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    Party animals

    Equest Dallas' 40th anniversary gala hits its stride with surprise royal appearance

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jun 14, 2021 | 2:14 pm

    You know it's a rainy Dallas spring when guests to a fancy outdoor event are greeted with a big bucket of bug repellant. That was just one of the many above-and-beyond details that organizers of Equest's 40th Anniversary Gala dreamed up to make 575 guests at the sold-out extravaganza feel comfortable and celebrated.

    Comfort was of the utmost importance, of course, as the June 5 gala — canceled last year due to COVID-19 — was one of the first major Dallas fundraising events held in person, post-pandemic. Co-chairs Lisa and Kendall Laughlin and Katherine and Austin Wyker reimagined the usually swanky affair as a more casual "equestrian chic Southern soiree" resembling the organization's annual Boots & Salutes summer party; boots replaced stilettos, and jeans and sundresses replaced tuxes and ballgowns.

    The entire event took place outdoors at the new Al Hill, Jr. Arena at Texas Horse Park south of downtown, beneath a spectacular pink-sunset sky on an evening spared of thunderstorms. (Those did come later in the night.)

    The evening began in the barn, where guests — including Luke Branyan, Rachel Branyan, Lauren Davis, Brandi Chalmers, Annie Griffeth, Teal Griffeth, Laci Bowman, and Ira Bowman — scooted down the red carpet and took selfies with the Equest Therapy Horses groomed in stylish summer cuts and braids for the occasion.

    A wall of pick-your-own champagne flutes was not only Instagrammy but a smart way to reduce interaction between servers and guests. Past the bucket of insect repellant and into the main party tent, auction chair Lauren McHenry had corralled more than 150 silent auction items for a shopping and bidding experience that made it seem like the organization hadn't missed a beat during the COVID off-year.

    Respectful of distancing, guests snaked through the auction room filled with items like signed guitars by George Strait and Taylor Swift; a $1,400 Methuselah of 2010 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon; Antique John Deere Farm Wagon; and an 18k gold and diamond bangle bracelet, among many others items.

    When they were called to dinner, patrons sat down to a menu prepared by revered chef Dean Fearing — who was on site overseeing operations. The scrumptious meal included Summer Tomato Pie, Fearing’s famous Texas Wagyu Brisket with Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, Granny Fearing’s “Paper Bag Shook” Fried Chicken, Jalapeño Grits, and a dessert duo of Strawberry Shortcake and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.

    Emcee Stan Gardner led the program that included a moving memorial video honoring Equest "family members" lost in the past year, including TV personality Jocelyn White, who was a former chairman of the board. Equest CEO Lili Kellogg presented awards for both 2020 and 2021, including:

    • 2020 Founder’s Award: Dottie Neustadt
    • 2021 Founder’s Award: Equest’s Women’s Auxiliary
    • 2020 Citation Award: Andy Steingasser
    • 2021 Citation Award: Junior League of Dallas
    • 2021 Awards: Gail Pace, Cindy Thomas, and Jeff Hensley

    A live auction and "raise the paddle"-type effort resulted in generous donations that brought the evening's total fundraising to more than $600,000.

    But perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was a recorded video appearance by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. Britain's Princess Anne (daughter of Queen Elizabeth), an Olympian equestrian and longtime advocate of equine therapies, who had visited Equest in 2000, sent warm wishes from Buckingham Palace.

    "I'm sorry I cannot be there to help you celebrate this work," she said. "Many congratulations to everyone who has made Equest's 40 years possible and best wishes for the future."

    Guests danced the night away to The Walton Stout Band from the Jordan Kahn Orchestra before grabbing a generous gift bag that included gift cards, sweet treats, and even a potted herb plant from Mars Hill Farm.

    Also seen enjoying the evening and contributing to Equest's mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans were guests, board members, and patrons Caitlyn Laughlin, Thomas Laughlin, Lucy Billingsley, Taylor Boyd, Dell Putman, Pat McLaughlin, Nikki Chu, Heather Wiese, Tom Heffington, Erica Kennemer, Sabrina Williams, James Taylor, Rebecca Rochelle, Caroline Uihlein, and Mattson Uihlein.

    Katherine Wyker, Austin Wyker

    Katherine Wyker, Austin Wyker
      
    Photo by Thomas Garza
    Katherine Wyker, Austin Wyker
    galasfundraisers
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    Meet the debs

    42 new Dallas Symphony debutantes begin 2026 Presentation Ball prep

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 26, 2025 | 10:30 am
    DSOL Debutantes
    Photo by Gittings
    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The end of the schoolyear brought the beginning of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League debutante year for 42 local young women.

    Just a few months after last year's DSOL debs "Texas dipped" into society (and raised big bucks for the symphony), the organization introduced a new class during Announcement Weekend festivities in Dallas. Their parties, philanthropy, and training will culminate with the 40th Presentation Ball on February 21, 2026 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

    The year will be one of special milestones for the DSOL. Not only will the League celebrate its 80th anniversary, the Presentation Ball will mark its 40th year, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will turn 125 years old.

    The mega-weekend began with the Announcement Party, emceed by Stan Gardner, on the evening of Thursday, May 15. Events continued with a Deb and Honor Guard Family dinner at a restaurant and couture gown presentations at local luxury department stores. (Per tradition, each deb will wear a white ballgown to her Presentation Ball.)

    The 2026 Presentation Ball is under the guidance of co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Kristin Hallam, along with DSOL President Claire Catrino. Hallam's in-laws, Fanchon and Howard Hallam, will serve as the honorary chairs. The Hallams are longtime passionate DSO patrons whose leadership gift was pivotal in launching the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians program – one of the initiatives supported by the Ball; they also have endowed the DSO Co-Concertmaster Chair.

    Catrino made her debut in 2011 and has been a part of the DSOL ball’s planning and organization ever since.

    “Our debutantes and their families will enjoy many wonderful events, make new friends and have one-of-a-kind experiences all while supporting the outstanding education and outreach programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra," she says with authority.

    2026 DSOL debutantesThe 2026 DSOL debutantes.Photo by Gittings

    Now, for the most important part. The 2026 debutantes are: Claire Francis Andrews, Madeline Grace Behrens, Claire Louise Bradshaw, Ryan EllaMarie Brown, Eleanor Baxter Browne, Meredith Lilly Burkhart, Catherine Sophia Cox, Larkin McKay Devening, Marbella Mora Duarte, Sophie Elizabeth Dybala, Kathryne Grace Eastin, Gisele MaryRose Enrico, Ashley Shannon Goldman, Stella Jane Grabham, MaKenna Loy Harvey, Elizabeth Ann Hautt, Jane Penny Hochman, Madeleine Christine Jenkins, Livia Grace Lange, Charlotte Bryant Lauten, Sue Sealy McGowin, Attales Grace Meyer, Elizabeth Catherine Nance, Madelyn Leigh Neuhoff, Carly Nicole Polka, Chloe Olivia Polka, Rachel Camille Rader, Sofia Marie Reyes, Marlo Elizabeth Rivas, Campbell Ann Schultz, Kathleen Brooks Searcy, Lindy Kate Smith, Sienna Alexis Stagen, Tessa Elizabeth Stephenson, Charlotte Spencer Stiles, Harper Catherine Tagg, Margaret Lee Thompson, Corinne Elizabeth Tinker, Georgia Bedell Williamson, Virginia Anne Wilson, Olivia Constance Zambrano, and Elena Catherine Zeballos.

    The Assembly, a group of former debutantes who assist the Symphony League by helping with event arrangements throughout the season, was represented by Emily Hea, Katie Kottwitz, Marena Gault (advisor) Isabella Cox, Danielle Ward, Kennedy Downing, and Catherine Hunt.

    Parents and notable attendees included The Hon. Clay and Ramsey Jenkins, David and Lee Thompson, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Diane and Scott Sealy, Denton Bricker, longtime League member Barbara Paschall Averitt, Roger Gault (DSO Chairman of the Board of Governors) and Michelle Miller Burns (Ross Perot President and CEO of the DSO).

    DSOL Debutantes
      

    Photo by Gittings

    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The presentation of Dallas Symphony debutantes is a time-honored tradition for many of Dallas' most influential and philanthropic families. The debs are of college age and typically are graduates of Dallas-area high schools, but may be attending college out of the area.

    Participation is open to all young women. Much like a sorority, participants pay fees and participate in parties, fundraisers, classes, and other events throughout the year, all leading up to the Presentation Ball.

    The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998, the League has contributed over $25 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which bring the symphony to thousands of young people and adults across greater Dallas.

    announcement weekenddallas symphony orchestrafundraisersgalaspartiespresentation ballsymphonysymphony debutantes balldebutantes
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