Lindsey Ardrey, 16, squeals as her mother, Saundra, pokes her scalp while securing flowers in Lindseys hair for the upcoming cotillion ball.

Miranda Pederson/Daily News

With airy tufts of babys breath adorning her glitter-sprinkled hair, Lindsey Ardrey stood in her gym shoes, jeans and sweatshirt Saturday night and accepted a red rose from her teen-age boyfriend, Todd Claypool. The organizers of the Alpha Kappa Alphas Debutante Cotillion Ball joined in a chorus of awww, and they smiled. Todd, who was dressed in a black tuxedo and sported braided hair, was looking forward to the night to come. He and Lindsey had already experienced such an evening in December, when he escorted her to the Bowling Green Girls Cotillion, where she made her debut, at 16 years old, and was the only black girl at the ball. This time, Lindsey joined an all-black group of girls as part of the ball sponsored by the Omicron Sigma Omega Chapter of AKA service sorority. Her mother, Saundra Ardrey, was proud of Lindsey. She was the only black girl invited to be in (the Bowling Green Girls Cotillion) and so I thought it was real important to do that one and the AKA one so shell have experience with both cultures. Ardrey thinks such experiences help girls move in all social circles. Before the Civil Rights movement, girls like Lindsey didnt have the chance to become debutantes. Cotillions (for black girls) started in the 1960s, when African-Americans were trying to be part of society, and this is one of the customs we borrowed from the southern white community, said Ardrey, who is head of the government department at Western Kentucky University. It was letting folks know that we, too, can be part of society. In the early 1970s, Ardrey made her debut at a Raleigh, N.C., debutante ball that was also sponsored by AKA, which Ardrey later joined. Ardreys husband, Dr. William Ardrey, was a debutantes escort at a cotillion in Charlotte, N.C., when he was a young man growing up there. Lindsey is happy to be part of a debutante legacy and is considering debuting once more in Raleigh, later this year, just as her mother did years ago. It would be nice to continue the tradition, she said. Lindseys parents think its nice for lots of reasons. Its nice to see this group of black kids dancing and learning the social graces, Saundra Ardrey said just hours before Lindsey slipped into her white gown with the beaded bodice and full skirt that was supported by a crinoline. Lindsey Ardrey has loved the debutante schedule that began in September and ended last night, even though it has included a rigorous schedule of community service, dancing lessons and classes about topics ranging from womens health to dining etiquette. She thinks shes learned a lot from the debutante program, especially when it comes to community service. I think its good because people our age need to learn more about service, she said. Were kind of a generation thats into getting stuff quick with technology and all that stuff. I think we need to go back and humble ourselves further and do service. That may not be easy when youve got a full schedule, as Lindsey does with extracurricular activities such as being a member of the national champion Bowling Green High School cheerleading team and attending Christ Episcopal Church. But its something that is a must, as far as shes concerned. Thats why she didnt mind being in the Bowling Green cotillion program, which included service at Girls Inc., at the same time she was preparing for the AKA ball, which was preceded by service at places including The Salvation Army. That means a lot to those who organized the AKA cotillion. The most rewarding thing is to see them come in a little immature and to see how their outlooks change, said AKA member Dorothy Shanklin. AKA tries to reach girls from all backgrounds when it comes to selecting debutantes. The sorority sends information about the cotillion to all area schools so no junior or senior high school girl is left without a chance to try for a spot. Saundra Ardrey thinks that is very important. Cotillion has always been controversial because its elitist, she said. I think the chapter here has made it so its open to all girls who meet the qualifications. The qualifications include high moral and ethical character, good citizenship, high academic achievement and church and community involvement. Debutantes cannot be married or have children. Years ago debutantes were not even allowed to have had their first date. When I was coming up in the 60s and 70s, you couldnt date until you had your coming out party, Saundra Ardrey said. Back then, the AKA cotillion process was mainly filled with programs that taught girls how to date properly. Although todays cotillion focuses more on service to others, one thing hasnt changed for the girls. A lot of them will be friends for life, Shanklin said.