The Young Ladies of NOLA held its second ball recently, presenting 20 debutantes under the banner “Blossoming Butterflies” at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette.
Founder Lakisha Rogers Williams received guests into the pink-adorned ballroom, with a welcome and prayer by Chantyle Jones. The nonprofit group debuts young women during their senior year of high school.
Following a procession of mothers, the debutantes were presented by Tanya Noland.
Miss A’Kia Simaya Agee represented the Painted Lady butterfly. She is the daughter of Aurthur and Nikia Agee. She graduated from New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School where she was captain of the basketball team, co-captain of the volleyball team and served as secretary for the senior council. She was escorted by her father.
Representing the Sylphina Angel butterfly was Miss Breion Amari Black. She is the daughter of Brandon Black and Erica Toca. She graduated from Edna Karr High School and she also received her certification as a medical assistant from New Orleans Career Center. She was escorted by her uncles, Eric Toca and Clarence Barre IV.
Representing the American Lady butterfly was Miss Christina Brooks, daughter of Dianelle Carter and the late Terrance Brooks. She graduated from L.B. Landry High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was escorted by Timothy Burnside.
Representing the Ulysses butterfly was Miss Ty’la Sinai Campbell, daughter of Theron and LaQuanda Campbell. She graduated from Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy where she was a member of the National Honor Society and National Society for High School Scholars. She was escorted by her brother Jonquial Sanders.
Representing the Purple Emperor butterfly was Miss Alyssa Theresa Cosey. She is the daughter of Amanda Shelby and Theron Cosey. She graduated from Salmen High School. Her hobbies are makeup, music, drawing and learning new skills. She was escorted by her stepfather, Ryan Shelby.
Representing the Pink Rose butterfly was Miss Daijah Unique Darensbourg, daughter of La’Tina Darensbourg and Darrick Williams. She graduated from Abramson High School and attended Southern University of New Orleans for dual enrollment and previously attended Arizona State University of Tempe and Delgado. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society for High School Scholars. She was escorted by Joel Miller.
Next to be presented representing the Blue Morpho butterfly was Miss Fel’Jahnae Amaaya Delmore. She is the daughter of Flavia Woods and Felton Delmore. She attends Warren Easton Charter High School where is a member of the Student Chapel, hospitality/tourism club and college track after-school program. She was escorted by her father.
Representing the Little Yellow butterfly was Miss Geornea Dorsey. She is the daughter of George Dorsey and Tralisa Lee. She graduated from McDonogh 35 Senior High School where was a member of student government and the cheer team.
Representing the Peacock Pansy butterfly was Miss A’Kayla NiJae Harrison. She is the daughter of Erica Hurst and Akeem Harrison Sr. She graduated from New Orleans Science and Math High School, where she was the president of class council, a member of the National Honor Society and the softball and volleyball teams. She was escorted by her father.
Representing the Cloudless Sulphur butterfly was Miss Janiyah Ann Joseph. She is the daughter of Jamonique Williams and Brandon Haywood Sr. She was a Warren Easton Charter High School graduate and a dual enrollment student at Delgado Community College where she earned her certification as an electrical technician. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Big Sister/Little Sister Program, Operation Spark 2023 Coding classes, and Young Women With A Vision. She was escorted by her father.
Representing the Angolan White Lady butterfly was Miss An’yah Rose Love, daughter of Anthony Love Sr. and Yolanda Love. She graduated from Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville. She is an artist and volunteers at local animal shelters. She was escorted by her father.
Representing the Orange Giant Sulfur butterfly was Miss Tzvé Anai McCoy, daughter of Shantel McCoy and Jamal McCoy. She is a Benjamin Franklin High School graduate where she was captain of the track and field teams and a member of the National Honor Society. She was escorted by her father.
Miss Amyri Bijan Pritchett represented the Dione Juno butterfly. She is the daughter of Benny and Keisha Pritchett. She attended Warren Easton where she was the captain of the majorette team, vice president of the Big Sister/Little Sister club and National Honor Society. She was escorted by her father.
Representing the Spring Azure butterfly was Miss Mya Richardson, daughter of Maura Ward and Aaron Richardson. She graduated from Edna Karr High School where she was the Vice-President of National Beta Club, the captain of the Edna Karr cheerleading team, and a standing officer of the National Honor Society.
Representing the Blue Moon Butterfly was Miss Amirea Smith. Amiriea Smith is the daughter of Ebony Wallace and Lendell Wallace. She attends Kenner Discovery Health Science Academy. Amiriea was the president of Mu Alpha Theta and a member of HOSA, National Honor Society, Key Club, FAM and student council. She was escorted by her grandfather, Joseph Carradine.
Miss Takala Brandi Trostle Represented the Black Swallowtail butterfly. She is the daughter of Alisha Robair and Timothy Trostle Sr. A graduate of New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, she was vice president of the yearbook club, captain of the letter carrier team and a member of the Africana History Club. She was escorted by Alfred Joseph Robair Jr.
Representing the Cattlheart butterfly was Miss Charlie Wade, daughter of Mrs. Mayana Davis and Mr. Charles Wade. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School where she was voted Ms. Booker T. Washington during homecoming. She was also captain of the Classy Lionettes dance team. She was escorted by her brother Charles Wade Jr.
Miss Quentyria Watson represented the Monarch butterfly. She is the daughter of Ashaquaye Watson and the late Quentin Rogers Sr. She graduated from McDonogh 35 Senior High School where she was the co-captain of the cheerleading team and member of the National Honor Society. She was escorted by her uncle Jonquell Rogers.
Representing the Fiery Jewel butterfly was Miss Anaya Nikole Wheat. She is the daughter of Kimberle Tenette and Craig Wheat. She graduated from New Orleans Charter Science and Math High where she cheered and danced. She was escorted by her grandfather Gaylord Tenette.
Representing the Emerald SwallowTail butterfly was Miss Leah Janae Winters, daughter of Casey Branden and Gordon Winters. She is a member of the National Society for High School Scholars and a volunteer ambassador for a local branding agency. She was escorted by her father.
Following the presentation, the debutantes and guests were entertained by Kristy Lewis of the Chosen Vessels Dance Company. The debutantes and their escorts then waltzed. Former debutante Amani Garrison, provided reflections and encouragement, Bishop Lester Love provided the blessing and The City of Love Church concluded the presentation.
Following dinner and dancing, the evening concluded with the Zulu Tramps and a brass band.