The 4th Middle TN Kappa Beautillion will showcase sixteen of the best and brightest in the area. The event is the culmination of a five-month-long Gentleman's Academy. Area high school junior and senior males will have completed nearly 60 hours of enrichment programs and personal development training.
The Beautillion will take place on Saturday, March 11th at 6pm at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Murfreesboro. The coming of age gala serves as a rite of passage where Gentleman's Academy participants celebrate their transition from boyhood to manhood. Referred to as Beaus, the young men will dawn tuxedos with tails and be escorted by young ladies referred to as Belles.
Academy workshops have included topics on public speaking, time management skills, college admissions, personal brand development, dining and dress etiquette, developing an entrepreneurial spirit, interview skills, resume writing, and essentials of leadership and teambuilding.
In addition to the workshops, participants were able to fly over Rutherford County in a private plane, They toured the Rutherford County Detention Center and learned from law enforcement, and in partnership with the Murfreesboro Housing Authority, the young men personally delivered turkeys to deserving families during the holiday season to learn the importance of giving back.
Brayden Jackson is a senior at Stewarts Creek High school and will be one of the Beaus featured at the Beautillion. With a 4.0 grade point average, Brayden has been a 4 year starter on the school's varsity basketball team. He is a member of Youth Leadership Rutherford, the Criminal Justice Skills Club, National Honor's Society, Diplomat in the Interclub Council and has been named Valedictorian for his graduating class.
"This whole program has been such a humbling experience, but also fun-filled. Having the opportunity to build relationships with the fraternity mentors and other Beaus has made a real impact. I can honestly say that, it has helped me to become a more well-rounded person," he said.
The entire program is sponsored by the Murfreesboro Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Members of the fraternity serve as mentors to the Beaus throughout the Gentleman's Academy and stress the importance of achievement, leadership, and service. "Being able to play a small part in the development of our future leaders and seeing them grow into responsible adults continues to be a rewarding experience," said local president Michael Lane, Sr.
Nearly $20,000 in scholarships will be presented on the night of the Beautillion by the fraternity's non-profit entity the Murfreesboro Achievement Foundation. The "Mr. Beautillion" and 1st runner up winners will be named based on a point system. These two top honors will be determined by attendance at Gentleman's Academy workshops, academic achievements, community service involvement, leadership qualities, an oral presentation, and fundraising efforts.
"It promises to be an evening full of celebration and recognition," said Murfreesboro Achievement Foundation Chairman, J. Steven Barnes. "The event itself will be an exciting culmination to a worthwhile journey towards manhood. This unique program has quickly become a signature program for us and we are proud that in our fourth year to have awarded out nearly $100,000 in scholarships to our youth," he said.
A live band will perform while Beaus waltz and perform a contemporary dance routine with their Belles. Also guests will have a chance to win an iPad mini as part of the evening. For more information call 615-663-2468 or visit www.macnupes1911.com/kappa-beautillion
Participating Beaus are
Greg August, III - Lavergne High School
Madison Bradshaw - Summit High School
Nicholas Collier- Riverdale High School
Lynn Edwards II - Oakland High School
Ashton Fletcher- Ezell Harding Christian School
Bryson Garrett- Central Magnet School
Jaden Hicks - Central Magnet School
Brayden Jackson - Stewarts Creek High School
Cameron Johnson- Wilson Central School
Elijah Lane - Blackman High School
Carrington Little - HomeLife Academy
Gaberial Nelson- Siegal High School
Leo Newman - Hillsboro High School
Kaleb Oliver - Oakland High School
Elijah Rachell- Blackman High School
Malachi Williams - Lancaster Christian Academy
Khalil Yarborough - Oakland High School
