KAPPA Valentine’s dance highlights community service

BY ALLEN A. BUCHANAN, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — The brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Alumni Chapter hosted their annual Valentine’s Weekend Dance at the historic Manhattan Casino last Sat., Feb. 13.  The weekend celebration put on by the fraternity supports the Guide Right Program (GRP) for young men in the community.

Seersucker suits and white linen filled the Grand Ballroom as guests streamed in to begin the Valentine’s weekend by supporting a community service project.

GRP provides educational and occupation guidance for young men. This inspirational and informational program helps builds character for high schools and colleges students alike.

Kelvin George and Jerome Tellis, chairmen of the event, emphasized that GRP provides much needed counseling regarding career choices, which will help these young men aim higher to “realize lives of usefulness.”

Emcee Maurice Harris welcomed guests to the formal affair. To kick off the event, the audience was entertained by dancer Valencia Baxter and singer Armando Jackson.

Fashion designer Audrey “Pat” McGhee and her models were the featured entertainment with a fashion show entitled RIP the Runway-n-Style. The talented cast of models who transformed a portion of the ballroom into a catwalk were Morelle Momo Thomas, Nikki Davis, Gwen Fields, Amaya Watkins, Eleanith Ramos, Jessliam Nitz, Will Lawson, Kari, Shepard and Omarra.

African attire, formal wear and business apparel were made possible through the sponsorship of Reader’s Choice Bookstore and Allied Alterations.

After dinner was served, Michael Clarke, polemarch of the fraternity, asked the brothers to form a semi-circle with their life partners. The men presented their special ladies with a stemmed red rose symbolizing not only Valentine’s Day but a lifelong commitment of love and devotion.

The program culminated with dancing to celebrate and usher in the love holiday weekend with music provided by St. Petersburg’s own master mixer Glenn DJ Bake Baker.

To reach Allen Buchanan, email abuchanan@theweeklychallenger.com