Women’s Symphony League of Austin Announces Royal Court, Revealing Diamond Queen, Princesses, and Duchesses at Annual Jewel Tea
In celebration of the 70th Annual Jewel Ball, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin (WSL) announced its Royal Court participants at its Annual Jewel Tea. The Court consists of the 2025 Diamond Queen and Princesses, along with their Escorts from Austin, honoring the support of local families for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The WSL also invites outstanding, college-aged young women and men from across the state to represent their communities as Duchesses and Escorts of the Visiting Jewel Court.
Hosted by the Past Presidents’ Council of the WSL and chaired by Past President Araminta Sellers, the Jewel Tea is a highly anticipated annual tradition. This year, guests arrived at the home of Stacy Toomey to reveal the court. Members enjoyed a variety of wines, tea sandwiches, and strawberry-filled traditional cake during the royal announcement. In keeping with 70 years of tradition, the 2025 Jewel Committee, chaired by Stacey McLeod Brewer and Stephanie Wilson, had the privilege of selecting this year’s Royal Court.
The 2025-2026 Royal Court includes the following young women and men: Diamond Queen Rylee Walker Hissey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Eugene Hissey; Princess Reese Madison Bain, daughter of Knight and Mrs. David Fallon Bain; and Princess Katherine Elizabeth Martineau, daughter of Knight and Mrs. David Tucker Martineau.
Escorting this year’s ladies are: Escort Michael Butler van Bavel, son of Knight and Mrs. Nicholas Richard van Bavel, grandson of King Brio XXXII and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler; Escort Henry Newton Bell V, son of Chancellor and Mrs. Henry Newton Bell IV, grandson of Mrs. Pamela Roberts Bell and the late Henry Newton Bell III; Escort Callahan Dixon Geisler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Charles Geisler; and Escort Zachary Marc Zimmermann, son of Ms. Ashley Ann Smith and Mr. Marc Jason Zimmermann.
WSL is honored to have a wonderful group of Visiting Jewels and Escorts. Representing the Lubbock Symphony Guild, the Sapphire of Lubbock, Reese Morgan Rogers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Rogers, will be escorted by Braxton Cole Buckner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Todd Buckner. Representing the Waco Symphony Council, the Ruby of Waco, Duchess Juliet Elizabeth Indergard, daughter of Mr. and Michael Theodore Indergard, escorted by Gabriel Ruben Lugo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joaquin Nomberto Lugo. Representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, the Pink Diamond of Dallas Annabeth Gracelyn Winn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Martin Winn.
Jewel Ball festivities are held in September beginning with the annual Soirée, a party attended by area 9th and 10th grade students. This year’s Soirée is chaired by Julie Dye and Christine Napierkowski and will take place on Sunday, September 14.
The 70th Annual Jewel Ball, “The Platinum Jubilee”, will take place on Saturday, September 20. This milestone fête will include a presentation of The Platinum Jubilee Royal Court, a seated meal followed by a live auction, dancing, and several special surprises to salute the long history of the WSL’s impact on Austin and surrounding Central Texas communities through its support of ASO’s music education programming. This year’s Jewel Ball events are chaired by Elizabeth Doughtie and Tricia Moose. Tickets for the Jewel Ball and Soireé events will be available online at wslaustin.org.
Photo Credit by Buster Jetter, Jetter Photography
