Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter is hosting its Fashionetta Promising Pearls Gala this Saturday. (Contributed Photo)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter is hosting its Fashionetta Promising Pearls Gala this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Oak Crossing Event Center in Whitehouse. The theme is An Emerald Affair, “Bridging Her to Greatness,” an evening of elegance and excellence.

The sorority will be honoring silver member, retired educator, and librarian Martha McCormick in recognition of her legacy and dedication to the annual scholarship program and community service project initiatives for over 25 years.

Since its inception 50 years ago, the scholarship program has recognized girls and young women of strong character who pursue academic excellence and engage in community service. Seven Promising Pearls ages 4 to 18 from the East Texas area will be presented at the gala.

The presentation’s moderators are Michael Coleman, Sports Director of KLTV 7, and Maya Golden Bethany, an Award-winning journalist with veteran broadcast experience in sports and news.

This year’s event chairpersons are Tricia Billington, Shelia Kirven-Trotter, and Brittany Robertson-Woods. The current sorority leaders are Delphnie Kennedy as President and Rubye Walker-Kendrick as Vice President.

The sorority extends this legacy in memory of the following women who have given their time immensely to this program over five decades, the Ivies Beyond the Wall: Darlene McClelland-Lewis, Rita Swink, Berdine Craddock, Greta Moore-Dixon, Mary Franklin-Isabell, LaMartha Jones, and Johnnie B. Wilder-Thompson.

The Ivies Beyond the Wall defines members who have passed on.

2024 Promising Pearls are presented in the following categories: Miss Future Fashionetta (ages 4-6), Miss Junior Fashionetta (ages 10-13), and Miss Fashionetta (ages 14-18).

Promising Pearls in the Miss Fashionetta category: JaNiecia Furch, Jaslynn Gilliam, and Raygan Hicks

JaNiecia Jasmine Furch is the daughter of Jacque Furch and Grace Abbey. She is the big sister of Kendrick Abbey and is a contestant in the category for Miss Fashionetta. She is the former winner of Miss Petite Fashionetta 2015.

She is a Senior and third-year dancer on the Southern Belle Dance Team at Tyler Legacy High School and currently finishing cosmetology at Career & Technology Center Cosmetology Salon.

JaNiecia is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. JaNiecia plans to attend Texas A & M College Station to study Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Her vision board of excellence is centered around her future goals and aspirations of the first Black woman with a license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb.

Jaslynn Alise Gilliam is the daughter of Teundria Mass and the granddaughter of Felicia Bailey and the great niece of Gabriella and Andy Davis, and Robert and Tricia Billington. She has one brother, Isaiah. Jaslynn attends New Life Community Church in Tyler. She is an active member of the NLCC Youth Ministries, youth bible study, choir, and praise dance team.

She is currently a senior at Tyler High School, where she is an active member of the Young, Gifted and Black Organization, Student Council Representative, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). She is also involved in Bible Study Club, and is Head Drum Major of the Tyler High Big Blue Band.

Jaslynn will be attending Tyler Junior College in the Fall, where she is a proud member of the TJC Apache Band. She enjoys helping, counseling others and problem solving. Her future goals are centered around this passion. Jaslynn plans to continue her education at Stephen F. Austin University, majoring in sociology.

Her vision board of excellence is inspired by the legendary actress and EGOT award winning actress, Viola Davis. Jaslynn admires Viola Davis for tenacity to work hard and be the best she can be in every role she plays, inspiring confidence to help young ladies soar.

Raygan An Marie Hicks is the daughter of Reginald Hicks and Regina Dunn Hawkins and the niece of Kindera McCloud. She is a 5th grader at Frankston Middle School, where she is an A-Honor Roll Student and a member of the National Honor Society. Her accomplishments include History Leadership Award and placing 1st in UIL Impromptu Speaking, and student of the month, Mountain Mover Award. She is a member of the basketball team, track team and volleyball team.

Raygan is a member of New Hope Baptist Church where she serves as youth usher, speaker, and congress, and participates in the Youth Ministry weekly reflection reading.

“I put God in everything I do,” Raygan said. “I am also the only girl with four brothers. I love being outside with my dog and horses.”

Her vision board of excellence is centered around Ruby Bridges and her impact in the 1960’s, when she became the first Black child to integrate an all-white school. She admires Bridges and how she helped reform education at an early age to where it is now.

Promising Pearl in the Miss Junior Fashionetta Category: Layla Dawn Wade

Layla Dawn Wade is the daughter of Nikki J. Wade and Larry D. Wade, Jr. She is 11 years old and a fifth grader attending Dixie Elementary School. Layla is a member of the Special Olympics Team, where she medaled 1st and 2nd place in basketball, track and field, and her favorite, Bocce. Bocce is an Italian bowling game that is especially popular in Piedmont and Liguria and is also played in Italian communities in the United States, Australia, and South America.

Layla loves to dance and sing, and is very big on giving hugs!

Promising Pearl in the Miss Petite Fashionetta Category: Tori Jae Holman

Tori Jae Holman, a bright and lively six-year-old, is the daughter of Taurean and Angela Holman. She holds the distinction of being the first granddaughter of both Chandra Jones and Sharon Holman, as well as the granddaughter of Grayling Jones and L.D. Holman. She shares her school days with her older brother, Aiden, a fifth grader, and her younger sister, Ari, who is a hallway over in Pre-K at Rice Elementary.

Tori attends North Tenneha Church of Christ with her family, where she participates in Sunday morning bible classes and enjoys singing in church, often sitting with her siblings and cousins. She finds fulfillment in contributing to charitable events, such as assisting families in need at Karing Kitchen.

Recognized for her leadership qualities, Tori has received two awards at Rice Elementary: the Leadership Superstar award acknowledged her exceptional assistance both in the classroom and on campus, and the Rockin’ Rice Ranger award in Music commended her for consistently demonstrating leadership by following instructions and showcasing her beautiful voice. In her academic pursuits, Tori has a commendable record of achieving straight A’s on every report card since attending Rice Elementary.

Her vision board of excellence is about her Gammie, the late Sharon Holman. Tori says that her Gammie inspired her every day to be the best she can be.

Promising Pearls in the Miss Future Fashionetta Category: Emerson Penny Allen and Matilyn Kemp

Emerson “Emmy” Allen is a five-year-old student at Trinity Lutheran Early Childhood Ministry. She is her older brother, Luther’s partner-in-crime and her little sister, Zara’s role model and protector.

Emmy has been doing gymnastics since she was 18 months old and can often be found turning cartwheels wherever space permits. When she is not flipping, Emerson loves crafting, coloring, completing puzzles, and reading books.

Emerson is her Nana’s AKA legacy-in-training and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Her vision board of excellence depicts her inspiration to become a doctor, is the cartoon series of Doc McStuffins.

She is the daughter of Carlton and Kristie Allen and the granddaughter of Sharron Allen, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter.

Matilyn Chanel Kemp is not your average girl; she is a radiant force of brilliance and charisma, infusing every space she enters with warmth and light. As the cherished daughter of Mr. & Mrs. M.T. Kemp, III, she not only thrives in her parents’ love but also carries the esteemed legacy of her grandparents, Donnie and Marvel Campbell, and Mr. & Mrs. M.T. Kemp, II.

Step into Rice Elementary, and you will immediately notice Matilyn at the forefront, not just for her outstanding grades, but also for her contagious enthusiasm for learning. Teachers admire her leadership skills, unwavering focus, and the way she effortlessly brightens up the classroom with her quick wit and infectious laughter.

But Matilyn’s talents extend far beyond the school walls. Venture into Metropolitan Baptist Church, and you will be captivated by her angelic voice soaring in the choir, reminiscent of gospel legends like Marvin Sapp. When not captivating audiences with her vocals, she has been stealing the spotlight on the gymnastics floor since the tender age of 2, where her gravity-defying flips and twists never fail to leave spectators in awe.

Her vision board of excellence exemplifies her old soul’s appreciation for timeless elegance, she finds inspiration in the grace and flair of Dorothy Dandridge, fueling her dreams to reach for the stars.