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Debutantes and their escorts line the dance floor during the 42 Annual Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio.
Under the lights they stood — tiaras and pearls glinting, white gowns sweeping the floor — poised for their formal introduction to Akron.
Behind them, their escorts waited in black tuxedoes and bow ties, a quiet counterpoint to the anticipation filling the John S. Knight Center.
This moment at the 42nd Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion, held Saturday, Feb. 28, marked the latest chapter of celebrating local high school-aged students and their achievements.
Photographer Michael Francis McElroy captured the event in the images below.
Davaya Deniya Walker gets a final dress adjustment before the 42nd Annual Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Denver Moriah Black waits backstage with debutantes before being introduced to the audience at the Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. held its 42nd annual cotillion at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Organizers with the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. say the program goes far beyond a formal presentation. Through leadership enrichment, arts and cultural exposure, volunteerism, scholarship and community engagement, the cotillion is designed to help shape confident, college-ready young women.
Presenters wait to introduce their debutantes at the 42nd Annual Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Escorts (L-R) Henre Hilton, Roshad Al’ Qaadir and Jaeden Dancy pose for a photo while waiting for their debutantes at the 42 Annual Les Belles Debutante Perles Cotillion, held in downtown Akron. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
“This cotillion represents more than a formal presentation,” said Towanda Mullins, president of the Akron alumnae chapter. “It is an investment in the future of our community.”
Over the decades, more than 700 high school-aged female scholars have been presented, collectively receiving more than $500,000 in scholarships.
Surrounded by family and friends, Andrea Lorea Johnson poses for a photo at the 2026 edition of the Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Mothers of the debutantes wait to present pearls to their daughters at 2026 edition of the Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Kennedy Anaiah Gaines receives her pearls during the Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion, Saturday, Feb. 28 at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
This year, the chapter awarded $20,000 in scholarships.
Five debutantes are on track to graduate high school with an associate’s degree. Grade point averages for the group ranged from 3.0 to 4.6. And each debutante logged more than 200 hours of community service.
Brian Turner, a retired educator and administrator with Akron Public Schools, served as the event’s presenter.
Debutantes wait backstage before the start of the 42nd Annual Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Maya Lorene Coates is escorted at the 42nd Annual Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)Family members of Kynnedy Mychal Ann Koger watch her take the stage at the 42nd Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion. The event was held at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron, Ohio. (Michael Francis McElroy / Signal Akron)
Managing Editor (he/him)
Gary is returning to Akron after previously working at the Akron Beacon Journal as a sports reporter from 2003 to 2006. He is committed to delivering authoritative, trustworthy journalism that is accessible to everyone. Gary mostly recently worked as a newsroom leader in Clarksville (Tenn.), Murfreesboro (Tenn.) and Nashville, where he was the business, race and culture editor at The Tennessean. He is a native of New Orleans and a product of Southern University and A&M College. In his free time, you can find him cycling, playing paintball and smoking meats.
