Rodeo Femmes in Spotlight
Sold-out luncheon for 1,300 celebrates leading ladies of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The 17th annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trailblazers Award luncheon played to a packed house at the Hilton Americas-Houston when 1,300 guests turned out to applaud the 2016 honorees.
Five HLSR volunteers were recognized for their years of leadership: Jonnie Steffek, Marilyn DeMontrond, Tricia Koch, Carol Sawyer and Kathleen Willliams. Each has served on multiple committees for a minimum of 10 years. For that dedication, they were cheered by the enthusiastic crowd as they walked the runway while receiving accolades from Joel Cowley, HLSR president and CEO, and KHOU 11 meteorologist Chita Johnson.
Leading off the luncheon program, which included a Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show, were Trailblazer Committee chair Gretchen Gilliam and vice president and officer-in-charge Sharleen Walkoviak.
Rodeo supporters included board chair Jack A. Lyons and wife Nina, Tammy Cowley, Dan Cheney, Kelly and Joe Bruce Hancock, Ruby and Jim Bloodworth, Peggy and Wayne Hollis, Barbara and Don Jordan, Paula and Butch Robinson, Ron Walkoviak, Kristina and Paul Somerville, and Jennifer and Joe Van Matre.