Zeta Phi Beta to host 17th annual debutante cotillion in Biloxi

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will host its 17th annual debutante cotillion at the Coast Coliseum Convention Center in Biloxi on Saturday, Dec. 14. Fourteen young ladies will be presented to society, having been selected on the basis of guidelines established by the sorority.

The debutantes have participated in a number of activities including a Mother/Daughter Tea, Father/Daughter Brunch and workshops on social graces. The cotillion begins at 7 p.m. and admission is $10. Tickets may be purchased from any debutante or any member of the sorority. Tickets also will be available at the door. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.

The sorority was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1920. It is built on the principles of scholarship, finer womanhood and sisterly love. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is a community conscious, action-oriented organization. The sorority supports a number of community organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, food pantries and others. It also awards scholarships to qualifying high school seniors each year.

This year’s debutantes, all seniors at their respective high schools, are:

MaKiya Boykin, daughter of Dametria Boykin and Monyeh Boykin, attends Gautier High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Ashton Carney, son of Caryetta Carney.

Kiuara Burns, daughter of Lewanda Burns and Darryl Burns, attends Moss Point High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Cameron Murphy, son of Cassundra Murphy and Reginald Murphy.

Taniya Canaan, daughter of Tonya Price, attends St. Martin High School. She will be presented by her grandfather, Frank Price, and escorted by George Price, son of George Martin and Erica Ellis.

Khayla Casey, daughter of Stacy Bullard-Casey, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her grandfather, Kenneth Casey Sr., and escorted by Dadrien Harper, son of Latarsha Harper and Otis Hollingsworth.

Kayla Collins, daughter of Shellessa and Shanton Collins, attends Baker High School in Mobile, Alabama. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Cameron Lacey, son of Gabrielle Lacey.

Shakerrinay Gary, daughter of Judy Irons, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her godfather, Sammie Taylor, and escorted by A.J. McNair, son of Shannon and Richard McNair.

Teleado Harper, daughter of Kenya Casey, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her godfather, Dwight McNair, and escorted by Chris Cross, son of Jalanya Cross.

Amaya Hawkins, daughter of Takisha and Devallan Hawkins, attends Pascagoula High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Breland Williams, son of Tyanna Fountain.

Chiarie Lizana, daughter of Khaliah Tillman and Charles Lizana, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Tionne Frost, son and Brenda and Terangi Phifer.

Derricka Moffett, daughter of Shirley Moffett and Derrick Moffett, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Dekoryn Harper, son of Jamillan Casey and David Harper.

Cerenity Pharr, daughter of Ebony Urbano and Clendon Pharr, attends Harrison Central High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Nehemiah Clayton, son of Ingrid Fields.

Aikia Rustamov, daughter of Savannah Toles and Botir Rustamov, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her godfather, Templar Arthur, and escorted by Dameon Holmes, son of Dionne Lombard.

Ty’Lexis Thompson, daughter of Shirley Thompson, attends Moss Point High School. She will be presented by her uncle, Arthur Debose, and escorted by Christian Murphy, son of Cassundra Murphy and Reginald Murphy.

Adrianna Willis, daughter of Jocelyn Allen and Adrian Willis, attends Gulfport High School. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Athuris Rapp, son of Lashundra Mitchel.

This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Zeta Phi Beta to host 17th annual debutante cotillion in Biloxi."