• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Debutante Ball honors young women of Sarasota and Manatee counties

The ball marks the end of the year-long debutante program.


  • By Niki Kottmann
  • | 10:17 p.m. December 17, 2016
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Municipal Auditorium was hardly recognizable Dec. 17 with elegant white drapes and sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling for the 2016 Debutante Ball. The event is the culmination of many that honor the 19 women of The Debutante Program of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Escorted by their father and two male friends, each young woman was formally presented as some of the most outstanding high school seniors in their counties.

Proceeds from the event benefited the Sarasota Youth Orchestra.

2016 Sarasota Debutantes

Miss Sommer Jeanne Altier

Miss Allison Elizabeth Barber

Miss Caroline Foil Devitt

Miss Delainey Christine Dietz  

Miss Sydney Madison Edwards

Miss Whitney DeLaine Falconer

Miss Margaret "Maggie" Allison Fee   

Miss Emma Kate Freeman

Miss Callie Mackenzie Hester

Miss Anne Marie Stephanie Keen

Miss Kathryn Ann Kochevar

Miss Rachel Michelle Meringer     

Miss Hunter Nerys Newby

Miss Eliza Mary Quillen

Miss Lucy Marie Senseman

Miss Reagan Alexandria Seyer  

Miss Abby Marie Stout

Miss Andrea Lee Stultz

Miss Olivia Ruth Valek  

 

 


To read more about the debutante program and how it has modernized in recent years, read our "Then and Now" story here.

Wayne and Sandy Scroggins, emcee and event chairwoman
Wayne and Sandy Scroggins, emcee and event chairwoman
Mark Serbin and his wife, President of The Debutante Program of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Robin Serbin
Mark Serbin and his wife, President of The Debutante Program of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Robin Serbin
Samantha Ennis, William Michel and Kristin Kochevar
Samantha Ennis, William Michel and Kristin Kochevar
William and Saundra Stout
William and Saundra Stout
Mark Freeman, Stacy Freeman, Amy Freeman, Brian Freeman and Madi Grogan
Mark Freeman, Stacy Freeman, Amy Freeman, Brian Freeman and Madi Grogan
Steve and Marsha Devitt
Steve and Marsha Devitt
Reid Devitt and Roberta Tengerdy
Reid Devitt and Roberta Tengerdy
Debbie Dietz, Pepper Dietz and Lisa Holliday
Debbie Dietz, Pepper Dietz and Lisa Holliday
Tom Tengerdy and Elizabeth Devitt
Tom Tengerdy and Elizabeth Devitt
Joan Ennis, Jasmin Dakkak and George Dakkak
Joan Ennis, Jasmin Dakkak and George Dakkak
Alex Montoya and Kahlee York
Alex Montoya and Kahlee York
Debbie Abdoney, Emily Abdoney, Ellie Abdoney and Michael Abdoney
Debbie Abdoney, Emily Abdoney, Ellie Abdoney and Michael Abdoney
Lauren Altomare and Patricia Altomare
Lauren Altomare and Patricia Altomare
Connor Shoemaker, Tessa Bohn, Sena Szczepaniuk, Loran Turkovics and Chip Barber
Connor Shoemaker, Tessa Bohn, Sena Szczepaniuk, Loran Turkovics and Chip Barber
Each debutante carried a bouquet of roses during their formal introduction at the 2016 Debutante Ball on Dec. 17.
Each debutante carried a bouquet of roses during their formal introduction at the 2016 Debutante Ball on Dec. 17.
Natalie Bermudez and Daryn Wagner
Natalie Bermudez and Daryn Wagner
Michele Senseman, Anthony Senseman and Elaine Barber
Michele Senseman, Anthony Senseman and Elaine Barber
Lara King and Emma Stock
Lara King and Emma Stock
Kim Seyer and Courtney Brooks
Kim Seyer and Courtney Brooks
Ed Valek with Emily and Casey Gaskins
Ed Valek with Emily and Casey Gaskins
The Municipal Auditorium was transformed into a sea of white for the 2016 Debutante Ball on Dec. 17.
The Municipal Auditorium was transformed into a sea of white for the 2016 Debutante Ball on Dec. 17.
Harry and Sydney Poole
Harry and Sydney Poole
Sherry Edwards with David and Lyn Wallace
Sherry Edwards with David and Lyn Wallace
Tamara Williams and Ernesto Santana
Tamara Williams and Ernesto Santana
Graham Devitt and Stephanie Kempton
Graham Devitt and Stephanie Kempton
Ryan Blechta, Gordan Hester and his daughter, Callie Hester, and Charlie Christensen
Ryan Blechta, Gordan Hester and his daughter, Callie Hester, and Charlie Christensen
Taylor Karp with her mom, Tammy Karp
Taylor Karp with her mom, Tammy Karp
Don Fee with his daughter, Margaret Fee
Don Fee with his daughter, Margaret Fee
Dan Carteaux, Rachel Meringer and Jack Kirsch
Dan Carteaux, Rachel Meringer and Jack Kirsch
Robert Keen and his daughter, Anne Marie Keen
Robert Keen and his daughter, Anne Marie Keen
Randall Newby and his daughter, Hunter Newby
Randall Newby and his daughter, Hunter Newby

 

Latest News

Investigators in 1999 linked the burned-out van found near the
intersection of Myrtle Street and North Orange Avenue in Sarasota to homicide victim Esco Hunter Jr.
  • February 17, 2026
Sarasota man arrested on 1999 cold-case homicide
Traffic resumes normal flow after Sarasota crash
  • February 17, 2026
Traffic resumes normal flow after Sarasota crash
A rendering of the interior of Payne Park Auditorium with seating in the round.
  • February 17, 2026
Payne Park Auditorium renovations set to begin soon
AAA High School, which is located near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, is set to open to ninth and tenth graders in August 2027.
  • February 17, 2026
Manatee school district seeks feedback on new LWR high school's name

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Play On in their new Payne Park space
Chris and Angie Wellman
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now