Gala celebration marks Young Men Illinois Club centennial ball

For its annual Carnival ball Friday, the Young Men Illinois Club Inc. celebrated a century with the theme: “Centennial Anniversary of Excellence” at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The club originates from the Original Illinois Club and Wiley J. Knight, often referred to as the “Father of Negro Society in New Orleans” in 1895. Tradition holds the name — Illinois Club — was derived from the fact that Mr. Knight was part of the Pullman porter group which serviced trains traveling between Chicago and New Orleans. Moreover, Mr. Knight was immersed in the tales of culture and tradition he heard while working up to 18 hours per day on the trains. His unheralded desire to promote social customs and culture to the African American community led him to open a dance studio in Uptown New Orleans near Cadiz and Camp streets in the early 1900s.

For the centennial, the club paid homage to outstanding New Orleans women who have served as trailblazers in social causes, culture, education and the arts, such as Leah Chase, Ruby Bridges, Irma Thomas, Sybil Morial and Dorothy Taylor, to name a few.

Reigning over the ball as queen was Miss Sydney Carrol Mason, daughter of Judge Omar K. Mason and Mrs. Carla Bringier-Mason. Serving as maid was Miss Addison Morgan Roussell, daughter of Mr. Adam Roussell and Mrs. Keesha Roussell.

Debutantes were Misses Naomi Marie Bouie, daughter of Joseph Bouie III and Ariadne Marie Keller; Sidney Isabelle Davis, daughter of Brandon Eric Davis and Tiffany Delery Davis; Bailey McKenzie Hall, daughter of Michael Joseph Hall and Jonique Hall; Kaley Janell Hill, daughter of Demetrius Kirby Hill and Conney Valencia Hill; Talyn Rene Hinds, daughter of Christopher M. Hinds and Tiffany A. Walter-Hinds; McKenzie Elizabeth Jordan, daughter of Antonio Kermit Verrett and Amber Theresa McKnight; Alexis Marie Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gavin C. Lewis Sr.; Baileigh Cy McFadden, daughter of Bryan McFadden Sr. and Brandy Thomas; Kennedy Ann-Maria Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick Don Miller; Alanna Thibodeaux Mogilles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rahman Mogilles; Kylah D’Laci Prevost, daughter of Kyle Prevost and Judge Sharlayne Jackson Prevost; Shayde Harmoni Randolph, daughter of Damian John Randolph Sr. and Shalan Melton Randolph; Brianna Monaé Raphael, daughter of Nigel M. Raphael Sr. and Dr. Tonja M. Raphael; Ava Coryn Sallier, daughter of Dwight Dace Sallier and Juanita Alexander-Sallier; and Jasmine Mariah Williams, daughter of Hasson Williams and Dr. Chantell Washington-Williams.

Princesses were Misses Freya Elizabeth Banks, daughter of Derrick and Shelia Banks; Amari McKenzie Centeno, daughter of Sandreka Centeno and Gary Centeno; Amelia Rose Doucette, daughter of Jason Gerard Doucette and Monique Gougisha Doucette; Carlie Nikol Garrison, daughter of Calvin Garrison Jr. and Nikki Garrison; Chloe Charlie Green, daughter of Eugene Green and Kaila Hutchison; Skylar Victoria Pappion, daughter of Gregory Anthony Pappion II and Melissa Lear Pappion; Adrienne Nicole Rogers, daughter of Cornel T. Rogers and Keisha Rogers; Riley Marie Vidal, daughter of Cory Vidal and Dr. Robin Riley Vidal; Lila Eglee Walcott, daughter of Michael Walcott Sr. and Crystal Walcott; and Marigny Jolie Williams, daughter of L. Jeff Williams and Robin Bouie Williams.

The pages were Misses Amara Cecile Josephine Mason-Folse, daughter of Dr. Henri Mason-Folse and Aria Mason-Folse; Brooke Simone Robinson, daughter of Kenneth and Dr. Samoan Robinson; and Masters Christopher Jules Ross, son of Cardell Ross and Christy Noel Ross; and Zane Amir Rousseau, son of Robert Rousseau Jr. and Brandi Rousseau.

Officers include Messrs. Cardell Ross, president; Dr. Cornel Rogers, vice-president; William Aaron, financial secretary; Michael Walcott, recording secretary; Ravi Bates, treasurer; Lawrence Robinson, director of social affairs; Anthony Faciane, assistant director of social affairs; Mario Anderson, sergeant-at-arms; Marion Floyd, parliamentarian; Kevin Bart, keeper of records and seals; Bryan Jourdain, director of publicity; and Ronald Vigee, chaplain.