'Treasured Pearls'

Four debutantes were presented March 8 during the fourth biennial Debutante Presentation and Ball "Treasured Pearls" at the Holiday Inn in Springdale.

The evening was hosted by Phi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Tea Rose Foundation of Northwest Arkansas. The four debutantes were Dana A. Francis, daughter of Ronetta and Earl Francis and senior at Shiloh Christian School; Catherine P. Pippins-Taylor, daughter of Rosalyn and Derek Taylor and junior at Shiloh Christian School; Peyton O. Taylor, daughter of Gerald and the late Cassandra Taylor and junior at Bentonville High School; and Maxine S. Williams, daughter of Yolanda Williams and Oscar Williams and senior at Rogers Heritage High School. Francis was escorted by Myles E. Tucker, and Pippins-Taylor was escorted by Andrew S. Thompkins. Kahlil A. Gunn escorted Taylor, and Bryan X. Grigsby escorted Williams.

The debutante program, which was created by Phi Alpha Omega, is designed to inspire both scholarship and leadership through instilling self-worth, encouraging community service, promoting good personal health and introducing the tenets of finer womanhood in the young ladies who participate, said Cora B. Davis, president of the Tea Rose Foundation. For months prior to the ball, the debutantes took part in workshops and seminars focused on physical and emotional health, dressing for success, personal grooming, college readiness, community service and etiquette, according to the event program. Davis said the world she grew up in is not the world the young people of today are growing up in, which is why programs like this are so important. Davis then read a quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt: "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."

The evening included the presentation of the debutantes; a waltz by debutantes, their presenters and their escorts; dinner; scholarship presentation; and a ball. Williams received a $500 scholarship for the highest grade point average, and Pippins-Taylor was named the 2014 Polished Pearl and received a $500 scholarship, Davis said. The Polished Pearl award is voted on by the debutantes based on criteria such as volunteerism, personality and the willingness to work with others, Davis said. Francis and Taylor were then crowned co-Miss Debutantes 2014, and both received $1,000 scholarships.

The debutantes went through an application process to take part in the program, Davis said. Those interested in learning more about the debutante program can contact Myra McKenzie-Harris, chairman of the debutante committee, at [email protected] or write a letter to the Tea Rose Foundation of Northwest Arkansas at P.O. Box 2696, Bentonville 72712.