From Girls to Young Women: A Celebration of Grace, Growth & Sisterhood in Akron’s Les Belles Perles Cotillion
Fifteen young women from across Akron transformed more than just their attire at the 41st annual Les Belles Perles Debutante Cotillion held at the John S. Knight Center this March; they symbolically stepped into womanhood.
Wearing flowing white gowns and long silk gloves, the debutantes were formally presented during an evening steeped in tradition, elegance, and empowerment.
Their walk across the ballroom floor, the deep curtsies, and the ceremonial bestowing of pearls by their mothers marked a rite of passage, one rooted in legacy and evolving purpose. After weeks of rehearsals and months of preparation, the girls and their escorts delivered choreographed dances before opening the floor to a night of music and celebration.
For LaMyria Trammell, a senior at Buchtel Community Learning Center and a standout leader in her school, the commitment felt overwhelming at first. Between her role as corps commander in the Air Force JROTC, her duties as student council president, and her aspirations to become a nurse, Trammell almost passed on the opportunity. But she didn’t, and she’s grateful for that decision.
“It was kind of hard for me to adapt,” she admitted. “But honestly, I don’t regret it. I’ve definitely learned some communicable lessons.”
Trammell was nominated for a $600 scholarship, one of many awarded through the program. Since its inception in 1982, the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has given over $430,000 in scholarship funds to debutantes, a reflection of the cotillion’s commitment to service, sisterhood, and scholarship.
Historically associated with affluent Black families, the event has broadened its reach over the decades. Registration costs can exceed $1,000, but the Deltas and their community partners step in to support participants when needed. “We try not to put it all on the backs of the girls,” said Lori Alamin, a member of the local Delta Sigma Theta chapter.
The six-month program leading up to the cotillion includes mentorship, service projects, etiquette training, cultural experiences, and leadership development, a holistic approach to preparing the girls not just for one night, but for life.
Former debutantes like Porsche Cherry, who participated in 2005 and returned this year to support her niece, say the experience left lasting impressions. “It was that confidence and that knowledge of going into adulthood,” Cherry said. “And being able to connect with other young ladies with the same mindset.”
The impact is personal, long-lasting, and often generational. Shaiana Jones, a 2009 alumna of the program, credits the cotillion with shaping her educational and professional drive: “It was always that added piece of the education narrative.”
As the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta prepares to celebrate its 65th anniversary on May 17, its mission endures — to uplift, empower, and support the next generation of leaders. For girls like LaMyria Trammell, the cotillion was more than an event; it was a transformative journey.
