July-Nichols Hills Magazine

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Contents July 2019

Oklahoma’s 2019 Young Creativity Ambassador James Austin Kerr, above, with family and friends during the Creativity Gala; and at right, in a photo shoot for Los Angeles Tourism. Read all about the shy young man with long hair who has made it big in Hollywood, Pages 4-5.

12, 14 From left, Debutantes Anna Medley, Sarah Bozalis, Caroline Silver and Chloe Brown catch up during the 2019 Beaux Arts Debutante Court Reception at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Portraits of the Debutantes and their Escorts begin on Page 6.

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James Austin Kerr Oklahoma’s 2019 Young Creativity Ambassador was a shy young man with really long hair

By Rose Lane Editor

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Oklahoma Creative’s Young Creativity Ambassador of the Year James Austin Kerr was “incredibly grateful’ to be recognized by his home state.

“I’m not really going after awards,” he said. “But, it was very touching to look back at the journey and the people who helped me.”

At the top of that list is his parents Beth and Steve Kerr.

Beth is an Oklahoma County special district judge and Steve is also an attorney and vice president of the Kerr Foundation. His grandmother Lou Kerr is president of the foundation and Aunt Laura is also a vice president.

An actor and writer now living in Los Angeles, his credits include popular television shows such as “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “Bones,” “The Mentalist,” “Agent Carter” and “Scandal.”

He can be seen now this summer on season four of the USA Network series “Queen of the South,” as well as the feature film “Wake Up,” set to release later this year, where he stars along side Johnathan Rhys Myers and Francesca Eastwood.

A 2007 graduate of Edmond North High School, James was a drummer with the Husky Band and wanted to pursue music.

“But, unless you are in a famous band, there’s not much of a future,” he said.

He attended the University of Central Oklahoma for a year, then worked six months to save enough money to move to LA. “I definitely wanted to give some sort of entertainment a try,” he said. “But, I was really self-conscience and shy.”

“I wanted to do something to get out of my shell.”

Once in California, he landed work as a model for such magazines as Vogue and the Ford Modeling Agency picked him up.

It was his hairstyle that got him the jobs “I had really long hair, down to my upper chest,” James said.

He began going to audition classes and began visiting film sets as the proverbial “fly on the wall.” James eventually got an agent, but said he was “basket case of nerves” to the point of shaking during auditions.

“I kept going until I got used to it,” he said. “I still get nervous, but I’ve learned to channel it.”

These days, James said he attends many networking events where he encounters people he grew up wanting to work with, including Harrison Ford, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.

“It’s surreal,” he said.

But, it would be “stupid” for him not to take advantage of these opportunities.

“People would give an arm and Modeling a “Fashion 3/4 leg to go to these events.”

Sleeve Baseball Tee” for While LA is home now, James American Apparel. said he comes back to Oklahoma several times a year and stays with his parents. He said he has been fortunate to be involved in films which were filmed in his own state.

James said he even wrote a screenplay with the thought of filming in Oklahoma.

“It’s very much easier to film here than in a big city.”

But, at the end of the day, James said he’s just happy to be working.

“I don’t really view myself as a star,” he said.

James Austin Kerr in an early headshot.

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2019 Beaux Arts Debutantes

Kate Abernathy

Sarah Bozalis

Langley Branan

Chloe Brown

Katherine (Kate) Brooke Abernathy attends Lewis and Clark College. She is the daughter of Celina Abernathy and Rob Abernathy.

Sarah Nicole Bozalis attends Texas Christian University.

She is the daughter of Theresa Bozalis and David Bozalis.

Langley Bennett Branan attends Oklahoma State University. She is the daughter of Connell and Cliff Branan.

Chloe Bea Brown attends the University of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Liz Muckleroy and Paul Brown.

Sarah Crain

Reagan Dahlgren

Ellen DeGiusti

MaryKate Downs

Sarah Catherine Crain attends the University of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Laura and Jeff Crain.

Reagan Elizabeth Dahlgren attends Oklahoma State University. She is the daughter of Jamie Dahlgren and Eric Dahlgren.

Ellen Thompson DeGiusti attends the University of Georgia. She is the daughter of Elaine and Tim DeGiusti.

MaryKatherine (MaryKate) Heaven Downs attends Oklahoma State University.

She is the daughter of Debbie and Greg Downs.

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2019 Beaux Arts Debutantes

Ashley Gawey

Natalie Hugos

Lyvia Lauderdale

Raylee Lewis

Ashley Catherine Gawey attends the University of Georgia. She is the daughter of Liz and Brad Gawey.

Natalie Elizabeth Hugos attends the University of Kansas. She is the daughter of Wiley and Bill Hugos.

Lyvia Lee Lauderdale attends the University of Oklahoma.

She is the daughter of Mary Jane and Mike Lauderdale.

Raylee D’Ann Lewis attends Chapman University. She is the daughter of Patti and Rob Lewis.

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2019 Beaux Arts Debutantes

Anna Medley

Margo Naifeh

Ashley Raupe

Kat Reynolds

Anna Marie Medley attends the University of Texas at Austin. She is the daughter of Diane and Daniel Medley.

Margaret (Margo) Rose Naifeh attends Davidson College. She is the daughter of Libby and Todd Naifeh.

Ashley Elaine Raupe attends Oklahoma State University.

She is the daughter of Lana Raupe and Steve Raupe.

Merry Katheryne (Kat) Reynolds attends the University of Arkansas. She is the daughter of Angela and Brian Ferguson.

Caroline Silver Caroline Merson Silver attends the University of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Susan and Marc Silver.

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2019 Beaux Arts Escorts

Andrew Bohanon

Josh Britt

Johnny Cloud

Edward Cohn

Andrew Crain

Zeke Downs

Reid Fisher

Davis Lauderdale

Mason McClintock

Alden O’Connor

Angus Ogilvie

Reid Richardson

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Museum of Art hosts Beaux Arts Debutante Court

Photos by Rose Lane

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The weather prevented the reception being on the rooftop of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of members of the 2019 Beaux Arts Court and their families. Above: A Beaux Arts family — Jeff, Escort Andrew and Debutante Sarah. At left: Harper and Margo Ward and Leigh and Nick Bentley. Margo is the 2019 Beaux Arts chairman and Leigh serves on the committee.

For more photos, see Page 14.

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Museum of Art hosts Beaux Arts Debutante Court

- Photos by Rose Lane

Above: Lana and Ashley Raupe at the reception at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

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Above: Debutante Anna and her mom Diane Medley with Lisa Richardson. At left: We’re the Hugos — Bill, Debutante Natalie and Wiley.

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