Presenting the 2023 Texarkana Cotillion Debutantes
Eight debutantes, dressed in traditional gowns and carrying bouquets of red roses, were presented to society on December 28, 2023, at Texarkana Country Club. John Crisp, master of ceremonies, introduced each young lady as she stepped from the dais. Andrea Finley and Leisa Arnett played the chosen debut song for each debutante as she and her escort circled the room. This season was coordinated by Miss Blaire Barlow.
Kelsey Allison Clark
Kelsey Allison Clark is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Clark of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Buck, also of Texarkana, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark of Smackover, Arkansas.
Kelsey is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she is majoring in Public Health with a minor in Medical Humanities in the College of Education and Health Professions.
Kelsey is a member of the Arkansas Alpha chapter of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, where she is involved with Pi Phi recruitment, and their national philanthropy Read>Lead>Achieve advocating for lifelong literacy.
She is also involved in the Student Ambassadors program at the University of Arkansas, where she gives campus tours and volunteers through student organizations.
Kelsey was presented by her father, Matthew Clark and escorted by her cousin, Reed Buck, son of Lisa Buck and the late Rob Buck.
She selected “Brown-Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison for her presentation song.
She selected a luxe satin ballgown from the Gracyn Elizabeth Bride Collection. The modern, straight across neckline was accented with satin covered buttons that extended down the length of the chapel length train. The gown was completed with a sweet satin bow on the back of the ballgown.
Mary Margaret Dowd
Mary Margaret Dowd is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Dowd. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Margaret and the late Wayne Dowd of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Mrs. Jo and the late Jim Yancey of Ponce Inlet, Florida.
She is attending the University of Colorado in Boulder seeking a degree in Environmental Engineering.
Mary Margaret received a Chancellor’s scholarship and is a Society of Women Engineers member. She is also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, through which she consistently raises funds and awareness for her chapter’s local philanthropy, Safehouse Denver, while also supporting her chapter’s national philanthropy, RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network).
Mary Margaret hopes to utilize her education to work in the agriculture industry.
Mary Margaret chose an elegant A-line dress paired with leather gloves. The pleats in her dress revealed a gentle shine in the charmeuse fabric while the empire waist and flutter sleeves brought a timeless look.
Raegan Lee Durmon
Raegan Lee Durmon is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Durmon of Acworth, Georgia. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Durmon of Bloomburg, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pearcy of Texarkana, Texas.
Raegan is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she is majoring in business.
Raegan is a member of the Arkansas Alpha Chapter Pi Beta Phi sorority, where she participated in fall recruitment and is involved in Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropy, Read>Lead>Achieve. She ran in the most recent 5k event that her sorority puts on annually to raise money for children’s literacy.
Raegan was presented by her father, Justin Durmon, and was escorted by her brother, Riley Durmon.
She chose the presentation song, “Kiss the Rain,” by Yiruma.
Raegan chose a stunning, custom designed ball gown from the Gracyn Elizabeth Bride collection. The sweetheart neckline and inverted box pleating were accentuated by the rich butter satin fabric of her gown. A luxe satin bow sat at the waist to flatter the full A-line skirt and fabric buttons cascading the length of the gown, adding the perfect finishing touches. Raegan paired her Gracyn Elizabeth gown with satin opera gloves accessorized with pearl closures.
Olivia Grace George
Olivia Grace George is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian George of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Kendrick of Magnolia, Arkansas, and Ms. Marjorie George of Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Olivia Grace is a sophomore at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and was named on the dean’s list her freshman year.
Olivia Grace is a member of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of the Sigma Kappa sorority, as well as a member of the Junior Panhellenic Council.
She is also a member of the Louisiana Tech Regal Blues Dance Team, Student Recruiters, Peer Leadership Council, and Miss Louisiana Organization.
Olivia Grace was presented by her father, Adrian Shaun George ,and escorted by her boyfriend, Luke Smith, a sophomore at Louisiana Tech University.
She chose “Unforgettable” by Nat “King” Cole as her presentation song.
Olivia Grace wore a couture gown by Madison James. It showcased silk organza raw edged ruffles with a sweetheart ruched bodice and off the shoulder silk tulle straps.
Helen Clark Hays
Miss Helen Clark Hays is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. John Julian Hays of Texarkana. Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Joyce Luker and the late Melvin Luker of Hope, Arkansas, and Mrs. Betty Jo Hays and the late Thomas Edward Hays, Jr. of Hope, Arkansas.
Helen Clark is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she is in the honors college and is studying communication sciences and disorders and is pursuing a minor in communications. She was named to the dean’s list and the National Honor Society for the university.
She is a member of the Psi Chapter of Chi Omega Sorority where her academics, community service, and campus involvement earned her house points to achieve residence at the historic Chi Omega house.
Helen Clark was presented by her father, John Julian Hays, and escorted by her life-long friend of 19 years, William Beck Carter, a sophomore in the Wharton School of Business at the University of Texas in Austin, son of Robyn and Dr. Robert Carter.
She selected, “Slipping through my fingers” by ABBA for her presentation song.
Helen Clark debuted in a ball gown that featured delicate straps with a beaded neckline from Gracyn Elizabeth Bride Collection. The sheer bodice featured hand-beaded and sequined embroidery with silver thread and laser cut 3D petals. Beading accented the neckline and created thin straps that lead to a V-back, paired with an organza ruffle skirt accented with horsehair at each tier. Beautiful tulle covered buttons on the back bodice extended the length of the train to add the finishing touch. Helen Clark’s debut ensemble was made complete with Cornelia James duchess satin opera length gloves and was adorned with her family’s heirloom jewelry.
Noelle Elise Sherman
Noelle Elise Sherman is the daughter of Kane Sherman of Texarkana, Texas, and Lauren Clem-Sherman of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the granddaughter of Thomas Clem and Becky Clem of Texarkana, Texas, and Mrs. Tommie Sue Braley of Texarkana, Texas.
Noelle is a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, where she is majoring in business finance at the Price School of Business and is also minoring in Pre-law.
Noelle is a member of the Alpha Iota chapter of the Delta Gamma sorority, where she is involved in recruitment, Service for Sight, and their national philanthropy events.
This spring she was granted the position of shadowing a Healthcare Lobbyist at a major firm in Oklahoma City. Noelle wants to get involved and have a political standpoint for her community.
Noelle was presented by her father, Kane Sherman, and escorted by her boyfriend Konstintine Gianos, a Sophomore at the University of Oklahoma.
She selected “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran for her presentation song.
Noelle chose an elegant, clean, and crisp design by Justin Alexander. This luxurious Mikado A-line gown featured a stylized strapless neckline that was accented with asymmetric pleating. A matching bow on the train added a unique design detail that looped onto the natural waist, creating a perfect bustle. This gown was paired with leather gloves and a crystal belt. The style was finished with pockets and Mikado-covered buttons to the end of the dress.
Landry Grace Trammell
Landry Grace Trammell is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Trammell of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Martin of DeKalb, Texas, and of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ray Trammell of Texarkana, Texas.
Landry is a sophomore at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where she has just completed her first semester of nursing school.
She was named on the President’s list during her freshman year for maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She plans to work in the ICU in hopes of eventually becoming a certified nurse anesthetist.
Landry was presented by her father, Ryan Trammell, and was escorted by Tyler Foreman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Shon Foreman of Forest City, Arkansas.
She selected “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift as her presentation song.
Landry wore a feminine, soft-flowing organza ballgown designed by Morilee. The delicate drop sleeves were accentuated by ruching along the bodice. The elegant gown was completed with satin-covered buttons that cascaded down the back of the gown to the horsehair hemline.
Lucy Brooke Woodman
Lucy Brooke Woodman is the daughter of John and Leslie Woodman of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Sally Patton of Texarkana, Texas.
Lucy is a sophomore at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where she is majoring in business entrepreneurship. She also attends Collectiv Academy Esthetician School in Dallas, Texas.
Lucy was presented by her father, John Woodman, and escorted by her cousin, Mac Woodman.
She chose the presentation song, “Purpose,” by Justin Bieber.
Lucy chose a luxurious, Mikado A-line gown designed by Justin Alexander to make her debut. The stylized, strapless silhouette was accented with asymmetrical pleating across the bodice. The gown showcased a perfectly looped bustle and was finished with a bow at the waist.
