Program Booklet: 2023 Rhoyal Princess Cotillion

About Us SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC. Founded November 12, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven young educators, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents, through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities. We have over 500 chapters in the US, Bahamas, Bermuda, US Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, S. Korea, United Arab Emirates and Japan.

It is the mission of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil, and social action. Our goal is to achieve greater progress in the areas of education, health awareness, and leadership development. Our members, affiliates, staff, and community partners work to create and support initiatives that align with our vision.

Our national programs include Operation Big Bookbag, Project Cradle Care, Women’s Wellness initiative, Swim 1922 and the Annual Youth Symposium.

BETA ZETA SIGMA CHAPTER The local chapter, Beta Zeta Sigma, of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority was chartered on March 1, 1946 by 10 young women at Bricks College. They were Annie Neville, Annie Battle, Catherine Johnson, Lucille Hagans, Catherine Johnson, Mary Backus, Ida Gaynor, Anniedelle Armstrong, Lou Reeves, Mary Backus. Working to provide a scholarship opportunity for young women to attend college, Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter has presented the Rhomania Debutante Ball for over 70 consecutive years beginning in 1949. We have provided over $600,000 scholarships to over 3,000 young women in the Rocky Mount, Tarboro, and Wilson communities.

Beta Zeta Sigma chapter is honored to continue our tradition of service to our communities by participation in our Sorority’s national programs such as Operation Big Book bag, Project Cradle care and the Women’s Wellness Initiative. We are also happy to further our scholarship efforts by presenting our first Rhoyal Princess Cotillion. We strive to continuously embody our motto “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”

Greetings FROM THE BASILEUS It is a pleasure to welcome you

FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIR

to the 2023 Rhoyal Princess

On behalf of the Rhoyal Princess

Cotillon. The local chapter of

Cotillion Committee it has been

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

our pleasure to work with these

Is proud to present our lovely young ladies. This event is a culmination of hard work, dedication, and financial support of our princesses, parents, family, and friends. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible!

Our young ladies have participated in various

Princesses over the past seven months. We have had many opportunities to learn and grow with each other. We have practiced the fine art of sitting, standing, walking and table etiquette. Sessions were also given on marketing, career planning, and self-care. We danced and laughed and had an overall

workshops such as career planning, public speaking,

good time.

and etiquette to help them prepare for the future. The

A special shoutout to our Queens (the moms)! Your

Rhoyal Princess Cotillion has allowed the Sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to carry out its creed of self-improvement, uplifting young people, and rendering service wherever needed.

unwavering support of your daughter’s raising efforts and shopping for shoes and dresses – we give you a big thank you and an even bigger hug! We appreciate your loving and concerned attitude towards helping your

Congratulations Princesses! You are going to do

daughter put her best foot forward.

amazing things in your life and in the words of

Thank you to the community for your on-going

Edgar A. Quest:

support of Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Rho Sorority. To our guest performers, speakers and

Warm Regards,

Rhoyal Princess Cotillion Committee, Chair

Carol Hart

Basileus, Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter

entertainment, you make this a momentous occasion and we are deeply appreciative.

Sincerely,

Kim Tillman-Riggins

Princesses JA’SANAH CIMONE CARPENTER

NIA ROXIE FERGUSON

8th Grade, Sallie B. Howard School Wilson, NC

7th Grade, G.R. Edwards Middle School, Rocky Mount, NC

Future: Fashion Designer Queen: Tusheia Green King: Sylvester Cooper Rhoyal Escort: Bralon BuArt

Future: Pediatric Nurse Queen: Antonia Ferguson King: Derrick Lyons Rhoyal Escort: Ethan Harrison

KINAYA TYSHAE CUNNINGHAM

TALYLA LUEVEENY’A HILL

9th Grade, Tarboro High School Tarboro, NC

7th Grade, G.R. Edwards Middle School Rocky Mount, NC

Future: Attorney/Real Estate Agent Queen: Candice Lane King: Calvin Stokes Rhoyal Escort: Keivious Bridges

Future: Cosmetologist Queen: Dominque Cheeks King: Rev. Robert Yarbrough Rhoyal Escort: Sincere Wilson

SHIRLIENA LA CHÉ DICKERSON

JADA ARMANI JONES

11th Grade, Rocky Mount Preparatory Rocky Mount, NC

9th Grade, Sallie B. Howard School Wilson, NC

Future: Photographer/Teacher Queen: Selisha Richardson King: Davanna Witcher Rhoyal Escort: Denzel Harrison

Future: Veterinarian Queen: Nachele Jones King: Phillip Jones Rhoyal Escort: Kurare Cassiel Butler Woods

AMBER KELIS EXUM

HAELYNN ANNJOELI MOSES

8th Grade, Martin Millennium Academy Tarboro, NC

6th Grade, Rocky Mount Middle Rocky Mount, NC

Future: Anesthesiologist Queen: Cashonda Exum King: Carlos Exum Rhoyal Escort: Justyn Raynor

Future: Cosmetologist Queen: Angela Stephenson King: Nathaniel Moses Rhoyal Escort: Haden Moses

NYLAH KEJWAN ROBERTS 8th Grade, Nash Central Middle School Nashville, NC Future: Fashion Designer Queen: Veronika Roberts King: Jermaine Roberts Rhoyal Escort: Poetry Jones

Scholarship Contributors Donors • $25 - 49 Mary Bullock Damion Byrd Alesia Byrd Pam Daniels Jacquelin Dickens Tasha Fleming Nakisha Floyd Cheri Goosby

Marland Harden Family Chernelle Hill Demetta Hill Kim Hines Evelyn Johnson Rikisa Johnson Alisha Lancaster Dakisha Locklear

Derrick Lyons Roger Lyons Tebrysa Matchem Johnnie Moses Mary Moses Nathaniel Moses Gloria Porter Jordan Price

Katina Ruffin Stephanie Thorne Carol White Janasia Wood Lancaster-Silver Family

Cay Lane Brittany Lassiter Crystal Lewis Kashea Lewis Jazcha Lloyd Jace Lloyd Diane Lyons Donald Moore Shanika Moore Shonnika Moore Virginia Moses Rosa Owens Gerlene Parker Ashley Patterson Ja’quan Phillips Sherry Phillips

Sheral Pitt Rodney Pitt Shaq Roberson Jermaine & Veronika Roberts Robin Shaw Sharonda Staton Donald Stephenson Sheila Stokes Sherrika Stokes Michael Stokes Byron Stokes Sheila Wallace Keith Wiggins Abril Wilkins

Bonnie Hougjh Lesley Johnson Ann Smith Johnson Phillip Jones Dorothy Gale Jones Yashika Jones Shirley Kearney Candice Lane Ervin Lane Phillip & Gloria Lyons Hilliard & Linda Lyons Shirley Monk Elizabeth Moore

Cedric Moses Church of the Open Door Baptist Janice Parker Cephus Pierce Antonia Pace, Rare Prespective Nesbitt & Dot Spruill Calvin Stokes Brenda Stokes Shana Wilkins

Subscribers • $50 - $99 Rametta Battle Nekita Beach Lakel Black Nina Branch Keivious Bridgers Margaret Carlisle Lynette Clements Debra Cofield Tyquan Cunningham Myrna Deloatch Samuel & Pam Dickens Shirley Draughn Kenneth Draughn Jace Epps Duane Exum Kevin Flowers

Eugene Ford Evelyn Graves Clara Grey Johnny Grey Pertayia Harell Sierra Hawkins Bernika Herring Tiffany Hopkins Gladys Huggins Audriette Joyner Kathy Shaw Kearney Samuel & Pam Kelly Lisa Knight Shannel Knight Linda Knight Courtney Lane

Sustainers • $100+ Renee Bennett Marcia Black Trina Blunt Johnny & Tusheia Carpenter Dominique Cheeks St. Mark AME Church Sylvester & Janie Cooper Joleesa Daniels Pamela Daniels Gwen Davis Hattie Daniels Day Care Center Stanley & Connie Dickens Donna & Brad Dickens

Carlos Exum Cashonda Shaw Exum Benjamin Ferguson Jermaine Ferguson Beverly Frazier Judy Green Helen Halloway Mona Hardy Rosa Harrell Lee Harrell David Harris Shantell Harris Carol Hart

Good Luck HAELYNN MOSES Love, Dad & Lesley

Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Congratulates the 2023

Rhoyal Princesses in a spectacular Cotillion!

JOB WELL DONE!

SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.

Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter CHAPTER OFFICERS Basileus • Carol Hart 1ST Anti-Basileus • Joleesa Daniels 2ND Anti-Basileus • Kim Riggins Grammateus • Katina Ruffin Tamiochus • Shawnita Harper

Anti-Grammateus • April Batts Epistoleus • Nicole Israel Parliamentarian • Lovie Rooks Chaplain • Debora Powell Sergeant-At-Arms • Stephanie Thorne

CHAPTER MEMBERS Roberta Battle-Sessoms Amy Bell-Blount Brenda Bryant Smith Martha Byrd Antonia Bunch Dewanna Cherry Lynette Clements Kyler Daniels Pamela Daniels

Mary Dawson Azzure Edwards Antonia Ferguson Cheri Goosby Rasheeda Graham Shantel Harris Bernika Herring Bonnie Hough Andrea Hunter

Nachele Jones Elizabeth Moore Delia Perkins Tamara Richardson Evelyn Shaw Wilson Gloria Tabron Sheila Williams Grace Wilson

“Greater Service, Greater Progress”

Thank You Rev. Robert Yarbrough, Pastor St. Mark AME Church

William “Bill” Myers Musician

Rev. Dr. Nesbitt Spruill, Senior Pastor Church of the Open Door

Brad Mitchell Photographer

Doneva Chavis Edgeombe Community College

Rachel Dixon, Dixon Media Graphic Design

Ron Sharpe Edgecombe Community College

Alexia McWilliams The Plush Empire

Travis Thompson Master of Ceremonies

William “Bill” Jones Kings & Rhoyal Escorts

Soror Dannell Taylor Speaker

Smith’s Florist

André Royal Music Greg Royal Music

Six Smoking Bones Speight’s Trophies