Decorated in shades of pink and sunset hues, the River Oaks Country Club ballroom and event space was primed for the annual St. Thomas Style Show and Luncheon on April 25th. The 2025 theme of this beloved event was Eagle Royale – An Afternoon at the Country Club, which inspired the colorful décor and the cheerful outfits from Dillard’s that the moms rocked down the runway.

       

The first St. Thomas Mothers’ Club Style Show was held in 1971, also at the River Oaks Country Club. It was the brainchild of St. Thomas mom Barbara Hanson. The secret ingredient involved a well-known St. Thomas graduate, Victor Costa ‘54, who was at the time considered one of America’s finest and most successful designers. The focus shifted some years back to bring the Senior students more into the spotlight, and the program became what the Style Show looks like today.

“I attended the event last year as a freshman mom in a volunteer role. After being there, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it,” co-chair Danielle Williams said. “The STH Style Show is the culmination of hard work and dedication to details in creating a memorable moment for both the seniors and their moms.  It is an event where creativity is allowed to shine with the sole purpose of celebrating together with family and friends.”

Williams and co-chairs Haley Finkelman and Jennifer Lenz spent months planning and organizing the show, coordinating volunteers, and honing in on the theme.

“Special thanks are owing to the fantastic co-chairs and their team of volunteers,” Director of Events Gretchen Penny said. “Haley Finkelman, Jennifer Lenz, and Danielle Williams led a team that worked tirelessly to bring this beautiful 1960s-themed afternoon at the country club to life. Their creativity, teamwork, and boundless energy were the driving forces behind this much-loved community event.”

Senior moms and their sons walked the runway in a wide array of on-theme outfits—for the students, these ranged from fishing gear to football uniforms. The Class of 2025 chose their attire to reflect their favorite activities they participated in during their time at St. Thomas.

The show concluded with the Rose Ceremony, in which letters that the senior students wrote to their mothers were read aloud. Many of the boys thanked their moms for cheering them on at sports events, believing in their futures, and enrolling them at St. Thomas.

“The Style Show is definitely one of the school’s sentimental favorites,” Penny said. “And this year was no exception.”