Zulu’s Annual Cotillion presents 20 debutants to society

“Zulu Celebrate Fantasy and Adventure” was this year’s theme to the organization’s Coronation Ball, held, as tradition dictates, on the Friday evening before Mardi Gras.

Officially crowned King Zulu 2019 before family, friends, Zulu loyalists and invited guests was George V. Rainey.

King George, who’s been a member of Zulu since 1972, is credited for the establishment of Zulu Lundi Festival and for initiating Zulu’s poster series. He is a former Zulu Big Shot and in 2004 was named Board Member Emeritus.

Reigning as Queen Zulu is King Zulu’s granddaughter, Kailyn Lilly Rainey. Miss Rainey, daughter of Michelle Patterson and Oscar Rainey, is currently a sophomore at LSU. She is a graduate of St. Katherine Drexel where she was a member St. Katharine Drexel Kiwanis International Key Club, the National Honor Society, Student Council, Co-Captain of the tall flag marching unit, Student Ambassador, Editor in Chief of the Yearbook, and a member of the Bee Legacy. At LSU, she is a member in LSU’s Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants.

Making their debuts that evening were Misses Kayla A. Gilbert, daughter of Ms. Krystala A. Crowden and Darryl Gilbert, Jr.; Alex G. Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wondell N. Smith; Sydney M. Borne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Borne, Jr.; Abria A. Celestine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Celestine, Sr.; Zara A. Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar A. Austin; Jordyn M. Crockett-daughter of the late Mr. Larry McBride and Mrs. Eusheka C. Johnson; Jaylynn S. Dibble, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Dibble; Laila J. Howard, daughter of Ms. Tanitra Williams; Keirsten L. Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kelly; Kelsey D. Lash, daughter of Ms. Danielle Lash and Mr. Byron Williams;

Also Misses Yunique X. Lloyd, daughter of Ms. Tralisha Washington; Paige A. Luster, daughter of Mr. Brian Luster and Ms. Yvette Luster; Jordan C. McFarland, daughter of Ms. Stephanie L. Hawkins; Milan A. Poydras, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Poydras; Nishell K. Riley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donisha and Wendell Riley, Sr.; Trinity, M. Rogers, daughter of Mrs. Davina Brown and Mr. Devin B. Rogers Sr.; Layla X. Sterling, daughter of Ms. Lola Harry and Mr. Ernie Sterling; Myliah O. Surratt, daughter of Ms. Datrice Smith and Marcus Surratt; Angelica S. Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Williams; and Ariadne S. Wordsworth, daughter of Ms. Rhonda D. Williams and Mr. Aaron Wordsworth.

Serving as pages to King and Queen Zulu were Laryon Darnell Earl Gilmore, Kaiden Rainey, Me`Kai Rosemore, Rashad Warner, Kamali Douglas, Nili Boseman, Laila G. LaCabe, and Kymani Singleton.

Dennis Robertson, Jr., served as Chairman of Carnival Activities for the organization, Clifton Jones served as Coordinator of the Coronation, and Clarence A. Becknell Sr., Zulu Historian Emeritus, served as the official master of ceremonies.

Elroy A. James is President of Zulu.

This article originally published in the March 4, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.