The 71st Debutante Ball, with the theme “Diamonds of Excellence, will serve as the presentation to society of 23 debutantes from across the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
Row 1: Carla Gunner (general co-chair), Dr. Everlyn Williams (ISCEF president), Omega Tillman (Beta Omega president), LaTanya Thomas Patton (general chair), Dr. April Sutherland (head consultant), Tonya Taylor (consultant), Lauren Patton (consultant), Dr. Juana Hishaw (consultant)
Row 2: Susan Smith, Angela Husband, Kimberlyn Jones, Kimberly T. Jones, Kelly Nevels, Michelle Fuller, Ann Winston, Vanessa Tucker
Row 3: Leontra Foreman, Tracie Nash, Katherine Hayes, Twyla Lindsay, Pam Peppers, Mallory Malone, Vickie Russaw, Dominique Campbell
Row 4: Mable Ramey-Moore, Lydia Owens, Levora Wittmore, Wendy Blackmon, Monica Randle, Lessie Thompson
Row 5: Yolonda Carson, Dr. Cleora Taylor, Teresa Johnson, Lauren Ward, Latrece Hindsman, Ashley Garrett
The ball, sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Beta Omega Chapter of KCMO and The Ivy Community Service and Educational Foundation, Inc., along with its Steering Committee, will be held Fri., Nov. 29, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.
Members of the Steering Committee, along with chapter members, have served on various committees leading up to the ball, including a career seminar, etiquette presentation, Mother Deb Tea, parent orientation and service projects.
The first Debutante Ball was initiated in 1951 by Mildred Althouse of Beta Omega and Lillian Orme of Mu Omega chapter of Kansas City, KS. Its initial purpose was to raise funds to help support the sorority’s Delta House in Lawrence, KS.
The house was maintained by the sorority until open housing laws were passed. The first ball was held at the American Legion Hall at Linwood Blvd. and Paseo in KCMO.
Since its beginning, the ball has been held the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. In the 1970s, a scholarship component was added to the presentation program.
For more than 30 years, Beta Omega and Mu Omega AKA chapters co-hosted the ball. Since 1983, the chapters have alternated years hosting the ball.
Throughout the years, the Debutante Ball has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships, has made an impact on the lives of hundreds of young ladies, and is still considered one of the major social events of the year.
The Beta Omega Chapter has been serving the KCMO area since 1920. Omega Tillman is chapter president. For the 2024 ball, the general chair is Latonya Thomas Patton and the general co-chair is Carla Gunner. The Ivy Community Service and Education Foundation, Inc., serves as the charitable arm of Beta Omega Chapter. Dr. Everlyn Williams serves as president.