Fifteen college-bound high school seniors, wearing identical white ballgowns created for the occasion by designer Marcel Smith, made their debut last Sunday at the third Sigma Pearls Cotillion.
The presentation was hosted by Theta Zeta Sigma alumnae chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. Kathy Callum, Kathy Jackson and Ollie Smith were the chairwomen and commentary was by Zelda DeBoyes.
The debutantes curtsied on a stage decorated with twinkling lights and sorority colors of blue and gold. DeBoyes, administrator for the Aurora Municipal Court, introduced the following debs:
Leola Keyaushia Destine Adams: A senior at Denver School of the Arts, she has studied theater for seven years and is a member of the National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, the Gospel Choir and the Diversity Club. In addition, she tutors at Hope Communities, serves as Sunday School secretary at True Faith Church of God in Christ, and has been a lifeguard at Six Flags amusement park. She plans for major in psychology at Spellman College. Keyaushia was presented by her grandfather, Fred Adams, and her escort was Marcus Steward.
Courtnee Deidra Brown: A senior at Montbello High School, where she was enrolled in advanced placement classes, Courtnee was one of those honored at the 2006 Tribute to Black Youth sponsored by Denver chapter of The Links, Inc. She has sung classical and Italian music for the past five years and performs with the Spirituals Project, Sankofa, and the All-City and University Church of Christ choirs.
Courtnee has been accepted by the University of Colorado-Denver and Metropolitan State College and plans to major in business management and minor in vocal and music education. She was presented by her father, Melvin L. Brown; her escort was De
Andre Davis.
Natasha Kamilah Cochran: A senior at Rangeview High School, where she was enrolled in advanced placement classes, Natasha has been a member of the varsity tennis and speech and debate teams; the National Art Honor Society; Future Business Leaders of America; Sistahs in the Community and Link Crew. She was accepted by four colleges, choosing Hampton University where she will seek a degree in business with an emphasis in accounting. Natasha was presented by her father, Nathan Cochran, and was escorted by Shane McGee.
Stephanie Nicole Davis: A senior at Denver School of the Arts, Stephanie has studied violin for seven years and was a member of the orchestra for her school’s production of “Aida.” She is a member of Greater Faith Baptist Church and has volunteered on behalf of Coats 4 Colorado, the COMPA Food Ministry, Ronald McDonald House and at the Colorado Symphony Guild Gala. She will attend the University of Northern Colorado. Stephanie was presented by her father, Caephas Earl Davis, and was escorted by Thomas Richardson.
Tanisha Yvonne Dews: Voted queen of the cotillion, Tanisha is a senior at Denver School of the Arts, where she has maintained a cumulative GPA of 4.087. She has been a member of the National Honor Society and is a founder of the Fellowship of Christian Artists; in addition, she was president of Theta Zeta Sigma’s Rhoer Club and was named Rhoer of the Year at the chapter’s 2007 recognition luncheon. Tanisha was accepted by both Baker University and Langston University and will attend the latter, majoring in education and art history. She was presented by her father, James Dews, and escorted by Noel Smith. Tanisha is also the third in her family to be a Sigma Gamma Rho debutante; her mother and sister preceded her. “Tradition is really big in my family,” she said.
Pavi-Elle Latrice Doane: An honor student at George Washington High School, Pavi-Elle belongs to the African American Culture Club, Link Crew and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She attends New Faith Christian Center and has volunteered with the MS 150 Bike Tour, Habitat for Humanity and the Sippers-N-Sliders 34th annual gala. In addition to her school work, Pavi-Elle works as a sales associate for the JCPenney store in the Aurora Mall. She was presented by her father, Anthony Doane, and was escorted by Donte Essien.
Antoinette Idolyeu Evans: A senior at George Washington High School, where she had a 3.936 GPA, Antoinette was on the yearbook staff and served as a 2nd lieutenant with the Junior REserve Officer Training Corps. She was a Mile High Scholar in 2003 and belonged to Future Leaders of America and Young Life. She has been accepted by three colleges, and plans to major in communications at Colorado State University on a $10,000 scholarship received from the Black Issues Forum. Antoinette was presented by her father, Anthony Q. Evans Sr., and was escorted by Zakee Toliver.
Amie Shaniel Fontenot: A senior at East High School, where she completed advanced placement and honors classes, Amie has been on the honor roll every year since she was a freshman. She is student council president, president of the Poms Squad and belonged to the Black Student Alliance. She was secretary of the Rhoer Club and interns at Washington Mutual Bank in Cherry Creek North. Colorado State University is her college of choice, which she will attend on scholarships awarded by the Daniels Fund and the Sachs Foundation. She was presented by her uncle, Brett Gaulden, and escorted by Jeremiah Lewis.
Jacquette Alyse Jenkins: A senior at Montbello, where she is completing advanced placement and college-level classes, Jacquette attended the 2006 Duke Youth Academy, the Black Issues Forum at Colorado State University, the Center for African America Policy Workshop at the University of Denver and the Pre-Collegiate Medical Program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She was named Outstanding Senior by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and was a 2005 honoree at the Tribute to Black Youth. She has been accepted by CSU and Kansas State Univeristy and will major in biology at CSU as the first step toward becoming a pediatrician. Jacquette was presented by her father, Timothy Jenkins, and was escorted by Justin Anderson.
Mandisa Aomi Jones: A senior at East High, where she has a 3.044 GPA, Mandisa has served as dance captain and co-captain of the Denver Marching Knights and the Heritage African Drum & Dance Ensemble. She also has been a youth leader for the James Beckwourth Outdoor Education Center and has taken part in the Summer Science Scholars Program. She has supervised children during the summers of 2004 and 2005 at the Glenarm Recreation Center and the African American Heritage camps, and is a clothing, accessories and hairstyle designer. She was presented by her stepfather, Rick Riddick, and was escorted by Cory Moore.
Ariana Evelyn-Ruth Nash: A senior at Eaglecrest High School, Ariana has been captain of both the dance team and pom squad, a member of the Future Community Leaders of America board, and a member of the school choir. She is sergeant-at-arms of the Rhoer Club, has volunteered with the 9News Health Fair and the 2006 Special Olympics, and willl attend Metropolitan State College. She was presented by her father, Clinton Nash, and escorted by Alexis Smith.
Jessica Lynn Richardson: A senior at East High School, Jessica belongs to the Black Student Alliance, the Peace Jam Club and Honors Choir, with which she traveled to Hawaii for a seven-day singing tour. She has volunteered on behalf of Toys for Tots, the COMPA Food Ministry and at the Colorado Symphony Guild’s Winter Fantasy Gala. Jessica has been accepted at CSU, where she plans to major in psychology. She was presented by her father, Kenny Richardson, and escorted by Stephen Newman.
Mercedes Lee Scott: A senior at East High School, Mercedes was enrolled in advanced placement classes and belonged to Link Crew, Future Business Leaders of America and the Black Student Alliance. Her volunteer work includes Project Angel Heart, Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity and she has worked as an assistant secretary at the Denver Federal Center. She plans to major in accounting at CSU. Mercedes was presented by her father, Gary Scott, and was escorted by Derrick Nettingham.
Danielle Renae Skinner: A senior at Eaglecrest High School, where she maintains a 3.735 GPA, Danielle has been co-editor of the student newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society and the recipient of awards given by AVID and the National Society of High School Scholars. She was named Miss Congeniality at the Rhoer Club’s 2007 recognition luncheon and has helped feed the homeless through her church, the East Denver Church of Christ. She plans to major in broadcast journalism at Langston University. Danielle was presented by her father, August P. Skinner III, and escorted by Kellyn Lewis.
Shenee Monique Taylor: A senior at Gateway High School, Shenee is completing her honors classes with a 3.702 GPA. She’s a member of Destiny Christian Center and has been secretary and president of Future Business Leaders of America. In 2005, she was an honoree at the Links’ Tribute to Black Youth Luncheon and she has traveled to Costa Rica to assist with the preparation of a playground and house for disadvantaged families. Four colleges have sent her letters of admission, and she has chosen Colorado State University-Pueblo, where she will major in economics and finance. She was presented by her father, Dwayne Alexander Taylor, and escorted by Brandon Johnson.
Navalyn LaQuel Waggoner: A senior at East High School, where she was enrolled in advanced placement and honors classes, Navalyn was a member of the school band, Junior ROTC, the Black Student Alliance and the Honors Choir, with which she traveled to Hawaii for a seven-day singing tour. She has taken part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and works as a sales associate at Sears in the Aurora Mall. Navalyn will major in music at Metropolitan State College before transferring to Bethune University in Florida. She was presented by her stepfather, Keke Dable, and escorted by Marcus Vaughn.
Pictures taken at the Sigma Pearls Cotillion can be viewed at denverpost.com/SeenGallery.
Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. Her column appears every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday in the Scene section.