The debutantes are (from left) Joslyn Styer Jackson, Diamond Bailey, Ayanna Nicole Holmes, Jocelyn Renae Brown, Janeyah Rivers-Hamilton, Sydney Ellana Coppadge, Lake Sheron Greene and Valerie Erica Jones.

After a six-month regimen that included fund-raising, etiquette training, dance instruction and volunteerism, eight female students from the Coatesville Area Senior High will be recognized at the 2013 Lilies and Pearls Cotillion Ball on Saturday.

The program, which was started by  Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor, a school board member, associate professor of history at West Chester University, and community activist, is designed to provide fellowship, fun, and social and educational enrichment for young ladies in grades 11 and 12. With the theme, “Cultivating Pearls,” the Lilies and Pearls Cotillion will be held at the Gateway Center in Parkesburg.

The sold-out event is an invitation-only gala that provides scholarships to participants who undergo a rigorous regimen of scholastic endeavors, servant leadership through volunteerism and community service, fund-raising, cultural activities such as visiting the Barnes Foundation, and exposure to the principles of exemplary service and exceptional character embraced by Lilies and Pearls.The following eight debutantes have met the challenge, which included participating in a series activities that encourage healthy lifestyles, academic achievement, and economic independence:

Diamond Bailey, daughter of Mr. Alexander and Ms. Quinchetta Ocran, escorted by Marcus Windfield Brazzle, the son of Mrs. and Mrs. Richard Lackey; Jocelyn Renae Brown, daughter of Mr. Anthony and Mrs Kimberly Brown, escorted by Anthony Staley Barnett Jr., the son of Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Chowan Barnett; Sydney Ellana Coppadge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Paul A. Coppadge, escorted by Timothy Jacob Hallager,  the son of Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Janelle Johnson; Lake Sheron Greene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winston Greene, escorted by Avery Thompson, the son of Mrs. Itanna Stewart; Ayanna Nicole Holmes, daughter of Mr. Waverly and Mrs. Jackie Green-Holmes, escorted by Jalen Jair Hudson, the son of Ms. Bernardette Hudson;

Joslyn Styer Jackson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Omar Jackson, escorted by Stephen Collins, . the son of Mr. Forest and Mrs. Towanda Collins; Valarie Erica Jones, daughter of Mr. Eric and Mrs. Vanessa Jones, escorted by Nyreek Scott, son of Ms. Tiquettia Scott; andJaneyah Rivers-Hamilton, daughter of Mr. Charles Hamilton and Ms. Sharon Rivers,  escorted and presented by her father, Mr. Charles Hamilton.

For more information or to support the program, visit http://www.tonyathamestaylor.com/cotillion.html.  Donations can also be mailed to Lilies and Pearls Cotillion, 112 Airport Road #367, Coatesville, 19320.