IT’S NO SURPRISE that Houston’s high-powered energy execs threw a, well, energetic holiday bash. The 48th annual Spindletop Holiday Ball, held at the Post Oak Hotel, hosted more than 600 industry professionals from companies like ConocoPhillips, Murphy Oil Corporation and others for a festive fete benefiting local at-risk youth.

At the candy-coated “Baking Spirits Bright”-themed event, the Ensemble Theatre Young Performers kicked things off with a riveting dance number, while Virtuosi provided the holiday-happy classical soundtrack during dinner. A silent auction touted covetable items like a sailing trip, Rockets tickets, restaurant packages and more. The lively band Password had everyone on their feet toward the end of the evening, dancing and cheering for the evening’s total till of $1.1 million. (Plus hundreds of toys donated to the Spindletop Toy Drive!)

Spindletop Community Impact Partners is a philanthropic organization that supports other nonprofits through funding and volunteering from the energy industry. Some of the causes it champions include child-abuse prevention, human trafficking prevention, and education and after-school programs. This year, Spindletop will make contributions to TEACH, YMCA, Kids Meals, Camp for All and dozens of other local organizations.

Anish Simon and Heetal Patel

Laurie and Tracy Krohn

Carmen and Chris Golden

Kristine and Jeff Bird

KIPP students decorating cupcakes at the Signature Baking Station

Ensemble Theatre Young Performers

Gill and Liam Mallon with Cindy and Randy Broiles

Virtuosi of Houston

Veronica and Aaron Foley

Valarie and Nick Tran

Seliece and Lee Womble

Richard and Marilyn Lynch

Lacey and Shane Albers with Jennifer and Casey Kilgore

Sarah and Ryan Young

Spindletop Award Recipient Roger Jenkins with Lia Vallone, Julie Robertson and Dominic Macklon