Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mu Omega chapter, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Leadership Institute presented the 65th Annual Debutante Ball, Parade of Pearls.
The ball was held on Friday, November 24, at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Twenty beautiful young ladies were presented to adult society in formal grander. During this Debutante Ball season, the debutantes participated in a variety of cultural and community activities. Aside from community service, they attended a career seminar, an activity with their sponsors, and a tea with their mothers where they presented their individual strengths.
On the night of the ball, the debutantes, adorned in white, performed a traditional waltz with their presenters and escorts which was choreographed by Kristi Smith-High, owner of Kristi’s Academy of Dance, in Kansas City, Kansas. The black tie event was attended by the debutante’s family and friends in support of their endeavors. The evening ended with the crowning of Miss Debutante and various awards.
Ms. Debutante, Kyndall Chanel Robinson received $10,000. The first runner up, Nicole Lee Terrell received $4,000, and second runner up Carlena Obasi received $3,000. Miss Scholarship Maya Allyson Cofield was awarded $6,000, Miss Scholarship first runner up Victoria Noelle Goudeau received $3,000 and Miss Scholarship second runner up Brianne Anjolina Shawntee Jantz received $2,000. Miss Congeniality Layana Aaryn Sariah, received $1,500. Also awarded were book awards in the amount of $1,000 to debutantes who met the criteria.
The leadership for the 2017 Debutante Ball were Mu Omega’s chairman, Ms. Tamara Nelson, co-chairman, Mrs. Tanesha Thompson, Marilyn Hunter, Metropolitan Leadership Institute president, Ms. Barbara Washington, Esq., president of Mu Omega Chapter, and Ms. Sharon Hayes, vice president and program chairman of Mu Omega Chapter.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is the first black Greek lettered Sorority founded by college educated women. Founded on January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University by sixteen college women the Sorority now has a membership of more than 283,000 members in 984 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Japan, Germany, Liberia, South Africa and Dubai.
Mu Omega was chartered on May 10, 1924, by six members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including Alpha Kappa Alpha Founder Beulah E. Burke. Since that time, Mu Omega has continued to provide educational programs, food pantry donations, scholarships and other programs to the Kansas City, Kansas and surrounding communities.