The Bal d’ Or Club honored four young ladies by presenting them at the club’s 62nd Annual Ball on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Gadsden Country Club. Photography was provided by Pamela Vann of Gadsden.
The Bal d’Or Club was pleased to welcome into membership Mrs. Edwin Scott Cornelius, Mrs. Rhett Barry Loveman, Mrs. Jared Keith Lowe, Jr., Mrs. Robert Towler Pierce, Mrs. Todd Langstaff Frederick, Mrs. Danial Adam Pugh, Mrs. James David Robinson and Mrs. William Jarrod Walker.
The evening’s festivities were coordinated by the Bal d’Or Board of Governors, which includes Mrs. Jenny Stacey, Chairman; Mrs. Amy Gladden, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Alie Causey, Secretary; Mrs. Kelly Kemp, Treasurer; Mrs. Mary Lynn Shadix, Food and Beverage Chairman; Ms. Jody Sizemore, Decorations Chairman; Mrs. Catherine Martin, Invitations Chairman; Mrs. Catherine Bailey, Publicity Chairman; Mrs. Jennifer Sutton, Music Chairman; Mrs. Helene Haller, Parliamentarian; and Mrs. Deana Williams, Past President.
The four 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 2023 Bal d’ Or Presentees:
Miss Samantha Madison Lacy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Micheal Lacy. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Beamon Richard Gortney of Ashland, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Lee Lacy of Pickens, Oklahoma and Mr. and Mrs. James Rodney Baxter of Malone, Florida. Miss Lacy attends Auburn University, where she has been named to the Dean’s List for the College of Sciences and Mathematics. She will attend the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy in the fall of 2024 to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy. Miss Lacy is an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority and Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Professional Honor Society. She was escorted by Mr. Tanner Keith Coley of Gadsden, Mr. Jesse George Kantzler of Gadsden and Mr. John Wesley Self of Gadsden.
Miss Azalea Rain McRae is the daughter of Mr. Ryan Scott McRae and Mrs. Linze Rickles McRae. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Jerry B. Rickles and Mrs. Jane Sims Rickles of Gadsden and Ms. Michelle Ann Reed-Fike of Joplin, Missouri. Miss McRae attends Jacksonville State University, where she is pursuing a degree in Business Marketing graduating in August 2024. Miss McRae is a member of Phi Mu sorority, where she has served in many leadership roles including Community Service chairwoman, Special Dates & Events chairwoman and on the executive council as the 2023 Philanthropy Director. Miss McRae is a member of the Jacksonville State University Honors Program and has been honored on the JSU Dean’s List. She is also an instructor at the Downtown Dance Conservatory in Gadsden, teaching classical ballet, modern contemporary and classical/character tap classes. Miss McRae is the social media/public relations coordinator for the Downtown Dance Conservatory, which is housed in the Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in downtown Gadsden. Escorting Miss McRae were Mr. Jackson Miller Buchanan, Mr. Ryan Jacob McFarling and Mr. Ethan Joseph Livengood.
Miss Caroline Faith Partridge is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Wayne Partridge of Gadsden. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Durwood Campbell of Gadsden, Mrs. George White of Gadsden and the late Grady Wayne Partridge of Birmingham. Miss Partridge attends The University of Alabama and is majoring in Health Care Management. She is an active member of the Chi Omega sorority, where she participates in philanthropic activities throughout the year and serves on their Cardinal Cabinet. Miss Partridge is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is a member of the Boys and Girls Club, the University of Alabama Dance Marathon and Women in Economics Society. Escorting Miss Partridge were Mr. Baylor Luke Partridge of Gadsden, Mr. William Scott Partridge of Gadsden and Mr. Evan Thomas Partridge of Gadsden.
Miss Isabella Evelyn Wade is the daughter of Dr. Merle Wade, Jr. and Mrs. Christa Wade. She is the granddaughter of the late Lt. Col. and Mrs. Merle Wade, Sr., the Late Mr. Garvis Prater and Mrs. Sarah Prater. Miss Wade attends The College of William and Mary, where she is pursuing a degree in Anthropology and Global Helath and has been named to the Dean’s List. Miss Wade is a member of Delta Gamma sorority, where she has served as a director of recruitment. She is a member of Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Miss Wade currently does research on glioblastomas under Professor Coleman at William and Mary, is a Literacy Tutor for Griffin School Partnerships and is a member of Global Medical Brigades. Escorting Miss Wade were Mr. Andrew Dalton Jones of Gallant, Mr. William Hamilton Roberts of Gadsden and Mr. Patrick Joseph Courey of Gadsden.