By Emily R. Evans
The Truth Reporter
The 57th annual Debutante Cotillion, presented by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc, Toledo Chapter, was celebrated on Saturday, May 24, at The Premiere.
“In the beginning the debutante coalition purpose in 1965 was to present our outstanding young ladies to society clothed with the finer thoughts of living and endowed with a complete sense of responsibility ,” according to this year’s Cotillion program.
“To accomplish these ends, the Toledo club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. Has added life skill workshops, financial scholarships and etiquette training whereby the debutante can step on the threshold of womanhood with success”.
This year’s theme was “Changing the way we do business and our future, Impacting the communities.” This elegant affair was hosted by the leadership of chapter President Tyra Smith and Cotillion Chairperson Wilma Brown and Co-chairs Karen Jarrett and Denise Cardwell.
The 2025 Debutante Cotillion guests received a welcome from Jarrett and greetings from both Smith and Denise Black-Poon, governor of the North Central District of the NANBPWC, Inc.
The 2025 judges were introduced by Beverly Tucker, Talent co-chair. This year‘s Cotillion judges were Ramona Collins, Kaye Cooke, Jean Holden and Tallier Desiree McGee.
Smith introduced Courtney Jones, Miss Debutante 2024 after which Cardwell, chairman Debs-In-Waiting, introduced this year’s Debs-In-Waiting.
The 2025 Debs-In-Waiting were Maame Agyemang-Prempeh from Springfield High School; Dana Bethany, Sean Zeya Brown, Sabriah Greer, Brooklyn Harrison, Kennedy Powell, Marleya Smith, Emma Tschan and Alyson Williams all from Central Catholic High School; Kimiko Floyd and Diamond Kendrick, St Ursula Academy; Ja’Niya Jackson from Springfield High School, Lydia Koonce, Emmanuel Christian high school; Dallas Lothery- Hatch from Robert S. Rogers High School; Pay’Yon Parker, Toledo Pre-medical and Health Science Academy; Marina Porter, Notre Dame Academy and Riayn Roberts, Toledo Early College High School.
All the high school students were a part of the workshops and training. Also, a thank you was offered by the club to the notable group of Debutantes, Debs In Waiting as well as the distinguished and dependable escorts. No matter the award, everyone was said to be a winner and a leader and the community must be proud of everyone and her participation.
The 2025 Debutantes were presented by Ta’Tiana Cash of TV Chanel 11.
The 2025 Debutantes were Evelyn Blue, Springfield High School; Mikel Byrd, Saint Ursula Academy; Taelynn Clarke and Kailyn Diggins, Notre Dame Academy; Jenevia Graves, Jesup W. Scott High School; Qarinn Hopings and Gabrielle Knighton, Central Catholic High School; Kailey Lothery, Notre Dame Academy; Kaiya Morgan- Thompson, St. Ursula Academy; Cayla Murray, Notre Dame Academy; Madelyn Page, Robert S. Rogers High School; Jeyhana Preston and Malia Robinson, Notre Dame Academy; Raniyah Rogers, Roy C. Start High School; Sydnee Savage- Utley, Robert S. Rogers High School; Paris Waites and Celine Winfield- White from Central Catholic High School.
Then a performance by the Debs and Escorts followed coordinated by Dennis Jarret, waltz instructor – a Cotillion Promenade and the Presentation of Pearls.
The 2025 Escorts were Langston Baker, Jerry Barnes, Israel Bass, Blake Boyd, Leon Brown, Shawn Cannon, Alijah Gregory, Elijah Haney, Mikel Holmes, LaMar Johnson, Jahaun Knox, Kavon Riley, Elijah Robinson, LaVon Sledge, Jordan Wealleans, Marquise Westley and Ta’Shawn Wilson.
After intermission, the presentation of awards began. Gabrielle Knighton won Miss Congeniality and was awarded a beautiful necklace along with her other awards.
Mr. Escort was awarded to Jahaun Knox.
The Talent Awards were presented by Taylor Automotive ambassadors – first, second and third places winners were Gabrielle Knighton, Evelyn Blue and Kailyn Diggins. Taylor was represented by ambassadors Terry Crosby of Toledo, Victoria Kimmel of Lima, Joan Brown Kose of Findlay, Mary Helen Darah of Toledo, Tom Cole of Toledo along with Steven Taylor of the Taylor Automotive family.
The University of Toledo’s President’s Community Award provides Debutantes $2,000 towards fall semester costs to be used toward institutional charges and one year (two consecutive semesters) of on-campus housing, beginning fall semester 2025. The award is competitive and was developed for the Toledo Club NANBPWC, Inc. Debutantes.
The 2025 scholarship certificates went to Evelyn Blue, Taelynn Clarke and Qarinn Hopings.
Third place Miss Debutante was awarded to Madelyn Page. Second place Miss Debutante was awarded to Celine Winfield- White.
And the winner – Miss Debutante 2025 – was Paris Waites.
All the families and loved ones of each member of the night beamed with pride and each student made the community proud and will go out on their own with the support of their families to ultimately make the world a better place.
Other sponsors were The Andersons, SNG Management, Henry’s Jewelry and Gifts, Bartz Viviano Flowers and Gifts.
The National Association of Negro, Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. includes the North Central District: Ohio , Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Western Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
