Poised with top hats, elegant gowns and bow ties, 13 senior Culturama and African Knights made their debut to the world at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.’s, 26th annual Debutante Cotillion and Knights’ Rites of Passage held March 26.

In its 26th year, students and escorts enjoyed a night of grace and charm and danced an elegant waltz with parents. The AKA’s presented students with scholarship and awards such as Miss Congeniality, Mr. Esquire, Highest Overall Academic Average and Presidential Leadership.Awards were also given to winners of the 2011 oratorical and scrapbook contests.

Nancy G. Sewell, general chair for the event, said the occasion was a warm and elegant one.

“It was very congenial,” Sewell said. “There were beautiful dresses and tuxedos and the kids enjoyed doing the waltz; everything was absolutely fantastic.”

Whitney Stanley, Miss Culurama 2011 and first place winner for March’s oratorical contest, said the organization has changed her life tremendously.

“It surrounded me with people I didn’t know and it was just a learning, cultural experience,” Stanley said. “You just learn lots of things through the workshops and it’s a great way to network while in high school.”

Stanley, a Selma High student, plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall and major in biology and pre-dentistry.

This year’s Cotillion winners include:

Mr. African Knight 2011 Kendrick King Crum; Miss Congeniality and Mr. Esquire Jessica Leterica Webb, Kendrick King Crum and Corey Mekelle Lewis; Highest Overall Academic Average Kiremia Lee; Presidential Leadership scholarship Kiremia Lee and Frederick Brown Jr; Oratorical Contest winners (first, second and third place) Whitney Stanley, Ronita Brazil and Bria Cook; Scapbook first, second and third place winners include Cortney Mahone, Neokee Clay and Kiremia Lee.

Mariah Carrie Wilson, Miss Culturama 2010, and Robert Crum, Mr. African Knight 2011, were on hand to crown this year’s Miss Culturama and Mr. African Knight.