Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Epsilon Theta Zeta Chapter, gathered at the downtown Suffolk Hilton Garden Inn to host their 44th Annual Debutante-Beautillion on April 24.

Young men and women from high schools in the region participated in this annual scholarship program sponsored by the sorority several decades ago.

Over time this event has evolved to assist the contestants in reaching for new educational heights and promote fundraising, community service and self-empowerment. The contestants creatively fundraised to accumulate donations for their individual scholarships. The sorority kicked off the scholarship presentation in October 2014, and the momentum of fundraising began for these young scholars. During the final calculation deadline, the chapter recorded an estimated $27,000 was received collectively for the contestants in April 2015.

The winners of the Debutante-Beautillion Presentation for 2015 were Debutante Queen Sarena Pillows, a senior from Robinson Secondary High School, Fairfax, and Beautillion King Jeffrey Allen II, a senior from Southampton High School, Courtland. Other schools that participated in the presentation were Lakeland High School, King’s Fork High School, Nansemond River High School and Chesterfield’s L.C. Bird High School.