Horns Up High

Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

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.

Stage With Purpose

Broadway stars and Houston youth shine at Covenant House Texas gala

Covenant House Night of Broadway Stars gala 2025

Photo by Katy Anderson

Rayshun LaMar performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours."

The curtain rose, and so did hearts, as Night of Broadway Stars lit up the Wortham Theater Center, merging musical razzle-dazzle with a mission rooted in compassion. Benefiting Covenant House Texas, the evening offered both Broadway brilliance and deeply personal testimony in support of youth experiencing homelessness.

The stage sparkled with talent flown in from New York, including Houston’s own Kevin Cahoon, who returned to his hometown to perform “Maybe Love” from Shucked. Josh Young brought heat with “Heaven on Their Minds” from Jesus Christ Superstar, Brook Wood belted “Save Me,” and Rayshun LaMar had guests dancing in their seats to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Rita Harvey teamed up with Young for a romantic rendition of “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge.

But the real headliners were the Covenant House youth, who joined the Broadway pros onstage.

Their performances were acts of courage, resilience, and transformation. During the seated dinner in the Wortham’s grand foyer, guests were visibly moved as the youth shared their journeys using signs that contrasted their lives before and after Covenant House.

A key fundraising feature — Scholarships of Hope — invited attendees to fund holistic care for the youth, including shelter, meals, mental health services, and career development.

The evening was chaired by April and Wells McGee and Flo McGee and Wade Upton, and honored the Hamill Foundation for its longstanding support. Incoming Covenant House Texas CEO Anthony Flynn took the mic to share his personal connection to the cause, his own experience with housing instability, and his excitement for the organization’s future.

Seen on the scene were Heidi and Todd Binet, Cheryl Boblitt King and Bill King, Kurt and Marlene Nondorf, Randy Walker, Elaine and Robert Shaffer, Patti and Tom Turner, Amy Pierce, Joe and Cathy Cleary, and Barbara Strobel and George Bement.

Photo by Katy Anderson

Rayshun LaMar performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours."

covenant house fundraisers