Courtesy photo Courtney Range, Aunjai Johnson, Alexandra Hall, Nkem Asianua, Shantara Patterson and India White-Jones made their formal debuts during the Onyx Club's 43rd Debutante Ball.

A Pacifica High School senior was crowned Miss Debutante during the 43rd annual Onyx Club Ball. The event took place during Black History Month at the Embassy Suites hotel.

Alexandra Michelle Hall, daughter of Byron and Tina Hall, received the title during the formal ball, which annually turns the spotlight on young black women in Ventura County. Alexandra is a participant in the dance and drama programs at Pacifica. She attends Olivet Baptist Church and has participated in the youth ministry program for the past 16 years and has been involved with the Vision Ministry for two years. She is a volunteer at St. John's Regional Medical Center and plans to attend Spellman University, studying to become a pediatrician.

"When I won Miss Debutante 2007, I was overwhelmed," the teen said. "God told me I was going to win. I want to thank God for allowing me everything he promised my Nana. I want to thank my Mom and Dad for being my safety net, Craig Lee and Olivet Baptist Church for supporting me."

Members of her ball court were Nkem Shamin Asianua, first runner-up, daughter of Godwin and Maria Asianua; and Aunjai Richelle Johnson, second runner-up, daughter of James and Michelle White. Both girls attend Adolfo Camarillo High School.

Also presented at the ball were India Schanta White-Jones, daughter of James and Michelle White, Camarillo High; Shantara Raenyce Patterson, daughter of Gwen Patterson, Oxnard High School; and Courtney Range, daughter of Jimmy Range and Adel Collins, Oxnard High.

Theme of the 2007 Onyx Club Debutante Ball was "Nubian Princess Calling on Yesterday's Wisdom for Tomorrow's Success." The theme imparted the necessity of age respect, because of age wisdom.

Guest speaker for the evening was Ola Washington-Arthur of Ventura College, who added credence to the theme by peppering her speech with the words of noteworthy black women such as poet Maya Angelou, and Violette Neatly Anderson, who became the first black female lawyer in 1926.

During the Feb. 24 gala attended by family and friends, the debutantes danced a waltz with their fathers and presented flowers to their mothers.

The debutantes were chosen in the fall and have met regularly with mentors from the Onyx Club. The organization is made up of women of African descent and was formed in 1961 by the late Ruth Gibson of Ventura.