The Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority selected 13 young women to participate Sunday in its 36th debutante cotillion scholarship fundraiser, Les Belles Perles (“The Beautiful Pearls”).
The cotillion has presented more than 642 debutantes and more than $393,000 in awards. The event co-chairwomen were Shana M. Lee and Nicole A. Mack.
Thirteen debutantes, all seniors representing eight area high schools, were presented before a crowd of 475 guests.
Deb Olivia Mullins had her own fan base. Dad and stepmom Kevin and Yolanda Mullins were in town from Texas.
Aunt Margaret Ratcliff said, “She is the first deb in our family.”
Other family members and friends included mother and stepfather Lisa and Henry Johnson, Towanda Mullins, Layla Johnson, Lorne Williams Sr. and Lorne Williams Jr., Patricia Walker, Nicole Wilson, Carl Matthews, Ulonda Matthews, Alverna Matthews and Cameron Matthews.
The debutantes were selected based on their academic performance, school and community involvement, letters of recommendation, and an interview with the applicants and their parents/guardians.
“It’s so exciting to see these young ladies take their place in society,” said Jocelyn McClendon, who attended with her son, Stuart McClendon, and family members David Hamilton, Anthony Dortch and Cassandra Dortch.
“We have a lot of history with this event,” Cassandra Dortch said.
Jerry and Consuela Williams were looking forward to the dance part of the program.
“I was a deb myself, and it’s just a wonderful coming of age to see these ladies come through this walk of life,” Consuela said.