Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, according to the song made famous by Marilyn Monroe, but the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. -established in 1908 it was the first Greek-letter organization for black college women - claim to have a preference for pearls.

Pink pearls, that is.
And as far as these women are concerned, the girls featured in the Little Miss Pink Pearls Scholarship Pageant, hosted Sunday by the Eta Tau Omega Chapter of the sorority, are the prettiest of all.

The pageant, held at the Marion Technical Institute auditorium, showcased the crowning of Little Miss Fashionetta, the culmination of a series of fundraising and social activities that began in June. Members of Eta Tau Omega invited girls to participate and personally sponsored them throughout the process.

Six girls in grades three to five participated. They had to raise money by selling ads to friends, family members and local businesses.   more »