After a short hiatus due to the pandemic, the Beautillion, a biennial signature event sponsored by the Columbia, SC Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, returned with a flair on Saturday, May 24th, showcasing its Grand Finale. The formal attire event was held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. For the past 16 years, the Beautillion has awarded over $150,000.00 in scholarships to more than 350 deserving young men. The Beautillion’s motto is “Developing Excellence in Young Men”.
This year’s Beautillion unveiled the largest cohort ever, featuring twenty-eight (28) junior and senior young men who are students at local high schools and have excelled
academically, athletically and in service to their communities. Most of the young men maintain or exceed a 3.0 GPA, and are members of academic honor societies. The Beaux raised over $ 423,4000 in donations, all of which was distributed to them in the form of scholarships.
The 9-month Beautillion curriculum paralleled local academic calendars. It consisted of a series of interactive workshops designed to enhance quality of life outside of the traditional classroom setting. Such topics as civic responsibility and voting, leadership, personal finance, mental health, job interview skills, dressing for success and social etiquette were presented by community subject matter experts. The Grand Finale is
a culminating event designed as a platform to debut these well-rounded young men. The Finale included a symbolic Rite of Passage ritual, wherein fathers bestowed the tools of manhood upon their young men.
This year’s 17th Beautillion was dedicated to the late Brother James Hardy IV, a local advertising executive and member of Kappa Alpha Psi, whose shoulders were stood upon in presenting the program, and he was an integral part of its success over the years. His wife, Cynthia Hardy, a local media personality, was on hand to receive the recognition on his behalf. For more information about KBI, go to its website Beauxsc.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>www.Kappa–Beauxsc.com or email kappabeautillionsc@gmail.com.
