Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Alumnae - Nashville, Tennessee

Regal Debutantes Turn Heads, Raise Hopes
Article By: Emme Nelson Baxter of The Tennessean.

Please don't confuse it with "celebutante" of the Paris Hilton ilk.

Nashville's latest "debs" include:

Hilary Cumbest Joyce, who is on the U.S. National Crew Team that placed fourth in the recent world championships in Germany. She rows for Division I Clemson and looks smokin' in a black evening gown.

Adorable Corinne Hartong, an international studies and French major at Vanderbilt who spends school breaks working for NASA.

Page Bouchard, a pre-vet major at UT who is active in polo
and equestrian events.

Ana Nettles, who is majoring in philosophy, political science
and economics at Penn and is African-American.

Lavondia Majors / The Tennessean
Ladies of the court get in position for a group photograph at The Kappa Alpha Theta Bal d’Hiver at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Morgan Stengel, a state cross country champ while at Harpeth Hall and now running track and cross country for North Carolina's Tar Heels.

Now does that dispel some stereotypes?

Children Will Benefit

Each of the 76 young women presented during Thanksgiving weekend at the Bal d'Hiver has her own story. Obviously there is one common denominator, which is of great blessing to some local charities.

Now consider the economic impact of debutante balls, which around here we prefer to call "presentation balls." Kappa Alpha Theta's Bal d'Hiver annual presentation ball honors area college seniors. The oldest presentation ball in the city, it benefits
CASA, Family and Children's Services and the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation. It will produce about $35,000 for those beneficiaries and has raised more than $1 million in its 60-year history.

As part of being in the court, each young woman who is presented also spends time at the Napier Community Center to meet some of the FCS children and their extended families. Cost to be presented, which is by invitation only, is $1,000.

Grace Abounds

Enough with the numbers and onto the fun.

The event was held at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The 600 or so guests and court met in the lobby for a quick cocktail before settling in their seats in the symphony hall or queuing up for presentation.

"Theta of the Year" Cathy Shull was the master of ceremonies. She carefully spoke the name of each presentee and her presenter (often the girl's father), her date and gave a brief synopsis of the young lady's college career.
These females being presented typically wore long white dresses and matching elbow-length gloves. Men wore white tie.

The real trick for the ladies of the court was negotiating the 24 steps spread over four sections of runway in their 3-inch heels. They all managed with great aplomb, especially models Ellen Hammer, Rachel Roberts and Amanda Walker, who absolutely aced their walks on the runway. Brings new dimension to the phrase "stepping out."

Another dicey maneuver was for each couple to stop midway down the runway to receive a red bouquet from one of the precious pintsize pages of the court. Pages were Jacqueline Frist, who wants to be a builder when she grows up; Lela Hooper, who aspires to be an ice skater; Elijah Fails, a future hockey player; and brother Garth Fails, who might someday be on Top Chef.

Fashions Dazzle

Each young lady looked exquisite. In particular:

Mary Lindley Carswell's spectacular Carolina Herrara gown.
(Hopefully, my editor ran the picture we shot of her).

Ellie Worsham, who was a belle in her hint of pink confection.
Claire Stadler, who truly sparkled in a fairy-tale dress.

Estee Simpkins in a regal number.

Maddie Martin's standout caramel satin sash against her white dress.

And Alice Campbell, daring to be different in a sapphire blue velvet gown that was oh-so-glam.
And so was her date — Athens, Greece, native Stefanos Kasselakis, whom she met in Andover.

The several escorts who wore their military dress uniforms exuded confidence, including Ryan Smith and John Christian Mahre.

Another debonair guy was Jesse Wright, who sported a rather rakish look with his George Clooney-esque facial hair.

Meet The Parents

Mary Pillow Kirk Thompson and Edie Simpkins chaired the evening, which included cocktails, the presentation, a sumptuous dinner for 500 on the terrace and dancing.
Dinner followed the presentation. Rain spatters atop the totally clear dinner tent — coupled with Christmas lights from the trees outside the symphony center — provided a magical prism that added to a sparkling night.

Sarah Ann Ezzell and Liz Hackett were decorations chairwomen. The color scheme was an opulent orange. Cary Allyn did the flowers, using clear vases boasting delicate tiny orchids.

"The girls loved the ottomans that were around the dance floor," Mary Pillow said. "It gave them a close place to "hang" and yet still be in the fray of the dancing."

The four-course dinner was prepared by the symphony caterers. It included a trio of cheeses, with arugula and balsamic reduction, chilled and caramelized Chilean seabass with red peppers, braised Snake River Farms beef short ribs with roasted root veggies and a molten chocolate cake with raspberry coulis.

The event organizers were delighted to have Nashville's own Lissa Bradford, a grand poobah in the Theta world, serve as the honorary chairwoman of the event.
Also in the crowd was a whole flock of Byrds there to cheer on Ellen Byrd, who was presented by her dad, Thomas Byrd.

Other proud parents and guests included: Anna and Jim Shaub, Woo and Clay Caroland, Arie and Michael Nettles, Marie Maxwell, Trudy and Susannah Byrd, Stephanie and Bob Armistead, Debbie and Mike Sandwith, Karen and Jim Aid, Jane and Ben Sloan, Tony Rose, Ellen and Tim Vaughn, Sherrie and Dudley West, Ellie Billington, Cornelia and Hill Granbery, Anne Parsons, Mark Bloom, Jane and Tom Corcoran, Katie and Reno Benson, Sarah Ann Ezell, Sandra and Larry Lipman, Val Cole, Alice and Al Whitson, Wendy and Buzz Martin, LaVoe and Tom Mulgrew, Russ Porter, Cayce and Alex Joyce, Julie and George Stadler, Carolyn and Jim Beckner and Jennie and Rob McCabe.

A good show, a good cause.
Article By: Emme Nelson Baxter of The Tennessean.