Dallas Symphony Orchestra League 2023-2024 President Nancy Labadie and 2024 DSOL Presentation Chair Kristin Cordiak wanted to ramp up the fundraising for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s education outreach programs. Instead of holding the announcement of the class of 2024 of debutantes at a retailer, they decided to hold it at “a local country club” on Thursday, May 18.
And there would be even more activities to celebrate the debs and honor guard including Croquet on the Lawn at Maridoe Golf Club and the Honor Guard Polo Cup at Prestonwood Polo Club in late June.
But even in the days immediately following the announcement, there would be all types of get-togethers to help the moms and daughters prepare for the formal presentation with debs in white gowns and deb fathers and honor guard members in white tie.
For deb parent oldtimers Laura and Jason Downing, two of their daughters Caroline Downing Gahm (2017) and Katherine Downing (2022) had already bowed in years past and now it was baby girl Kennedy Downing‘s time to take her turn on the Meyerson stage.
Another Dallas Symphony Orchestra League deb vet was Elizabeth and Eric Gambrell‘s family. Daughter Eleanor Gambrell had already been part of the La Fiesta and DSOL deb program, and now Sarah Gambrell was following in her sister’s stiletto heels for the La Fiesta presentation at the Hilton Anatole on Saturday, June 3, but she would also bow for the DSOL Presentation Ball at the Meyerson on Saturday, February 10.
As supportive as Eric was of his daughter, he was having to duck out before the announcement. Luckily, the Gambrells’ good friend and deb mom Suzanne Stiles was up from Houston for daughter Caroline Stiles to be announced as one of the class of 2024.
Knowing all too well the importance of generational sharing was Kelli O. and Jerry Ford who watched daughter Electra Ford announced as a deb-to-be as part of the May 18 announcement.
Sitting beside her parents was Electra’s little sister, Kelli Ford, whose composure showed that she was ready to be a deb and carry on the family legacy.
For more looks of the class of 24 DSOL debs and honor guard members, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.