by her father and escorted by Lance Corporal Zachary Allen Petry. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Petry and attends Coastal Carolina College in Jacksonville, N.C.
Caroline Cate Skinner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Boswell Skinner, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Johnathan Bryce Skinner, who serves as the Marketing Director for Advisor Services of America Group in Little Rock.
Elizabeth Suzanne Snider, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eric Snider, who attends National Park College in Hot Springs. She was presented by her father and escorted by Walker Dean Vaughn. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Vaughn and attends National Park College and serves in the United States Naval Reserves.