COURTLAND—Essense Williams was named Miss Cotillion 2011 during the 14th Biennial Debutante Ball on Saturday at Southampton High School, which included an appearance by 2010 Miss America Caressa Cameron.

A junior at Southampton High School, Essense is the daughter of Samuel Williams and the late Shirley Williams.

First runner-up was Yale Cullings, also a junior at Southampton and the daughter of Sandra and Michael Smith.

Second runner-up was Conya Postell. She is a senior at Franklin High School and the daughter of Freda and James Postell

Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Lambda Psi Omega Chapter, the event presented 13 high school junior and senior girls to society. For the past 10 months, the debutantes experienced the cultural arts, made trips to colleges, did community service and participated workshops.

The evening concluded with each debutante dancing the waltz with her father and escort.

Others participating were:

■ Keondra Baker—Junior from Franklin High School and the daughter of Latrice Morris and Terrance Baker

■ Alexis Danielle Bernard—Junior from Franklin High School and the daughter of Tawanna and Jerome Bernard Jr.

■ Taylor Britt–Senior from Southampton High School and daughter of Gloria and Robert Britt

■ Kiera Cofield—Junior from Franklin High School and daughter of Nikita Cofield

■ Jalicia Owens—Junior from Franklin High School and daughter of Alice Darden and Roger Owens

■ Reonna Rose—Junior from Franklin High School and daughter of Ronsae Rose

■ Amber Briana Royster—Junior from Franklin High School and daughter of Cheryl and Jeffrey Royster

■ Jasmine Simmons—Senior from Southampton High School and daughter of Shawn Simmons and Odell Simmons Jr.

■ Ashley Tubbs—Senior from Southampton High School and daughter of John and Doreen Tubbs

■ Ronda Tyler—Senior from Southampton High School and daughter of Melanie Bradshaw and Ronald Tyler.

Syretha Wright is the chapter president. Alfreda Harris and Sitrina Bynum were the cotillion chairmen.

Money raised by debutantes will be awarded in scholarships.