01/23/11 — AKA Debutante Pageant is Saturday

View Archive

AKA Debutante Pageant is Saturday

By From staff reports
Published in News on January 23, 2011 1:50 AM

The Epsilon Phi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will sponsor its 57th Annual Debutante Pageant on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Dillard Middle School gymnasium.

The theme for this year's event is "Colors of the Heart."

The debutante pageant is a culmination of activities held to enrich the lives of young ladies who are sophomores, juniors or seniors in high school. This experience offers opportunities that will allow them to broaden their perspectives educationally, socially, and culturally. Additionally, the debutantes are offered an opportunity to generate funds for scholastic pursuits.

On the night of the pageant, each young lady will be formally introduced to society. The debutante reporting the highest amount of money will become "Miss Debutante 2011" and will reign until the next debutante pageant. The debutantes also will select "Miss Congeniality." The "Frances Tyler Volunteer Service Award" will be awarded to the debutante who has best documented her community service. The "Miss Scholarship Award" will be awarded to the debutante who has the highest level of academic achievement.

The weeks of preparation have been filled with activities such as a financial aid and college preparation workshop, and etiquette and social graces workshop, a Zumba session, a make-up session, a slumber party and performing community service activities including serving breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville, hosting a senior citizen Christmas Party at a local apartment complex and a church fellowship. Additionally, the young ladies participated in learning sessions that familiarized them with correct posture when walking and waltzing with their escorts.

Contestants are:

*Danielle Ashford is a senior at Southern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Ms. Harolette Pigford.

*Briona Battle is a senior at Eastern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Richard and Mrs. Heloise Wilkerson.

*Shalonda Bridges is a junior at Eastern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Craig and Mrs. Gloria Bridges.

*T'Keyah Hagans is a senior at Southern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Ms. Towanda Hagans.

*Brianna Hinnant is a senior at Wayne School of Engineering. She is the daughter of Ms. Rose Hinnant.

*Anika Rawlinson is a senior at Charles B. Aycock High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Letitia Rawlinson.

*Chantrel Reynolds is a senior at Eastern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Ira and Mrs. Cynthia Reynolds.

*Jennifer Ruiz is a senior at Eastern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Roberto and Mrs. Leslie Ruiz.

*Anecia Stevens is a junior at Rosewood High School. She is the daughter or Ms Renee Dixon and Mr. Charles Stevens.

*Stephany Taylor is a senior at Goldsboro High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Stevie and Mrs. Lisa Taylor.

*Starsha Wynn is a senior at Southern Wayne High School. She is the daughter of Mr. Demetris and Mrs. Sheila Wynn.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is America's first Greek-letter organization founded in 1908 by, and for, African-American college women.

Headquartered in Chicago, it is one of the world's leading service organizations,with more than 200,000 members in more than 975 chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan and Africa.