By Julie Young
Published: May 30, 2010

     Eliza Conway Blackwell and Elizabeth Blakeley Sisk will carry on family traditions as leaders of the 54th annual Bal du Bois on Friday night.

     The Bal, hosted by the Junior Board of Sheltering Arms Physical and Rehabilitation Hospital, will take place at the Country Club of Virginia.

     Blackwell, daughter of Carl and Missy Blackwell, is a rising senior at Clemson University. Sisk, daughter of Geoffrey and Jennifer Sisk, is a rising senior at Auburn University.

     They were chosen from among 31 "sponsors," area college-age women, to be leaders at the debutante ball. Both consider it a high honor.

     "Sheltering Arms is a special place and it is a gift to have in the Richmond community," Sisk said. "Throughout my years growing up in Richmond, I have always been involved in community work through school, church and family and I have always wanted to be a sponsor of the Bal du Bois because of Sheltering Arms and the amazing rehabilitation work it does."

     Sisk's mother was on the Junior Board for a number of years and served as co-chairwoman of the Bal.

     Blackwell's mother was a Bal sponsor and also served on the Junior Board. "I have an aunt and cousins who have been involved with the Bal and Sheltering Arms," she said. "I have relatives who have benefited greatly from the care and rehabilitation services at the hospital."

     Sisk is a lifelong Richmonder and attended St. Catherine's. At Auburn, she is majoring in journalism with a minor in hunger studies.

     "When I graduate, I plan to pursue a career in print journalism or photojournalism," she said. "I hope to work for an international organization, writing about and working with people in need."

     Her escorts at the ball will be her brother, Peter, and friend Rob Garland.

     Blackwell, also a Richmond native and St. Catherine's graduate, is a psychology major at Clemson with a minor in English. "I'm unsure of my plans after graduation, but I'm interested in working in New York," she said.

     Her escorts will be Matthew Conrad, Andy Reinhardt and John Umberger.

     Sponsors were introduced in December for the Bal, an annual fundraiser for the hospital's numerous programs.

     Stewart Hilbert is this year's sponsor chairwoman. The Junior Board president is Beth O'Neill.

Contact Julie Young at (804) 649-6732 or jyoung@timesdispatch.com .