41 debutantes presented at Alpha Phi Alpha ball

Rows of young ladies dressed in white ball-gowns twirled with their tuxedo-clad partners as they waltzed in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center on Dec. 23. The 41 high school students had just made their debut at the Pi Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation Debutante Ball.

Guests were welcomed to the gala by foundation President Rodney Williams. Raven Richard served as master of ceremonies during the presentation.

Making their debut were Amber Artis, Daviland Ashford, Ka’Shayla Banks, Destiny Beasley, Marla Biddle, Grace Bizzell, Brianna Bobo, Jontesha Burnett, Sydni Cook, Bailey Ellison, Erin Farmer, Jessica Hiley, Mia Iverson, Raven Jackson, Tyrah Jackson, Jayla Jefferson, J’Briyan Jones, Destyne Lawson, Jayla Lee, Reagan Leverett, Zyaire Love, Mackenzie Miller, Whittneay Marie Mullins, Adrianna Newborn, Kyla Peer, Trinity Peveler, Cieara Phillips, Kennedy Richardson, Makayla Sheard, Mekayla Sims, McKenzie Smith, Sydney Stewart, Adrianna Stewart, Dazani Thomas, Montori Thompson, Zaria Tucker, Aubreona Ward, Aubree Whitfield, Heaven Wilborn, Arielle Williams and Chyna Young.

After the presentation, Kennedy Richardson was named Miss Pi Lambda. Runners up were Sydney Stewart and Zyaire Love, and Miss Congeniality was Erin Farmer. Marla Biddle received an award for her fundraising efforts. The evening ended with remarks by Pi Lambda Chapter President Anthony Moore and ball chairman Ken Martin followed by the chapter singing the Alpha Hymn.

Seated: Adrianna Newborn, Cieara Phillips, Montori Thompson and J’Briyan Jones; Standing: Sydni Cook, Adrianna Stewart, Daviland Ashford, Grace Bizzell, Arielle Williams and Brianna Bobo

Seated: Mia Iverson, Destiny Beasley, Raven Jackson and Zaria Tucker; Standing: Dazani Thomas, Jayla Lee, Reagan Leverett, Aubree Whitfield, Jayla Jefferson and Destyne Lawson

Seated: Zyaire Love, Jontesha Burnett, Chyna Young, Trinity Peveler; Standing: Makayla Sheard, Jessica Hiley, Tyrah Jackson, Aubreona Ward, Amber Artis and Ka’Shayla Banks

Seated: Mackenzie Miller, Mekayla Sims, Marla Biddle and Kyla Peer; Standing: Erin Farmer, Kennedy Richardson, Whittneay Marie Mullins, Heaven Wilborn and Sydney Stewart

Marlon Biddle, Connie Biddle, William Cay III, Marla Biddle and Wilhelmina Lewellen

Felicia Perry Richardson, Kheivan Jackson, Tyler Moore and Kelli Bankston

Miss Pi Lambda Kennedy Richardson with her parents, Patricia and Christopher Baker

William Dodson presents McKenzie Smith

Ball Chairman Ken Martin and his wife, Laura

Little Rock District Judge Mark Leverett presents his daughter, Reagan