Houston’s Hottest Young Professionals, Sports Stars and Power Players Make This One Sophisticated Jungle Book

What a swell group of young and maybe not-so-young professionals that streamed into The Revaire for the fifth annual “Jungle Book Gala.” Since its inception with that first bash in 2015 at the Houston Zoo, the black-tie evening has drawn a sophisticated turnout due in no small part to the beneficiary, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, and to the organizers, the foundation’s Young Professionals Group.

In keeping with the playful theme, friendly capuchin monkeys and a slippery yellow python worked the crowd, making for entertaining selfies, as did the aerialist who not only performed acrobats from on high but also poured champagne while perched upside down.

The Bush family continues its dedicated involvement with the gala as the nonprofit beneficiary was founded by Maria and Neil Bush, who were on hand to carry the flag and to present the Childhood Literacy Impact Award to Betty Hrncir. Neil’s son Pierce Bush and his wife, Sarahbeth and Marshall Bush, daughter of Marvin Bush, were family members regularly adding presidential prowess to the evening.

Also adding social clout to the proceedings were chairs Amy and Kyle McCully, Morgan Stautzenberger and Cameron Stubbs, who welcomed the 400 guests, all of whom stepped out in formal finery except for Chester Pitts, who clearly didn’t view the invitation’s dress code. His traveling buddy on this night, Whitney Mercilus, made up for it in white dinner jacket attire.

A Fare Extraordinaire delivered hors d’oeuvres and libations and late into the evening supplemented the party fare with miniature milkshakes and petite chocolate chip cookies. And what’s a YP party without a band? Count Matchmaker Band as the troupe that inspired dancing into the night.

Thanks to support from the Carnrite Group, which for the second consecutive year served as title sponsor, the event which raised $250,000 for the literacy initiatives led by the Young Professionals Group.

PC Seen: Grace and Tom Gosnell, Devin Sauer, Lindsey Koszela, Trish and Rock Morille, Katherine Morille, Ashton and Dallas Garrison, Nick Carnrite, Al Carnrite, Jeff Carnrite, Mason Barker and Meredith Flores, Kyle Bennett, Robby Derrick, and Catherine and Sean Tobin.