Published 5:10 am Saturday, August 30, 2025
By Staff Reports
The Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. honored outstanding young women and community leaders during the 2025 Miss Fashionetta Denim and Pearls Gala on June 8 in Tyler, crowning Willow O’Nieliah Evans as Miss Fashionetta 2025. The local sorority also awarded $7,000 in scholarships to seven East Texas high school seniors committed to academic excellence and service.
Hosted at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, the western-themed gala was inspired by gospel artist Kelly Price’s empowering anthem “It’s My Time to Shine.” The event celebrated beauty, poise, leadership, and community impact through a night filled with entertainment, a fashion show sponsored by Dillard’s and Versona, and special recognition of local youth and leaders.
The program was led by Chairperson Tricia Billington and Co-Chairs Adia Cole, Shelia Kirven, Tiffany Whitmire, and Brittany Woods.
Miss Fashionetta Winners
Miss Fashionetta
Willow O’Nieliah Evans
Daughter of Nikishia Allen and Willie Evans Jr., Willow is a dual-enrolled honor student at Early College High School and Tyler Junior College. She maintains a 4.0 GPA, excels in dance and academics, and has completed more than 132 hours of community service. She aspires to become a dermatologist.
Escort: Rodney Curry
First Runner-Up
Eri’Unna Shdae’ Moaning
Daughter of Eric and Shaw Moaning, Eri’Unna is a junior at Tyler Legacy High School. She serves as a social officer for the Southern Belles drill team, is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and plans to become a labor and delivery nurse.
Escort: Christopher T. Moore Jr.
Second Runner-Up
Kylie Malae’ Price
Daughter of Shakellay Black, Cedrick Price and Natasha Black, Kylie is a sophomore at Bullard High School. She is an honor roll student, athlete, and dancer who plans to pursue a career in sonography.
Escort: Adyn Jones
Additional Honorees
Miss Junior Fashionetta
Harmoni Faith Walker
Daughter of De’Marcus and Shatara Walker, Harmoni is a sixth grader at Big Springs Elementary with strong academic and musical talents. She dreams of opening her own bookstore.
Escort: Azareyo McHue Elmore
Miss Petite Fashionetta
Jaxlynn Grace Miller
Daughter of Joseph Miller and Shenika Tucker, Jaxlynn is a 7-year-old student at Cumberland Academy. She enjoys cheerleading, basketball and writing.
Escort: Jaxon Miller
Miss Future Fashionetta
Eliana Danielle Whitmire
Daughter of Carlos and Danielle Whitmire, Eliana is a 5-year-old rising kindergartner. She is a dancer, athlete, and budding performer.
Escort: Carlos R. Whitmire II
Community Awards
Kylie Price and Jaxlynn Miller received the Uplifting Our Local Community Service Award for their volunteer work with the Under the Bridge Project.
Velora Franklin Douglas, a longtime educator and Golden Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, was honored as the 2025 Fashionetta Honoree. She received a quartz trophy and was recognized by the City of Tyler and the Smith County Commissioners Court for her 50 years of service.
Vision Boards of Excellence
Participants created vision boards reflecting themes of identity, leadership, and heritage. Winners were awarded medals and colored ribbons.
First Place – Pink Ribbon
Eliana Whitmire (Miss Future Fashionetta) – “All About Me”
Ar’Moni Caldwell (Miss Petite Fashionetta) – “Simone Biles”
Harmoni Walker (Miss Junior Fashionetta) – “Irene Brown”
Willow Evans (Miss Fashionetta) – “Her Village”
Second Place – Green Ribbon
Jaxlynn Miller – “Rosa Parks”
Ryleigh Woods – “Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris”
Kylie Price – “Debbie Allen”
Third Place – Yellow Ribbon
De’Jaya Beal – “Brandis Manning,” honoring her mother as her role model
Escorts received Medals of Appreciation, and each element of the gala reflected the chapter’s legacy of empowerment, elegance, and excellence, according to a press release.
“The Miss Fashionetta Mentoring and Scholarship Program continues to provide a transformative experience for young girls by enhancing their ambition, community service involvement, etiquette, self-confidence, life skills, and leadership abilities,” Billington said. “This year’s Denim and Pearls Gala was a celebration of vibrant futures and meaningful impact.”
Since its inception in 1999, the program has awarded more than $178,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors.
Additionally, the Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. awarded $7,000 in scholarships to seven outstanding high school seniors from the East Texas area. The chapter’s mission is to promote academic achievement among young women in the local community.
The recipients are:
Jorean Douglas of Tyler High School was awarded $1,500. A former Fashionetta participant in 2014, Douglas plans to attend Tyler Junior College to major in pharmaceutical science. She is the daughter of Devinne Douglas-Holman, a member of the sorority, and the granddaughter of Golden Member Velora Douglas.
Raelynn Fannin of Princeton Senior High School was awarded $1,500. A 2009 Fashionetta contestant, Fannin plans to major in psychology at Texas Southern University. She is the granddaughter of Soror Barbara Fannin.
Trinadee Jackson of Mineola High School was awarded $1,000. She will attend the University of North Texas to become a criminal attorney.
Ka’Mya Henson-Key of Tyler High School was awarded $750. She will pursue a degree in psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.
Olivia Hughes of Mineola High School was awarded $750. She will study petroleum engineering at Texas Tech University.
Fabiola Quijada of Legacy High School was awarded $750. She plans to major in musical theater at Texas State University in San Marcos.
Taylor Stewart of Whitehouse High School was awarded $750. She will attend Texas Woman’s University and pursue a career in law.
Each of these students exemplifies academic dedication, community service, and leadership.
The scholarship program is led by Soror Vernora Jones, scholarship chair; Delphnie Kennedy, chapter president; and Soror Rubye Walker Kendrick, vice president.
