By Staff
Special to The Star
Nov. 21, 2001
Twenty-three area high school girls will make their debut to the community Saturday during an evening of elegance at the Frank Cochran Center.
Sponsored by the Meridian Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the 2001 Debutante Ball will include the coronation, presentations and special dances. The event will begin at 7 p.m.
The honorees were selected based on academic achievement, public service and letters of reference.
The ball culminates six months of projects and activities undertaken by the debutantes, which included such activities as Newspapers in Education, the Literacy Program sponsored by The Meridian Star, Make a Difference Day where the debs attended High School Day at Jackson State University, a car wash as a fund-raiser, and financial contributions to the Red Cross and United Way.
In preparation for this event, the debutantes have participated in several workshops focusing on career planning, social graces, health and nutrition and self-development. The sorority entertained the debutantes, escorts and parents with a reception on Oct. 14.
Admission to the Debutante Ball is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Proceeds from this annual affair benefit the chapters' scholarship fund and community projects. Rosie F. King is president of the chapter.
The Debutantes are as follows:
Benadora Burrage, 16, Meridian High School. Benadora plans to pursue a career as an attorney. She is the daughter of Beverly Burrage and Terry Burrage. She will be escorted by Julius Barksdale, 18, son of Alma Houze and Sam Barksdale.
Tresi Larnice Campbell, 16, Meridian High School. She plans to major in business and marketing. Tresi is the daughter of Bernice Campbell and Larry Campbell. Tresi will be escorted by Amir Usher,16, son of Shirley and Donald Usher.
Rosailynne Coleman,16, Meridian High School. Rosailynne plans a career as a daycare owner. She is the daughter of Shirley Coleman. Rosailynn will be escorted by Quarius Hodges, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Coleman.
Elbony Shari Henderson, 16, Meridian High School. Elbony plans to pursue a career as a registered nurse. She is the daughter of Elaine Cole and James Henderson Jr. She will be escorted by DeMarcus Adams, 16, son of Jacqueline Adams and Donnie Wilson.
Jeri Hill, 16, Meridian High School. Jeri plans to pursue a career as an attorney. She is the daughter of Edith Hill and the late Jerry Hill. She will be escorted by Lamaurace Tucker, 16, son of Laura Bodtey.
Quantanna Hill, 17, Meridian High School. Hill plans to pursue a career as an obstetrician. She is the daughter of Cathy Willis and Timothy Willis. She will be escorted by Cebron C. Finley, 17, son of Emie and Odell Finley.
Rakia Jackson, 16, Meridian High School. Rakia plans to pursue a career as a defense attorney. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hopson. Rakia will be escorted by Matthew Gonzalez, 17, son of Miranda and Gustavo Gonzalez.
Shamika Jackson, 17, Meridian High School. Jackson's career goals are to become a nurse. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hopson. She will be escorted by Quinton Brown, 16, son of Beverly Brown.
Erica Jenkins, 17, Meridian High School. Erica plans to pursue a career as a lawyer. She is the daughter of Gwendolyn Jenkins and Thaddis King. She will be escorted by David Moore, 17, son of Catherine Phillips.
Princess Jennings, 16, Meridian High School. Jennings plans to pursue a career in computer programming. She is the daughter of Emma Kay Jennings and Charles Scott. Jennings will be escorted by Lacony Jemison, 16, son of Jeanette Jimison.
Blessa Jordan, 16, Meridian High School. Jordan plans to pursue a career as an accountant. She is the daughter of Linda Jordan. Blessa will be escorted by Brandon Sparrow, 16, son of Marg Sparrow.
Ottavia Lang, 16, Meridian High School. Lang plans to pursue a career as a surgeon. She is the daughter of Betty Alford and James Alford. Lang will be escorted by Fred Patton, 17, son of Sondra and Walter Patton.
Mekella Lloyd, 17, Meridian High School. Lloyd's career goals are to be a daycare center owner. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lloyd. Mekella will be escorted by Donald Lloyd, 16, son of Donald and Debra Lloyd.
Jovanius Miller, 16, Meridian High School. Miller plans to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse. She is the daughter of Michele Miller. Jovanius will be escorted by Marchelo McIntosh, 16, son of Tammie Brooks.
Tamiko Moore, 16, Meridian High School. Tamiko plans to an accountant. She is the daughter of Debra Moore and John Moore. Tamiko will be escorted by Cedaryl Irby, 18, son of Ada Irby.
Kimberly Powell, Meridian High School. Kimberly plans to pursue a career as either a registered nurse or a lab technician. She is the daughter of Sandra Eszard. Kimberly will be escorted by Jamaal Barksdale, 16, son of John and Brenda Barksdale.
Porsha Ramey, 16, Meridian High School. Porsha plans to pursue a career as an anchorwoman. She is the daughter of Jeanette Ramey and Joseph Barros. Ramey will be escorted by Timothy Williams, 17, son of Shirley Hancock and Reginald Williams.
Erin Roberts, 17, Meridian High School. Roberts plans to pursue a career as a child/teen psychologist. She is the daughter of Dorothy Roberts and Leroy Roberts. Erin will be escorted by Reginald Cole, 16, son of Patricia Cole and Fredrick Cole Sr.
Erin Reynolds, 16, Meridian High School. Reynolds plans to pursue a career as a general practitioner. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Reynolds. Erin will be escorted by Cordae Campbell, 15, son of Camille Hardy and David Campbell.
Yolanda Faye Simmons, 16, Meridian High School. Simmons plans to pursue a career in forensic science. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Lang. Yolanda will be escorted by Jaricus Whitlock, 18, son of Jennifer D. Whitlock and Mary F. Whitlock.
Jamila Spinks, 16, Meridian High School. Spinks plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician and cosmetologist. Jamila will be escorted by Mosell Davis, 19, son of Patricia Davis.
Shelliah Wheeler, 16, Meridian High School. Wheeler plans to pursue a career as an orthodontist. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Curtis. Wheeler will be escorted by Darius Robinson, 16, son of Sabrina and Philip Mosely.
Latisha White, 17, Meridian High School. She plans to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist. She is the daughter of Sara White. Latisha will be escorted by Christopher McSwain, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodis McSwain.