Sixteen young women were presented at the Debutante Presentation and Ball hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Upsilon Omega Chapter.

The theme: “A Pink and Green Ball with Hearts of Gold.”

The ball was the culmination of a series of activities the debutantes, all juniors or seniors at Richmond area high schools, participated in from May through December, including community service efforts and workshops on college preparation, essay writing, health and fitness, financial fitness and social graces.

The ball, a formal dinner and dance held Dec. 21 at a Downtown hotel, featured choreographed dances performed by the debutantes, their fathers or presenters and their escorts.

The Debutante Project raises money to support the chapter’s scholarship program and the AKA Shoe Bank, which has been sponsored by the Richmond chapter since 1954 to provide shoes for children in need in Central Virginia.

Mary Hicks is president of the AKA Upsilon Omega Chapter, while Andrea Coleman is chair of the Debutante Program committee.

The debutantes:

• Angelina Noelle Anderson, a junior at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, daughter of Dr. Ralph Hamilton-Boyd Anderson and Mrs. Margaux Anderson.

• Essence Tani Baylor, a junior at Monacan High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory R. Baylor.

• Jazzmin Luevinnia Nicole Brisbon, a junior at Monacan High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie Lance Brown Sr.

• Jansen Riley Coleman, a junior at Varina High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Coleman.

• Elena Jai Foster, a junior at Henrico High School, daughter of the late Mr. Elvin Jayelle Wilson, Mrs. Alicesa Edith Foster Graves and Robert Leonard Graves.

• Nadira Antoinette Gray, a senior at Cosby High School, daughter of Ms. Taneia Michelle Gray and Mr. Tracey Lamont Townes.

• Loren Danielle Huff, a junior at Lloyd C. Bird High School, daughter of Mr. Lorenzo Huff and Mrs. Cecelia Huff;

• Amaré Najea Kiyana Lewis, a junior at Henrico High School, daughter of Mr. Arnold Lewis and Mrs. Lenisea Lewis.

• Alexis Reneé Miller, a junior at Lloyd C. Bird High School, daughter of Ms. Lisa Michelle Miller and Mr. Jerry Smith.

• Amira Sarai Rainer, a junior at Monacan High School, daughter of Mr. Wali Rashid Rainer and Mrs. Brandi Allen Rainer.

• Joi Amy Taylor, a senior at Atlee High School, daughter of Mr. Brian Taylor and Ms. Dana Cosby-Briley.

• Leah Morgan Thomas, a senior at Highland Springs High School, daughter of Mr. Glenn P. Thomas II and Mrs. DaVonda Carter Thomas.

• Traci Alexis Turpin, a junior at Hanover High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Augustus Turpin III.

• Shailyn Amari Washington, a senior at Highland Springs High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Washington.

• Madisyn Delaney Graham Watkins, a junior at Cosby High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Ricardo Watkins.

• Bailey Alyssa Williams, a senior at Cosby High School, daughter of Mr. Eric Williams and Mrs. Lisa Williams.

Applications are being accepted for the 2020 debutante program.

Details: correspondence@akaupsilonomega.org.