The Alpha
Kappa Alpha sorority’s Gamma Omega Chapter recently hosted its
27th annual Debutante Cotillion, otherwise known as
“Fashionetta.” This year’s theme was “An Enchanted Evening of
Excellence and Elegance.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The event occurred in the Millennium Hotel St. Louis. Over 1,000 people attended, and Evelyn William Nash and Keith Anton Willis served as commentators.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The presiding Gamma Omega President was Denise Bascom. Co-chairmen were V. Gale Hardeman, Ruby Grady and Michelle Sanders. During the occasion, exemplary African-American graduates received varying scholarship amounts based on their academic performance.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>LaKeySha Frazier-Bosley, daughter of Freeman Bosley Sr. and Lucinda Frazier Bosley, was crowned Miss Fashionetta 2011 and received a scholarship totaling $9,115. Bosley, a 2011 graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Prep, plans to attend Tennessee State University in the fall.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Whitney L. Butler, daughter of Michael K. and Cleola Butler, was the first runner-up to the award and received a $7,547 scholarship. Butler recently graduated from Hazelwood West High School and plans to attend the University of Kansas City.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The second runner-up, Christina Elizabeth Buck, received a scholarship of $7,277. Buck, the daughter of Dr. Stanley W. and Victoria Bohannan Buck, is a 2011 honors graduate of Whitfield School. In the fall, she will enroll in Spelman College.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Third Runner Up was Paris Tiara Baker who received a $6,643 scholarship. Baker, the daughter of Tara Baker and Paris Saunders, is a 2011 honors graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Prep. She plans to enroll in the University of Central Florida, Orlando.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jenee Angele Rideaux, the fourth runner up, received $5,533. Rideaux is the daughter of Drs. Angele Thibodeaux Burns and LaVias Martez and Christopher and Carla Rideaux. She also received the Hedgeman Lyle Academic Scholarship of $1,000, an honor given in the name of the St. Louisan founder of the A.K.As in addition to the Nathaniel Murdock, MD, Health/Science Award for $1,000. Rideaux graduated from John Burroughs School and plans to attend Vanderbilt University.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Another honor given, Miss Congeniality, was designed for young women whose peers view them as thoughtful and pleasant. This year, there was, a three-way tie. The three recipients chosen by their peers to receive $200 and the coveted title were Tyler Middlebrook, Taylor Osuji and Jalisa Shaw.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In addition to the Miss Congeniality award, Shaw received the $200 Linda A. Cottrell Attendance Award in memory of the dedicated A.K.A. member, Linda A. Cottrell.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Another award, The $200 David A. Perine Escort Award, was presented to Escort Jacques A. Hughes III to honor his high academics and personal standards.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Two other awards were given by Dr. Stanley W. Buck. Escort John M. Edwards received the $750 Stanley W. Buck, MD Science Scholarship Award. Nathaniel Shelton and Donovan Charleston were given the Bohannan-Buck liberal Arts Award in honor of Dr. Stanley and Victoria Buck’s parents, Morris and Ida Bohannan and Joseph and Bernestine Buck. Shelton received $500; Charleston received $200.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> of their impressive high school G.P.A.s and intention to pursue liberal arts degrees.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Fashionetta is a trademark of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> the sorority to exhibit philanthropy by using the funds for scholarships that will benefit graduates and give back to the black community.
