cultural showcase

Houston moms sparkle with international flair at fashionable luncheon

One doesn’t have to meander far from home in Houston to have a worldly experience. On Saturday, May 11, 2024 — a day before Mother’s Day — a stopover at the Junior League of Houston sure beats the layover often necessary to gallivant across the globe. Leave the luggage at home for this one, kids.

Thank media maven Ruchi Mukherjee for that.

The stylish social butterfly was at it again, hosting the 11th Annual International Mother’s Day Luncheon presented by LCAHouston. More than just a repast among fashionable media personalities and their families and friends, the event showcased the cultural diversity and richness found right here while honoring the matriarchs of the Bayou City — and a handful of fathers, too.

These moms and dads took to the runway and strutted in gleaming duds that revealed what was special about their heritage, slaying the catwalk with their sons and daughters by their side. The room was outfitted with subtle shades of blues and whites to allow the fashion to vibe and sparkle. Honorees for this edition of the luncheon were Dr. Olga Bachilo, Dr. Brenda Rios Brombacher, Cortney Cole, Rose Chen, Monica Fulton, Blanca Jolly, Katherine Le, Luanne Marshall, Rekha Muddaraj, Amie Parker, Yong Tran, Katherine Whaley, and Leisa Holland-Nelson. The dads, holding their own, included Dr. Rick Kline, James Dale, Walter Sassard, and Gordon Quan. Each honoree received a glass trophy as a token of gratitude for their community service and dedication to their families.

KTRK reporters Pooja Lodhia and Mycah Hatfield served as emcees, engaging in a heart-to-heart chat with Mukherjee, who professed her views about her purpose. “When you empower a mother, you empower a nation,” she said.

Mukherjee unveiled the latest print edition of LCAHouston, featuring a collaboration with UNICEF and highlighting global trailblazers. Mukherjee also revealed that she said yes to marriage. She’s set to tie the knot with Sassard in November at The Bryan Museum in Galveston.

Seen among the throng of 250 were Eileen Lawal, Susan Boggio, Ann Holmes, Miya Shay, Corbett Parker, Lindsay Yates,Dr. Sippi Khurana, Felicia Stone, Dr. Alice Mao, Christy Lynn, Vicki Rizzo, Roz Pactor, Neil Badlani, and Chris Whaley.

Courtesy of LCAHouston

Katherine Whaley with her children, William and Vivian Grace.

fundraisers lcahouston mothers day

Horns Up High

Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

Photo by Jacob Power

Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

It was an elevated burnt orange night at River Oaks Country Club as more than 300 Longhorn faithful gathered for the Texas Exes Houston Chapter’s Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala on April 10. The evening’s honorees, Kisha Itkin, Jason Itkin, Tara Arnold, and Kurt Arnold, were celebrated for their generosity and spirited support of The University of Texas at Austin.

Photo by Jacob Power

Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

Greeting guests at valet was none other than Bevo, the famed Longhorn steer and unofficial mascot. Inside, a sculpted ice bar featuring the honorees' names and the Longhorn logo in vibrant burnt orange wowed the crowd. Underwritten by Mike Lowenberg of Lowenberg Law Firm, the frosty centerpiece offered a fitting nod to the honorees’ indelible mark on UT’s legacy. Meanwhile, a UT Tower ice sculpture, framed by a festive balloon wall by Topped Off Co., provided yet another irresistible photo op.

Leading the evening’s program was Cyndy Garza Roberts, who kicked off festivities with a stirring video. Athletics director Chris Del Conte praised Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnoldfor their invaluable ideas and steadfast support, reinforcing the honorees’ impact beyond just philanthropy. Texas Exes Houston Chapter president Kyle Griffin and event chair Tawnya Bell also shared personal stories, with Bell's emotional scholarship journey underscoring the night’s purpose.

Personal testimonies from UT grads and scholarship recipients Janelle Chavez and Will Florer inspired more generosity, culminating in a $330,000 fundraising triumph. Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn capped off the tributes with a mayoral proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, officially declaring April 10 as Kisha and Jason Itkin and Tara and Kurt Arnold Day in Houston.

In true Longhorn tradition, the evening closed with all guests standing, horns up, singing "The Eyes of Texas, a fitting finale to a night brimming with spirit.

Spotted were Chuck Harris, Brien Smith, Rick Harsch, June Deadrick, Brock Niezgoda and Meg Hayward, Jackie and Scott Freeman, Luisa and Dr. Lucky Chopra, Ginger Cearley, Erin and Nathan Phelps, Kristen Griffin, Adam Pulaski, Stephanie Wilcox, Catherine Campbell, Al Riddle, Lauren Riddle, Michele Leal and George Farah, Winell and Doug Herron, Kristen Cannon, Niki and James Lassiter, and Amy and Segev Zadok.