ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BALL — Members of the Bluebonnet Drama Club gathered in front of the fireplace at the historic Henrietta Memorial Center for a group photo at the 2009 Christmas Ball that included debutantes and junior and senior members. (Photo by Benny Guerra) The Bluebonnet Drama Club held its 80th Annual Bluebonnet Ball and debutante presentation at the “Saint Nicholas’ Charity Christmas Ball,” on Dec. 12 at the Henrietta Memorial Center.

Haley Kuyatt, 2009-2010 Bluebonnet Drama Club president, welcomed everyone to the ball.

“In accordance with tradition, the affair promises to be an event to be remembered by new, current and past bluebonnets, escorts and their families,” she declared.

Since 1929, the Bluebonnet Drama Club, a junior division of the Women’s Club of Kingsville, has been active in the community to not only promote interest in volunteering, but to advance the social and intellectual life of its members.

SENIORS — Pictured, left to right, are Justina Early, Hope Casteneda, Ann Booth, Bethanny Bull, Kathleen Best, Caitlin Kirk, Andrea Cantu and Haley Kuyatt. Not pictured are Kelsey Hayes and Brianne Vincent. “The Bluebonnet Drama Club promotes the social life of Bluebonnets,” Ann Booth, the Bluebonnet social chairperson, said.

“This organization could not function in the capacity it does if it were not for the dedication of the sponsors.”

She introduced the sponsors at the ball and thanked them for their assistance, encouragement and dedication.

Senior sponsors are Patti Booth, Cheryl Kirk, Sheri Hayes, and Andi Kuyatt.

The Junior sponsors are Vicki Benys, Jo Ann Castro, Jana Irby, Judy Ray and Marlene Zamora.

The Debutante sponsors are Carolyn Davis, Kathy McDonald, Bitsy Hubert, Lynn Early, Goldia Hubert and Michelle Westbrook.

JUNIORS — Pictured, left to right, seated, are Shelby McFall, Ashley Ray, Diana Castillo and Corina Castro; standing, Breanne Benys, Sharla Irby and Bayley Irby. Not pictured is Kirstin Wallace. (Photo by Benny Guerra) Patti Booth, who co-chaired the ball with Andi Kuyatt, presented the Seniors. They are as follows:

Haley O’Neal Kuyatt, President, is the daughter of Commander and Mrs. Neal Kuyatt. She attends Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and will be attending Texas Tech University and majoring in mathematics in the fall. Haley was escorted by Robert Obregon, the son of Robert Obregon and Dr. Zonia Obregon. He is a junior at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Hope Elizabeth Castaneda, Vice President, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Castaneda and attends H.M. King High School. Hope was escorted by Robert Guidangen Jr., a senior at H.M. King, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Guidangen. Hope plans to attend a Texas university and major in athletic training and physical therapy.

Kristen Avery Acker Bethanny Taylor Bull, Secretary, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bret Bull, and attends Riviera Kaufer High School. Bethanny plans to attend Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the fall and major in kinesiology/sports medicine. Bethanny’s escort was Eli Medellin, a senior at Riviera-Kaufer High School, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Medellin.

Shirley Kathleen Best, Treasurer, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Best and attends Riviera Kaufer High school. Kathleen has been accepted to Texas A&M University- College Station where she plans to major in Agribusiness. Kathleen was escorted by Lucian Davis, a senior at Riviera Kaufer High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Davis.

Carson Elizabeth Alsop Photos by Benny Guerra Ann Francis Booth, Social Chairman, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rand Booth and attends John Paul II High School. Ann will be pursuing a degree in Political Science and then a Law Degree after graduation. Ann was escorted by John Quinten Womack, a senior at Sharyland High School, who is the son on Mr. and Mrs. John A. Womack.

Justina Nicole Early, Reporter, is the daughter of Mr. Lenard Ray Early Jr. and the late Mrs. Amber Early. She attends H.M. King High School. Justina will be attending Texas A&M University-College Station and majoring in clinical psychology. Justina was escorted by Second Lt. James Cappabianca, United States Marine Corps.

Kelsey Alyse Hayes is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Hayes and attends Bishop High School. She plans to attend Texas A&M-Kingsville and major in Human Sciences with a specialization in sports nutrition. Kelsey was escorted by Nathan Westbrook, a senior at H.M. King High School, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Westbrook.

Kayla Renee Canales Andrea Michelle Cantu, Telephone Chairman, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cantu, and attends Santa Gertrudis Academy High School. Andrea will be attending Texas A&MKingsville. Andrea was escorted by Sammy Tricks, a senior at Riviera Kaufer High School, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tricks.

Caitlin Marie Kirk, Membership Chairman, is the daughter of Ms. Cheryl Kirk and Mr. Rodney Kirk. Caitlin attends H.M. King High School Caitlin plans to attend Blinn College. Caitlin was escorted by Bo Polhmus, a junior at H.M. King, who is the son of Mr. and D.W. Polhmus and Shari Gaines.

Brianne Nicole Vincent, Fundraising Chairman, is the daughter of Mr. Larry Vincent and Ms. Beverly Vassuar. Brianne will be attending Texas Lutheran University to pursue a degree in physical therapy and hopefully play basketball for Texas Lutheran. Brianne was escorted by Matthew Cumberland, a senior at Riviera-Kaufer High School, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cumberland.

Brianna Alisa Cavazos Hope Castaneda, Vice President, presented the Juniors. They are as follows:

Breanne Elaine Benys is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Benys and is a junior at H.M. King High School. Brianne was escorted by Jordan Polhmus, the son of Mr. D.W. Polhmus and Shari Gaines. He attends H.M. King where he is a junior.

Diana Edith Castillo is the daughter of Ms. Marlene Zamora and is a junior at H.M. King High School. Diana was escorted by Austin Skrobarczyk, the son of Laura Skrobarczyk and Chemo Escobar and he attends Santa Gertrudis Academy High School where he is a senior.

Corina Elizabeth Castro is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mauro Castro and is a junior at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School. Corina was escorted by Luke Waddingham, the son of Capt. and Mrs. Phil Waddingham. He attends H.M. King High School where he is a senior.

Rachel Marguerite Davis Bayley Marie Irby, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Irby, is a junior at Bishop High School. Bayley was escorted by Ellis Meyer, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Meyer. He attends Riviera Kaufer where he is a junior.

Sharla Kay Irby, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Irby, is a junior at Riviera-Kaufer High School. Sharla was escorted by Brad Jameson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Jameson. He attends Riviera-Kaufer High School where he is a senior.

Shelby Alyse McFall, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McFall, is a junior at Riviera-Kaufer High School. Shelby was escorted by Kyle Lunaas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Lunaas. He attends Texas A& M Kingsville where he is a sophomore engineering student.

Brianna Elaine Early Ashley Elaine Ray, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ray, is a junior at H.M. King High School. Ashley was escorted by Richard Ochoa, the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hickey. He attends H.M. King where he is a sophomore.

Kirstin Brooke Wallace, the daughter of Mr. Greg Wallace and Darby Wallace, is a junior at Riviera-Kaufer High School. Kirstin was escorted by Alex Neely, who attends Texas A&M Kingsville.

Haley Kuyatt, President, presented the Debutantes.

Kristen Avery Acker was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Jim Acker. She is a sophomore at Freer High School, and the daughter of Mr. Jim Acker. She was escorted by her brother, Jake Acker.

Carson Elizabeth Alsop was presented on the arm of her uncle, Mr. Vernie Hubert II. She is a sophomore at Riviera-Kaufer High School and the daughter of Ms. Bitsy Hubert and Dr. Ernest Alsop. She was escorted by James Ulrich, a sophomore at Riviera-Kaufer High School and the son of Mr and Mrs. Steve Ulrich.

Megan Rachel McDonald Kayla Renee Canales was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Rene Canales and her stepfather Mr. Richard Kirkpatrick. She a senior at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kirkpatrick and Mr. Rene Canales. She was escorted by Mr. Eugene Falcon, who attends Texas A&M Kingsville. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Falcon.

Brianna Alisa Cavazos was presented on the arm of her father Mr. David Cavazos. She is a sophomore at Bishop High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cavazos. She was escorted by Luis Michael Arredondo who is a senior at Bishop High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Luis Arredondo.

Rachel Marguerite Davis was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Bill Davis. She is a sophomore at Riviera- Kaufer High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Davis. She was escorted by Will Brown, a junior at Riviera-Kaufer High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brown.

Kelly Christine Ryan Brianna Elaine Early was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Leonard Ray Early Jr. She is a sophomore at H.M. King High School and the daughter of Mr. Leonard Ray Early Jr. and the late Mrs. Amber Dawn Early. She was escorted by Horacio Rangel III, a sophomore at Alice High School, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Horacio Rangel II.

Megan Rachel McDonald was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Todd McDonald. She is a sophomore at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Todd McDonald. She was escorted by Austin Michael Ferraro, a junior at Calallen High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Weiben.

Photos by Benny Guerra Elizabeth Faye Springs Kelly Christine Ryan was presented on the arm of her father Commander Tim Ryan, U.S. Navy, Retired. She is a sophomore at H.M. King High School and the daughter of Commander and Mrs. Tim Ryan. Her escort was Joshua Allen Smith, a senior at Bishop High School, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Smith.

Elizabeth Faye Springs was presented on the arm of her father, Mr. Wayne Springs. She is a sophomore at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Springs. She was escorted by Christopher Olvera, a freshman at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Olvera.

Jaquelyn Renee Westbrook was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Richard Westbrook. She is a sophomore at H.M. King High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Westbrook. She was escorted by Tyler Windham, who is a sophomore at King High School, and the son of Buddy and Melissa Windham.

Jaquelyn Renee Westbrook Nikala Westbrook was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Richard Westbrook. She is a sophomore at H.M. King High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Westbrook. She was escorted by Jacob Yaklin, who is a sophomore at H.M. King High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Yaklin.

Laurel Creasan Young was presented on the arm of her father Mr. Luther C. Young III. She is a sophomore at Santa Gertrudis Academy High School and the daughter of Pattie Young and Luther C. Young III. Her escort was Forrest Irwin, a sophomore at Riviera Kaufer High School, who is the son of Jessica Irwin.
Nikala Westbrook
Laurel Creasan Young