AKA's Cultured Pearls foundation to present 2024 debutantes this Saturday in Oak Ridge

The Oak Ridger
·2 min read

Seven young women will be presented April 6 by the Cultured Pearls of the Secret City Foundation, the charitable arm of the Oak Ridge Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

The presentation and ball will take place at 5 p.m. at the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium.

It is the final event after several months of education, cultural, and social activities designed to foster and encourage leadership skills, academic and cultural excellence, healthy peer interactions, and community service.

The seven “Pearls of Prestige” are:

  • Kaiya Simone Barnes, a junior at Oak Ridge High School. Kaiya is the daughter of Stephen and Vidya Barnes. Kaiya will be presented by Stephen Barnes and escorted by Diondre Jackson II.

Barnes
Barnes

  • Brooklyn Cire Bush, a senior at Webb School of Knoxville. Brooklyn is the daughter of Eric and Carrena Bush. Brooklyn will be presented by her father and escorted by Kevon Carroll.

Bush
Bush

  • Rosita Apolonia Cruze, a senior at Oak Ridge High School. Rosita is the daughter of José and Catrina Cruze. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Bobby Teixeira.

Cruze
Cruze

  • Mikyra Seven-Lei Pettus, a senior at Oak Ridge High School. Seven is the daughter of Miguel and Rochelle Pettus. She will be presented by Miguel Pettus and escorted by De’Jauvis Dozier.

Pettus
Pettus

  • Jaidyn Elise Pierce, a junior at Oak Ridge High School. Jaidyn is the daughter of Eric and Anitra Brown-Pierce. She will be presented by her father and escorted by Kasen Robinson.

Pierce
Pierce

  • Dimitria Devonne Strickland, a senior at Oak Ridge High School. Dimitria is the daughter of Dimitri Strickland and Angel Thompson. Dimitria will be presented by Strickland and escorted by Pryce Davis.

Strickland
Strickland

  • Tiahna Anece Taylor, a senior at Oak Ridge High School. Tiahna is the daughter of Brantley and Brandi Taylor. Tiahna will be presented by Brantley Taylor and escorted by Brennen Scott.

Taylor
Taylor

The public is invited to the 2024 Presentation and Ball. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Children (5-12 years old) tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Membership in Cultured Pearls foundation comprises all current financial members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Oak Ridge Chapter. Board president is Vanessa Bradley.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Meet the 2024 debutantes chosen by Cultured Pearls in Oak Ridge