LIFE

Debutantes carry on 52-year tradition

Vickki Dozier
Lansing State Journal

LANSING - The Les Meres et Debutantes presented three debutantes at its 52nd annual cotillion, held Saturday at the Lansing Center.

The 2017 Les Meres et Debutantes are: Zaria Cannon, left, Taylor Manson and Harmonie Elise Smith.

This year's theme was "A Majestic Evening of Elegance."

The cotillion marks the culmination of social development, scholarship, and community service that started when the young ladies were in middle school.

In 1962, a group of Lansing mothers met in the home of Dorothy Wilson. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss an activity that would help prepare their daughters fulfill their roles as productive young women in society. They also wanted an activity that would develop academic, social and moral strength. From this meeting came the decision to begin Les Meres et Debutantes

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The 2017 debutantes are:

Zaria Cannon, Everett High School, daughter of Mirenda Cannon and Keith Cannon. Zaria was escorted by Andrew Bodiford, Waverly High School, son of Lonnie and Maria Bodiford, and Antonio Trice II, Waverly High School, son of the late Antonio Trice and Michelle Trice. Zaria will attend Michigan State University in the fall.

Taylor Manson, East Lansing High School, daughter of Damian and Ta-Tanisha Manson. Taylor was escorted by DeShaun Lowery, Everett High School, son of Rick and Deborah Lowery, and Xzavier Odom, East Lansing High School, son of Bruce and Carolyn Odom. Taylor will attend the University of Florida in the fall.

Harmonie Smith, Holt High School, daughter of Tamara Jones-Bills and Freddie Bills, and Curtis Smith. Harmonie was escorted by Garrick T. Bradley, Waverly High School, son of Tracy Owens and Garrick Bradley, and Xavier Johnson, son of Curtiss and Sharene Johnson. Harmonie will attend Tennessee State University in the fall.

Contact Vickki Dozier at (517) 267-1342 or vdozier@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter@vickkiD.