OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SOCIAL
Grace Belcher, Elizabeth Bendall, Anne Elise Beasley, Madison Chatwood and Caroline Dugas.
Thursday, January 13, 2022 • 11
Burke Smith, Kathryn Messer, Elizabeth Lemak, Kailey Koch and Collins McMurray.
Isabella Rizzo, Georgia Carolynne Kamburis, Katlin Willingham, Brooke Tarrant and Sydney Grace Edge.
Chandler Coshatt, Taylor Parks, Megan Swanzy, Jackie Stevens and Katie McKenna.
Raegan Goodreau, Parker Gregory, Anna Frances Gorham, Eleni Gulas and Cameron Isabella Hall.
Emory Elizabeth Swafford, Abbigale Fitzgerald Waters, Gracie Stockard, Madeline Yates and Claire Sexton.
T
he Ballet Women’s Committee and Poinsettia Men’s Club hosted the 54th Annual Poinsettia Ball on Dec. 16 at Vestavia Country Club. Fifty-four debutantes in white and red dresses prepared to be presented in a ballroom filled with coordinating bouquets of poinsettias. White gowns and red poinsettia bouquets were featured on 30 debutantes. These debutantes were nominated during the spring of their sophomore year of college and presented during their junior year. They included Anne Elise Beasley, Merrill Grace Belcher, Elizabeth Ann Bendall, Madison Alexandra Chatwood, Susannah Chandler Coshatt, Caroline Michele Dugas, Sydney Grace Edge, Raegan Marie Goodreau, Anna Frances Gorham, Parker Nicole Gregory, Helen Katherine Gulas, Cameron Isabella Hall, Georgia Carolynne Kamburis, Kailey Ana Koch, Lauren Elizabeth Lemak, Kathryn Rebekah Messer, Margaret Katherine McKenna, Collins Virginia McMurray, Taylor Brooke Parks, Isabella Candace Rizzo, Claire Aldin Sexton, Farris Burke Smith, Jacquelyn
Red & White 54th Annual Poinsettia Debutante Ball Introduces 30 Young Women to Society
Elissa Stevens, Mary Grace Stockard, Emory Elizabeth Swafford, Megan Alyssa Swanzy, Anna Brooke Tarrant, Abbigale Fitzgerald Waters, Katlin Tesney Willingham and Madeleine Chappell Yates. Twenty-four junior debutantes wore red gowns and carried bouquets of white poinsettias with fresh greenery. The junior debutantes were Emily Elizabeth Avis, Virginia Grace Cochran, Avery Marie Creel, Nina Catherine DiGiorgio, Marie DeLeisseline Duncan, Riley Marie Early, Merritt Elizabeth Flynn, Ella McKee Harper, Amelia Lanier Hawk, Laura Ellen Hayes, Emma Catherine Kerby, Lillian Harman Lowery, Mary Alexandra Maluff, Katherine
Adriana Morros, Eleanor Russ Petrey, Anna Elizabeth Ridgway, Mary Lansley Schick, Sara Frances Steadman, Sophie Mae Talbert, Anna Catherine Tanner, Ashby Clark Thomas, Anna Spencer Lawley, Catherine Elizabeth Whitcomb and Reilly Elizabeth Williamson. The Poinsettia Men’s Club sponsored a benefactor’s dinner during the private presentation of all debutantes. The dinner was organized by benefactor dinner chairman Stacey Gregory, and assistance was provided by Lynne and Donnie Dobbins. Each debutante was presented on the arm of her father or significant family member, with whom she later danced a traditional waltz. Poinsettia Ball board President Liz Guest orga-
nized evening festivities with the support of Poinsettia Ball chairwoman Jayna Southerland. Poinsettia Men’s Club President Gary Smith, along with Ballet Women’s Committee President Ashley Stockard and junior debutante social chairman Melissa McMurray, worked to make the night one to remember. Additional Poinsettia Ball board members serving with the event include Sharon Maddox, Lianne Hand, Stephanie Whisenhunt, Tammy Towns, Kelly Troiano, Ashley Moran, Jayna Southerland, Melissa McMurray, Allison Herr, Sarah Bryan, Michelle Channel, Cathy Donze and Loren Leigh Baggett. In 1968, the Poinsettia Debutante Ball was established after Mrs. John W. Gustafon suggested it. Founded in 1960, the Ballet Women’s Committee advances and promotes fine arts in the greater Birmingham area. All proceeds from the event will support the Alabama Ballet, the state’s prominent master ballet company. The Poinsettia Men’s Club was created in 1969 to support and promote the well-recognized Ballet Women’s Committee. ❖
