With summer vacation getting underway and the Fourth of July holiday just around the corner, Junior Symphony Ball Co-Chairs Dylan Gibbons, Sydney Hoyl, Alexandra Paredes, Alexa Plumlee, Mary Ellen Schoellkopf, Will Searcy and Bowden Slates wanted to tie a ribbon on their sold-out Saturday, February 4, fundraiser at Gilley’s.
That ribbon tying took place at the Meyerson just as a lightning storm hit North Texas Wednesday afternoon. Luckily, the sudden change in the weather didn’t dampen the presentation of a whopping $415,000 check to Dallas Symphony Association President/CEO Kim Noltemy.
That figure shouldn’t surprise anyone, since the 65th Junior Symphony Ball “Purpose With A Party” was the largest in its history, with 2,600 high schoolers from more than 35 area high schools including Alcuin School, Bishop Lynch, Booker T. Washington, Cambridge, Cistercian, Episcopal School of Dallas, Greenhill, Highland Park, Hillcrest, Hockaday, Jesuit, John Paul II, Lake Highlands , Parish Episcopal, Shelton, St. Mark’s of Texas, Ursuline Academy, Woodrow Wilson, Lakehill Preparatory School, Bishop Dunne, Convenant, Prestonwood, and Trinity Christian Academy.
According to Courtney Plumlee (aka Alexa’s mother), “The co-chairs did an outstanding job to ensure the success of this year’s event. Most importantly, they helped educate their peers that JSB is ‘A Purpose With A Party.’ The proceeds have a significant role providing arts education programs and instruments to many local students in our community.”
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s longest-running fundraiser, the event had sponsors this year including Trive Capital, Stonelake Capital, Platinum Homes by Mark Molthan, Sewell, Ben E. Keith Company, Hilltop Holdings, Highland Park Village, Gilley’s Dallas, Luke’s Fastbreaks, Mister Tuxedo and Haynsworth Classic American Portraiture.
* Photo credit: Courtney Plumlee