The 32nd annual Les Belles Perles Cotillion was a dazzling evening for several area women and their friends and family. The event presented by the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was held Sunday at Quaker Station in downtown Akron.
Seventeen debutantes were presented at the black-tie event, which was chaired by Drea Brown, Charla Bloodsaw and Shana Lee.
Brown said, “This is the biggest crowd that we’ve seen in three years.” Alumnae chapter president Toney Tolson added, “We are giving out more than $22,000 in scholarship money tonight.” Lawrence Butler Jr. introduced the debutantes and their escorts.
Denise Pelima, mother of debutante Sando Pelima, said, ‘‘I love this organization and what they are doing in terms of leadership for the girls.” Friends Keishawanna Berts, Briana Salter and Tiara Guice also came to show their support of Sando.
“We enjoy the fellowship with people here and our friends,” said Nita Williams, who attended with her husband Ted Williams.
Margaret Roberts, one of the founding members of the chapter, said, “I’ve been in this sorority for 51 years and have gone to many of their events.”
Loveece Moore brought her 3-year-old son Zavier Moore.
John Smith said, “I’m looking forward to a nice dinner and enjoying time with my family.”
Also in attendance were Molley Sheriff, Rushanah Ellis, Aneesah Wahid and Kareemah Jackson.
Florence Cunningham, Janessa Burnette, Telayne Keith, Christiana Whiteblue and William Gates shared a table.
Debra Cotton came to Akron from Hampton, Va., to see her niece Ariana Brown. Marguerite Reid said Ariana was her great-niece.
Cotton said: “She is my princess and is just so bubbly and beautiful and is always a sweet-spoken girl that I am so proud of.”