The Truth Staff
The annual Debutante Cotillion, sponsored by the NANBPWC, Inc Toledo Club, has returned. Last Saturday, April 26, the 57th Annual event continued with the customary Mother-Daughter Luncheon at the Inverness Country Club.
Karen Jarrett and Denise Cardwell, Cotillion cochairs, served as the mistresses of ceremonies for the luncheon. They welcomed this year’s debutantes and their mothers or guardians
The greetings were given by Toledo Club President Tyra Smith. Smith introduced the North Central District Governor Denise Black Poon, who offered her own greetings, and the attending Club members.
The luncheon offered members an opportunity to continue a tradition that included 54 Cotillions through May 2019. The 55th Cotillion was cancelled when the pandemic broke out in early 2020. The tradition restarted last year with the 56th annual event.
After lunch was served on Saturday, Denise Cardwell read a poem and explained the purpose of the Mother-Daughter Luncheon – after which the debutantes and mothers were introduced.
Deborah Carlisle and Beverly Tucker, Talent co-chairmen, and Karen Jarrett and Denise Cardwell, Cotillion co-chairmen, conducted a question-and-answer session.
Wilma Brown, Cotillion general chairman, was also present at the luncheon. Brown has helped to guide the Cotillion since it began almost 60 years ago.
The previous event in the process was the Talent Contest in which the debutantes were invited to showcase their talents in front of a live audience. Talents on display typically include singing, dancing – including ballet and modern dancing, spoken word, performance on musical instruments and more.
Last year, for the first time in the history of the organization, there was a Golden Sponsor for the Cotillion. The Taylor Automotive has agreed to continue that sponsorship and will present the top three performances of the Talent Contest with cash awards.
Here’s a list of the 2025 Debutantes: Evelyn Blue, Mikel Byrd, Taelyn Clarke, Kaitlyn Diggins, Jenevia Graves, Qarinn Hopings, Gabrielle Knighten, Kailey Lothery, Kaiya Morgan Thompson, Cayla Murray, Madelyn Page, Jeyhana Preston, Malia Robinson, Raniyah Rogers, Sydnee Savage Utley, Paris Waites, and Celina Winfield White.
Top photo: Botton L-R: NCD Governor Denise Black-Poon, Toledo Club President Tyra Smith, Cotillion Chair Wilma Brown, NCD Time and Place Chair Clara Brank, NCD Parliamentarian Barbara Tucker and Membership Chair Ethel Scott.
Top Row L-R.: 2nd Vice President Mironda Harris, Recording Secretary BJ Tucker, Talent Co-Chairs Deborah Carlisle and Beverly Tucker, Cotillion Co Chairs Denise Cardwell and Karen Jarrett, 1st VP Joy Goodner, Wanda Terrell=Galloway and Sherry Coogler.
