San Antonio Gardenia Club Celebrates Queen’s Coronation And Court Presentation
By Jake Gaines Photography by Jenna Beth Lyde
THE SETTING: Set amid the historical magnificence of the St. Anthony Hotel, the San Antonio Gardenia Club recently held its annual Queens’ Coronation and presentation of the Court. This memorable event, a grand Gardenia Club tradition, was patterned after the first Coronation held there in 1960.
THE STYLE: The hotel’s Peacock Alley, with Covid-19 safety measures in place, served as an elegant setting for cocktails and photography to begin the evening under the backdrop of French tapestries and crystal chandeliers. The splendid Anacacho room was the venue for the magical evening for the duchesses and their escorts as they were presented. The hall and ballroom, adorned in shades of lilac flowers, the Queen’s favorite color, was created by the renowned artistry and design of RTC floristry. The Mistress of Ceremonies, Siobhain Anders Buckley, introduced the Court and this year’s newly crowned Gardenia Queen, Chandler Suzanne Simpson. Chandler, a third-generation Gardenia Queen, is the daughter of Suzanne and Brad Simpson and the granddaughter of DeeAnn and Carlton Skinner Simpson.
THE PURPOSE: This year’s event chairs were DeeAnn Simpson and Kathleen Mayes. The purpose of the San Antonio Gardenia Club is to further interest in the fine arts by providing recognition to students within the San Antonio area, and the proceeds of the annual fundraiser raise funds for local fine arts students. The San Antonio Gardenia Club was founded in 1960, with the mission of providing fine arts scholarships to deserving students who graduate from Bexar County schools, enabling young scholars to continue their education at local colleges. The club also participates in the annual Fiesta Battle of Flowers, Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the Annual Holiday Parade, and the King William Parade.
