Published: June 03, 2007 03:04 pm      

10 young ladies presented at Debutante Ball

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. of Delta Psi Zeta Chapter in Orange presented 10 young ladies at the 34th annual debutante ball. Of the 10 young ladies, six received more than $,8000 in scholarships.

The debutantes are seniors of West Orange-Stark High School, Ozen High School and Klein High School — Jasemine Colbert, Tomeka Finney, Melena Hampton, Wilhelmina Hardeman, Bettina Hardin, Shiekelle Johnson, Whitney Lazenby, Dylan Moses-Bennett, Jalessa Offord and Joacquin Richard.

The purpose of the annual “Debutante Presentation” is to present young ladies in the greater area to society at the proper time and in the appropriate manner. This is one way of emphasizing the sorority’s ideal of “finer womanhood.” Zeta Phi Beta hopes to dispel the idea that a “debutante presentation” or “coming-out” party is only for the very wealthy or the special few. Great stress is placed on the girls involved; which includes the sorority sponsoring a Charm/Etiquette class for the debutantes at Robert's Steakhouse.

This year, the debutantes and sponsors from the sorority raised funds for scholarships. The funds were donations for ads in a souvenir booklet and from personal fundraisers. The debutante with the most money raised was crowned the queen of the debutante. The 2007 Zeta Phi Beta debutante queen is Dylan Moses-Bennett of Orange. Dylan received a scholarship of $3,400. The first runner-up is Whitney Lazenby of Houston and received a scholarship of $2,300. The second runner-up is Wilhelmina Hardeman of Orange. She received a scholarship of $1,100. The three other scholarships were given to Jasemine Colbert, Melena Hampton, both of Orange, and Bettina Hardin of Beaumont.

The affair was held on May 19 at the American Legion on Green Avenue. The debutantes were presented at 9:30 p.m. The program consisted of the fathers escorting the debs; the mothers giving the daughters a flower and a hug; and the debs’ escorts walking with the mothers and the debs. A father and daughter dance was performed and then the escorts “cut-in” on the dance; then the court was announced. The debs ended the program with a processional, led by the queen.

Each deb was presented in a white formal gown. The escorts wore white tuxedos. The evening is a formal attire affair. The debutante ball is sponsored by the sorority, the parents and the community. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. of Orange would like to thank the community for supporting the ball for 34 years.