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Debutante Daijah Blackburn Crowned Miss Debutante 2016
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
The 51st annual Debutante Cotillion sponsored by
The Toledo Club of National Association of Negro Business
and Professional Women’s Club Inc. was held Saturday, May
28, 2016 at the Stranahan Theater.
Miss Debutante 2016 was Daijah Blackburn. She will graduate
from Rogers high school and begin her college education at
Spelman College. Her sponsor was Edwin Mabrey, she was
presented by David Blackburn, escorted by James Purley Jr,
and received over $170,000 in scholarships.
There was a tie for first runner up between Debutantes
Myranda Duhart and Safiya Dzotsi. The second runner up and
second place talent winner was Debutante Caitlyn Stuart.
Debutante Isis Walker placed first in talent, Debutante
Sheyenne Warren placed third in talent, and Debutante Taylor
Coleman earned Miss Congeniality.
“Join me as we celebrate these women introduced into
society. These ladies have put a lot of women and hours from
January until now. We are so proud of you, and good luck on
everything you do,” said NANBPWC President Denise Black Poon
during her welcome address.
In addition to Miss Debutante 2016, collectively the 20
young ladies earned almost two million in scholarships and
will be enrolled at 12 different universities and colleges
in Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee. The 2016 Debutantes:
Daijah Blackburn, Jada Boles, Kiarra Brock, Jadah Bryant,
Angela Byrd, Staja Clark, Taylor Coleman, Isreal Douglas,
Myranda Duhart, Safiya Dzotsi, Mariah Hicks, Jenea’ Isaac,
Micah Johnston, Blake Minter, Ladanna Mullings, BriAnna
Smith Pasker, Caitlyn Stuart, Breonna Terry, Isis Walker,
and Sheyenne Warren.
“I am proud of these women, and you should be proud of them.
This is truly a lovely rite of passage,” shared Rhonda
Sewell, the 2016 cotillion presenter.
The 2016 Mr. Escort was Nathaniel Maddox, he received $300.
The additional escorts were James Purley, Joshua Banton,
Jeremy Barker, Micah Conway, Victor Copeland, Kea’Shaun
Phillips, Cameron Armstrong, Andre Matthews, Myles Johnson,
S’DavLloyd Corggens, Richard Jackson, Ivan Dye, Rodney
Braziel, Tre’Von Wade, Jon-Paul Pasker II, Justin Heil,
De’Vinn Young, Kai Walker, and Isaiah Davis.
Additionally, Debs-in-Waiting (high school juniors) are part
of the festivities to assist the Debutantes with sponsor
gifts and present pearls to the Debutantes. That tradition
continued with 22 Debs-in-Waiting from various Toledo-area
schools.
Toledo Club NANBPWC Inc. officers and members: Denise Black
Poon, president; BJ Tucker, vice president; Frances Collins,
PhD, 2nd vice president; Ethel Scott, director of
membership; Clara Brank, recording secretary and chaplain;
Wanda Galloway, corresponding secretary; Sharon Green
Gaines, parliamentarian; Barbara Tucker, financial secretary
and district advisor; Wilma Brown, treasurer; and members
Delores Bates, Denise Cardwell, Deborah Carlisle, Alexis
Collins, Mary Dawson, Tyra Smith, Gabriel Garrett, Iris Page
Jones, Tommie Lee McGhee, Sherry Reed, Marquita Scott, Donna
Todd, Beverly Tucker, Lillie Watkins and Theresa Wilkins. |
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