2021 PEARLS OF PROMISE DEBUTANTE PROGRAM HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAMBDA UPSILON SIGMA CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AND THE LAMBDA UPSILON SIGMA CHAPTER OF SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.
Congratulations Debutantes Yemisi Badmus and Nzaria Scales on being crowned 2021 Pearls of Promise Co-Queens. Good luck on your future endeavors!
Naya Turner 2020 Pearls of Promise Queen
Shaping the minds and building the character of young ladies is our charge through workshops, and events designed to promote their physical, educational, social and financial well being. Our goal is to provide building blocks of success that will both prepare young ladies for the next phase of their education
The Pearls of Promise Debutante Program is an honors recognition and service initiative hosted by Lambda Upsilon Sigma for high school seniors. Through the initiative, participants undertake a sixmonth long educational program focused on Leadership Development, Personal Development, Networking, and Mentoring. This year’s format, which was done virtually, included weekly workshops & meetings, completion of a community service capstone project that is near and dear to them and culminated in a weekend of celebration. Workshops included: College Readiness Personal Branding Money Management Philanthropy Etiquette & Social Graces Self Esteem & Self Awareness
Video Link: https://youtu.be/iFdTEfrJKrI
A video was produced highlighting the Debutantes journey through the program and each Pearls of Promise Co-Queen will be awarded a scholarship to pursue the next phase of their education.
2021 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Yemisi Badmus
2021 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Nzaria Scales
2020 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Naya Turner
2019 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Karina Halpin
2018 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Tamia Hightower
2017 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Ashleigh Gadlin
2016 Pearls of Promise Debutante Queen Cyrah Williamson
In 2015, the Lambda Upsilon Sigma chapter hosted its inaugural Pearls of Promise Debutante Program, a major component of its Rhoer Club that was designed to provide high school students with experiences, education, and financial support as they prepare for college and beyond. Since 2015, the chapter, in partnership with the Lambda Upsilon Sigma Charitable and Educational Foundation (LUECEF) has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships of which $44,000 has been awarded to program participants. This year due to sorority compliance the program was held virtually in which our two debutantes, Yemisi Badmus and Nzaria Scales, heard from those in the industries they are looking to major in, had a LinkedIn and resume review session, learned about the art of balancing community service, life, and philanthropy, learned about proper dining and corporate wardrobe styling. Their learning was capped off with finances and a weekend celebration that included a spa night. We partnered and supported all Black owned businesses for our programming, many local to the DFW area, including our very own Sorors Latrice Roberts and Angelika Thomas (Unikorn Expressions). We appreciate the sponsorship and support of the Lambda Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Soror Kimberly Banks and Swan 7 Productions (Soror Shawanna Lee). Their contributions enabled us to curate an impactful educational program for our ladies, as well as award them with over $3,000 in scholarship awards each. Although this year started off with a challenge with COVID, these ladies did not let that stop them from service, scholarship, and sisterhood. Congratulations Yemisi and Nzaria on your achievements, we are looking forward to the great things to come!
2020-2021 Pearls of Promise Debutante Program Chairs, Kim Banks Melissa Tarpley Dr. Essence Johnson
CONGRATULATIONS 2021 DEBUTANTE CO-QUEENS
Yemisi Badmus & Nzaria Scales
PEARLS OF PROMISE COMMITTEE KIM BANKS MELISSA TARPLEY DR. ESSENCE JOHNSON
Debutante Yemisi Badmus ATTENDING XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Yemisi Badmus is the daughter of Soror Ann Badmus and Terry Badmus. She was born in Plano, Texas and has two siblings, Morenike and Mide. Yemisi is a graduating senior from Plano East Senior High School in the IB program. She is a member of the Plano East Theatre Department and the National Honor Society. Yemisi has been a member of the Rhoer Club for 6 years. Upon graduation, Yemisi will be attending Xavier University of Louisiana to study Political Science on a Pre-Law track. Yemisi attributes the woman she is becoming today to her parents—her mom who inspires her to keep pushing and her dad who picks her up whenever she falls. She carries with her the words her dad passed to her, which his mother passed to him: “wherever you are, say amin, because I will be praying for you.”
"To be radical is to grasp things by the root." - Karl Marx
ADDRESSING FOOD APARTHEID For my community service project, I wanted to address what I viewed as a hidden issue in my area: food apartheid. The term more commonly used is “food desert,” which indicates a lower income area that does not have access to a full-service grocery store. However, the more apt term would “food apartheid” to acknowledge that these areas were created by design through policies such as redlining. I saw this as a hidden issue because coming from an affluent area, the fact that there were areas without fresh fruits and vegetables only thirty minutes from us was never discussed or acknowledged. I chose to raise money for two organizations: North Texas Food Bank and FeedThePeopleDallas mutual aid. The Food Bank supplies families and kids with meals while FeedThePeopleDallas works with community gardens. By baking and selling beignets, I raised over $200 and divided it to the two organizations. I took orders over two weeks and during the week of May 24th I delivered to my area. In total, I spent 28 hours completing this service project.
WW W.SG RHO PLA NO. ORG /PEA RLSO FPRO MISE
CONGRATULATIONS 2021 DEBUTANTE CO-QUEEN
Y
badmus LAMBDA UPSILON SIGMA RHOER CLUB
SOROR KIMBERLY MOSLEY CENTENNIAL SOUTHWEST REGION RHOER COORDINATOR SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.
Debutante Nzaria Scales ATTENDING SPELMAN COLLEGE
Nzaria is the daugher of Nickole Smith. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and has two siblings, Nzuri Scales and Jacqueline Scales. Nzaria is an ingenious leader and graduate of Lewisville High School where she participates in Band/Color Guard. Nzaria is also a member of National Honor Society (NHS), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Interatc Rotary Club, Student Council, President's Club and AVID. Nzaria attends One Community Church and has been a member of the Rhoer Club for six years. Nzaria will attend Spelman College in the Fall where she will study Nursing Nzaria attributes becoming the woman she is today to her Mother, and her tight knit family who continues to defy the odds put against them. Nzaria would also like to attribute her coming of age to the many Sigma women that have nurtured her growth and watched her become the woman she is today. Having grown up in a family made up of strong black women, Nzaria has been afforded every opportunity to bloom into the magnificent yellow daisy soon to be a yellow tea rose. Nzaria makes it her mission to find inspiration in her favorite quote despite the circumstances:
"You don't know what the future holds, but the decisions you make today will heavily impact it's outcome. Fight for the things you believe in. but choose your battles wisely, because every ounce of energy you put out, will come back in some shape or form. Be aware of your thoughts; write them down as often as you can. Correct yourself when you're wrong; don't be too prideful about it, just make things right. Love yourself above anything else and always move with gratitude in your heart. You got this!" -Esther T.
ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE MINORITIES About: This whole community service project was based on the sole fact that Mental health among minorities is not a topic that is discussed often. Many minority households ignore the fact that they are most often suffering from depression, anxiety, or some other mental illness. What is so alarming although some might say is normal considering how minorities are treated, is that only about thirteen percent of minority children are given active care to conquer these difficult, intrusive thoughts. I made a decision to advocate for the people that slipped through the cracks of adequate health care as I am among those that suffer due to the lack of insufficient avocation. I have devised an approach to use my platform to inform my peers about this disparity. My end goal is to help inform at least one person of these issues in hopes of them spreading the word. Bringing light to those hidden behind the curtain that we call mental health stigmas. How did I advocate for this? Created social media posts dedicated to advocating and informing others about the importance of Mental Health. Linking HELP lines, posting tips and tricks to get through a stressful week, Linking organizations to donate to, (Child mind institute -Non profit, independent, provides support to children), National Alliance on mental health, Mental Health America, etc. Making it known that mental health is a top priority, the environment tremendously affects mental health, home life etc. Created a short informative video using information from licensed counselors, mental health articles, etc. Created a digital poster containing warning signs of mental illnesses and a helpline plus a link to a national mental health program website. Beneficiary: Minorities Total Community Service Hours Completed: 13 Hours
Project video link: https://youtu.be/CrYHsF_qXEo
WW W.SG RHO PLA NO. ORG /PEA RLSO FPRO MISE
CONGRATULATIONS 2021 DEBUTANTE CO-QUEEN
NZ
scales LAMBDA UPSILON SIGMA RHOER CLUB PRESIDENT
SOROR KIMBERLY MOSLEY CENTENNIAL SOUTHWEST REGION RHOER COORDINATOR SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.
starting at:
*Bleached shirts only available in Adult sizes up to an XL
starting at:
Mask Coffee Mugs Mousepads Puzzles Tote Bags Drawstring Bags Coasters Pillows Duffle Bags Visors
THANK YOU! Lambda Upsilon Sigma Alumnae Chapter Akilah S. Wallace - Program Speaker / Community & Philanthropy Angelika Thomas - Debutante T-Shirt & Sash Provider Anita Heiskell - Program Speaker / Dining Etiquette & Wardrobe Styling Colea Owens, MBA, RN - Program Speaker / Career Donyea Day Spa - Program Speaker - Debs Spa Night Out/Self Care Dr. Essence Johnson - Debutante Program Co-Chair Fanchion Kenady - Tea Keynote Speaker Kim Banks - Debutante Program Sponsor & Chair Latrice Roberts - Program Speaker - Finances Melissa Tarpley - Debutante Program Co-Chair Sharlandria Shaw - Technology Support Haley Taylor-Schiltz - Program Speaker / College Marcell Jackson - Program Speaker / LinkedIn & Resume Swan 7 Productions - Debutante Program Sponsor Timothy Plumber - Cotillion Video Producer