NANBPWC, Inc of Toledo Sponsors Annual Debutante Ball

By Artisha S. Lawson

 Sojourner’s Truth reporter

Eighteen young ladies dressed in white completed the rites of passage and were presented at the annual Debutante Ball sponsored by Toledo Club of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Stranahan Theater.

“Welcome and thank you for sharing your night with us. Tonight marks the 49^th Cotillion Ball, highlighting 11 weeks of rehearsals and activities,” said Club President Denise Black-Poon during her opening greetings.

The debutantes paraded down the walkway and around the dance floor before presenting a cotillion waltz and parents waltz. Presented this year were: Debutante Sania Bauswell and Debutante Alaine Durden of St. Ursula Academy; Debutante Tiane Bluitt, Debutante Davonna Felder, Debutante Jourdan Greenlee, and Debutante Rosalyn Whickum of Central Catholic High School; Debutante Tateane Bryant and Debutante Kyle Gray of Toledo School of the Arts; Debutante Chayna Crunner and Debutante Jazmin Dazell of Whitmer High School; Debutante Morgan Conner and Debutante Alize Harris of Scott High School; Debutante Tyla Jackson and Debutante Tanijah Kynard of Bowsher High School; Debutante Carla Cunningham and Debutante Patricia Jones of Toledo Early College High School; Debutante Anastasia Rubin of Woodward High School; Debutante Brianna Stewart of Toledo Christian High School; and Debutante Marquelle Williams of Rogers High School.

The program incorporated various rites of passage activities including the presentation of pearls by Debs-In-Waiting to the current 2014 Debutantes. The 2014 Debs-In-Waiting: Emerly Beasley, La’Shay Macon, Derriana Sanderfer, and Sha’Ron Shelton of Central Catholic High School; Arielle Brailey, Notori Moore, and Maya Prince of Springfield High School; Djnream Carter of Toledo School of the Arts; Christa Cunninghaam, Isis Dixson, Jocelyn Jackson and Deonne Williams of Bowsher High School; Aloee Jackson, Gabrielle Skibinski and Jacqueline Stewart of Start High School; Taylor Lonas of Notre Dame Academy; and Taylor Riggs of Rogers High School.

“These young ladies represent the best of our Toledo community. Our judges will select the outstanding Debutante, the cream of the crop, and each of our Debutantes is winners for just their participation,” shared Deborah Carlisle, Cotillion talent co-chairman.

The NANBPWC Toledo Club presented a certificate of appreciation to each escort for their service. The 2014 Escorts are: Tyler Banknight, John Glover III, Christopher Lett, Christian Lett, Marwan Allen-Marsenburg, Robert Calvin, Joseph Smith, Tre’ Mack, Michael Moore, Rickey Griffin, Anthony Stuffolino, Monroe Smith IV, Day’Shawn Jones, Je’ Fron Townsend, Tyson Proctor, Donte Woods, Christian King, Nathaniel Harris, and Lyndon Fisher.

Immediately following the waltz and intermission, the debutantes and escorts received awards. Every escort earned a certificate of appreciation and Escort Stuffolino earned escort of the year. Debutantes Jackson, Cunningham and Stewart placed in the talent competition, Debutante Brunner earned Ms. Congeniality, and the 2014 Debutante was Carla Cunningham.

Miss 2014 Debutante, Carla Cunningham with Escort, Michael Moore

The Waltz

2014 Debs-in-waiting

2014 Escorts

Debutante Cunningham received roses as she stood beside the 2013 Debutante. Cunningham earned several thousand dollars in academic scholarships. She was presented by Robert Cunningham, sponsored by Selan and Robert Cunningham, and escorted by Michael Moore.

First time Debutante parent Lavada Griswold urges parents and daughters to participate in upcoming Debutante programs. “I wanted to expose her to society and improve her growth as a young woman. An opportunity to interact with women of different backgrounds, she learned how to be on time and etiquette. My daughter Anastasia plans to major in social work and attend Eastern Michigan,” said Griswold.

The NANBPWC Toledo Club celebrates 50 years of service and has sponsored the Debutante Ball since 1965. The NANBPWC Toledo Club officers are: Denise Black-Poon, president, Wanda Terrell, 1^st vice president; Frances Collins, EdD, 2^nd vice president; Ethel Scott, director of membership, Denise Cardwell, recording secretary, Clara Brank, assistant recording secretary and chaplain; Sharon Green-Gaines, corresponding secretary and parliamentarian; Barbara Tucker, financial secretary and Wilma Brown, treasurer.

Wilma Brown, former president of Toledo City Council, is the long-time chairman of the Cotillion Committee.

Miss 2014 Debutante, Carla Cunningham .

Benjamin and Tina Bluitt with daughter Tinae

Chairman, Leola Haynes with 2014 Debs-in-waiting

Sania Bauswell, 2014 Miss Debutante, Carla Cunningham and Marquelle Williams

Christa and Carla Cunningham

Deb-in-waiting Natori Morre with father Anthony Moore

Deb-in-waiting Gabrielle Skibinski and family

Brooklyn Brown, Patsy Haines and Elaine Jones with Sarah and John bates

Debutante, Chayna Brunner presented by Victor Knighten

Debutante,Tinae Bluit escorted by her father Benjamin Bluitt III_01

Donte Woods escorting Anastasia Rubin

Marquel Williams presented by Waymond Boyd

Miss 2014 Debutante, Carla Cunningham and parents Robert and Selah Cunningham

Jazmin Dazell presented by Jeff Dazell

Pres. Denise Black Poon with Miss 2014 Debutante, Carla Cunningham and 2013 Miss Debutante, Faith Mitchell

Miss 2014 Debutante, Carla Cunningham with Escort, Michael Moore and parents Robert and Selah Cunningham

Mr. Escort 2014, Anthony Stuffolino

Roger Whickum waltzing with daughter Rosalyn

Tina Hall and Gina Bluitt

Shalonda Boyd with Patrick Wimberly Jr.

Sunee Mehedi and Jillian Highsmith

Tyler Bauknight escorting Sania Bauswell

Tyson Proctor escorting Davonna Felder

Copyright © 2014 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/16/18 14:12:26 -0700.

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