O
n a festive evening in June, 40 young women from the Park Cities will take the stage at the Hilton Anatole in glistening gowns designed to celebrate the splendors of Mexico at the 31st annual La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas presentation ball. It’s a night La Fiesta chairs Eloise Meachum and Missy Rothwell, the organization’s guild, the duchesses, their escorts, and their families have been preparing for since invitations were sent out last summer. Any graduating senior who lives within the boundaries of Highland Park ISD is eligible to be nominated by the men of the Order of the Flags, a La Fiesta support group, and other involved parties. Those chosen to be escorts and duchesses are selected based on their character, attitude, judgement, academic accomplishment, leadership, and community involvement, according to the chairs. “It’s a very private process, but I do feel like, from what we know, it’s very fair,” Rothwell { PHOTO: JAMES FRENCH } said. “It’s usually a good mixture of kids.” While last year’s 30th anniversay ball celebrated all six flags that have flown over Texas, this year the event will narrow its focus on the third country to raise its emblem over the Lone Star state. The pair said it was fun to focus on just one flag this year and come up with the titles for the duchesses. Don’t worry, there’s no Duchess of the Gila Monster, Meachum said. For inspiration, the guild researched waterways and landmarks, and reused some titles from 2007 — the last time Mexico ruled La Fiesta. “[At the ball], we speak about their title before we talk about the girl and so we look for things that there will be something to talk about,” Rothwell said. “We don’t have six flowers because, you know, there’s not enough to say about six different flowers.” With titles decided, the duchesses met with costume designer Laurie Haluska last summer to sketch out their gowns. “She tries to do historically accurate or significant [designs], but it’s sort of a push-pull between the girls and what they want and what represents their title,” Meachum said. In the past, the dresses have been displayed in storefronts around town following the gala. But this year, all 40 gowns will be shown at the University Park Public Library, one of La Fiesta’s beneficiaries. “We are excited to be able to do this for La Fiesta, who has been so generous and supportive of the library and of the community," said UP Library director Sharon Martin. "We are hoping it brings people into the library to see what we offer." Other beneficiaries include Connecting Point of the Park Cities, The Elisa Project, Park Cities Heritage House at Dallas Heritage Village, Highland Park High School’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, the HPHS Science Festival, HP Arts, and the HP Education Foundation. Both Rothwell and Meachum are former PTA presidents who came to understand the needs of the HPISD schools during their terms and through their participation with La Fiesta. “I think people think the Park Cities schools have everything and they don’t,” Rothwell said. “We want to help, because there are so many needs.” Since 1986, La Fiesta has raised $7.5 million. Each year, half of the duchess and escort fees go to the beneficiaries. The rest of the funds raised come from Order of the Flag and guild dues, as well as underwriting. According to Rothwell, while the underwriting deadline is May 1, donations can be made year round at lafiestaparkcities.com.
S A V E T H E D A T E : La Fiesta Gala, June 18, Hilton Anatole