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    Celebrity Sightings

    Jamie Foxx leads all-star cast of honorees at 2015 Texas Medal of Arts

    Diana Oates
    Feb 26, 2015 | 5:19 pm
    The stars aligned at the Long Center for Performing Arts in Austin Wednesday night — and by stars we mean actors, musicians, athletes and big-deal philanthropists who have at least two things in common: Texas and the arts.
    This was the 2015 Texas Medal of Arts Awards, which honors those who have helped shape the Lone Star arts scene — an industry that generates $5.1 billion annual for the state economy. The festivities began with a dazzling red carpet and cocktail reception, where event co-chairs Gene Jones and Charlotte Jones Anderson welcomed each award recipient who, although diverse in their craft, all hail from this great state:
    • Music: T Bone Burnett (Fort Worth)
    • Film: Jamie Foxx(Terrell)
    • Dance: Kilgore Rangerettes (Kilgore)
    • Visual Arts: Rick Lowe (Houston)
    • Literary Arts: Lawrence Wright(Austin)
    • Theatre: Robert Schenkkan (Austin)
    • Architecture: Charles Renfro (Houston)
    • Television: Dan Rather (Wharton)
    • Television: Chandra Wilson (Houston)
    • Corporate Arts Patron: Dr Pepper Snapple Group(Plano)
    • Individual Arts Patron: Margaret McDermott(Dallas)
    • Multimedia: Emilio Nicolas (San Antonio)
    • Arts Education: Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Dallas)
    • Standing Ovation Award: Ruth Altshuler(Dallas)
    • Lifetime Achievement Award: The Gatlin Brothers(Seminole)

    When it was showtime, guests packed into the auditorium and gave a warm welcome to special guest emcees Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, who call NFL games on Fox Sports. Their funny banter ranged from topics as the controversial catch/no catch debate from earlier in the year to Aikman’s Super Bowl trophy to Willie Nelson.

    During the presentation, every award recipient received a proper moment of glory. Noteworthy presenters — including Chris Harrison from ABC’s The Bachelor and 2009 Theatre Award recipient Betty Buckley — listed the honorees’ accolades, which were followed by short videos and their acceptance speeches.

    Although the night was not lacking in excitement — with performances by the Gatlin Brothers, Steve Miller, and Texas Young Masters Ani Mayo and Amber Pickens — two award recipients from Dallas won the hearts of all audience members with their candid, comedic remarks at the podium.

    Terrell native Jamie Foxx invited all of the recipients onstage for a rendition of Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say,” with Foxx at the piano and Ray Benson on guitar.

    First up was 103-year-old Margaret McDermott, who was escorted onstage by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. The longtime Dallas philanthropist took us through her family history to shed some light on why she became so passionate about the arts — a passion that led to immense support of the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Dallas Public Library System and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few.

    She kept the crowd roaring with candid stories about her affluent family. She also told me, on the red carpet, that although she has been to some beautiful places in her lifetime to look at amazing art (“Well, London and Paris are pretty nice,” she said), she still thinks that Dallas boasts some of the best. She exited the stage to a standing ovation.

    Next up was Ruth Altshuler who was presented her award by her neighbor and dear friend, former first lady Laura Bush. Altshuler had the audience in her hand within seconds and she came out on the arm of Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.

    “I just got escorted by Jason Garrett,” she said. “How do you like them apples?”

    Altshuler, who has been involved in countless philanthropic efforts — Salvation Army, United Way, AT&T Performing Arts Center, the list goes on — thanked the Texas Cultural Trust for improving access to arts education for all Texas students.

    The final trio of recipients carried the most star power: Chandra Wilson, Dan Rather and Jamie Foxx, all of whom accepted their awards to hoots and hollers from the crowd.

    Wilson gave big props to Houston for shaping her into the type of woman she is today. Rather got bonus points from all of the ladies in the crowd, because the majority of his speech revolved around his wife, Jean. He praised her not only for her artistic abilities, but also for the knowledge that she bestowed on him throughout the years as he polished his craft.

    Foxx ended the awards portion of the evening with a walk-through of some of his most beloved impersonations as a comedian and a touching story about his grandmother, who raised him. This proud Terrell native then invited all of the recipients onstage for a rendition of Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say,” with Foxx at the piano and Ray Benson (who says he’s a CultureMap fan) on guitar.

    Post awards, recipients and attendees headed to an elaborate tent, which had been transformed by Todd Events into a purple and green botanical wonderland. Todd Fiscus himself was present for this big-deal dinner, along with fellow Dallasites Jerry Jones, Shy Anderson, Jennifer Sampson and Micki Rawlings.

    During the feast — beet salad, beef tenderloin with mushroom risotto and chocolate cake — guests heard from the co-chairs one last time. Anderson and Jones thanked everyone who made the night possible, including Texas Cultural Trust chairman Charles Matthews and honorary chairs Gov. Greg Abbott and Cecilia Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Susan Patrick, and Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus and Julie Straus.

    Proceeds from the evening benefit the programs administered by the Texas Cultural Trust, including the Texas Young Masters program. The Texas Medal of Arts Awards are handed out every other year to Texans who exhibit lifelong achievement in their area of expertise.

    Jamie Foxx, Film Award honoree.

    Texas Medal of Arts Awards 2015 Jamie Foxx
      
    Photo by Shelley Neuman
    Jamie Foxx, Film Award honoree.
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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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