Hedonia Club of Waco will host a traditional gala with a theme of simple elegance for its 87th annual presentation ball at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, at Ridgewood Country Club.
“It’s another exciting year for the organization as we continue the tradition of creating lifelong memories for the participating families and deepening friendships among the club’s members,” club president Chris Kincaid said. “This year’s ball will host over 220 attendees, which not only includes guests from out of state, but also from England.”
Hedonia Club hosts a black-tie ball every November in which college-age debutantes are presented to their families, friends and club members — a time-honored tradition. This year the spotlight will be on three debutantes — Annah Stanton Brown, Elizabeth Paz Jackson and Margaret Karleen Sattler — whom will be presented to family and friends in their white gowns and kid gloves.
Miss Annah Stanton Brown is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton Boyce Brown of Waco and granddaughter of Mrs. Shepherd Spencer Neville Brown, the late Mr. Shepherd Spencer Neville Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sanford McClane of San Antonio. She attends Southern Methodist University where she is majoring in finance and psychology. Annah is a founding chapter member and co-social chair of Phi Chi Theta business fraternity. She’s a Hilltop Scholar and involved in intramural volleyball and Young Life. Annah attends Highland Park Presbyterian Church. She is a 2022 graduate of Vanguard College Preparatory School and served as the Festival on the Brazos queen in 2022. She completed an internship at Extraco Bank this past summer. Annah was a junior debutante in 2013. Her father was club president in 2005 and her grandfather in 1951. She will be presented by her father, Mr. Stanton Boyce Brown, to the song “L-O-V-E” and she will be escorted by her childhood friend, Alexander Colgin Dietz, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Dietz Jr.
“I am most looking forward to getting to celebrate with and be surrounded by my loved ones of all communities,” Annah said. “I’ve never had all my favorite people in one place before and so I can’t wait to mix traditions from different niches and show them a good time in Waco. I love mixing up exceptional people from different backgrounds, cultures and communities. I also adore dressing up in extravagant, beautiful dresses. So, I can’t pass up an opportunity to experience a classy, elegant ball gown.”
Miss Elizabeth Paz Jackson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Lyle Jackson of Waco and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo James Jackson of Dallas and Mrs. Erica Liz Austin of Dallas. Elizabeth attends Baylor University where she is a business major and a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Delta Alpha Pi honor societies. She’s also a member of Kappa Chi Alpha sorority and serves as event chair. She is a 2020 graduate of Vanguard College Preparatory School. Elizabeth will be presented by her father, Mr. David Jackson, to the song “Fly Me to the Moon” and she will be escorted by her brother, Austin Leo Jackson.
“I am most excited to celebrate the evening with my entire family,” Paz said. “Even my cousin, Josh, and his wife, Maddie, are coming in from London. An evening of fellowship with the people closest to you is really special. The tradition of Hedonia is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it is one of the many things that makes Waco such an incredible city.”
Miss Margaret Karleen Sattler is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. David John Sattler of Puyallup, Wash., and granddaughter of Mrs. Shepherd Spencer Neville Brown, the late Mr. Shepherd Spencer Neville Brown and the late Mr. and Mrs. Norman John Sattler. Karlie attends Colorado Christian University where she is pursuing a liberal arts degree. She is a member of Augustin Honors, the Student Worship Action Group and is president of the Archery Club. She is a 2022 graduate of Sattler Academy and was a 2022 Festival on the Brazos duchess. Karlie will be presented by her father, Mr. David John Sattler, to the song “Laura” and she will be escorted by William Henry Dietz III.
“I am most looking forward to spending time with family and friends in this special tradition,” Sattler said. “This tradition is a way of honoring my family for the part they have had in my life and helping me become the woman I am today.”
Junior debutantes include the following young ladies: Miss Elle Genevieve Barnett, daughter of Dr. and Dr. Brian Cody Barnett; Miss Claire Lacy Lowry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Paul Lowry; Miss Kamilla Lynn Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lee Martin; Miss Laney Ruth Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Conrad Stewart; Miss Victoria Lane Turner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cody Ray Turner; Miss Sofia Renee Wolfe, daughter of Mrs. Cristina G. Mathis and Mr. Thomas John Wolfe Jr.
The 9- and 10-year-old girls will wear floor-length white dresses with short gloves and carry a small nosegay of roses as they curtsey to an adoring crowd. Three junior escorts will accompany the six girls: James Patrick Harkins III, son of Dr. and Mrs. James Patrick Harkins Jr.; Bowen Nikolas Goss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Joseph Goss; Dominik Michael Vincent Braus II, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dominik Michael Vincent Braus.
Dave Wild will perform music during the formal presentation. Later in the evening after the little girls have gone home, club members and their guests will dance to the music of the Dallas-based band, The Wunderfuls. Before the presentation, Kincaid will host a president’s reception, honoring the debutantes and their families. And on Friday evening before the presentation ball, Nov. 24, a special patron dinner with wine pairings will be held at Valley Mills Vineyard. Kincaid said he and his wife, Nikki, have been working with the Rio Brazos Cuisine to create an unforgettable dinner experience.
“Nikki and Jennifer Heinz have been a dynamic duo throughout the planning process, which has been several months in the making,” Kincaid said. “All of the participating families have been a pleasure to work with. Nikki and I have enjoyed building friendships with all of the families, which is the purpose of the club’s existence — building friendships.”
Hedonia Club is comprised of a group of civic-minded men who annually present their college-age daughters as debutantes. The club was founded in 1937 with a charter membership of 200 and a mission to enrich our community and bring families together through the preservation, tradition and elegance of presenting member daughters to society.
The first officers were Charles Eubank, president; Walter G. Lacy Jr., vice president; and Frank L. Wilcox, secretary-treasurer. Dr. Carl Lovelace is credited with naming the club “Hedonia” after the Greek word meaning “pleasure — to live a happy, joyous life.”
This year’s club officers are Chris Kincaid, president; Chris DeCluitt, vice president; Tyler Martin, secretary-treasurer; Rusty Haferkamp, past president.
