The Debutante Program of Sarasota & Manatee Counties
2026 Debutantes
Miss Elle Patricia Arslaner
Miss Elle Patricia Arslaner is the daughter of Mr. Brent Arslaner and Mrs. Tricia Arslaner of Lakewood Ranch. She is a senior attending the Out of Door Academy. She is a driven and accomplished student-athlete who thrives both on the field and in the classroom. Elle is a part of the varsity Lacrosse, Volleyball, and soccer teams. She is also the Head of House in her school's house system, where she demonstrates natural leadership among her peers. Her commitment to service is reflected in her volunteer work and her annual clothing drive with Resurrection House. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling to new places and cherishing time with friends and family.
Miss Sadie Ella DiLiberto
Miss Sadie Ella DiLiberto is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David and Andrea Diliberto and is a senior at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. A dedicated student-athlete, Sadie has played competitive soccer for eight years and recently expanded her interests by joining her school's competitive cheer team alongside friends. Sadie volunteers as a buddy for the Miracle League, where she enjoys building meaningful connections and making a positive impact within her community. This summer, Sadie will travel to Africa with buildOn to help build a school for children in need. Demonstrating strong leadership and commitment to service, she contributed to the organization's $90,000 fundraising goal by personally raising an impressive $4,900. In her free time, Sadie enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, and making memories with family and friends.
Miss Julia Lynn Dillingham
Miss Julia Lynn Dillingham is the daughter of Dr. Christopher and Mrs. Michele Dillingham of Lakewood Ranch. She is a senior attending the Out of Door Academy. Julia is the captain of the varsity cross country and varsity track team while also holding the school record in javelin. She is accomplished in the arts as well, having played the violin since sixth grade. She is the section leader for violin II, and consistently mentors a middle school student in the mornings before school to help solidify their skills. Academically, she is on the communications team for the Thunder Grant Committee, which fundraises and provides grants to non-profit organizations, while also being a member of the honor council, a student ambassador, and an archival prefect for House Cypress in the ODA house system. During the summer she is a dedicated volunteer at the ODA Sports Camp, helping supervise, coach, and support elementary school students. She also has maintained a job at Starbucks, enjoys going to the beach, running, and spending time with her friends and family.
Miss Laine Kennedy Garner
Miss Laine Kennedy Garner is the daughter of Dr. Kyle and Kristin Garner of Sarasota. She is a senior attending Cardinal Mooney High School who strives to excel in her academics and serve in her community. Laine is president of the Paws for Purpose club where she tutors and supports elementary school students. She is also a Student Ambassador, Family Leader of the Cardinal Mooney House System, a member of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and St. Vincent De Paul Service Club. Outside of school, Laine serves as a teen volunteer at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Additionally, she has been an accomplished ballet dancer for over 15 years where she pursued pre-professional training at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School and later, became an Honorary Trainee of their Studio Company. In her free time, Laine enjoys going to the beach, doing pilates with friends, and spending time with her family.
Miss Lillian Rae Hersh
Miss Lillian Rae Hersh is the daughter of Lauren Bennett Hersh and Brian Marc Hersh of Sarasota. She attends Riverview High School, where she is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
At Riverview, Lillian is a member of DECA and participates in the RHS Tutoring and Mentorship program. During her freshman and sophomore years, she competed in Cross Country and Track and Field. She is also a graduate of the Youth Leadership Sarasota Class of 2026 and has been involved in Cotillion since the eighth grade. She enjoys exploring new cuisines and international travel, and values opportunities to experience different cultures. Her academic honors include recognition as an AP Scholar and National Spanish Examinations awards, as well as a member of National Honor Society. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the beach and baking. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Lillian is honored to participate as a debutante.
MissAvary Jane Hollingsworth
Miss Avary Jane Hollingsworth is the daughter of Rod and Katie Hollingsworth of Sarasota and is a senior attending Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. Avary is an exceptionally well-rounded young lady who serves as a Student Ambassador and is the Co-Founder for Paws for Purpose, while also active in the Cougars in Action Club, and the St. Vincent De Paul club. Her commitment to academic excellence is reflected through her membership in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She also has an interest in global entrepreneurship, which she pursued through a summer abroad program in Ireland. Avary had the privilege of serving as a Senate Page in Tallahassee, as well as completed an internship at Selby Gardens, and has dedicated over 200 hours of community service through global mission trips. Avary is driven by deep ambition to achieve great success in all her upcoming pursuits, and enjoys travelling, going to the beach, and spending time with friends.
Miss Lilly Jo Keenan
Miss Lilly Jo Keenan is the daughter of Mr. Dan and Mrs. Sandy Keenan. She is a senior attending Cardinal Mooney High school. She enjoys helping others and making a positive impact in her community. Lilly serves as a buddy for Miracle League and is passionate about giving back to others. She is also preparing to travel to Africa on a BuildOn trip to help build a school for children in need, an experience that is especially meaningful to her. In addition, she works as a greeter at Connors Steak & Seafood. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and family, going to the beach, listening to music, playing pickleball, and making memories with the people she loves most.
Miss Morgan Alice Kessler
Miss Morgan Alice Kessler is the daughter of Ms Denise Kessler of Lakewood Ranch. She is a senior attending Booker High School. Enrolled in the VPA program for theater she loves to express herself through dance and acting. She has appeared in 15 shows and counting since her freshman year. Morgan loves collecting records, reading, and choreographing in her spare time.
Miss Allison Rose Kim
Miss Allison Rose Kim is the daughter of Dr. Joshua and Mrs. Janna Kim of Sarasota. Allison is a senior at Pine View School where she holds officer positions in Pre-Med Club and Mind Matters Club, is the Co-Founder of Community Impact Club, and National Honor Society member. Outside of school, she is a Children First Ambassador, Sarasota Crew Varsity Coxswain, and Tea Chair of the National Charity League of Sarasota. In her free time, Allison enjoys painting, doing her nails, reading, and traveling.
Miss Abbygail Angela Lobel
Miss Abbygail Lobel is the daughter of Dr. Darlene Lobel. She is a senior at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. Abby has been a dedicated member of her school’s cheerleading team since her freshman year and served as junior captain during her junior year and captain her senior year. She is also a leader of Falcon Fellowship, a Christian organization at her school, and an active member of Key Club. She is passionate about encouraging others and being actively involved in her school community. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time at the beach and with friends and family. In the future, Abby hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics, where she can make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their families.
Miss Brooke Kathryn Meyers
Miss Brooke Kathryn Meyers is the daughter of Tom and Susan Meyers of Lakewood Ranch. She is a senior attending The Out-of-Door Academy. Brooke is an active student at school, serving as Head of House for House Cypress and co-leading the Law Club. At ODA, she is a two sport athlete as Captain of the Cheer Team and a four year member of the Varsity Lacrosse Team. Outside of school, Brooke is a gifted equestrian, participating in shows throughout Florida. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys the beach, spending time with friends and family, traveling and attending concerts. From a young age, Brooke has been an animal lover and has her own menagerie, including two cats, two dogs, a guinea pig and a horse. She shines when mentoring young riders at her barn, True Blue Farms, and at summer camp. Her happy place is Riverview Camp for Girls in Mentone, Alabama, where she was a camper for five years and a junior counselor this past summer.
Miss Addison Scarlett Ross
Miss Addison Scarlett Ross is the daughter of Alison Dietz and Richard Ross of Sarasota. She is a senior at Riverview High School in the IB Diploma Program and serves as Secretary of her class for the fourth consecutive year. Addie is Vice President of Rho Kappa Honor Society, Recording Secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of Mu Alpha Theta, andthe English Honor Society. She is the Principal Dancer of the RHS Highland Dance team. Addie co-founded RAISE UP, a club that volunteers with programs like Special Olympics, adaptive weightlifting, and Miracle League, supporting athletes with special needs. Additionally, she serves as Social Media Director of History Bowl and is an attorney on her Mock Trial team, earning awards for her contributions. She is also a delegate at the Florida Girls State and volunteers as a Teen Court Attorney, helping provide second chances for youth in her community. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, sports, and reading.
Miss Pola Chloe Ruszkowski
Miss Miss Pola Chloe Ruszkowski is the daughter of Anita Karolina Ruszkowski and Mikołaj Łukasz Ruszkowski. She currently attends Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. She is a dedicated student athlete who plays lacrosse all year long at the varsity school and select team club level, with plans to continue playing collegiately. Pola enjoys traveling internationally, she is fluent in both Polish and English. She hopes to pursue a career in dermatology, combining her passion and purpose to help others. This summer, she looks forward to traveling abroad and exploring new cultures and destinations. With a strong work ethic and determination, Pola continues to challenge herself both academically and athletically while staying focused on her future goals. In her free time, Pola enjoys relaxing at the beach, spending time with her family, and playing with her dog, Fuzzy.
Miss Madison Kay Taylor
Miss Miss Madison Taylor is the daughter of Mr. Trevor Taylor and Mrs. Nikki Taylor. She is a senior attending Sarasota High School. She loves trying new things and taking on new challenges that allow her to grow both academically and personally. Madison is a dedicated member of National Charity league (worldwide all girl's leadership and philanthropy organization), Ensign Board (a small group of determined teens to make a change in their community), Leadership Sarasota at the Chamber of Commerce (a select group of students who take on different projects around the community), and STAR Leadership (a select group of students to carry- out their own service project for their community). She played basketball for four years and now does weightlifting where she hopes to improve all her lifts and to compete to the highest level. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym with her best friend, going to the beach or the yacht club, paddle boarding, fishing, blasting music with her friends in the car, and spending time with her best friends and family.
