Pagentry Reigned Supreme at The 128th Veiled Prophet Ball

The 128th Annual Veiled Prophet (V.P.) Ball was held Saturday evening at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch where the Veiled Prophet crowned Miss Margaret Frances Schnuck Queen of Love and Beauty. Miss Schnuck is the daughter of Todd and Julie Schnuck.

The retiring queen is Miss Eleanor Clark Brennan, daughter of Chachi and Bill Brennan, Jr.

In addition to the crowning of the queen, Six Special Maids were chosen and 68 young women made their formal entrance into society and were honored for their service to the community.

The six Special Maids are Miss Caitlin Elizabeth Condie, daughter of Andrew and Beth Condie; Miss Katharine Louise Cella, daughter of John and Paula Cella and Kimberly Cella; Miss Emily Curby Parker, daughter of Russell Parker and Elizabeth Parker; Miss Camillee Véron Ewing, daughter of Tim and Jenny Ewing; Miss Katherine Elizabeth Lindberg Stone, daughter of Craig and Anne Stone and Miss Moyosola Olawunmi Akande, daughter of Benjamin and Bola  Akande.

The young women being honored at the Ball contributed more than 1,000 volunteer hours to several community-based service organizations this past summer. Some of the organizations for which the young women volunteered include: Beyond Housing, Food Outreach, Operation Brightside, Rainbow Village, Gateway 180 and Northside Community School.

Pageantry and Splendor

The ball was a splendid affair that began with a cocktail reception and a private party reserved for select guests. Hors devours, cocktails and wine were served.

Jesters, jugglers and men dressed in costumes reminiscent of Mardi Gras entertained ball attendees prior to the presentation of the young women.

Ladies and gentleman of all ages wearing formal attire, white gloves, formal ball gowns and black tux tails, socialized during the cocktail hour. After the coronation ceremony, the Queen’s Supper commenced for members of the Veiled Prophet Organization, friends, family and invited guests. Dancing, dining and cocktails went until the wee hours of the night.  

About The Queen

More than 2000 people looked on as the Veiled Prophet crowned Miss Margaret Frances Schnuck the new Queen of Love and Beauty.

Miss Schnuck is a 2011 graduate of John Burroughs School and is currently enrolled at the University of Virginia where she is majoring in Foreign Affairs. Her accomplishments include the University of Virginia Dean’s List.

Miss Schnuck enjoys politics. She interned for John Brunner for US Senate Campaign during the summer of 2012 and interned for Mitt Romney’s Presidential Campaign fall of 2012.

More Than a Century of Tradition

Steeped in tradition, The Veiled Prophet Organization dates back to 1878.

Each December, St. Louis’s prominent members of society gather at the Veiled Prophet Ball, a venue for introducing young ladies, generally in their sophomore year of college, to the St. Louis Community.

Since its inception in 1878, The Veiled Prophet Organization’s mission has been to make significant economic and civic contributions for the benefit of the Saint Louis area. Contributions have been made to several community projects including significant funding for the lighting of the Eads Bridge; the Riverfront Promenade, the Arch Grand Staircase, and other civic projects that enhance our citizens’ and visitors’ enjoyment of downtown St. Louis.

Other VP Events

The VP Parade, now in its 135th year, as well as Fair St. Louis in its 31st year and the Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concert series are sponsored by the V.P. Organization and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to downtown St. Louis each summer.

Queen of Love and Beauty, Miss Schnuck, and the six Special Maids will ride in the VP Parade this summer.

Tommorow, what it's like to be a Junior Maid, exclusively on the Ladue-Frontenac Patch.