HOUSTON-(Feb.9, 2024)-The Enchanted Garden bloomed into a crowd of over 2,000 for the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM24th annual Trailblazer Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show. The event took over the entire ballroom at Hilton Americas-Houston. The grand ballroom was transformed with a Texas-size runway and screens for the guests to view and welcome the honorees from the previous 23 years of the awards luncheon. This year’s honorees included six women who were selected for their volunteer spirit and dedication to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo through their time, talent and generosity: Isela Garcia, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Kristie Manning, Nancy Motley, Taryn Sims, and Jennifer Currey Van Matre. The Trailblazers Committee first met in 1999.
“I think these are some of the most wearable fashions we’ve seen on the Trailblazer runway,” said Anne Richardson, an early Trailblazer honoree. Floral inspired dresses preferred by guests complimented by the colorful centerpieces designs in the ballroom and around the space truly created a magical vibe.
The Saks Fifth Avenue show, produced by the inimitable Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar, brought roaring applause for the fashions and especially when cowboy dancers hit the runway. “Ooh’s” and “ahh’s” were whispered as overhead shots of the runway appeared on LED screens, as if a drone was taking photos of the impressive show, made possible by Stage Directions. Some ambitions shopping at featured boutiques in a lively marketplace ensued after the show on both levels of the event. An after-party of 1,000 guests kept the lively day going until late afternoon with DJ Johnny Bravo keeping the dance floor packed.
The Trailblazers from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Committee has 211 members, who support education and literacy with two programs. Rodeo ROPES (Reading Opens the Path to Education Success) has collected 450,000 children’s books, from more than 50 Rodeo committees in the last 10 years, which will be distributed to schools in underserved neighborhoods through the non-profit, Books Between Kids. The group also created SPURS .
Students Pursuing Unlimited Reading and Writing Success), a program that organizes a writing competition and leads Rodeo Read Along, a weekend story time on Rodeo grounds.
KHOU’s Mia Gradney and Len Cannon emceed the program that included remarks from Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman, trailblazer officer-in-charge Wendy Lewis Armstrong and chairman Ann Massey.
Enjoying the day were: Pat Mann Phillips, Chairman of the Board, Debby Young – Vice Chairman of the luncheon, Katie Clapp, Kirby Lodholz, Amy White, Courtney Adame, Susannah Causey, Tabbetha Lopez, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobbie Dees, Lisa Blackwood, Dot Mitchell, Julie and Alan Kent, Amy and Chris Miller, Juan Garcia, Lynda Hartman, Mary Jo Burt, Shelley Pieri, Tammy Shepperd, Kathleen Williams, Meredith Johnson, Sheri Gross, Cinthya Reade, Julie Chen, Fady Armanious, Gretchen Gilliam, Dr. Kelly Larkin, Linda and Jim Winne, Joe Van Matre, Jamie Grissom, Jill Watson, Kristen Cannon, Diedra Fontaine, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Angela Montalbano, Pam Springer, Sharleen Walkoviak, Preston Hall, John and Montverde, Bridgette Grimes.
Photo by Michelle Leigh Smith
