Dear Queen’s Daughters,

We have had such a fun and exciting Spring!! I hope you were able to join us. A few highlights are included here. Others will be shared in the next newsletter.

The fashion show was one of the best ever! Mary’s Day was special as always, particularly seeing our students receive their scholarships. Please take a look at the attached letter from one of our past recipients.

Thanks to all of you for your participation. We would not be the organization we are without you! Have a safe and blessed Summer.

Leigh Raque
President

Fashion Show & Luncheon

Wow, the 2024 Queens’ Daughters Fashion Show was an enormous success. A special thank you to our sponsors, gift card donors, basket item donors, and the 2024 Fashion Show Committee who worked tirelessly to make this such a fabulous event. Our efforts will support many special programs sponsored by Queens’ Daughters.

Read our Fashion Show & Luncheon blog post to see more photos from our event!

Nannette Mershon and Joyce Jennings, Co-Chairs

*See more pictures from our event on our blog!*

Here are some fun details about our event:

A special shout out to Dillard’s for sponsoring the clothing for our show. We received great reviews from everyone about the colorful selection of clothing this year. Please shop Dillard’s for your clothing as a big thank you for all they do for Queens’ Daughters.
We had a record crowd—approximately 400 attendees.
Crowne Plaza's newly renovated ballroom and décor added to the new flow for models this year.
Models - this year we had 2 celebrity models—Miss University of Louisville, Olivia Andrews, and Miss Kentucky, Mallory Hudson, 3 scholarship students, 3 children, 1 priest, 4 men, 1 young man, and 17 women representing QD and many parishes throughout Louisville.
Sponsorships brought in $30,000 this year.
Cash donations and Queen of Hearts totaled $4,248.00.
Parish donations were up this year by $350.00.
Patron table sponsors were up this year, increasing from 13 to 16 patron tables.

Our raffle and basket total income was $24,435.00!

Capital Prize Galt House Package raised $5,190.00; won by Donna Bratcher.
Capital Prize Purse and Gift Cards raised $6,940.00; won by Edna Davis.
Oaks Tickets sold online raised $2,450.00; won by Melissa Mershon.
PGA Tickets sold online raised $1,550.00; won by Lynn Bowling.
Baskets raised $8,305.00.

Our final numbers are as follows:

Total Gross Income: $88,908.00
Total Expenses: $24,189.00
Total Profit: $64,719,00, an increase of $14,645.00 over last year.

Individual Basket Results:

Total Chances Sold: 1661
Net: $8,305.00

Congratulations to our basket winners!

Batsy Kamuf, winner of the Barbie Girl Basket, donated by Mary Lou Meyer & Jessica Moore
Karen McNay, Pamper Me Basket, donated by Presentation Academy Alums
Peggy Wampler, winner of the Local Boutiques Basket, donated by Paula Shearer, Leigh Raque, Mary Diegel
Jan Bloemer, winner of the Rise & Shine - It's Breakfast Time! Basket, donated by Kate Ford
Madeline Ledbetter, winner of the You are Never to Old to Play in the Dirt! Basket, donated by Assumption Alums
Erin Moreschi, winner of the Champagne, Charcuterie & Chocolate Basket, donated by Honor & Tribute to Mercy Class of 1975
Fran Medley, winner of the Bourbon Eats and Drinks Basket, donated by Sacred Heart Academy Alums
Elizabeth Farmer, winner of the Kentucky Derby 150! Basket, donated by Judges
Melanie Feeney-Lewis, winner of the Bursting into Bloom Basket, donated by Presentation Academy Alums
Sarah Mizell, winner of the Cincinnati Reds Basket Basket, donated by Nannette Mershon
Dawn Shipley, winner of the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (An Entertainment Pkg) Basket, donated by Presentation Academy Alums
Kathy Hawkins, winner of the Ciao Italia! Basket, donated by Angela Merici Alums
Sarah Mizell, winner of the Prepping for Derby Basket, donated by Paula Shearer, Leigh Raque, Trunk & Hutch & Wanda Mullen

Mary’s Day

Our annual Mary’s Day was held on May 7th at Holy Family Church with a procession and crowning of our Blessed Mother. Rosary was said at 9:30 followed by Mass. Archbishop Fabre was called to Knoxville at the last minute so Father Jeffery Shooner celebrated Mass for us. Before the final blessing, we awarded scholarships to four deserving students, Paul Pham and Cash McCluskey going to St. Xavier, Laura Martin will attend Immaculata Classical, and Sophia Mulume, Holy Cross. After mass, we enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch provided by Joe Huber's Family Farm. Read our Mary’s Day blog post to see more photos from our event!

Thank you to all who attended!

Cindy Huber, Chair of Mary's Day

Read a special note from a past Mary’s Day recipient:

Dear Queen’s Daughters Scholarship Committee,

I am writing this letter to thank the Queen’s Daughters Scholarship Committee for picking me as a recipient of the award. The scholarship has been a massive help for my family in paying for my four years at DeSales. I have been able to attend a private school while decreasing the heavy burden on my family. With them doing so much for me, this scholarship has been a way for me to help repay my family for all they have sacrificed for me.

DeSales has provided me with numerous opportunities. I have gone out of my comfort zone by joining a wide range of clubs and sports, from Key Club to Academic Team, to cross-country, to volleyball. These are only a few things that I have been part of during my time at DeSales. I have been pushed academically by taking AP/Honors courses. I have invested in my surrounding community by volunteering. Most impactful, though, was the school’s emphasis on preparing for the future. DeSales has forced me to think about college and my life after high school. I was encouraged to apply for the Governor’s Scholars Program, which I attended this past summer. This opportunity was unforgettable and will make college all the easier to adapt to. DeSales has provided me with a prestigious education that has allowed me to thrive in all aspects of my life.

I originally chose DeSales because I had a lot of friends who were going and I had a sibling who had attended. I quickly realized, however, that DeSales was far more than this. I saw how much the teachers cared about each individual student. Sports coaches and extracurricular leaders pushed us to be the best version of ourselves. Everything that was done was done for a reason; everything was intentional. As the years have gone on, the school has only improved. While I am sad that I am in my senior year and will soon leave DeSales, I’m excited to see what the school will become.

Thank you for investing in me and my education. It has truly changed my life.