2024 Debutantes
Photos by Cornelious Cinematics
Thirteen debutantes, dressed elegantly in traditional gowns and holding bouquets of red roses arranged by Jill Hoover of H&N Floral, were formally introduced to society on December 28, 2024, at Texarkana Country Club.
John Crisp, master of ceremonies, introduced each young lady as she stepped from the dais. Andrea Finley and Leisa Arnett performed each debutante’s chosen song as she and her escort circled the room. The season’s events were skillfully coordinated by Miss Blaire Barlow.
Madelyn Claire Bixler
Miss Madelyn Claire Bixler is the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Bryan Bixler of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bixler of Texarkana, Texas, and Mrs. Ben Garner of Camden, Arkansas.
Madelyn is currently a sophomore at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she is pursuing a degree in biology with a premedical concentration and a minor in medical ethics. She was named to the Dean’s List her freshman year. Madelyn is a member of the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, where she actively supports, volunteers, and fundraises for their national philanthropy focusing on mental health and well-being.
In addition to her sorority involvement, Madelyn is a proud member of the Medical Service Organization in Waco, the Foundation of Medical Research Team at Baylor, and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She also dedicates her time to Highland Baptist Church, has served as a Welcome Week Leader for freshmen, and volunteers at Parkdale Elementary School.
Marlee Brooke Bledsoe
Miss Marlee Brooke Bledsoe is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bledsoe of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Karen Williams and the late Mr. Danny Williams of Texarkana, Texas, as well as the late Mr. and Mrs. William Bledsoe of Texarkana, Arkansas.
Marlee is a junior at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where she is pursuing a degree in communication sciences and disorders. She is a second-year member of the Ouachita Women’s Tennis Team and the Women of EEE social club. Marlee also represents her team as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.
Isabella Clair Fuqua
Miss Isabella Clair Fuqua is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Vickers Fuqua of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Marjorie Vickers of Smackover, Arkansas and the late Mr. Thomas Howard Fuqua Jr. of Texarkana, Texas, as well as Mrs. Clara Ayres and the late Ms. Harold Ayres of Texarkana, Texas.
Isabella is a sophomore at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she is pursuing a degree in corporate communications. She is a member of the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, serving on the recruitment and membership committee. Isabella was selected to compete in the seventy-fourth annual Baylor Beauty charity event, which benefited Caritas Food Pantry. She is also involved in her sorority’s philanthropic focus on mental health and well-being.
Camille Smith Harrelson
Miss Camille Smith Harrelson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Stewart of Texarkana, Texas, and Mr. Steve Harrelson of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Terri Harrelson and the late Mr. Gene Harrelson of Texarkana, Arkansas, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Ken Schnipper and the late Mr. W. Dee Smith of Texarkana, Arkansas.
Camille attends Auburn University, where she is pursuing a degree in psychology. She has been named to the Dean’s List and President’s List, served on the Glomerata yearbook staff, and currently serves as the recruiting coordinator for the Biobehavioral Research on Addiction and Internalizing Syndromes (BRAINS) Lab. Among her many other activities, Camille is a member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Chi Omega Fraternity, through which she raises funds and awareness for Chi Omega’s national philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Lydia Leigh Horton
Miss Lydia Leigh Horton is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jared Horton of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Horton of Conway, Arkansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Pete Snow of Texarkana, Texas.
Lydia is a sophomore at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, where she is pursuing dual degrees in journalism and psychology with a minor in accounting. A member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, she plans to attend law school upon graduation. Lydia is a member of the Mississippi Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, where she participated in fall recruitment and contributes to Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropic initiative, Read>Lead>Achieve. She serves the chapter as a member of the Angel Announcements and Sisterhood Committees and recently coached for the CASA Encore dance competition, which her sorority participates in annually to raise funds for advocacy efforts benefiting abused and neglected children.
Lydia also serves as a Department of Justice Elections Commissioner for the University’s Associated Student Body. In addition, she is a member of The Ole Miss yearbook staff, the Love Does in Action service club, and Cru Campus Ministries.
Lydia Grace Lee
Miss Lydia Grace Lee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lance Lee of Texarkana, Arkansas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lee of McCrory, Arkansas, and Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Grace of Texarkana, Arkansas, and the great-granddaughter of Ms. Babbie Lovett of Memphis, Tennessee.
Miss Lee is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she is enrolled in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, pursuing a degree in hospitality management with a minor in marketing and event planning. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Psi Chapter of Chi Omega Fraternity.
Lani Elizabeth Lindsey
Miss Lani Elizabeth Lindsey is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Lindsey of Texarkana, Arkansas. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Donna Lindsey of Little Rock, Arkansas, and the late Mr. Jerry Lindsey, as well as Ms. Mary Riggins of Benton, Arkansas, and the late Mr. Tommy Riggins.
Lani Beth is a sophomore at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, where she is pursuing a degree in biology and plans to attend physician assistant school. She was named to the Dean’s List her freshman year. Lani Beth is a member of the Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Phi Mu. She is a President’s Ambassador, serves as a counselor for SAU’s Leadership Academy, and is an active member of the Pre-Health Club.
Elizabeth Blane Maneth
Miss Elizabeth Blane Maneth is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry Maneth of Texarkana, Arkansas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Maneth of Cabot, Arkansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Buelow of Fulton, Arkansas.
Ellie is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she is pursuing a degree in finance with a concentration in real estate at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. She is a member of the Psi Chapter of Chi Omega Fraternity, where she is actively involved in Chi Omega recruitment and its national philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Bella Claire Murdock
Miss Bella Claire Murdock is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Murdock of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Murdock of Texarkana, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hearn of New Boston, Texas.
Bella is a sophomore at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where she is pursuing a degree in communication studies at the Bob Schieffer College of Communication. She is a member of the Phi Lambda Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Fraternity. Bella enjoys being involved in Tri Delta’s philanthropic efforts, which support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nationally and Cook Children’s Hospital locally.
Eden Elizabeth Neal
Miss Eden Elizabeth Neal is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Kiser of Texarkana, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Neal of Texarkana, Arkansas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Neal and Mr. and Mrs. Alan Hargis, all of Texarkana, Texas.
Eden is a junior at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she is pursuing a degree in communication sciences and disorders. She was nominated for membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has been named to the Dean’s List each semester. Eden is an active member of the Omicron Zeta Chapter of Chi Omega Fraternity. During her first year, she was honored as both Model Initiate and Outstanding Freshman Member of her pledge class. She currently serves as committee chair for alumni relations and is actively involved in fundraising for Chi Omega’s philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Reagan Kay Raney
Miss Reagan Kay Raney is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Raney of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. David “Scooter” Raney, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Harrison, and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Doss Phillips, all of Texarkana, Texas.
Reagan is a sophomore at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, where she is pursuing a degree in packaging science. She is a member of the Beta Theta Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Fraternity, where she serves on the philanthropy committee in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Ava Grace Welch
Miss Ava Grace Welch is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George William Welch III of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Welch Jr. of Texarkana, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. James Rowley of Hooks, Texas.
Ava is a sophomore at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in legal studies. She was named to the President’s List for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout her freshman year. Ava is a member of the Texas Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, where she was elected chairman of community service. She has participated in numerous philanthropic events benefiting children’s literacy, including Barbecue for Books, Lemonade for Literacy, and Wing Ching.
Hensley Suzanne Whitten
Miss Hensley Suzanne Whitten is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Whitten III of Texarkana, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Leigh of Texarkana, Arkansas and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Rogers of Pharr, Texas, as well as the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Whitten Jr.
Hensley is a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, where she is pursuing a degree in public relations with a minor in communication at the prestigious Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was named to the Dean’s List her freshman year and is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Hensley is a member of the Beta Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, where she was chosen to represent Kappa in the 2023 University Sing production. She will serve on the Kappa Executive Chapter Council as Panhellenic Delegate in 2025. Hensley is actively involved in fundraising efforts supporting Kappa’s national philanthropy, mental health and well-being, and volunteers locally in Norman with Sunbeam Family Services.
ETIQUETTE GUIDE
TECH ETIQUETTE
KEEP IT QUIET Silence your phone during meetings, meals, and events.
RESPECT SHARED SPACES Keep phone calls private in public areas like restaurants or waiting rooms. Do not use speakerphone in public.
BE PRESENT Avoid texting or scrolling while talking to someone in person unless it is urgent.
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE
RSVP Respond promptly to invitations and follow through with attendance or regrets.
INTRODUCTIONS Introduce yourself and others when necessary, using full names and titles.
BE PUNCTUAL Show respect for other people’s time by being punctual for appointments and meetings. If you are running late, let the other person know as soon as possible.
GIFTS Bring a small gift for the host when attending a gathering or dinner.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY Follow the dress code for the occasion.
FOLLOW TRADITIONS If the event has specific customs, observe them respectfully.
THANK THE HOST Express gratitude in person or with a follow-up note.
DINING ETIQUETTE
WAIT FOR THE HOST Begin eating only after the host starts or gives permission.
NAPKIN USE As soon as you take your seat, place the napkin on your lap and use it to dab your mouth.
UTENSIL RULES Start with the outermost utensils and work inward.
CHEW QUIETLY Avoid talking with your mouth full or making loud noises.
PASSING ITEMS Pass food to the right and avoid reaching over others.
