First Sisters Outreach Inc., in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Omega Omega Chapter, hosted the 57th annual Debutante Cotillion at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Dec. 20.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Debutante Court. Carrington Jackson was crowned Miss Debutante 2025-2026, with Amari Robinson named first runner-up, and Kylee Monk named second runner-up. The audience also recognized Alesia Shelton, Miss Debutante 2024-2025, during her final walk.
The formal celebration honored the class of 2025 debutantes representing Pine Bluff High School, Watson Chapel High School and White Hall High School. Each young woman was selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, community involvement and character. The theme was Infinite Pearls of Promise, according to a news release.
Family members, mentors, community leaders and supporters witnessed the formal presentation of the debutantes as they were introduced to society.
Leadership included First Sisters Outreach president Damiccah Robertson and Delta Omega Omega Chapter president Kelli Dixon. Tri-chairmen were Commeka Goodloe, Rose M. Smith and Karah Williams.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Throughout the debutante season, participants completed a comprehensive enrichment experience designed to promote personal development, civic engagement and leadership. Activities included a vision board party, voter education and registration forum, fashion show, financial literacy workshop, “Just Move” physical fitness workshop, “Guy and Girl Talk” sessions, etiquette training, worship service participation and a community service project volunteering with the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends.
The cotillion featured a traditional waltz with presenters, followed by the waltz and Golden Flair with escorts. Announcers were Tish Bullard, an etiquette consultant and business leader, and Oscar Bullard Jr., a special agent with the Arkansas State Police.
Scholarships were awarded through First Sisters Outreach along with University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff scholarships presented by Christopher Riggins, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student success. Additional honors included the Margaret Spearman Award, presented to Mariyah Savage, and the Miss Congeniality Award, presented to Mariya Greer.
Several named scholarships and donor-supported awards were recognized for their significant impact on the educational journeys of the debutantes.
The Saracen Casino Resort Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, was awarded to Taliyah Lewis, representing one of the largest single scholarship contributions presented during the evening.
Several UAPB-designated scholarships were awarded to debutantes pursuing higher education at the institution. These included a $200 scholarship from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter, awarded to Brayla Carter; a $150 scholarship from the Epsilon Zeta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., awarded to Christian Lovett; a $200 scholarship from the Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP, awarded to Carrington Jackson; a $150 scholarship from the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., awarded to Taylor Calhoun; and a $150 scholarship from the Mu Chi Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc., awarded to Immeri Butler.
Additional community partner scholarships included a $150 scholarship from the Corvette Brothers of Pine Bluff, awarded to Mariya J. Greer; a $150 scholarship from Looking Good Pine Bluff, awarded to Taryn Rice; a $150 scholarship from Super 1 Foods, awarded to Paisley O’Guinn; a $150 scholarship from Yaminah Roberts and Friends, awarded to Alexandria Evans; and a $150 scholarship from Kelli Dixon, Family and Friends, awarded to Olivia Armour.
The In Honor of Mrs. Future Mae Thomas Scholarship, a $500 memorial scholarship, was awarded to D’Kalia Williams. Additionally, a $150 scholarship sponsored by Damiccah Robertson, Marguerite Flannigan, Chandra Griffin and community friends was awarded to Moriyah Collins.
DEBUTANTES
Debutantes, their schools, along with her parents or guardians, escorts and escort’s parents, included:
Debutante: Alexiah Anderson
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Antonio Anderson and Shanae Cain
Escort: Jayden Wilkerson
Escort’s Parents: Cheryl Johnson
Debutante: Olivia Armour
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Vincent Armour and Sherri Richardson
Escort: MarTavion DeWayne Cary
Escort’s Parents: Donny and Mary Haywood
Debutante: Brooklynn Blanks
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Ms. Tina Blanks
Escort: Kylan D. Hayes
Escort’s Parents: Lakeisha Wilson
Debutante: Karington Bowman
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Kendrick Bowman and Jasmin Clark
Escort: Reginald Lee IV
Escort’s Parents: Bridgitt Walker
Debutante: Kenedi Bowman
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Kendrick Bowman and Jasmin Clark
Escort: Wesley Lathan Center
Escort’s Parents: Johnny Center and Karres Manning Center
Debutante: Chasity Lindsey-Brazell
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Vineta Lindsey and Roosevelt Brazell Jr.
Escort: Kylan Rashaud Denison Craig
Escort’s Parents: ShaRhonda Freeman and Levaris Craig
Debutante: Immeri Butler
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Ned Butler Jr. and Sherice Butler
Escort: Kylin D. Sims
Escort’s Parents: Annie K. Roberts
Debutante: Taylor Calhoun
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Shanta Calhoun and Tavante Calhoun
Escort: JaVoni L. Jackson
Escort’s Parents: Lakeisha Taggart and Kevin Jackson
Debutante: La’Niyah Calloway
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Jamisha Patrick and the late Terrance Calloway
Escort: Sinez J. Herring
Escort’s Parents: Chatora Herring
Debutante: A’Laysha Carmickle
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Carolyn Carmickle-Moore
Escort: Reshawd Cordelle Davis
Escort’s Parents: Reshawn Davis and Leola Burnett Davis
Debutante: Brayla Carter
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Brittany Johnson
Escort: Tylar E. Watkins
Escort’s Parents: Crystal Gonder
Debutante: Moriyah Collins
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Fredrick and Janille Warren
Escort: Jamaree D. Scott
Escort’s Parents: Lasonya Scott
Debutante: Stormie Collins
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Sherry Harris and Chris Collins
Escort: Emmanuel Lee Hudson
Escort’s Parents: Ebony Thomas
Debutante: Kha’Miya Cooper
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Miguel and Felicia Cooper
Escort: Dearius M. Logwood
Escort’s Parents: Andre and Shamika Davis
Debutante: Alexandria Evans
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Royce and Javante’ Evans
Escort: Jayvion Ricky Williams
Escort’s Parents: Mrs. Robinson and Mr. Robinson
Debutante: Tamirrah Girley
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Willis Girley Jr. and Monica Girley
Escort: Carmello Anthony Wilson
Escort’s Parents: Latasha Freeman
Debutante: Lauryn Goodloe
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Kenyetta Jones-Goodloe
Escort: Terrance Deshaun Wyrick Jr.
Escort’s Parents: Terrance Wyrick Sr. and April Wright
Debutante: J’Ceri Gray
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Jonathan Gray and Jakara Crumblin
Escort: Alonso Meeks
Escort’s Parents: Tomeka Meeks
Debutante: Jada Green
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Lakesha Dean and Quincy Green
Escort: Kaden Roshune French
Escort’s Parents: Dedrea Holmes
Debutante: Mariya Greer
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Hendrix and Otis Greer
Escort: Christopher Carlock
Escort’s Parents: Christopher and Latasha Carlock
Debutante: Aniyah Haynie
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: LaRita Goins
Escort: Jamarian Johnson
Escort’s Parents: Henry and LaSonya King
Debutante: KayDence Henderson
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Keyana Mays and the late Ronreco Henderson
Escort: Kelton Alexander Stepps
Escort’s Parents: Chelsea Briggs and Christopher Briggs Sr.
Debutante: Karly Hood
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Kimberly Dunn and Devyn Hood
Escort: Deshawn Latrell Ward
Escort’s Parents: Dominique King and Larry Ward
Debutante: Saniyah Hunter
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Jasmine Releford and Desmond Hunter
Escort: Jordan J. Anderson
Escort’s Parents: Jermaine Anderson
Debutante: Brianna Ingram
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Tamara Harvey
Escort: Tayvion Montrell Kirby
Escort’s Parents: Monica Penister
Debutante: Carrington Jackson
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Javits and Michelle Jackson
Escort: Caiden Bullard
Escort’s Parents: Jamario and Tiffany Banister
Debutante: Leah Jackson
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Alisha Jackson and Dr. Gabriel Jackson Sr.
Escort: Darius Jacolby Redix
Escort’s Parents: Randolph Redix
Debutante: MaKaela Jackson
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Stephany Toney
Escort: Christian T. Murry
Escort’s Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Murry
Debutante: Sakyria Jackson
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Mr. and Mrs. Willie Cooper
Escort: Marcus L. Rouse
Escort’s Parents: Amanda Knight
Debutante: Marleah Lewis
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Leadra Lewis and Marcus Lewis
Escort: Jonathan L. Campbell
Escort’s Parents: Lloyd Marsh and Ravenna Marsh
Debutante: Taliyah Lewis
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Patrice Marshall and Tolliver Lewis
Escort: Keamon E. Irby
Escort’s Parents: Veronica Williams
Debutante: Christian Lovett
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Stacey and Miracle Monk, and Kenneth Lovett Sr.
Escort: Chase Pernell Farris
Escort’s Parents: Gregory and Christen Farris
Debutante: McKayla Martin
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Shanira Chavez and Harold Martin
Debutante: Kaylen Mayfield
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Larita Goins and Markell Mayfield
Escort: Chandler T. Parker
Escort’s Parents: Larita Goins
Debutante: Seryniti-Adaya McCoy
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Brandon and Kandris Deshazier
Escort: Braylon L. Stigger
Escort’s Parents: Brittney Lowe and Brandon Stigger
Debutante: Kylee Monk
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Robert Monk Jr. and Tomeka Monk
Escort: Keiran Latre’ Smith
Escort’s Parents: Germaine Smith and Kashaunda Smith
Debutante: Paisley O’Guinn
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: NaTasha Allen and the late Charles Lee O’Guinn Jr.
Escort: Kam’Ron Jermaine Owens
Escort’s Parents: Jessica Williams
Debutante: Jessica Parker
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Shalonda Lewis and Jesse Parker
Escort: Dylan D. Parker
Escort’s Parents: Shalonda Lewis and Jesse Parker
Debutante: Maleigh Pridgeon
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: LeRoy and Sonya Pridgeon
Escort: Samarrion T. Farris
Escort’s Parents: Sidney Farris
Debutante: Ahmiyah Redix
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Ashton Smith and Randolph Redix
Escort: Emarion Pugh
Escort’s Parents: Tamekia Pugh
Debutante: Ray’Lei Reed
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Shontell Harris
Escort: Jaylen Lamel Jackson
Escort’s Parents: Randy Moore and Colossia Moore
Debutante: KeMari Rice
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Marquis Rice
Escort: Omarion R. Tucker
Escort’s Parents: Kenneth Ferguson and Cassandra Ferguson
Debutante: Taryn Rice
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Karen Adams and Dr. Antoine Rice
Escort: Dantrell Shelton
Escort’s Parents: Arlisia Knight
Debutante: Amari Robinson
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Millicent Tate and Richard Robinson
Escort: Reshawn C. Davis
Escort’s Parents: Reshawn Davis and Leola Burnett
Debutante: Mariyah Savage
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Eugenia Thornton
Escort: K’Veon Orion Oliver
Escort’s Parents: Melissa Freeman and Antonyo Oliver
Debutante: Na’Ziya Simmons
School: Watson Chapel High School and Southeast Arkansas College
Parents/Guardians: Thekla Gaines and Nicholas Simmons
Escort: Demetrise Devonte Carter
Escort’s Parents: Antoinette Tyus
Debutante: Mariah Sims
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Brandon Sims and Whitney Sims
Escort: Tristan Turrell Redd
Escort’s Parents: Wanda Sims
Debutante: Calah Sloan
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Shaneka Anderson and the late Cedrick Sloan
Escort: LaMarcus D. Morris
Escort’s Parents: Chianti K. Logan and LaMarcus D. Morris
Debutante: Lacandra Sprinkle
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Roderic Sprinkle and Jonetrene Forrest
Escort: Adam R. Price
Escort’s Parents: Nakeysha Price
Debutante: Jelayla Stith
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Jeffrey Stith Jr. and Latrisha Stith
Escort: Jaden Winston
Escort’s Parents: Sedric Jones and Tamekia Jones
Debutante: Za’Reyah Thomas
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Latoya White and Brodrick White
Escort: Da’lon James Smith
Escort’s Parents: and James and LaSonja Smith
Debutante: Blair Weston
School: White Hall High School
Parents/Guardians: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Weston
Escort: Eric L. White Jr.
Escort’s Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Eric White
Debutante: Madison Wiley
School: Pine Bluff High School
Parents/Guardians: Lamont Wiley Sr. and Kimberly Wiley
Escort: QuenDarius A. Jones
Escort’s Parents: Crystal Jones
Debutante: D’Kaila Williams
School: Watson Chapel High School
Parents/Guardians: Sheena Burton and Donterrien Williams
Escort: Detric D. Cooper
Escort’s Parents: Lateci Barnes
