Photo: During its 61st Annual Ball on December 27 at the Gadsden Country Club, the Bal d’Or Club welcomed into membership Mrs. William Catanzaro, Mrs. Brad Langston, Mrs. Mark Haller, Ms. Ellen Bridges, Mrs. Craig Inzer Jr., Mrs. Jay Howard, Mrs. Shane Ellison and Mrs. Robbie Spruill. (Courtesy of Bentley Gray Photography)
The Bal d’ Or Club recently presented 11 young ladies at the club’ 61st Annual Ball on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Gadsden Country Club. Photography was provided by Bentley Gray Photography of Boaz.
The evening’s festivities were coordinated by the Bal d’Or Board of Governors, which includes Mrs. Helene Haller, Chairman; Vice Chairman, Mrs. Jenny Stacey; Mrs. Amy Gladden, Secretary; Mrs. Kate Tang, Treasurer; Food and Beverage Chairman, Mrs. Mary Lynn Shadix; Decorations Chairman, Ms. Jody Sizemore; Invitations Chairman, Mrs. Deana Williams; Publicity Chairman, Mrs. Catherine Bailey; Music Chairman, Mrs. Jennifer Sutton; Parliamentarian, Ms. Catherine Larkin; and Past President, Mrs. Beth Boatner.
Eight debutantes were presented wearing traditional long white dresses and gloves, a compliment to the black tuxedos worn by their fathers and escorts. Each presentee carried a delicate calla lily tied with a gold ribbon. Musical entertainment was provided by Nationwide Coverage.
The following are the 2022 Bal d’ Or Presentees:
Miss Carter McCain Foster is the daughter of Mr. Michael David Foster of Leesburg and Mr. and Mrs. James Kevin Amberson of Gadsden. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dow Harris of Gadsden and the late Michael David Foster and Mrs. Judy McCain Foster of Gadsden. Miss Foster attends The University of Alabama and is a member of the Honors College and has been named to the President’s and Dean’s lists. She serves as a University Steward and is an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Miss Foster is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and Alpha Lamda Delta Honor Society and serves on the Executive Council for The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Miss Foster was escorted by Mr. James Kevin Amberson II of Gadsden, Mr. William Scott Partridge of Gadsden and Mr. Joshua Kent Hyde of Gadsden.
Miss Lindsay Marie Cotton is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael John Cotton. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Dee Cotton of Davenport, Florida, Ms. Linda Lou Tripp of Frostproof, Florida, and Mr. Lyle Ross Tripp Senior of Avon Park, Florida. Miss Cotton attends Auburn University, where she is an Auburn School of Nursing student and Nursing major. She is a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She is a member of the Auburn Student Nursing Christian Fellowship committee, Auburn University Dance Marathon and is an Impact Project Coordinator. Escorting Miss Cotton were Mr. Matthew John Cotton of Gadsden, Mr. William Bradford Heston of Dadeville and Mr. Carter Patrick Cooper of Gadsden.
CamiLee Grace Downey is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Ables (Joy) Burke and Mr. Richard Lee Downey. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Austin Ford of Gadsden, Ms. Mary Frances Campbell of Rainbow City and the late Mr. Ronald Lee Downey. Miss Downey attends The University of Alabama, where she is pursuing a double major in Communications Studies and Public Relations. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, where she has served as a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Miss Downey is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta Communications Studies Honor Society, where she serves as the President and a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. She is an Ambassador for the College of Communications & Information Sciences, a Director for the University of Alabama Dance Marathon, a Speaking Studio Consultant, a Peer Leader and the Social Media Coordinator for the Crossroads Civic Engagement Center. Escorting Miss Downey were Mr. Justus Allen Venn of Gadsden, Mr. Jon Tyler Olson of Gadsden, and Mr. John David Kelley of Gadsden.
Emma Catherine Martin is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Stewart Martin. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Richard Ray of Gadsden, Mr. David Stewart Martin of Glencoe and Ms. Carole Hammond Lavender of Cullman. She is the great granddaughter of Mrs. Jack L. Ray. Miss Martin attends Samford University, where she is studying Interior Design. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority. Escorting Miss Martin were Mr. Harrison Ray Martin of Gadsden, Mr. Jacob Ray Newman of Birmingham and Mr. John Reese Bellew of Rainbow City.
Mary-Clare Bone graduated from Gadsden City High School in 2020 and is currently a junior at the University of Alabama pursuing her Bachelor of Fine arts in Theater with a concentration in Acting. She is involved with campus groups such as Alpha Psi Omega and Crimson Stage. Her parents are Thomas Jefferson Bone and Virginia Clare Carnley. Escorting Miss Bone were Mr. William Bryan Stone III of Gadsden, Mr. Patrick Joseph Koury of Gadsden and Griffin Thomas Bone of Gadsden.
Miss Sara Catheryne Freeman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Russell Freeman. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Alexander Freeman, Mr. David Fricks Camp, and the late Mrs. Carolyn Smith Camp. Miss Freeman is enrolled at the Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama and was selected for both the University’s Dean’s List and President’s List. Miss Freeman is an active member of Chi Omega sorority and participates in philanthropic activities throughout the year. She plans to graduate from The University of Alabama in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Escorting Miss Freeman were Mr. Bradley Reid Sparks of Gadsden, Mr. Jackson Kyle Skelton of Gadsden and Mr. John Amon Harp of Southside.
Miss Haley McCullars Swafford is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Andrew Swafford. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Judy Marie Swafford, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Knight and the late Mr. Eddie Swafford. Miss Swafford is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science at the University of Alabama. She is an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and participates in philanthropic activities throughout her community. Escorting Miss Swafford were Mr. Seth Logan Womack of Gadsden, Mr. Phillip Joseph Pirani of Gadsden and Mr. James Douglas Martin III of Gadsden.
Sidney Elizabeth Powers is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor Powers. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dewey Powers of Gadsden, the late Mr. W. Steve Weems and Mrs. Susie M. Weems of Gadsden. Miss Powers attends the University of Alabama, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations with a minor in food and nutrition. Miss Powers is an active member of Kappa Delta sorority and participates in many philanthropic activities. Escorting Miss Powers were Mr. Jon Cannon Cook of Gadsden, Mr. William Edwin Edwards of Gadsden and Mr. William Bledsoe Kemp V of Gadsden.
Submitted by Catherine McCord Bailey