MAY 31, 2019
Royal Court Announced for 65th Annual Jewel Ball
AUSTIN, Texas – In celebration of this fall’s sixty-fifth annual Jewel Ball, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin (WSL) formally announced the 2019 Royal Court participants at the Jewel Tea on Friday, May 17th. The Court consists of a Diamond Queen and several Princesses from Austin, honoring the support of local families for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The WSL also invites outstanding, college-aged young women from across the state to represent their communities as members of the Visiting Jewel Court.
Hosted by the Past President’s Council, the Jewel Tea is a time-honored tradition occurring each spring. This year, guests arrived at the lovely home of Stacey and Michael Toomey in colorful spring dresses to greet this year’s participants.
In keeping with 65 years of tradition, the 2019 Jewel Committee, chaired by Lisa Johnston Irvin and Linda van Bavel, had the privilege of selecting this year’s Royal Court:
Diamond Queen of the 2019 Royal Court, Queen Emma Carolina Tiblier, daughter of Board Member and Knight Eric Tiblier & Ms. Susanne Tetzlaff; Princess Anastasia Christine Bauereis, daughter of Knight & Mrs. Eric Bauereis; Princess Abigail Denise Downing, daughter of Knight & Mrs. Bryant Downing; Princess Tucker Abigail Garrison, daughter of Knight & Mrs. Dan Garrison; Princess Suzanne Conley Huff, daughter of Knight & Mrs. Claymon A. Cipione; Princess Julia Elizabeth McCann-Pewitt, daughter of Mr. Bill Pewitt & Ms. Shannon McCann; and Princess Josie Hollis Turlington, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Todd Turlington.
2019 Visiting Jewels to the Royal Court include: Duchess Olivia Lohr Benson, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Moody Bell (San Antonio); Duchess Sarah Allen Blakemore, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Allen Blakemore (Houston); Duchess Abigail Carrasco, daughter of Ms. Melissa Carrasco & Mr. Neri Carrasco (Odessa); Duchess Caroline Camille Bush, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Bush (Amarillo); Duchess Madeline Louise D’Alise, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark D’Alise(Lubbock); Duchess Samantha Anne Sullivan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sullivan(Dallas); Duchess Hollingsworth Hannah Tiblier, daughter of Christopher Tiblier(Nashville, TN); and Duchess Hannah Theodora Vaughan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Vaughn(Abilene).
The 2019 Royal Escorts include: William Michael Baselice, son of Lord Chancellor LIV (54) & Mrs. Michael D. Baselice; Davis Blaise Benson, son of Knight & Mrs. Paul Benson; Stefan Bentzin, son of Knight Benson A. E. Bentzin & Ms. Joanie Schoener Bentzin; James William Gernstein, son of Knight & Mrs. William B. Gernstein; Garrett Wilson Helburn, son of Knight & Mrs. Graham Helburn; Cole Michael Lamanteer, son of Dr. & Mrs. Michael Lamanteer; Stone Anthony Mountain, son of Mr. & Mrs. Cliff Mountain; McLean Francis Phillips, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Phillips; Jonathan David Schober Jr., son of Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Schober; and Landon Watkins, son of Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Watkins.
“The Women’s Symphony League is proud to announce the 2019 Royal Court, Visiting Jewels, and the Escorts, who we will formally honor on September 21st at the 65th Annual Jewel Ball. These remarkable young adults are chosen as representatives of their families, who have dedicated themselves to the Women’s Symphony League of Austin, the Knights of the Symphony, or the Austin Symphony Orchestra,” said WSL President Karey Nalle Oddo.
Jewel Ball festivities begin this fall with the WSL Fashion Luncheon on Friday, September 20th at Palmer Auditorium with special guest Brooke Shields.
The Jewel Ball presentation and gala, “The Sound of Music,” will take place on Saturday, September 21st at Palmer Auditorium. The black-tie tradition honors the Austin Symphony Orchestra with fundraising, a celebration of music, and the Royal Court. Jewel Ball events this year are co-chaired by Christy Merritt and Christy Werner.
The WSL also includes Austin teenagers in the festivities with their own dedicated event, the annual Soirée Dansante, a semi-formal fundraiser for teens from across the city. This year’s event, The Sound of Soirée, will take place on Labor Day, September 2nd at the Brodie Homestead.
Tickets for the Jewel Ball, Fashion Luncheon, and Soirée Dansante will be available online at www.wslaustin.org.
For 66 years, The Women’s Symphony League of Austin has dedicated its energy, talents and volunteerism by providing service and financial support to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and its education programs. The Women’s Symphony League is the largest annual financial supporter of the Austin Symphony Orchestra educational programs for children. Over 65,000 children benefit from the innovative educational programs of the ASO every year.