#tm123

[kp-ag]

Olamide and Nujoud play on the same basketball team at the Elms Community Center and are practicing together before their weekend game.

Olamide is their best shooter and Nujoud is amazing at defense, so it's great for them to practice together; they really challenge one another.

Go Olamide, go!

Best friends, great teammates, and great competition!

[kp-ag]

Tonight is the Black Excellence Ball at the Elms Community Center, and the girls are here to celebrate! There was a photobooth as they walked in, and they each got a picture.

Olamide believes that fashion doesn't care about weather, and so even though it's 20 degrees out, she is rocking this bold dress that is technically better suited for summer.

Zahra is also pulling out a summer look, but is wisely pairing it with a shrug that will keep her warm all night long. It also suits her more modest approach. She doesn't arrive until after sunset, though, since she observes Shabbat.

Ariadne would really prefer not to come at all; it's loud and bright and a little overwhelming. But her mother pointed out that sometimes you need to practice your deduction skills under less-than-ideal circumstances, so here she is, with her trusty chatelaine.

Viola didn't have a good gown available, so she borrowed this dress from a friend. Next year she plans to have something a little more grand, but she still thinks she looks cute this year.

Carnes doesn't really like to dress up much, but she grudgingly pulled on this dress and paired it with a trusty pair of sneakers. She'll feel comfortable dancing all night long- and she's having a good pain day, so she plans to.

And Makena is here to steal the show in an outfit she designed, inspired by 1920s art and fashion. She represents the dawn of a new era and she feels proud to be at the Black Excellence Ball tonight.