New York: An Inside Look At The Texas Women Who Made Debut

The Gala Presented 22, Many From Texas

By Lance Avery Morgan   Photography by Elaine Ubina and Chichi Ubina

We love a good debutante ball, don’t you? Twenty-two young women, representing five of the United States and six countries in Europe and the Mid-East, made their bows at the International Debutante Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York, New York…and of course, there were plenty of Texas women, too.

In a glittering night of old world elegance, the 22 debutantes dazzled in swirls of white silk and lace, making their bows to families and friends in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. An array of them were from across the U.S., Europe and the Mid-East.

Representing Texas were: Lucille Lagow Callewart, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Craig C. Callewart, and Mrs. Shannon Wilson Callewart, of Dallas, Tucker Abigail Garrison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Garrison of Austin, Bramlette Margaret Labatt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bramlette Labatt of San Antonio, Arabella Montgomery McFarland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Roberts McFarland of  Houston, Alexis Madison McKee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny McKee of Fort Worth, Michaela Elizabeth McTee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dewey McTee of San Antonio, and Paris de Chantal Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Rowan Smith, Jr. of Houston.

The honorary chairpersons for the gala were Ms. Julia Irene Kauffman and Mrs. David Hamilton, while Mrs. Gregory S. Hedberg served as director and general chairman of the event. The International Committee includes H.R.H. Princess Chantal of France, Baron Françoise de Sambucy de Sorgue and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher C. Forbes. The ball’s chairpersons were Mrs. Andrew Beer, Mrs. Jacqueline Mars, Mrs. Spencer Neville Brown, Mrs. Ryland Chase, Ms. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and Ms. Susan Eisenhower. The Ball benefits The International Debutante Ball Foundation and supports the ongoing mission of the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club of New York City, which has been providing a home away from home for the men and women of our armed services for over a century.

A colorful and patriotic event, the International Debutante Ball is a traditional family occasion in the New York social season. The event provides an exciting social setting in which young women and men from all over the world meet one another, have a wonderful time, and form lasting friendships. For more information on how you can support this organization, visit www.internationaldebutanteball.org.