Upper School student, Romari Black ‘17, participates in six-week youth development program

Romari Black ’17 was one of the 25 young women who participated in a six-month development program through the Youth Development Foundation of Pinellas County.

The program ended on March 18th with a debutante scholarship cotillion, where the young woman with the most donations earned a scholarship and was recognized as Ms. Debutante. Romari did not win, although she did raise $2,000 for charity, but she was very proud of the winner. “My best friend Alexis Peterson raised over $10,000 and won!”

Romari has been involved in community service since she was a child. “I have been a member of Jack and Jill since I was two,” said Romari. According to their website, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty.

“Being a member of the debutante was a way to show my accomplishments,” said Romari, who works part-time at Publix and has volunteered with athletics at Farragut and with back-to-school administrative duties at Tyrone Middle.

“It was fun,” she continued. “They taught you etiquette, how to dress for certain occasions, networking, and how to be a professional woman in the real world.”

Romari was escorted to the cotillion by her friend and classmate at Admiral Farragut Academy, O’Shon Allen ‘17.

Read the full article about the event featured in the Tampa Bay Times, “Young women recognized for scholarship and community service“.