What: American Cancer Society Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball Kickoff Party

  

Photo by Jacob Power Photography

The 2025 Cattle Baron's Ball committee.

Where: Goode Co.’s Armadillo Palace

The Scoop: With boots polished and spirits high, 250 guests two-stepped their way into Goode Co.’s Armadillo Palace for the official kickoff of the 2025 Cattle Baron’s Ball. Themed “Lone Star Legends,” this toe-tappin’ evening set the tone for what’s sure to be a Texas-sized celebration come fall.

Chaired by Robin Klaes, Debbie Hance, and Laurel Bashaw, and hosted by kickoff party captains Nora Jarrard, Whitney Lawson, and Suzanne Stiles, the bash mixed Southern flair with philanthropic purpose. KHOU’s Kim Castro emceed while singer Johnny Bravo and musician Blake Harlow kept the dance floor busy.

Guests sipped Stockman Wines and sampled Surtierra Tequila in between bidding on auction packages and trying on their new custom toppers at The Hat Chick’s hat bar—because no cattle baron or baroness should be without proper headwear.

Representatives from this year’s honorees — including Community Honoree Trini Mendenhall Royalty, Corporate Honoree Phillips 66, and Mission Impact Honoree H-E-B — were in attendance as the countdown to the 38th Annual Ball officially began.

Who: Jenny Todd, Philip Royalty, Sue and Rusty Burnett, Ellen Elam, Robin and Danny Klaes, Marilu Garza, Tiffany Halik, Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman, Alicia Jansen, Sandra Porter, Karen and Peter Remington, Melinda and Keith Landsness, Shelley Ludwick, Kittsie Klaes Hance and Davis Hance, Leila Perrin, Sonia Soto, Chree Boydstun, Tripp Carter, Lara Bell, Heidi Rockecharlie, Cyndy Garza-Roberts, Katie Tsuru, and Patti and Don Murphy.