NECHES RIVER FESTIVAL

We are so fortunate to have such beautiful young women to represent us in the Neches River Festival this year. We are delighted to announce that April Holland was crowned Queen of the Festival. We congratulate April and her family and are honored to claim her as "our princess".

Princess Alexandra Miles Avery, the daughter of Mary Jane and Graham Avery, is honored to be sponsored by the Symphony of Southeast Texas Board of Directors. Alex is a senior at West Brook High School. After graduation she plans to attend Lamar University. Alex is a 2003 Symphony League of Beaumont Debutante and a 2000 Symphony Belle. She is a member of the Varsity Choir, the West Brook High School vocal group, “Rhapsody”, and has participated in the Texas State UIL vocal competition. Alex is a member of the Symphony League of Beaumont Youth Guild and has performed in Beaumont Community Players KIDmunity productions, “Big” and “Footloose”.

Miss April Lauren Holland is honored to be representing the Symphony of Southeast Texas in the 2004 Neches River Festival. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph William Holland, Jr. and attends Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School. Academically, April has maintained her honor roll status for four years and is a member of National Honor Society, where she serves on the board. She also is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematical honor society. Striving to enrich her high school experience, April is the president of the French Club, Student Council representative, and staff writer for the school newspaper. She is an active member in Anchor Club, a service organization for girls, and was selected to serve on the Interclub Council. Expressing her love for music, April enjoys performing with the Kelly Varsity Choir, Sacred Ensemble, and Pop Ensemble. Athletically, April has been a JV and Varsity Cheerleader, and co-captain of the Varsity Soccer team. Contributing to the community, April volunteers for the Symphony Youth Guild, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Richard L. Shorkey Rehabilitation Center, and tutors local middle school students after school for National Honor Society. When April is not busy with school, she likes to hang with her family and friends, act, and go to movies. After graduation, April plans to continue her education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she plans to study theatre and business.

Miss Kate McCormick, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Paul McCormick, will represent the Symphony League of Beaumont in this year’s Neches River Festival. Kate was a 2003 Symphony Debutante, member of the Youth Guild for four years, and a 2000 Symphony Belle. A student of Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, Kate has participated in numerous clubs and activities, including Varsity Tennis Team for four years, Pink Club, a breast cancer awareness organization, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Yellow Ribbon, a suicide prevention organization, French Club, Key Club, Art Club, and Anchor Club where she currently serves as Historian. She was a member of the school newspaper staff and currently on the Yearbook staff. As a volunteer at the Richard L. Shorkey Center she has been very active in the Annual Holiday Greeting Card Sale ant the Rubber Ducky Derby. She has served on Student Council and this year was voted as a Princess on the Kelly Homecoming Court.

Kate attends St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and has been involved with the Episcopal Diocese ‘Happenings’ and St. Mark’s Netcasters Youth Group. She was awarded the Exemplarily Leadership in the Eyes of Your Peers by this group. She has also been active in Young Life of Beaumont.

Kate is a graduate of the Page Parkes School of Modeling. She has modeled and taken part in photo shoots for several stores in Beaumont. She is currently working part time for Butch Hoffers.

After graduation Kate plans to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas or Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She is very honored to represent the Symphony League of Beaumont this spring.

Christina Nance is delighted to receive the invitation to participate in the Neches River Festival representing the Symphony. She has served on Student Council at West Brook for four years including positions as Treasurer and Vice-President. She was a drill team member for 3 years and is a member of the Junior Statesmen of America, Key Club, Spanish and French clubs and was in the Homecoming Court for two years. She has volunteered for various projects including the Christmas Card Sale for the Shorkey Center, Youth Guild, American Cancer Society, Girl’s Haven and was a Symphony Debutante. Cici also has worked as a cashier at Market Basket. She plans to attend LSU in the fall and becoming a dietician where she can work with those suffering with diabetes and encourage everyone to eat well and establish a good fitness program.