Wish Night Gala Funds Life-Changing Wishes
More than 350 community supporters, donors, and sponsors from across the region gathered for the Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas’ 2026 Wish Night Gala at The Downtown Austin Marriott. The event raised $570,000 to help grant 50 life-changing wishes for local children facing critical illnesses. The night highlighted the power of a community united around bringing hope, joy, and strength to wish kids and their families.
The evening featured powerful moments that underscored the lasting impact of a wish, including 13-year-old Avery’s especially touching journey. Recovering from a rare endocrine disorder after enduring serious complications, her road to healing has been lengthy. Her wish was to meet a koala.
“Meeting a koala was everything I hoped for and more,” Avery shared. “It made me so happy, and I’ll never forget it.” Her wish created a moment of pure joy, offering a sense of healing and hope that extended far beyond the experience itself. The standout moment of the night was the surprise wish reveal for 13-year-old Dominick, who suffers from a progressive neuromuscular disorder. The avid outdoorsman and Scout wished for an ActionTrack Chair that would allow him to hit the trails
and experience nature again. The moment brought the mission to life, showing how a wish can lift a child’s spirits in the midst of an ongoing medical journey and create moments of joy when they are needed most.
Speaking about her son, Dom’s mom Elizabeth shared, “We are incredibly proud of Dom. Not only for
all he has accomplished so far, but for strength, resilience, and light he carries with him each day. He inspires our family more than he will ever know. He is deeply loved and we are honored to celebrate this special moment with him.”
Amy King, 2026 Wish Night Chair and Board member, said, “Wish Night is about more than a beautiful evening. It’s about ensuring that every eligible child in Central and South Texas receives their wish–without delay.” Since 1984, Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas has granted more than 6,600 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 680,000 wishes globally since 1980. To learn more or to become a WishMaker, visit wish.org.
Wish Night Chair and Board Member Amy King and Make-A-Wish CEO Andrea Taurins
Wish Dad Christopher Floyd, Wish Siblings Amelia and Madison Floyd, Wish Mom Elizabeth Floyd, Wish Kid Dominick Floyd, and Wish Night Chair and Board Member Amy King
Patrick and Fatima Zernell, Steven and Priscilla Ortega, Adriana and Will Shipp, and Nicole and Tom Boren
Raul Ortiz, Kimberly Romero, Kristin and Nicholas Norwood
Suzanne Perez, Amanda Akin Harris, Gabriel Coker (back) Wish Night Chair and Board Member Amy King, Erin Coker, Kelly Fischer, and Shawna Kelso
Grace Daleki, Palu Malerba, and Kenny Hanson
Bill and Connie Nelson Shannon, Anna,and Ben De Leon
Wish Kid Kaylen Urbina and Emcee Allison Miller
Dr. James “Jamie” Pennebaker
DBY FORREST PREECE
r. James “Jamie” Pennebaker, professor emeritus at the University of Texas, has a resume that is, to say the least, impressive.
He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, serves as President of the Association for Psychological Science, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and recently held a Fulbright Fellowship that took him to the Czech Republic. He has authored 12 books and over 300 articles on psychology, linguistics, and health. It goes on from there.
All of that started in 1970 when he visited Austin and went to the University Co-Op. He found a large introduction to psychology book in a $1 bin and, after reading it, decided that he had finally discovered his field of study. In his words, he became a psychologist, the way he’s done everything during his career — he stumbled into it.
A few months later, he transferred to Eckerd College in Florida as a junior. Rather than take Introductory Psychology, he implored the instructor to give him the final exam. He aced it, and realized what his academic course of study would be.
After graduating from Eckerd in 1972, he and his wife, Ruth, were seeking their next step in their academic careers. She decided to attend
law school, and he was set on graduate school in psychology. She graduated from UT Law, and he earned his PhD. In 1977, they left Austin for Charlottesville, Virginia, when he took a professorship at the University of Virginia. They moved to Dallas in 1983 when Jamie was recruited by SMU, and his career hit a sharp upswing. Then, after 14 years at SMU, UT came calling for his services — and Jamie and Ruth couldn’t resist moving back to Austin. In 1997, they bought a house on Gilbert Street in Tarrytown, and both of their children enrolled in Austin High. “We have been fortunate to have had two wonderful children, Teal and Nick, who
WORDS ON ‘WORDS’
I’m afraid that my story about Jamie and his work is sounding dry, so I’ll include a description of his book “The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us,” one of the twelve that he has authored. In this book, he analyzes everything from John McCain’s tweets to the Federalist Papers. Among other topics, we find out how to predict that a high school student who uses too many verbs in her college admissions essay is likely to earn lower grades in college. The reader also discovers how a world leader’s use of pronouns could reliably signal that he might lead his country into war. Would you be interested to know what Lady Gaga and William Butler Yeats have in common? Or how Ebenezer Scrooge’s syntax hints at the inner workings of his personality? Buy the book! My point is that Jamie’s work is engaging and full of lively details, making for exciting reading.
are enterprising, thoughtful, and fun,” Jamie says. “And they both have a daughter and a son.” He and Ruth have now moved downtown to a highrise residence.
It would be impossible to summarize all of Jamie’s career in this column — but two of his ideas have had a major impact. The first was the discovery of expressive writing. Early in his career, Jamie discovered that people who were keeping major life secrets were at higher risk for both physical and mental health problems. It made him wonder if their health could improve if they talked or wrote about these secrets. Across several experiments, he found that asking people to write about emotional upheavals — even if it was only 15-20 minutes a day for three or four days — brought about meaningful improvements in health. They went to the doctor less, various immune markers improved, they slept better, they even made better grades in college. Since the first studies, over 2,000 expressive writing studies have been run in labs around the world.
The second big idea grew out of the first one. In the expressive writing studies, Jamie noticed that not everyone benefitted from writing. He wondered if it was possible to identify healthy writing. Getting human judges to identify healthy writing was not practical. He needed a computer program to do it for him. It was 1992 and no desktop text analysis program existed. Jamie had taken FORTRAN in college and had an idea how such a program could work. Working with one of his star graduate students who had majored in computer science when she was an undergraduate, they built such a program. The program (called LIWC) worked but revealed much more than healthy writing. Jamie realized that by analyzing people’s everyday language, you could learn a lot about their personality, social behav-
iors, stress levels, and their emotions. This program served to determine if someone was depressed, lying, or telling the truth, among other things. The work became influential in the social sciences, and he has used it to help law enforcement, businesses, and professionals in other fields.
In his career at UT, Jamie
was the chair of the Psychology Department from 2005 to 2014. He helped to radically change the way Introductory Psychology was taught, making it into a TV-show format that proved to be quite popular but extremely rigorous. In fact, his teaching model is now used across multiple departments for very large courses. Jamie retired three years ago but is still writing books and doing research on language and other topics. In his words, he’s a “bit of a bureaucrat” with the Association for Psychological Science these days. He points out that there is now a trend: people are not joining academic and professional societies at the same rates as they used to. On that score, he pointed to the book “Bowling Alone” which details how people in the country have become joiners at lower rates on all levels of society. As he says, the important questions are “Are we needed?” and “How can we help people in our society?”
All of this leads back to the country’s general tone at the national level, which is increasingly questioning the role of academics and science. Jamie notes that for anyone in a university science program, this is a “scary time.” If the goal is to have a healthy Texas and America, it’s important to know that science can provide trustworthy results. Every academic field is under stress. On top of that, the world is having to come to terms with the artificial intelligence revolution — something that is wonderfully exciting and also deeply troubling. “It’s a period of massive transitions.”
Jamie Pennebaker today
Ruth and Jamie Pennebaker in 1977.
Jamie, about eight years old, during his boyhood in Midland.
The Pennebaker Family in 1990. Ruth and Jamie on the top step, Nick and Teal in front.
From Olympian to Mentor: West Austin Coach Inspires Generations of Athletes
By Alexa McGlathery
Whether she’s teaching children how to swim or helping seniors regain strength in the gym, Lina Daugvilate has spent years changing lives through fitness. A familiar face throughout West Austin, Daugvilate has built a reputation as a dedicated coach whose passion for health and wellness extends far beyond the pool deck.
Born and raised in Lithuania, Daugvilate moved to the United States to attend college after competing as a swimmer on Lithuania’s Olympic team. Her athletic background laid the foundation for a lifelong career in fitness, one that has made her a trusted mentor to generations of Austinites.
“Fitness is more than just exercising — it’s a lifestyle,” Daugvilate said.
Over the years, Daugvilate has coached athletes of all ages, with some families returning to her for multiple generations.
Her impact extends far beyond teaching swim strokes —
she has helped develop numerous Division I swimmers and has worked with children of all abilities, helping them build confidence and feel safe in the water.
One of the most meaningful parts of her career has been
working with children with disabilities, whom she says have taught her just as much as she has taught them.
“I never pass up an opportunity to work with a child with disabilities,” Daugvilate said. “They bring so much joy, and you learn so much from them. Those experiences stay with you and can truly change your perspective on life.”
For Daugvilate, success is about more than medals and competition. Her coaching approach focuses on nurturing each athlete’s unique abilities while ensuring they maintain a healthy balance and passion for their sport.
By prioritizing enjoyment, confidence, and long-term growth over relentless pressure, she hopes to instill in her students a lifelong appreciation and respect for athletics.
“My goal for coaching and swimming is not about being the fastest swimmer now, it’s about the progression and where the athlete will be years down the road,” Daugvilate said. “With little ones, it’s not just about their swimming; you can see their pure excitement when they start to get better.”
When it comes to fitness, Daugvilate emphasizes longterm health and balance over quick results. Her goal is to
help clients build sustainable habits that improve their quality of life, rather than focusing solely on numbers or appearance.
“For my older clients, even if I can help them move a little, like helping them improve their golf game or tennis, it makes a huge impact,” Daugvilate said.
Daugvilate said the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the difference she makes in the lives of others. From helping young swimmers devel-
op into elite athletes to
in their bodies, she finds purpose in every success story.
Today, Daugvilate serves as the Director of Aquatics and Youth Activities at Austin Country Club, where she oversees the club’s swim programs and leads the Austin Country Club Dolphins Swim Team. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing the program while sharing her decades of athletic experience with West Austin families for years to come.
giving older adults greater confidence
Lina Daugvilate
Lina Daugvilate teaches a young student how to swim
Ryan Holoday, Scott Manning and Lina Daugvilate
Lina Daugvilate with the St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School Swim Team
Lina Daugvilate coaching a student during a swim meet
Downtown Austin’s Trinity Center
Trinity Center is Austin’s downtown resource center for people experiencing homelessness, helping unhoused neighbors build the trust, stability, and resources they need to move toward jobs and housing.
Staff and volunteers help visitors obtain clean clothes, vital ID documents, and free health insurance, while Trinity’s Cooling Center offers relief from intense summer heat, providing air conditioning, showers, dinner, and supportive services each weekday until 7 p.m.
Trinity’s Cooling Center, which served more than 28,000 meals and recorded more than 7,000 visits, was funded by the City of Austin in 2024 and by donors in 2025, and needs donor support for 2026. Extended hours begin June 29.
Trinity Center recently held its annual fundraiser, The Barbara Jordan Event, at Chez Zee Restaurant. Despite a heavy rainstorm, the venue’s event room was packed with longtime supporters and new faces who gathered to learn about Trinity Center, honor volunteers, and raise funds for its work.
St. David’s Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Tarrytown United Methodist Church, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, St. James’ Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Trinity Episcopal School, and Episcopal Veterans Fellowship of Texas founder Rev. Dr. David W. Peters were honored for their regular volunteer work on Sunday afternoons at Trinity Center.
After enjoying Chez Zee’s signature cuisine and wine, guests heard from David Gray, Director of the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategies Office. Gray explained how Trinity Center helps people help themselves by building trust that encourages unhoused people to engage with public services.
“You can build the best programs in the world, but if people don’t trust the system, they won’t engage with it,” he said. “That’s why places like Trinity Center are so critical. They are often the first step in a much longer journey. The place where relationships begin. The place where someone says, maybe for the first time in a long time, ‘OK … I’ll try.’”
PHILANTHROPY
SPOTLIGHT
Gray spoke from experience. As a teenager, he and his family moved from New Orleans to Austin after Hurricane Katrina. “What I remember are the places — and the people — who met us with dignity,” he told the audience. “Places that saw us not as a problem to solve, but as people to care for. That’s what Trinity Center represents.”
Gray described Trinity Center as the “bridge between the street and stability,” saying that by meeting people with grace rather than judgment, Trinity helps them take steps toward jobs and housing.
“When someone is experiencing homelessness, the biggest barrier is often not just housing. It’s trust,” he said. Guests also heard from Doug Bell, one of Trinity Center’s founders, who recounted how volunteers turned the basement of St. David’s Episcopal Church into a resource center, and how former Texas Secretary of State Geoffrey
Connor helped secure a founding grant from the estate of the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. In her honor, the annual fundraiser is called The Barbara Jordan Event.
Trinity Center board member Andi Brauer updated the audience on Trinity’s strategic plan and recent accomplishments. A video shared stories of people hiding from the sun — even inside a dumpster — before finding their way to Trinity Center, where cool showers and clean clothes were especially appreciated.
Guests learned how many parts of the Austin community churches, schools, the Downtown Austin Alliance, National Charity League, Central Health, Sunrise Navigation Center, and others, use Trinity Center as a hub to offer vital services to those who need them most.
To learn more, email trinitycenterboard@gmail.com or visit trinitycenteraustin.org.
WHERE I’M
BY FORREST PREECE
Jesan Barnes-Kaushik
1. What’s something about you that not many people know?
I started out my career life as an opera singer. I auditioned and got many roles that took me all over the country and Mexico. I was in love with this life, but soon realized that I wasn’t able to sustain this life and pay off student loans at the same time. I took smaller gigs in churches and got a full-time job as an insurance agent (just like Charles Ives!). Today, I am student debt-free and get to talk about music all day. Life is funny.
2. What was your first job?
I was a babysitter at 12, getting $1/hr per child. With a 4-year-old of my own, I see those days are long gone.
3. If you could have dinner with three people — dead or alive, at any time in history —who would they be?
Jane Goodall is number 1. I was lucky to see her speak at the Long Center before she passed. She’s such an inspiration. Amy Poehler. She’s one of my favorite comedians and has the go-getter attitude I respond to.
Michelle Obama. Enough said. Wow! What a fun dinner we’d have!
4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be? Mozart. Always Mozart. Blue October — a local and international group that taps into my soul. Swell Seasons - from Ireland. Folk music that inspires.
5. Favorite book and TV show?
My favorite book is Wicked, The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. TV show - Happy Endings (2011)
6. Most powerful movie you have seen. V for Vendetta.
7. Favorite place in Austin?
This is tacky, but the KMFA studios. I love working here, and there is ALWAYS something going on. A new, local musician, composition, band. I love it. And the people who come
through KMFA’s doors are always interesting and have wonderful stories.
8. Favorite restaurant and watering hole For tacos — Vegan Nom. For sit-down — Nori. For drinks — Old Gregg
9. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A performer. A while ago, I asked my parents what they’d think I’d be. They said, “We always knew you’d be in the arts in some way.” I love making people happy, calm, and forget their troubles for a few minutes.
10. Which living person do you most admire?
My sister-in-law, Rianta Kaushik. She’s a wedding fashion designer in India, and I’ve seen her start with just an idea 10 years ago. Now, she’s ELLE’s 2025 Wedding Couture Designer of the year. I am so proud of her and her hard work. She’s truly an inspiration for anyone with a dream.
11. What makes you happy? Artists, Musicians, Comedians, Dancers, Actors, etc. Anyone who refuses to be silent when they have something beautiful to say and share.
12. Best advice you ever received? Do what you love, the money will follow — my dad.
Philanthropy Officer, KMFA
Jesan Barnes-Kaushik
Anna Belle and Rob Williams with Cissy and Mark Warner
Shelley Sallee and Lisa Trahan
Bryan and Beth Plater
Kim Mosley and Edwin Williams
Stacy and Jordan Mendelson with Sarah DeGrasse
The inaugural Junior Ambassador Board for Ronald McDonald House Central Texas officially concluded its historic first year, demonstrating that the next generation of leaders is already making a significant impact in the Austin community.
When a child faces a serious medical crisis, a hospital can be a daunting place for a family. This year, a dedicated group of Austin-area high school students stepped up to ensure those families never have to walk that journey alone.
Comprising 53 passionate students representing 9 different Austin-area high schools, this unique board was formed to advance the mission, raise crucial funds, and serve as champions for families navigating their child’s medical journey.
The pinnacle of the board’s year came in April, when they planned, organized, and executed their first-ever signature event: Rally for Ronald, a pickleball tournament held at the Austin Country Club.
While the board itself consists of 53 core members, their infectious enthusiasm managed to recruit 100 local students to pick up paddles, participate, and fundraise for the cause. Through months of planning, securing corporate sponsorships, and running a successful peer-topeer digital fundraising campaign, the
students achieved their goal of naming a permanent room. In total, the tournament raised an incredible $28,310.
“This group of students was nothing short of inspiring,” said Stacy Albrecht, Chief Advancement Officer. “They spent months planning every detail to execute an incredibly successful event. Seeing young people dedicate their time to support other families in their time of need is exactly what community is all about.”
The impact of the $28,310 raised will
be felt for generations to come. The funds will support a permanent naming of the Community Room at the brand-new Ronald McDonald House facility located inside the Texas Children’s Hospital, North Austin campus.
This room will serve as a place for families to rest, play, or find respite, just steps away from their child’s hospital bed and entirely free of charge. Thanks to the board’s hard work, families will walk into that room and know they are supported by the very community they call home.
The first year of the Junior Ambassador Board has set a gold standard for youth philanthropy in Central Texas. By sharing the Ronald McDonald House mission at their schools, coordinating largescale logistics, and learning the ropes of nonprofit fundraising, these 53 students didn’t just raise money; they built a bridge of empathy between Austin’s youth and families in crisis.
As Ronald McDonald House Central Texas looks to the future, the Rally for Ronald’s roaring success ensures that this inaugural class has laid a strong, lasting foundation for years to come.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Junior Ambassador Board are now open. The deadline to apply is August 1st. www.rmhc-ctx.org/junior-ambassador-board.
Vacation Memories — Compiled by Forrest
By Dubravka Romano Strategic Leadership Consultant
These days, taking a honeymoon before the wedding or taking a child on your honeymoon does not seem that unusual. But that was exactly what my husband and I did in June 2002. And just to make things even more interesting, we chose my native Croatia as the destination where my English-only speaking fiancée and 13-year-old son would be meeting and spending lots of time with my Croatian-only speaking relatives. Add to those dynamics that both my now-husband and I had been married before and that my relatives are super-Catholic and it’s easy to see how things could get awkward. Lucky for us, the reality turned out entirely different. I was born in Croatia (then part of former Yugoslavia) and my family immigrated to Houston for my dad’s work when I was in 6th grade. My dad was a pioneering oncologist and received a fellowship at M.D. Anderson to continue his research. Although we remained
in the US, I never forgot my Croatian roots. So as my fiancée, son and I were planning to start a new life as a family, I felt a strong desire to take them both to my homeland. Despite the nontraditional aspects of our honeymoon, it turned into one of the most memorable trips of my life. Exploring the special spaces of my childhood in my hometown of Zagreb, hiking the magnificent Plitvice Lakes, exploring the Adriatic coast from Pula all the way to Dubrovnik, where my own parents were married, turned into a magical and unforgettable experience. And while I was worried about my English-Croatian translation skills, it turns out that family ties and sharing bread transcend any language obstacles. Beer and wine also help. We returned to the US two weeks later, feeling bound more closely than ever to each other and to my roots. And when we tied the knot a month later in a surprise wedding ceremony, our wedding cake was decorated with dried flowers brought back from our magical Croatian honeymoon.
Dubravka Romano with her husband Terry Frakes and her son John Romano in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in June 2002.
Junior Ambassadors Raise $28K for New Ronald McDonald House
(back row): CEO Kristin Coulter and CAO Stacy Albrecht, with Junior Ambassador Board members Anna Hibbard, Tinsley Cover, Evan Kolander, West Crocket, and Blake Burke; (front row) Junior Ambassador Board members Caroline Smith and Asher Schell
The inaugural Junior Ambassador Board for Ronald McDonald House Central Texas
Hope Blooms for Youth in Foster Care
Carrying Hope, an Austin-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families impacted by the foster care system, recently held its ninth annual Hope Blooms Gala at Assembly Hall. The sold-out crowd of more than 250 guests raised a record-breaking $200,000 for the organization’s mission of providing critical resources, support services, housing, and enrichment activities for the community it supports.
Guests enjoyed a delectable dinner from Contigo Catering, live music from the Palmeranians, dessert by AniCakes Co. Bakery and Creature Coffee Co., and drinks and cocktails from Dulce Vida Tequila, Em-
press Gin, Real Ale Brewing, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Total Wine & More.
Emcee Rosie Newberry from KXAN expertly ensured that attendees understood the impact their donations would make for Carrying Hope, and auctioneer Andrew Bost kept the crowd excited through a live program that included Heads or Tails, a live auction, and Paddles Up.
Heartfelt keynote speeches from four participants of the organization’s Hope’s Home program added to the emotional and poignant tone of the night.
“Our Hope Blooms Gala is the most important night of the year for Carrying Hope,
and the funds we raise this evening provide life-changing and, frankly, life-saving opportunities for the babies, children, teens, and aging-out youth that we serve,” said Executive Director Kristin Finan “We would not exist without this event, and we are deeply humbled and extremely grateful for the support we receive on this night. Our attendees have changed the trajectory for tens of thousands of young people across Texas who have endured very difficult circumstances, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”
Visit www.carryinghope.org for additional information.
Carrying Hope Co-founders Mauri Elbel and Kristin Finan
Maeve Fechter, Board President Maria Fechter, and Jeff Fechter
Alex Morris and Carrying Hope Board Vice President Brooke Ames
Emcee Rosie Newberry
Kristy Sarah and Rachel Gale
Keynote speakers and Hope’s Home program participants Dulce Bebee, De’Aria Blackshire, Bella Madrigal and Alizeah Sealy
Auctioneer Andrew Bost
“The San Sam Festival” - Festivals of Yore Series
Whoever in the audience has heard of “The San Sam Festival” of Austin? Raise your hands. Not so many, I predict! What an interesting name, “San Sam.” It predates the madness of SXSW or ACL, the two giant internationally-known festivals that crowd our streets in the Spring and Fall.
Take yourself back 100 years to the storied 1920s. It was the time of flappers in short dresses doing the Charleston, bathtub gin, and speakeasies. In 1920, a very select Austin organization, the “Order of the Violet Crown,” a name referring to attributes assigned to Austin (the origin of the name “Violet Crown” having been described in another “Wallering” column), felt that Austin needed a festival to rival “Fiesta” in San Antonio. The Austin Lions Club came up with the idea and suggested and that it should be held in April to commemorate San Jacinto Day. The festival name was to be decided by a competition. A $10 prize (today almost $200.00), was offered to the person with the winning name. Mrs. A. W. Harper came up with “The San Sam Festival,” named in honor of the Texan’s victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in April, 1836, commanded by then General Sam Houston.
It should be noted, in a bit of an aside, that fancy dress balls celebrating the victory at San Jacinto began to be held throughout much of settled Texas beginning the very year after the battle! Houston, at that time the capital of the Republic of Texas, was the site of the 1837 San Jacinto Ball. Naturally, President Elect Sam Houston was the most prominent guest at the ball. He was still favoring his ankle, which had been wounded at the battle of San Jacinto, but apparently gallantly danced the night away with various “belles.” Sam was known for his fanciful outfits. At this ball he wore a ruffled shirt, scarlet cashmere waistcoat, and a suit of black silk velvet, corded with gold. Silver spurs adorned the heels of his red-topped boots. Back to the “San Sam” Festival, which lasted for four years, namely 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923. Traditional festivals all over the world seem to share the same characteristics: participation by local luminaries and prominent organizations, a grand parade, a ball, a queen and her court, and finally various associated activities, such as a monstrous fireworks display. The “San Sam” Festival was no exception. Each year it featured an exotic theme for the “court”: British India, the Orient, Spain. A complete program exists for the 1921 festival. What an elaborate succession of events. The kickoff was Wednesday, April 20th, featuring a comic parade up Congress Avenue, a band concert, a fire and water display, a boxing exhibition with music, a street dance, and a midway carnival by the Kiwanis Club. The next day, Tuesday, April 21st, a Varsity Parade was led by the Longhorn Band.
Newport Follies took place at the Bell Air Dome with “60 beautiful University Girls.” The Bell Air Dome was the first silent film theater in Austin, located at W. 9th and Colorado Streets. a Varsity Water Fete was held at Deep Eddy Bathing Beach. In the evening a Varsity Circus and then a Sham Battle of San Jacinto took place at Clark Field. Are you exhausted yet? On the morning of Friday, April 22, there was a Water Carnival at Deep Eddy with a diving and swimming contest, also boat racing, presumably on the Colorado River. In the afternoon there was the Grand San Sam Parade led by the Ben Hur Band,
with the University and Shrine Drum Corps bands. Finally, in the evening, there was the Coronation of the San Sam Queen at Woolridge Park, followed by the Queen’s Ball at the Driskill Hotel. R. Niles Graham, descendant of Governor and Mrs. Elisha Marshall Pease, was the ball’s chairman. Festival organizers expected an of attendance 30,000 people. Maybe this was a tad over-optimistic. In 1921, the total population of Austin was only
35,000, and it is doubtful that every single Austinite attended. Although there is no photograph of the 1921 queen, there is one for the 1920 Queen. Miss Mildred Griffith is wearing a lovely gown, apparently made of silk chiffon or perhaps silk netting. Chiffon is French for cloth. It’s an elegant, sheer fabric with a soft, beautiful drape, perfect for layering. Silk netting would provide a lively top layer. A small version of the Elizabethan collar held up by a wire frame rises from her shoulders and curves around the back of her neck. Miss Griffith’s elaborate bouquet is obviously roses. From the roses hang a multitude of ribbons, each festooned with smaller roses. Her scepter is a carved wooden staff. Her crown… oh, her crown! Obviously, it is the top three points of the five-pointed Texas Star. The queen sits regally in a heavy Victorian style chair. One can only assume that in 1921 and 1922, the queens’ gowns were similarly spectacular. Were they perhaps
preserved by the families?
The final San Sam Festival took place in the Fall of 1923 to coincide with the Texas State Exposition, which was held in Austin for several years. According to the Handbook of Texas, “For the 1923 Texas State Exposition, held at Camp Mabry, an enormous firecracker—at the time, the world’s largest on record at ninety feet long and featuring ‘100,000 smaller crackers of various sizes and flares and pinwheels of all colors’—was brought from China and exploded before an enthusiastic crowd.”
For 1923, fortunately we have a description of the Queen’s Coronation. The theme was “British India,” quite exotic indeed. Miss Hallie Maud Neff, the daughter of Governor and Mrs. Pat Neff, received the crown and sceptre of queenly authority.
All the court wore costumes inspired by India. Sadly, there are no descriptions. After the coronation the court retired to boxes to witness another fireworks
Lions Golf Course Tournament Raises $255,000 for Texas Children’s Austin
On May 14, Texas Children’s Austin hosted its sold-out Second Annual Legacy Golf Classic, presented by McCarthy Building Companies, at the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course.
The event raised $255,000, which will benefit the hospital’s Child Life Department. This department uses art, music, and play to help pediatric patients manage anxiety and navigate medical procedures.
The event united business leaders, donors, and advocates in support of children’s health, creating opportunities for community engagement while raising awareness and resources for pediatric care.
One of the most heartfelt moments of the evening came as Austin resident and Child Life Specialist Emily Papermaster shared her daughter Eva’s story — reflecting on the comfort, guidance, and support Child Life Specialists provided throughout her treatment at Texas Children’s Austin.
“These Child Life Specialists are not just here for the children,” Papermaster said. “They are here for the parents, so that we can stay strong and do what we need to do to support our kids.”
Through small but meaningful acts, such as helping Eva remain calm during IV testing and decorating her anesthesia mask before an MRI, the Child Life Specialists at Texas Children’s Austin eased her fears and helped her navigate her medical experience with confidence. Their compassionate care offered reassurance to her entire family.
The tournament wrapped up with an awards reception featuring dinner, yard games, a silent auction, and live music, where tournament winners received hand-painted ukuleles made by Texas Children’s patients. Speakers included Texas Children’s Austin President, Dr. Jeffrey Shilt; Child Life Specialist, Leslie Wells; and Jeff Wood
“As a pediatric hospital, Child Life Specialists are one of the meaningful ways we enhance care for our patients by improving their experience, decreasing hospital stays and reducing the need for medication. The generosity shown here today ensures we can continue providing this level of compassionate care for years to come,” said Texas Children’s Austin President, Dr. Jeffrey Shilt. For more information about Texas Children’s Austin, visit www.texaschildrensaustin.org.
Emily Papermaster with daughters Eva (front) and Elyse, having fun at the tournament with Kat Cotrone
Dr. Jeffrey Shilt and Jeff Wood hold up the check for $255,000
Dr. Jeffrey Shilt playing in the tournament
Emily Papermaster and Donna Howard
Dr. Jeffrey Shilt, Cameron Parker, David Courtney and Mike Harge Keaton Munster
Michelle Frankfort and Katerina Cotroneo
Steven Abron, Dwain Roberson, William Sheffield and Robert Odhiambo
Share the Love Gala Helps Keep Austin Smiling
Manos de Cristo’s annual
Share the Love Gala, held at The Fairmont Austin, raised over $285,000 as philanthropists, dental professionals, and community leaders came together to support the organization’s essential programs that provide food, clothing, dental care, and education for Central Texans in need.
“Keep Austin Smiling” set a joyful tone for the evening, and guests enjoyed mingling during an elegant cocktail reception before sitting down to a multi-course dinner. Party Lights provided live music, while a lively auction, raffle, and casino games added even more fun and excitement to the celebration.
Throughout the night, emcee Ron Oliveira and Executive Director Julie Ballesteros shared stories highlighting the
life-changing impact of Manos de Cristo’s affordable dental care, adult education, and basic needs programs, which serve more than 30,000 children, adults, and seniors each year. Heartfelt testimonials from staff, volunteers, and patients illustrated how deeply Manos de Cristo’s services touch lives across Central Texas.
Ballesteros said, “Our programs don’t just teach skillsthey open doors. They create opportunity, and they change what’s possible for the next generation. We gather at our annual gala, not just as guests, but as a community united by a shared purpose: to Keep Austin Smiling. Because keeping Austin smiling isn’t just what we do — it is who we are. It’s the
belief that no neighbor should face hardship alone. It’s lifting others up, opening doors, and changing lives –one person, one family, one smile at a time.”
The gala also honored Board Member Glenn Dukes for his many years of dedication in supporting the organization’s mission to help neighbors stay healthy, supported, and empowered, and for his unwavering generosity. It was a moment that captured the spirit of an unforgettable night of purpose and celebration.
Founded in 1988, Manos de Cristo is one of the few not-for-profit dental facilities in Austin. Their life-changing services empower people of all backgrounds to build self-esteem, self-confidence, and the
Beautiful Traditional Home For Sale
Manos de Cristo CEO Julie Ballesteros, Dawn Pepper, Dr. Tony Pacheco, Jr., and Dr. Amy Burton
David and Stephanie Richardson
Courtney and Nate Groves Nelleen McCormick and Ron Oliveira
Patrick Ferguson, Peter Erdel, Dr. Neal Shah, and Jason Ripple Patrick and Alyson McDonald and Drs. Stephanie and Will Rodriguez
KC Schuldes, Bailey Jones, Gene Schneider, Ray and Julie Maples, and Mike and Jaclyn Roediger
Board Member Glenn Dukes and Manos de Cristo CEO Julie Ballesteros
Women’s Symphony League Unveils 2026 Royal Court
The Women’s Symphony League of Austin (WSL) unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 Royal Court in a celebratory, elegant reveal at the Annual Jewel Tea on Friday, May 15, marking the official kickoff of the 71st Annual Jewel Ball season. Set against the historic backdrop of Chateau Bellevue, the afternoon brought together members, past presidents, and distinguished guests for one of WSL’s most treasured traditions, an event that blends legacy, philanthropy, and the next generation of Austin leadership.
Hosted by the WSL Past Presidents’ Council and chaired by Immediate Past President Stacey McLeod Brewer, the Jewel Tea is a hallmark moment in the WSL calendar. Guests enjoyed curated wines, elegant tea service, and a celebratory atmosphere culminating in the highly anticipated court presentation.
The Royal Court honors families whose longstanding support has strengthened the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and its far-reaching impact across Central Texas. This year’s Court includes the 2026 Diamond Queen and Princesses, accompanied by their Escorts, as well as an exceptional group of Visiting Duchesses and Escorts representing symphony organizations across the state. Also celebrated at the Tea were the 2026 Fashion Luncheon Honorary Chairs Corinne and Lauree Moffett, in addition to Jewel Ball Honorary Chairs: Missy Harris, Marion More, Anna Marie Speir, and Sue Webber for their combined 180+ years of membership, service and leadership for the WSL.
In keeping with more than seven decades of tradition, the 2026 Jewel Committee, chaired by Christy Allen Merritt, had the honor of selecting this year’s distinguished Royal Court. Merritt remarked, “The 2026 Austin Royal Court is composed of women and men whose families have dedicated themselves to supporting the Austin Symphony Orchestra through the Women’s Symphony League of Austin or the Knights of the Symphony. We are overjoyed to have these families represented for the 71st Annual Jewel Ball. We are especially grateful this year to have participants who represent multi-generational support of music education in Austin and Central Texas. WSL is thrilled to present this impressive group of participants, one of the largest courts we have ever had!”
Jewel Ball festivities are held in September, beginning with the Soirée — “The Jewel Heist,” a party attended by area 9th and 10th-grade students on Sunday, September
13th.
This year’s Soirée will include a mystery game experience and is chaired by Jeanette Bledsoe and Anne Marie Cancienne
WSL’s Fashion Luncheon, “Une Invitation à l’Élégance,” will take place on Friday, September 18th at the Palmer Events Center and will feature a fashion show from signature Austin retailers.
Melissa Billman and Amanda Pettitt are the Fashion Luncheon Chairs.
The 71st Annual Jewel Ball, “La Belle Époque” — The Beautiful Age, will take place at Palmer Events Center on Saturday, September 19th, where members and supporters will gather for a historic evening in celebration of WSL and its seven decades of support of the ASO.
This milestone fête will include a presentation of Royal Court, a gourmet seated meal followed by a live auction, dancing, and several special surprises to salute the long history of the WSL’s impact on Austin and surrounding Central Texas communities through its storied support of ASO’s music education programming.
This year’s Jewel Ball events are chaired by Megan Haywood and Lawanna Turner
Since 1953, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin has dedicated its energy, talents, and volunteerism by providing service and financial support to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and its education programs. The Women’s Symphony League is the largest annual financial supporter of the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s educational programs for children. Over 50,000 children benefit from the innovative educational programs of the ASO every year.
Tickets, sponsorships, and advertising opportunities for the Jewel Ball, WSL Fashion Luncheon, and Soireé events are available online at wslaustin.org.
ROYAL COURT
The 2026-2027 Royal Court includes the following young
women and men:
Diamond Queen Katherine Alyssa Oddo, daughter of Chancellor and Mrs. Christopher J. Oddo, granddaughter of the late Knight and Mrs. George S. Nalle III and great-granddaughter of the late Knight and Mrs. George Nalle Jr.
Princess CeCelia Elizabeth Gay, daughter of Knight and Mrs. Christopher David Gay, granddaughter of the late Mrs. Joy Ross Gay
Princess Ainsley Blair Green, daughter of Ms. Shannon Blair Green
Princess Carrie Elizabeth Hempfling, daughter of Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Robert John Hempfling Jr.
Princess Clara May Holmes, daughter of Ms. Amanda Smith Holmes and Mr. Christopher Paul Holmes, granddaughter of Mrs. Jare Horne Smith and the late Knight Jim A. Smith
Princess Kennedy Joy Matthys, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter John Matthys, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Denman Vodrie Smith
Princess Kathryn Tennie McFarland, daughter of Dr. Regina McFarland and Mr. John Samuel McFarland Jr., granddaughter of Pamela R. Bell and the late Lord
Chancellor LIII Henry Newton Bell III
Princess Ellison Kate Reinarz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Allen Dean Reinarz
Princess Morgan Maddison Rigas, daughter of Ms. Kelly Coffield Perkins and Mr. Anastasios Dionysios Rigas II, granddaughter of Knight John Duncan Perkins and the late Mrs. Sandra Price Perkins
Princess Margot Ann Tully, daughter of Knight and Mrs. John David Tully
Princess Ann Louise Woodman, daughter of Mrs. Teresa “Dede” Stevens Woodman and Mr. Patrick McClure Woodman
Princess Abigail Alling Woodruff, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joshua Morgan Woodruff
Princess Emma Morgan Woodruff, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joshua Morgan Woodruff
VISITING JEWELS
WSL is honored to have a wonderful group of Visiting Jewels:
Duchess Livia Grace Lange, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lange, representing the Dallas Symphony League
Duchess Adison Christine Mathes, daughter of Mr. Alan Luedemann and Mrs. Cara Mathes, representing Houston
Duchess Bonnie Leigh Meredith, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Bill Meredith Jr., granddaughter of Deputy Lord of the Privy Seal and Mrs. Douglas Mueller Danforth, representing Washington-on-the-Brazos
Duchess Reagan Elizabeth Meredith,
daughter of Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Bill Meredith Jr., granddaughter of Deputy Lord of the Privy Seal and Mrs. Douglas Mueller Danforth, representing Washington-on-the-Brazos,
Duchess Fiona Gwynne Nield, daughter of Ms. Jennifer Nield and Mr. Richard Nield, representing Boulder, Colorado
Duchess Abigail Grace St. Clair, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Thomas St. Clair IV, representing the Lubbock Symphony Guild
Duchess Caroline Louise Valdes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Todd Alexander Valdes, representing the Victoria Symphony Society
Duchess Charlotte Kathleen Vargo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Travis Vargo, representing Memorial ESCORTS
WSL is honored to have the
following young men escorting this year’s ladies: Escort Emmett James Brewer, son of Chancellor and Mrs. Joel S. Brewer
Escort Fox Andrew Brewer, son of Chancellor and Mrs. Joel S. Brewer
Escort Benjamin Douglas Castillo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Luis Castillo, grandson of Deputy Lord of the Privy Seal and Mrs. Douglas Mueller Danforth
Escort James Alan Hempfling, son of Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Robert John Hempfling Jr.
Escort Robert John “Jack” Hempfling III, son of Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Robert John Hempfling Jr.
Escort Patrick L. Hubert II, son of Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Martin August Hubert
Escort Camm Carrington Lary IV, son of
Jewel Ball Sponsor and previous Princess Kelly Per-
and her daughter Princess Morgan Rigas
Melanie Mahaffey and President-Elect Elizabeth Kemp Rose
Ball Honorary Chairs Missy Harris, Sue Webber, and Anna Marie Speir. Not pictured: Marion More Diamond Queen Katherine Alyssa Oddo and former WSL President Karey Nalle Oddo.
Fashion Luncheon Chairs Melissa Billman and Amanda Pettitt and Jewel Ball Chairs Lawanna Turner and Megan Haywood
Princess Ann Louise Woodman, Princess Carrie Elizabeth Hempfling, Princess Ellison Kate Reinarz, Princess Abigail Alling Woodruff, Princess Kennedy Joy Matthys, Diamond Queen Katherine Alyssa Oddo, Princess Mor-
Maddison Rigas, Princess Emma Morgan Woodruff, Princess Kathryn Tennie McFarland, Duchess Abigail
St. Clair, Duchess Caroline Louise Valdes, and Princess Ainsley Blair Green.
WSL President and past Presidents: Front row: Penny Powell, Missy Harris, Anna Speir, Jennifer Bell, Pamela Bell, Stacey McLeod Brewer, Karen Gernstein, Sonia Wilson, Margaret Danforth, and Araminta Sellers Back row: Karey Nalle Oddo, Elizabeth Kemp Rose, Melanie Mahaffey, Molly Benson, Katie Kaighin, Sharon Wilson, and Jill Powell