In Touch With Fort Wayne Debutante Cotillion
By Betty Miller Buttram
FWIS Contributing Writer
“An Affaire Extraordinaire” took place on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Parkview Mirro Center. The Fort Wayne Debutante Cotillion, hosted by the Ladies With Purpose Committee, was a grand affair. The Committee’s mission is to seek and equip, encourage, and enhance the success of Multi-Cultural/African American junior and senior high school young ladies in pursuit of their higher education, personal development and civic involvement. The young ladies followed the criteria as outlined in the Program Values: (1) Education: the participants were expected to maintain success in the classroom; (2) Personal Development: participants learned skills of poise, grace and good citizenship, focusing on the development of leadership skills, high ethical standards, a confident sound character and social etiquette skills; and (3) Service: the importance of service engagement is emphasized throughout the program. Participants are expected to participate in worthwhile civic and community service activities.
The vision of the Ladies With Purpose Committee is to seek, motivate and inspire young ladies to appreciate their individual values and to make positive decisions regarding their future though exposure to new, exciting, and thought-provoking opportunities. Here are the Debutantes and the awards achieved:
Jasmine Barnes is a Junior at Homestead High School and the daughter of Jovan and India Barnes. Her plan after graduation is to attend SCAD college majoring in animation and illustration for a degree in art. Her escort for the evening was Kenneth Austin, Jr, the son of Dr. Kenneth and Dr. Michelle Austin. Jasmine received the Award for Highest GPA-Junior at the ceremony. She attends Fellowship Missionary Church. Activities: Key Club, Art Club, Track and Field, Greater Northeast Indiana Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
La’Nayshia Foster is a Junior at R. Nelson Snider High School and the daughter of Lanard Foster and Latoya Lovett. She plans on attending college and studying nursing. Her escort for was DeAlcapon Veazy, the son of Eric Veazy and Skye Grigsby. La’Nayshia attends Kingdom Door Christian Worship. Activities: Dancing, braiding hair, and volunteering.
Cherish Griggs is a Senior at R. Nelson Snider High School and the daughter of Charles Griggs and Sabrina Griggs. Her plan after graduation is to attend college and ultimately become an OB-GYN doctor. Her escort was Jason Pierre-Louis, the son of Whismick and Marie Pierre-Louis. Activities: Dancing, cheerleading, and tutoring.
Jaionna Hogue is a Senior at Heritage Jr/Sr. High School and the daughter of Jaduwa Hogue and Deondra Steward. Her plans after graduation are to volunteer at an animal shelter, attend IVY Tech and then enroll at Central Statue University. Her escort was Xavier Rogers, the son of Eric Rogers and Shavon Lofton. Jaionna attends St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She received the Award for Most Community Service Hours. Activities: Winter Band, Marching Band, JAG, interning in the elementary school.
Makayla Johnson is a Senior at Wayne New Tech Academy and is the daughter of Dennis and Felicia Johnson. Her plans after graduating are to attend Spelman College with a double major in business and political science, and then on to Law School. Her escort was Harrison Brooks, the son of Shawn Brooks and Kimberly Brooks. She attends Canaan Baptist church. She received awards for Best Essay and Highest Ticket Sales. Activities: Golf, basketball, softball, National Honor Society, Pave the Path, Young Scholars Academy, President of Greater Northeast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
An'Yake Lewis is a Junior at East Allen University and is the daughter of Yaka Starks and Jerome Longstreet. Her plan after graduation is to attend IU Bloomington majoring in psychology. Her escort was Jakhai Rich, the son of Jamar Rich and Janieka McCracken. Activities: Dancing, Captain of Majorette Team, tutor, Young Scholars, Delta Gems, Save Promise Club, American Legion Auxiliary Hoosier Girls State, and NAACP Youth Council.
Brooklyn McLemore is a Senior at Northrop High School and the daughter of Joseph and Monique Montgomery. Her plan after graduation is to attend Findley University on a full-ride basketball scholarship. Her escort was Dalman Alexander, the son of Daniel and Kelli Heaton and Ron Alexander, father. She attends Grace Life Bible Church. Brooklyn received the award for Miss Congeniality. Activities: AAU Basketball Always 100, Student Leadership, and All SAC 1st Team.
Tyleah Nelson is a Senior at Wayne New Tech Academy and the daughter of Nina Nelson. Her plan after graduation is to attend college to major in nursing. Her escort was Brandon Stuckey, the son of Nyota Hinton. She attends Destiny Dome Embassy at Cathedral of Praise. She received the award for Highest GPA-Senior. Activities: Reading, volunteering, Pave the Path, and working a part-time job.
Jaylasha Starks is a Junior at Canterbury High School and the daughter of James and Glena Starks. After graduation, she plans to attend college and become a neonatologist. Her escort was Daequan Boone, the son of Kory Howell and Martha Armstrong. Jaylasha attends Haven Missionary Christian Church. Activities: Competition Dance, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, musical theater, and lyrical dance at Evolve Dance Force.
Jaya Swopshire is a Senior at Northrop High School and the daughter of Jason Swopshire and Ebony Grant. After graduating, she plans to attend IUPUI to obtain a degree in the dental field. Her escort was Chandlar Swopshire, the son of Jason Swopshire and Ebony Grant. Jaya attends Shiloh Baptist Church. She received the award for Miss Cotillion 2023. Activities: Cheerleading, National Society of High School Scholars, and National Tech Honors Society.
The Mistress and Master of Ceremony were Rena Bradley and Tony Betton, Jr. Bradley works as a neighborhood planner for the City of Fort Wayne. Betton is the weekday morning anchor and special projects reporter for 21 Alive in Fort Wayne, IN.