Where the ivy twines
Sorority’s annual Ivy Ball brings in $5,000 for college scholarships
The 22nd annual Ivy Ball, themed A Timeless Evening of Elegance, took place Feb. 11 at the Embassy Suites Little Rock. The affair was hosted by the Beta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and its nonprofit arm, the Ivy Foundation of Little Rock.
Greeting guests were chapter president Melanie A. Hillard and foundation president Tjuana C. Byrd. Dinner featured chicken parmesan with a Marsala wine and mushroom sauce.
Guests posed for photos in front of a backdrop designed to represent the sorority, bid on silent auction items, partner-danced to music by the On Call Band from Pine Bluff and line-danced to recorded favorites.
A highlight of the evening was the couples dance contest, won by Alise Lewis and LaBrian Phillips Jr., both 18. Andress Gray, master of ceremonies, shared memories of her late mother-in-law, sorority member Peggy Gray, who’d enjoyed participating in the contest. Gray died in November.
The program also included introduction of the members of the sorority’s Ascend Youth Enrichment Program, which is “designed to motivate, engage and assist high school students in reaching their maximum potential,” according to national sorority literature. The program gets its name from its focus on achievement, self-awareness, communication, engagement, networking and developmental skills. Proceeds totaling about $5,000 will go toward scholarships for college and college-bound students.