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Gwinnet “Pearls” make their grand debut
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From left, Atia Scott; Miss Debutante 2008 Morgan Prime and Courtney Mason. Photo by Bettina Benoit Durant
Morgan Kaya Prime was crowned Miss Debutante 2008 at the fifth biennial debutante cotillion and scholarship ball, held by the Upsilon Alpha Omega graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation. She also received the academic award.
The cotillion was April 12 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. April Nelson presided and Kiara Davis, Miss Debutante 2006, spoke. Little Miss AKA Casey Mason presented the crown and AKA sisters joined hands and sang the sorority’s hymn.
After dinner, debs were presented by their fathers or family designees, given strands of pearls by their mothers, and presented with a pink rose from their junior escorts. The grand waltz was choreographed by Richelle Nicole Kirkland of the Revelation Dance Theatre of Atlanta. Courtney Alexis Mason was named Miss Debutante’s first runner-up and Atia Scott was second runner-up.
Mi’Lisa Patton was named Ms. Congeniality and junior escort Jordan Patrick was named Mr. Congeniality.
Geri Baldwin Gonzalez is president of the Upsilon Alpha Omega graduate chapter. Janice McGruder is president of Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation. The cotillion benefited the Beauty P. Baldwin scholarship fund.
Swan House Ball honors the memory of Fanny Cocke
The Swan House Ball, held at the Atlanta History Center on April 26, honored the memory of Frances Floyd Cocke, a native Atlantan who embodied her family’s tradition of philanthropy and service. She supported the High Museum of Art for decades, and was a Life Trustee of the Woodruff Arts Center. She and 11 other arts patrons, nicknamed the “dirty dozen,” established the Forward Arts Foundation in 1965, and opened the Swan Coach House.
Enlarged portraits of Mrs. Cocke were displayed in the Grand Overlook Ballroom, where guests dined on a classic American menu created by Bold American Catering: oysters Rockefeller, Waldorf salad and Delmonico steak and scallops with Newburg sauce. Following the live auction, the evening concluded with dessert and cordials at the Swan House.
Honorary chairs for the event, benefiting the Atlanta History Center, were Jane and Dameron Black, Mrs. Cocke’s daughter and son-in-law. Susan Tucker served as chair. Corporate chairs were Thomas D. Hills, Richard C. Parker and John W. Spiegel. Patron chairs were Karen Spiegel and D. Jack Sawyer Jr. Host committee chairs were
The patron party preceding the Swan House Ball was held at Huckleberry Hill, the 14-acre Valley Road estate built in 1934 by Fanny and Emory Cocke. Patron party guests included presenting sponsor Ben Carter and Sarah Kennedy, Cam and Stiles Kellett, Ruth and Tom Anthony, Jim Landon, Joan and George White, Le and Beauchamp Carr and Valerie and Cotten Alston.
Swan House Ball chair Susan Tucker, left, with honorary chairs Dameron and Jane Black. Photo credit: Kim Link
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