Bigs and Littles Party Together at Houston’s Next Big Thing: When Mentoring Adds Up to a $300,000 Night

It was literally a big night out for all the “Littles” gathered in the ballroom of the Royal Sonesta Hotel, a first gala for the youths who were guests of their “Bigs” at the Big Brothers Big Sisters gala dubbed “The Next Big Thing.”

More than 40 mentors invited their youthful mentees to join the western-themed evening saluting Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which was honored for its commitment to raising scholarship funds for youngsters across the state.

Headlining the gala were chairs Kristina and Paul Somerville, lifetime Houston rodeo board member and former board chair. Thanks to the Somervilles’ generosity and that of other big donors and guests, the evening raised more then $300,000.

In a twist on traditional gala entertainment, the Littles took the spotlight displaying their talent at singing, dancing and even composing and performing a wildly popular rap number.  Of course, what would a party be without dance tunes and that was provided by Professor D and band leader Scott White.

Happily presiding over the event was BBBS Lone Star CEO Pierce Bush, beaming not only over the night’s success but also over having just been named one of the city’s best CEO’s by Houston Business Journal. He was also upbeat about the organization’s national rebranding to be unveiled October 1.

Who: Sarahbeth Bush, Catherine and Dr. Cenk Ozdogan, Divya and Chris Brown, DeShana Blackburn, Krystle and Lance McIntyre, Tyrone Davis, Sydney and Philip Armes, Rachel and Warren Ellsworth, Christina Stith, Misha McClure, Courtney McDonald, Chaun Vaughn, and Valerie and Tracy Dieterich.