The Art Association of Jacksonville’s 69th annual Beaux Arts Ball, “Liberty in Bloom,” is being planned for Saturday, April 25.
Amelia Ann Symons will crown her successor at the 2026 Beaux Arts Ball. Amelia is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Cammie Symons of Jacksonville, and the granddaughter of the late Jerry and Sharon Symons of Jacksonville, Pam Sprout of Toulon, IL, and the late Bill Andrew.
Amelia, a member of The Art Association, has participated in three previous Beaux Arts Balls: as a flower girl in 2008’s “Prairie Spring,” as a junior attendant in 2017’s “Pop Art: Revive the Movement,” and as a senior maid in 2021’s “Run for the Roses.”
Amelia is a 2021 graduate of Jacksonville High School and a 2025 graduate of the University of Missouri, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. At Mizzou, she was involved in Kappa Delta Sorority, Sigma Eta Rho Professional Fraternity, and Fighting Pretty Mizzou.
Amelia currently works as a Patient Care Technician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Amelia is an accelerated nursing student at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, where she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in August. Upon graduation, she intends to begin her career as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Medical Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Amelia and her family are members of Central Christian Church in Jacksonville. Amelia has been an active member of the youth group and helped with Vacation Bible School during the summer.
Amelia’s family has been involved in the Beaux Arts Ball for many years. Her brother and cousins have participated as flower girls and pages, as well as junior and senior attendants. Amelia’s mother has co-chaired many Beaux Arts Ball committees and was the co-chair for the 2023 Beaux Arts Ball “Beauty, Grace, and Elegance.”
Braden Robert Cors was the king of the 2025 Beaux Arts Ball. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brad and Sarah Cors of Jacksonville, and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Sandra Cors, and the late Mr. and Mrs. John and Sandy Bordenkircher, all of Jacksonville.
A 2022 graduate of Routt Catholic High School, Braden graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in May 2025 with highest honors. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies with a minor in Psychology. Last fall, Braden began law school on a full tuition scholarship at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
He and his family are lifelong members of the Church of Our Saviour in Jacksonville.
Braden participated in several previous Beaux Arts Balls. He was a page in 2010’s “Gateway,” a junior attendant in 2018’s “The Streets of Old San Juan” and a senior gentleman in 2022’s “Sapphire Soiree.” His four younger siblings and two younger cousins have also participated in the ball for many years.
Braden’s parents are sustaining members of The Art Association of Jacksonville and have co-chaired many committees through the years. His mother also co-chaired the 2018 Lawn Party and 2024 Beaux Arts Ball. Braden’s late grandmother, Sandy Bordenkircher, was also a sustaining member.
Last summer, Braden interned at the Morgan County Public Defender’s Office in Jacksonville, and he will continue there this summer as he further pursues his interest in the field of law.
Patron and general tickets will be available online at strawnartgallery.org and at Rammelkamp Chapel prior to the Beaux Arts Ball on Saturday, April 25, where the coronation will begin at 7 p.m. Immediately following the coronation at Rammelkamp Chapel, there will be entertainment by Spectrum Band and hors d’oeuvres at Hamilton’s. Patron tickets are $50 and include admission to the reception, coronation and dance. General tickets are $10 and include the coronation and champagne reception. An interpreter for the Deaf will be available upon request at the coronation, as well as accessible seating. Call The David Strawn Art Gallery office at 217-243-9390 or visit strawnartgallery.org for more information.
Follow “The Art Association of Jacksonville” on Facebook for more information about the David Strawn Art Gallery and Beaux Arts Ball.
