Symphony debutantes enter social season
Symphony Ball debutantes for 2015 include Stephanie Gilbert, front from left, Katie Vest, Katie Russell, Mary Margaret Ragland and Mary Scott Pearson. Lauren Stevens, back from left, Cate Rasco, Sarah Gwin Moore, Hughston May and Mary Gray Lindstrom. (CONTRIBUTED)
Symphony Ball debutantes for 2015 include Mary Morgan Plott, front from left, AnnaMarie Marona, Callie Bragg, Susan Purvis and Allyson Nuwayhid. Joie Tucker, back from left, Camille Shockley, Jordan Lee, Mallory Castellow and Leah Honkanen. (CONTRIBUTED)
Symphony Ball debutantes for 2015 include Anna Catherine Brooks, front from left, Cameron Seeley, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Lauren Lowe and Abbie Rodgers. Mary Witty Crump, back from left, Madeline Rushing, Keeley McMurray, Anna South and Lauren Layton. Lily Brooks, Emily Ann Clemons and Emily Lapidus are not pictured. (CONTRIBUTED)
HUNTSVILLE – A group of 33 young women have embarked on a busy schedule of social engagements as Symphony Ball debutantes.
Originating in 1964, the Symphony Ball is an annual major fundraising event for Huntsville’s professional orchestra and involves many hours of work by the event sponsor, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Nancy Colin is chairwoman of the 2015 ball, now in its 52nd year.
The 2015 debutantes have completed their freshman year of college. “They look forward to an exciting season of social activities with their families and friends, as well as participating in special service projects,” Symphony Ball Publicity Chairperson Sharon Gartrell said.
During the first week of the season, the young women attended the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Jon Rice Moody, along with a special event at Valley Hill Country Club where they were photographed. They pursued a service project for Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and for Huntsville Hospital.
“They continue the time-honored Huntsville tradition, which begins anew this summer,” Gartrell said.
The debutantes are enrolled at the University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, University of Georgia, Birmingham Southern College, Samford University, University of South Alabama, Clemson University and Troy University.
The 2015-2016 officers of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild are president Debbie Washburn, first vice president Ivy Albert, second vice president Nancy Richardson, recording secretary Naomi DuBois, corresponding secretary Susan Fredrickson and treasurer Kim Wright.
The Symphony Ball season will culminate with debuts for these young women at a gala event on Oct. 24 at the Von Braun Center North Hall. For more information, visit hsoguild.org.
