This year’s theme — “DD Club Always True and Blue” — was reflected throughout the venue in twinkling lights and flourishes of blue, thanks to the girls’ hard work and assistance from moms Lisa Askew, Erna Hardy and Debbie Bass. The club is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and former club member Megan Cobb is organizing a reunion, slated for later this year.Jon Holder (of Grace Radio, TV24 and Pigskin Roundup fame) emceed the event, Michael “Hollywood” Vice provided sublime deejay skills, and Claire Caballero snapped candid photos for posterity. Christy Vice, Meagan Allred and club advisor Ellen Bass chaperoned the event.
Before the formal began, the girls and their escorts enjoyed dinner, during which the new club members were presented with engraved key chains from their big sisters. New club members include pledge class president Lauren Bass (who also received the “Most Outstanding Pledge” award, which was presented by former club president Alison Norby, home for the holidays from Auburn University); pledge class vice president Grace Fink; secretary Hanna Bates; treasurer Lana Bell; sergeant-at-arms Morgan Martin; plus Christine Ankrom, Sally Barber, Cassady Bedford, Ciara Burgess, Alex Burroughs, Katie Buzan, Kaelyn Crowe, Shelli Davis, Allender Doggett, Haley Jackson, Molly Martin, Catherine Newton, Kacie Oglesby, Morgan Oliver, Jaime Preston, Kayli Ray, Allie Renfroe, Brooklyn Slick, Katie Swinford, Madison Thomas and Nicole Valle.
Also home for Christmas and helping with the dinner and Winter Formal were former club members Megan McCrary (who attends Auburn University) and Meagan Allred, who attends the University of Alabama.
The new members worked all summer to complete their community service hours. Philanthropy is the main focus of the DD Club, and it’s not unusual to see the girls pitching in to do their part as responsible, giving members of our community throughout the year.
Opening the Winter Formal’s lead out, and escorted by their handsome young dates, were the Ribbon Girls (eighth-grade girls, selected from schools throughout the county): Mileena Arensmeyer, Madison Burroughs, Peyton Camp, Kristen Chandler, Callye Cobb, Kendra Crawford, Abby Hall, Sarah Holcombe, Ariana Johnson, McKenzie Johnson, Mary Elizabeth Mathison, Megan McCartney, Sela Bay Miles, Madison Murray, Anna Brooke Payne, Corey Phillis, Georgia Sedmak, Katey Skinner, Ashlon Slay, Taylor Snellgrove, Sarah Storey and Tristan Taylor.
DD Club officers this year include club president Hillary Henderson (who, incidentally, received “Student Volunteer of the Year” from the United Way); vice president Susan Grace Catrett; secretary Katherine Casey; treasurer Libby Reese; service project coordinator Hannah Henderson; historians Savannah Becott and Ellen Hardy; chaplain Katie Jones; sergeant-at-arms Lucy Williams; and pledge advisors Yaasameen Al-Hamdani, Caroline Escue and Maggie Kerper. Pledge chairman is Catilin Schaefer.
Other seniors attending their last club formal were Katherine Askew, Taylor Dawson, Emily Grubbe, Taylor Kilgore, Miranda Luker, Katie O’Dell and Alina Wilhelm.
Junior club members are Jayme Wagner, Elizabeth Smith, Alexis Miles, Logan McCall, Lauren Jones, Kelly Gaskin, Morgan Atwell and Sarah Ankrom.
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