CultureMap Country Club

Preppy young professionals have a ball at CultureMap Country Club Social in the sky

Around 200 Houstonians joined the CultureMap Country Club for a night of fun and games atop the SkyHouse River Oaks, topped off by a picture-perfect sunset from the 25th floor rooftop lounge.

Guests took the "preppy chic" theme to heart, with varied styles that ranged from plaid shorts and loafers without socks to polo shirts with collars popped up and summery dresses accented with pearls. The team from Sid Masburn and Ann Mashburn were on hand with looks that could be purchased for anyone who wanted to dress the theme on the spur of the moment.

As the sun dipped down behind the glittering Galleria/Post Oak area skyline, the crowd lounged around pools on either side of the glassed-in rec room, playing games of mini golf and bocce ball. They sipped on specialty drinks from Gentleman Jack bourbon with fun names like Kentucky Lemonade, Boys of Summer, and Bellini or Bust, Deep Ellum Brewing Company beer (Dallas Blonde, IPA, Lager) or bubbly La Marca Prosecco, while dancing to tunes spun by DJ Senega.

Some guests beat the heat by waving fans bearing the CultureMap Country Club logo or ducked inside for a light buffet from Liberty Kitchen, including bite-sized chicken sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs topped with salmon, and tuna cerviche, along with special Gentleman Jack drinks prepared by guest bartenders Chapman & Kirby's Nick Kaiser and Harold's Julia Tillman.

They also stopped by the Topo Chico stand for the brand's refreshing mineral water and visited the Popfancy cart for special popsicle treats.

Men lined up to get their hair cut by the stylish team at The Argyle League, while women had their hair braided into great-looking updos by stylists from Drybar.

Proceeds from the event's ticket sales went to Candlelighters Childhood Family Cancer Alliance. Development director Kelsey Tarpinian and program director Roxy Gomez talked with guests about the group and accepted $10 donations to enter a raffle for tickets to Aug. 1 game between Astros and Tampa Bay.

Also on hand were representatives from Tulane University Freeman School of Business Houston Campus, which co-sponsored the evening and sent each guest home with a box of Tiff's Treats cookies.

Enjoying the summer evening were Ryan O. Harris, Jackie Fair, Robin Carlin, Robin Carlin, Henry St. Aubyn, Alexis Caruselle, Meret Steves, Morgan Steves, Keri Henry, Richard Berry, Kristen Beasley, Laura Sealy, Danielle Kuban-Johnston, Amanda Glidewell, Samantha Hollis, Stephen Samperi, Ahmed Elsaid, Anwar Phillips, Arza Afshar, Gregg Harrison, Paul-David Van Atta, Judy Nichols, Corinne Cameron, Justin Goodman, Mark Roberts, and Jenn Qu.

Watch this video from the event and check out more photos on Facebook.

Tom Grant, Connor Grace, Joel Izzedin, and Bella Grant play a game of bocce ball at the CultureMap Country Club Social.

Tom Grant, Connor Grace, Joel Izzedin, Bella Grant at CultureMap Country Club Social

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Tom Grant, Connor Grace, Joel Izzedin, and Bella Grant play a game of bocce ball at the CultureMap Country Club Social.

fundraisers

College Bound

A Princeton moment steals the spotlight at Houston nonprofit's luncheon

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Diana Villatoro Sorto.

Ambition is contagious.

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Diana Villatoro Sorto.

And that was the ethos when Emerge supporters gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the organization’s annual Build the Village Luncheon, a polished midday affair centered on a simple but powerful idea: Investing in Houston’s next generation of leaders.

More than 400 guests filled the room for the program, including Emerge scholars, for a celebration of the organization’s mission to help high-achieving students from low-income communities gain admission to and graduate from the country’s top colleges.

Serving as co-chairs were Kate Dearing Fowler and Kate Schilling Kelm, who welcomed guests to a lively gathering. The luncheon honored Mia Mends, chief executive officer of Cushman and Wakefield Services and former Emerge board chair, recognizing her years of leadership, mentorship, and steadfast commitment to expanding opportunities for the organization’s scholars.

One of the afternoon’s most electric moments arrived when Klein Collins High School senior Diana Villatoro Sorto stepped to the podium and announced that she will attend Princeton University this fall. The declaration sparked an immediate roar of applause across the ballroom, the kind that ripples through a crowd and lingers for longer than expected.

The program also spotlighted Emerge alumna Marlee Morgan, whose story of resilience and academic success is an example of the organization’s long-term commitment to supporting scholars well beyond the college admissions process. Emerge’s work doesn’t end with an acceptance letter. It extends into helping students navigate college and launch meaningful careers.

The crowd’s enthusiasm translated into tangible support. Attendees raised more than $760,000.

On the scene were Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Farid Virani, Liz DeMontrond, Jack Blanton, Ann Stern, Elisa Villanueva Beard, and Ruth Lopez Turley, and many others.