On the town

AKA chapter presents 34 promising women

Two years ago, the Zeta Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority organized its inaugural debutante scholarship cotillion. It continued the tradition Saturday night at the Coliseum, presenting 34 young women to the community.

AKA holds the gala to promote the achievements of young women, inspire educational and cultural growth, encourage personal development, award higher education scholarships and encourage community service.

The debs wore white ball gowns; their presenters, black tuxedos with tails; their escorts, white tuxes.

The young women, presented by their fathers unless otherwise noted, are:

Ciara Lynn Allen, daughter of Ursula Allen; presented by David Lee Williams; escorted by Swinton Parris Williams.

Lauren Renee Brown, daughter of Lou and Renee Brown; escorted by Cortne Tinson.

Takiyah Sharita Bryan, daughter of Sherman and Arlene Bryan; escorted by Miquell Towns.

Mia Nicole Burney, daughter of Demetrius and Karen Williams; escorted by Nabil Taher.

Rachel Annese Cato, daughter of Russell and Frances M. Cato; escorted by David Brown.

Kimberly J. Corbett, daughter of Walter and Willie Lee Corbett; escorted by Chester Johnson III.

Andrea Dandridge, daughter of Melvin and Deborah Dandridge; escorted by Harry Dawkins.

Ciara Monique Douse, daughter of Clarence and Edna Douse; escorted by Keith Antone II.

LaNier Leola Echols, daughter of Walter and Christal R. Echols; escorted by Samuel Ashley.

Bre'Onna Shense Edwards, daughter of Johnny and Terry Edwards; escorted by James Alderman.

Jessica Alexandra Fennell, daughter of Harriet Kelsey and the late Rev. J.L. Fennell; presented by Ernest Meredeith; escorted by Shawn Thomas.

Aiyanna Demetria Glover, daughter of Demetrius Glover and Pamela Stubbs; presented by Andre D. Glover; escorted by Prince Maximilleon Waters.

Katie Rochelle Harrell, daughter of Dozier Harrell III and Verna A. Williams; presented by Jeffrey Alan Williams; escorted by Jamal R. Scott.

Varonika Annette Hendriex, daughter of Ronald and Valerie Hendriex; escorted by Michael James Hall.

Erica Monique Holden, daughter of John and Tonya Holden; escorted by Stanley Haughabook.

Lauren Michele Cooper Jackson, daughter of Samuel Jackson Jr. and Laurel Cooper; presented by Derek Cooper; escorted by Anthony Williams.

Tyeisha Desirae James, daughter of Vincent James and Tonya Berryan; escorted by John Bowen.

Jemier Jenkins, daughter of Perry Jenkins and Shirley Jenkins; presented by James C. Turner; escorted by Michael G. Brown.

Ashlee Kidd, daughter of Robert and Cynthia Kidd; escorted by Aaron Peelar Jr.

Nicole Renee Lamar, daughter of Bonita R. Lamar; presented by McArthur Church; escorted by James Douse.

Sharmae Laquan Lamar, daughter of Bonita R. Lamar; presented by McArthur Church; escorted by Bryon Berthelot.

Tiara Revee McFadden, daughter of Terrell McFadden and Lisa Townsend; escorted by Carl William Bernan.

Ashley Re-Thel McKenzie, daughter of Kenneth and Linda Washington and Curley and Ruby McKenzie; presented by McKenzie; escorted by Gerald Jesse Kilpatrick.

Lakesha Mobley, granddaughter of Barbara Mobley; presented by Daniel Lewis; escorted by Travis Richardson.

Natasha Marie Owens, daughter of James P. and Natalie A. Owens; presented by Charles Clifton; escorted by Stanley Williams.

Jainaba Phillips, daughter of Angelia Waller and the late Biko Lumumba; presented by Omali Yeshitela; escorted by Darall J. Moore.

Kyesha Vernaj Robinson, daughter of James and Rene Yvonne Robinson Flowers; presented by Watson L. Haynes II; escorted by Reginald Brian Ligon.

Jenniferlyn Stephens, daughter of John L. and Evelyn D. Stephens; escorted by Dermillo Morris Wise.

Jessica Michele Swain, daughter of Velma Thompson and the late Dr. Robert J. Swain; presented by Anthony Howard; escorted by Jamiah Morrissett.

Zanshe Thompson, daughter of Stacey Burns and Marcia Thompson; escorted by Patrick Carter.

Ariel Ellyce Williams, daughter of Harry and Mary Williams; escorted by Kenny Simmons.

Brandi Lucile Williams, daughter of Lewis and Arthurene Williams; escorted by Joe Holmes.

Myra Wilson, daughter of Allen and Lynette Buchanan; escorted by Bryant Skinner.

Mallory O'Neill Woodall, daughter of Robert and Lora Woodall; escorted by Jeremy Diaz.

Lena L. Wilfalk is president of the St. Petersburg AKA chapter; Deborah Figgs-Sanders was cotillion chairwoman; and Mary Franklin was co-chairwoman.

The sorority gave more than $28,000 in scholarships Saturday, with money going to each debutante.

Jessica Fennell, who hopes to be a premed major at the University of South Florida, received $9,000; Andrea Dandridge, who hopes to major in medicine or theater at the University of Central Florida, $3,000; and LaNier Echols, who plans to major in bio premed and is deciding among Florida State University, the University of Miami and Spelman College, $2,500.

Pinellas County School Board member Mary and Norman Brown have established a scholarship to help college students pay for books.

Corporate contributors were J.C. Automotive Service Inc., Motions, Publix, Scissor Talk Hair Salon, Sir Speedy, Tech Data Corp., Today's T-Shirts & Extras and Verizon.

The Rays of Hope Foundation held its annual Grand Slam Gala at Tropicana Field on Saturday. Friday night featured a celebration at the new Great Explorations Museum location, as well as Hollywood Knight, a benefit for the Canterbury School of Florida, held in the grand ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy.

Sunday's column will have details of those events and a look at some Festival of States festivities.

-- Mary Jane Park can be reached at (727) 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com; or P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

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