Cotillion
“Vintage New Orleans — Honoring Elegance, Grace, and Timeless Traditions” bannered the 18th annual Pearls of Pride and Promise Cotillion presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter. It was held in the Celestin Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency and showcased a radiant queen, Miss Kelsey Amyri McPherson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McPherson (she is Kimberly), along with 16 debutantes and the same-number of escorts, three princesses, and two pages. Wearing the crown in 2024 was Miss Hope Christine Singleton.
The sorority’s signature apple green and salmon pink were the dominant colors. Floral accents were used — along with draping in the custom background — in arches, columned aisles, nosegays, wrist corsages, boutonnieres, and headpieces of the participants. Fitchfield provided the music throughout and the host hotel, the cuisine.
Notables were cotillion chair Judge Charlene Larche-Mason, co-chairs Dr. Yolanda Worner Prevost (also cotillion ball captain) and Valerie Fontenot, mistresses of ceremonies Tara Lampton Johnson and Leigh McNeill, and respective chapter president and vice president Marjorie Parker and Mary Cole-Bush. Nedra Alcorn chaired the cotillion awards.
The cotillion’s first and second maids were Misses Lauren Ashley Fowler and Gabrielle Delilah Vance, whose parents are Dannye and Leanne Fowler and Jason and Courtney Vance. The debutantes and their parents were Misses Laila Saige Blondell, Sean and Laci Rouzan Blondell; Riley Elise Brown, Tyrone and Angelle DeLarge Brown; Bria Gabrielle Dave, Bruce and Bridgette Williams Dave; Kalyn Jonae Guerin, John Guerin Jr. and Graclyn Guerin; Imani Johnae Guillory, John Willis Guillory and Nina Ann Stokes; and Mariah Tatiana Hooks, Nakia Hooks and Tina Ellsworth.
And, Misses Kasey Amor Keelen, George Keelen Jr. and Kijafa Keelen-Morris; Taylor Samone Kindrick, Nicholas Jr. and Tanya Kindrick; Whitney Karen Neal, Warren and Shannon Neal; Bailei Camille Pearson, Mack and Bettina Ware; Kylah D’Laci Prevost, Kyle Prevost and Judge Sharlayne Jackson-Prevost; Jordyn Kensley Rayford, Glen Rayford Sr. and Re’Shawn Rayford; Kennedy Danae Skinner, Cedric and Kendria Skinner; and Trinity Delis Smith, Trebor and Demetrice Smith. The three princesses were Serenity Louise DiGiovanni, Julia A. DiGiovanni and Christi D. Walding; Braelyn Evelyn Jones, Keith Jones Jr. and Brenisha Jones; and Keller Lane Morris, Timothy Morris and MaQue Hollins. Completing the cortege as pages were Brooklyn Joel Flowers, Brandon and Ashley Flowers, and Jerome Fedison III, Jerome Fedison Jr. and Donisha Fedison.
Prior to the impressive Grand Curtsy by members of the Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter, the debutantes enjoyed two special waltzes: one with their fathers, and the second with escorts. Among the favorite musical selections were “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Last Waltz.” As for the visuals, all eyes turned to queen Kelsey’s lovely white organza gown that was adorned with floral patterns and shimmering pearls and rhinestones. The train’s embroidery honored the chapter.
Commenting on her reign, her majesty recalled her mother’s royalty with the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale in 2018; her service projects leading up to her own Pearls of Pride and Promise queenship; and bonding with the other debutantes.
Heady Hobnobbing
Presented by First Horizon Bank, and in partnership with The New Orleans Town Gardeners and City Park Conservancy, the Heart of the Park Hat Luncheon packed the premises with pulchritude. The chapeau-ed coterie arrived at 11 a.m. for the patron party in the park’s New Orleans Botanical Garden, where Dex Daley Steel Pan provided the entertainment. Then it was on to the Pavilion of the Two Sisters for the pre-set luncheon by Chez Nous and City Park Catering of watermelon gazpacho, ravigote salad with Paul Piazza’s Gulf shrimp, and key lime pie.
India Hicks, goddaughter of King Charles III (to whom she is related), was the guest speaker. A British designer, writer, businesswoman, and former fashion model, she is the daughter of famed interior designer David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks. She grew up in England and then lived on a Caribbean island, where she raised her five children. Now, India Hicks “works on the fringes of fashion and the front lines of disaster relief.”
Teamed to chair Hat Luncheon were Alicia Higginbotham, Dr. Kate Zibilich Holcomb, Mary Wyatt Milano and Katherine Saulsbury. More headliners were patron chairs Cathy Cary and Catherine Freeman; and décor chair Logan Howcott. The tables were center-lined with flowers and beach shells, atop greenery, to complement the requested tropical chic attire of the attendees. An additional 33 women served on the committee. Addressing the comely crowd, along with the featured Hicks, were Liz Sloss, chair, City Park Conservancy; Tony Adams, New Orleans Market President, First Horizon Bank; a brace from New Orleans Town Gardeners in president Virginia Rowan and Cathy Pierson; and Rebecca Dietz, conservancy president and CEO. The luncheon has played a crucial role in preserving and enhancing City Park’s 1,300 acres of urban forest and 24 miles of walking trails, as well as the establishment of an endowment. Benefited, too, will be NOTG’s 20-plus community programs.
Further excitement was generated by the eight attractions of the Pop-Up Parties, and the virtual auction’s Bahamas Bliss, for two couples and three nights, donated by Kathleen and Terry White. In the top four sponsor categories, the individual names to know were Cathy and Hunter Pierson, Cathy and Rivie Cary, and Mrs. Robert H. Boh, Katherine.
In departing, a number of guests toted a book. Titled “Lady Pamela,” it was scripted by India Hicks as a homage to her amazing mom.
Fine Arts
“Another Club year has come to an end.” The salutatory sentence appeared at the top of the invitation extended by the 1916-founded Fine Arts Club for its Au Revoir Luncheon at Ralph’s on the Park. New officers for 2025-2026 were installed with past president Sonda Stacey doing the honors. Sonya David will succeed Cherry Bordelon as president, and, as officers the dubbed were Amy Carbonette Cioll, Judith Bonner, Bette Marks, Marcia Hubbard and Lee Tompson Yood. Elected as board members were Lynne Cashio, Eileen Capritto, Alicia Ohlmeyer, Lee Pitre Lynch, Brenda Tureau, and Cherry Bordelon, who thanked all the out-going officers and board members, thus discharging them from their duties. Robust applause followed Cherry’s address from the likes of Dr. Nina Dhurandhar, Marlene Duronslet, Pat Gallagher, Gwen Hager, Kim Navarre, Alice Reese, Nora Wetzel and Karen Villavaso.
Lavender-colored hyacinths in pots bedecked the tables, where the club members relished a menu of turtle soup, catfish or pork chop as the main course, and a fresh fruit tart to conclude. In addition to catching up with their chums, members reviewed the mission of the club to study and advance the fine arts, to assist such museums, to educate the membership and general public, and to receive and administrate related donations.
“Au revoir” was just for the summer hiatus. In October, meetings, good works and camaraderie will be back aboard.