KETC | Living St. Louis | Veiled Prophet Organization

From KETC, LIVING ST. LOUIS Producer Anne-Marie Berger attends the 124th annual Veiled Prophet Ball to crown this years Queen of Love Beauty. In existence since 1878, the Veiled Prophet organization began when a group of local St. Louisians wanted to find a way to encourage visitors to the city during at time economic struggles. While the organization is best know for the annual ball for debutantes (all college sophomores), the organization also gives back to the community through volunteer projects the debs carry out, including helping to landscape and beautify local school grounds.

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[NitneLiun]

Elizabeth Claire "Ellie" Kemper, the 1999 Queen of Love and Beauty has been cast as Erin the receptionist in NBC's The Office.

A former VP maid of honor, 1st LT Roslyn Schulte was killed in Afghanistan by an IED in May of this year. She graduated from John Burroughs School and the US Air Force Academy. By all accounts she was a remarkable young woman.

[waynebrasler]

It's been forgotten mostly that at one time the Queen took a year off college to perform civic duties. She would appear I believe on a Sunday morning at Shaw's Garden in her gown and with her bouquet to meet the children of St. Louis and sign autographs. This was a big event drawing an enthusiastic crowd of young girls and their mothers. The Queens at this event were always gracious and friendly and gave the children their undivided attention. Well, there is a world vanished forever!

[waynebrasler]

There was a Veiled Prophet Queen who had challenges but her mother was absolutely determined her daughter would be Queen. Everyone seemed concerned it would be a disaster for both Queen and city. But she indeed was crowned and she made the perfect Veiled Prophet Queen. She was lovely, fresh, spontaneous and lively. She truly loved meeting people and loved being someone important. People felt an immediate affinity for her. As it turned out, in this case mother knew best.

[waynebrasler]

She was stunningly beautiful and very composed. In a time when young ladies tended to be bubbly she was the essence of cool. At the Ball and on the Queen's float in the parade she was elegant and Someone with a capital "S." But on the float she also was relaxed and enjoying herself. I think everyone was impressed. All these years I watched for mention of her somewhere some way and never saw a thing.

[NitneLiun]

I believe she is now Carolyn Neidringhaus Weld. Someone told me several years ago that she married a fellow who was in the insurance business and now lives in Creve Coeur.

[waynebrasler]

Several years ago I brought a Chicago friend back home with me to St. Louis. We lunched at the Grove (sob), which beforehand I unsuccessfully tried to describe and explain. When we got there I told the guy at the desk to please put a show on. We had SIX waiters! My buddy RAVED about the food and the service and the whole experience. But at one point, looking around at everyone dining, he leaned over and said, "My God, does these guys eat this kind of lunch every day of their lives?"

[waynebrasler]

Thanks for my laugh of the day.  Can anyone tell me what happened to Carolyn Neidringhaus? I well remember the year a particularly homely Queen was crowned--and she had a frosty, snobby personality to match--and the Post described her as "a willowy blonde."

Ask if Molly had agreed to be crowned to please her father, her mother said, "I doubt anyone could tell Molly to do anything she didn't want to do." Hence my description "Spirited."

[NitneLiun]

They are never heard from again because they are mostly too dim to contribute. Exceptions are Alice Maritz and Ellie Kemper. Both are bright and no longer live in St. Louis. Coincidence?

Most marry a dim-witted male from the upper crust, creating a level of inbreeding not unlike the European royal houses. They write checks to a few pet charities in between appointments with cosmetic surgeons and AA meetings.

I love your description of Molly as "spirited". That's a kind way of putting it.

[waynebrasler]

Once they reign, V.P. Queens seldom are ever heard of publicly again. But there are exceptions, notably the 1946 Queen, Anne Desloge, who has never faded from prominence (that's what brains, originality, style, wit will do) and people still remember the most beautiful Queens such as Carolyn Neidringhaus and the most spirited such as Mollie Hyland.