As St. Louis’ oldest social, civic and philanthropic group, founded in 1878 by local businessmen, the VP Organization has always focused on improving the community. As such, it fosters community service and civic pride in the young women honored each year at the Veiled Prophet Ball. Here, a few of this year’s Maids of Honor share their thoughts about service and the VP Foundation.
alexandra schnarre
Whitfield School
Because neither of her parents grew up in St. Louis, Alexandra Schnarre, pictured above, says the VP helped to give her a greater sense of belonging here. She is the first in her family to walk in the ball and says her participation really has helped her feel connected. She also says she appreciates the opportunity it gives her to do things with her father, who marshals the parade. “It’s a huge part of St. Louis culture, and I’m thrilled to be involved,” she says.
Alexandra has a long list of volunteer experience to her name and values the opportunity volunteering gives her to spend time with people from all walks of life. Since Alexandra’s freshman year in high school, she has volunteered for Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition of Missouri and its resale store, Refresh, logging 650 hours over the past five years. (She was named volunteer of the year for two of those years.) “The organization has helped me understand and interact with all kinds of people and give thanks for the loving family I am blessed with. Not everyone is so lucky,” she says.
In Chicago where she attends college, Alexandra is part of a Community Development Corps group that does various good works in and around the city.
Kirkwood High School
Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Perry Tatlow are fraternal twins and renaissance women just as comfortable wearing ball gowns as they are operating power tools. The girls—both freshmen studying art education—say some of their most meaningful volunteer work has been with Habitat for Humanity. Although these missions were organized by their church, they credit the VP for helping to provide them with opportunities to help out and for giving them a real taste for serving their community. “The organization makes it so easy to get involved,” Lizzy says, adding that even during the short winter and spring vacations, they usually find a way to offer their services. During the school year, they also carve out time for others, working alongside their sorority sisters, for example, for the Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House.
The girls attended Kirkwood High School and volunteered with Habitat each summer. They started out painting, but by their senior years had graduated to full-on construction. “We actually helped build the structure,” Perry says. “It was the coolest thing.”
Also cool in the girls’ opinion was the opportunity to walk in the ball. “We’ve always loved going and watching all the girls, but now it’s like, Wow! I get to do this myself,” Lizzy says. “It’s very special.”
anne 
Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Anne (Annie) Donnell is a sophomore studying communications and education. She sings in the 135-strong Women’s Choir and is a runner, dancer, kayaker and actor. She also recently took ownership of her first seeing eye dog, Hikari. Annie, who has visual impairments, has a long history of community service. She is closely involved with Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, where her family worships, and on a few occasions has worked alongside fellow parishioners packing thousands of food boxes for the less fortunate. She has worked on other assembly lines, as well, filling backpacks with personal care items for children on their way to foster care. “Some kids don’t even have shoes or basic clothes,” she recalls.
Annie also has helped two participants of a St. Louis Special Olympics volleyball tournament at her alma mater, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, and been a friend and leader in the Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments.
As for the VP, Annie feels it is a wonderful organization that helps people less fortunate. “I am proud to be part of the tradition,” she says.