fun two-night

Junior League's boot-scootin', 2-night Texas-themed balls raise $900,000

2022 Junior League Ball The Road Home Alexandra Yates, Whitney Walsh, Amy Comiskey, Mitra Woody

Alexandra Yates, Whitney Walsh, Amy Comiskey, and Mitra Woody.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Call it a comeback. After a pivot to a virtual gala in 2021, the Junior League of Houston returned to in-person festivities in not one, but two, charity balls.

Junior League of Houston president Jennifer Scheifley Roberts and charity ball chairperson Lauren Rae Brown welcomed more than 600 members, patrons, and donors to the League building for the 2022 Friday and Saturday night charity balls. The League’s 74th annual charity ball, The Road Home, raised over $900,000 for the League’s community initiatives.

As guests arrived, they were greeted by the Charity Ball committee in the classic receiving line, and took in the stunning, Texas-inspired décor and florals created by Decorations chair Anaam Zamorano, while they sipped on specialty cocktails and perused silent auction items. Guests then made their way to the ballroom to enjoy a three-course dinner from the renowned Tea Room.

Saturday evening continued with the traditional music performances by talented League members, a raffle with prizes as the coveted premium Junior League parking space, a bottle of Blanton’s bourbon, and wine magnums. There were whiskey tastings from Giant Distillery, and a live auction led by Johnny Bravo Entertainment with live paintings by Taft McWhorter, trips to Belize, Costa Rica and Mexico, and many more luxurious items.

The evening ended with guests getting their boot-scootin’ boogie on and two-stepped the night away to live music from The Grooves on Friday evening and the Honky Tonk Revivalists on Saturday evening.

From addressing critical issues such as children’s health and education and abuse of women and children, to enhancing the community through cultural enrichment, The Junior League of Houston trains volunteers to be effective leaders in the community well beyond their active membership requirements.

With close to 5,000 members, the League encourages mentorship and development, cultivating a lifetime of civic service for thousands of women. The League is able to triple the value of each donation received by pairing it with trained volunteers.

Seen in the crowd: Jennifer Roberts, Rachel Regan, Ruchi Mukherjee, Megan and Luke Hotze, Madison and Faisal Tai, Amy Comiskey, Avery and Kadriye Alcorn, Holly and Ryan Henry, Emily and Kolby Wahl, Jayne Johnston, and many more.

Ben and Bethany Buchanan.

2022 Junior League Ball The Road Home Ben Bethany Buchanan

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Ben and Bethany Buchanan.

galas

Ode to Heidi

Versailles-themed luncheon celebrates Houston nonprofit's record season

Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025

Photo by Jacob Powers

Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

She dreamed aloud of goals so high, With passion shining in her eye.

Photo by Jacob Powers

Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

So began the tribute to Heidi Rockecharlie, president of the Houston Symphony League, during the annual President’s Luncheon. Held in the shimmering ballroom of Lakeside Country Club, the event — this year themed Bienvenue à Versailles — blended regal French flourishes with a heartfelt spirit, and capped a record-breaking season with flourish and flair.

League supporters turned out in full fashionable force, with chairs Beth Wolff and Saula Valente orchestrating a picturesque après-midi amid lavender-and-white floral candelabras by Simply Saula. The atmosphere struck a delicate chord: Equal parts elegance and intimacy. Guests laughed, mingled, and clinked glasses, while the hosts alternated verses from a custom-written poem that honored Rockecharlie’s tenure. It was both lighthearted and lyrical, just like its muse.

She led with heart, with fire, with flair. And left her legacy everywhere.

The highlight, as always, came with the president’s address, when Rockecharlie shared the year’s financial gift to the Symphony: A donation of more than $193,000 net of expenses.

That figure is thanks to a series of strategic moves under Rockecharlie’s leadership: A cost-cutting sponsorship program, expansion of the league’s icon event, and a fresh push for membership.

She said, “Let’s grow, let’s aim anew.” And guess what? That dream came true

She then passed the baton to incoming president Leslie Nossaman, who previewed her board and vision for the upcoming term. And Donna Mello, 2024's Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year, introduced this year's honoree, Susan Osterberg.

The celebration closed with an avalanche of gratitude and gifts. Rockecharlie received a magnum of Le Chemin du Roi Champagne by 50 Cent, a Hermes Brides de Gala en Fleurs scarf, and a crystal award featuring artwork from the Icon event.

Among those in the crowd were Farida Abjani, Hallie Vanderhider, Ellie Francisco, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Alicia Maguire Smith, Heidi Turney, Andrew Cordes, Kathi Rovere, Diane Gendel, Sharon Brier, Jerre Parsons Williams, Diane Roederer, Susan Binney, Kinga Ferguson, Elizabeth Condit, Helen Shaffer, Mary Sage, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett, Nick Rockecharlie, Yoon Smith, and Danny Nguyen.

houston symphony fundraisers