The Washington Rhinestone Club Inc. recently celebrated its 66th Anniversary as they recently presented twelve exceptional college young women to the community and made their debut to society.
Tanya Hannah, Chief Information Officer for King County, served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Hannah believes in using technology in new, surprising and smart ways to make life better for people. Under her leadership King County has been recognized multiple times by the National Association of Counties as top IT County in the nation, most recently in 2019.
The Queen of the 2019 Debutante Ball was Debutante Kiel Walker. Walker is the daughter of Renee Walker and David Toledo. She is a graduate of Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Washington, and is currently attending Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas. Walker’s escort was Cedric Dennard, II, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cedric Dennard. Walker received a $2,000 scholarship from Washington Rhinestone President Carol Bell-Daniel. She was chosen to be the Queen of the 2019 Ball because she earned the highest high school cumulative grade point average of 3.8. She also received a Past Debutante Legacy Scholarship, the Alexis Williams Memorial Scholarship, the Debutante Advertisement Award and the Northwest Technology Equity Initiative Scholarship.
Runner Up, with the second highest grade point average, was Debutant Rhandi Rosemond. Rosemond is the daughter of Kimberly Love. She is a graduate of Renton High School, and is currently attending Highline College. Rosemond’s escort was Demetrius Rogers, the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Rogers. Rosemond received a $1,000 scholarship, and was the recipient of the Debutante Advertisement Award.
In addition, the Washington Rhinestone Club Inc. honored the following young college women:
Debutante Union Monet Carter, the daughter of Charles Carter and Tammy Birkner-Carter. Carter is a graduate of Kent-Meridian High School in Kent, Washington, and is currently attending Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Carter’s escort was Isaiah Carter, the son of Charles and Tammy Carter. Carter was also the recipient of the Zeta Phi Zeta Scholarship and the Verna Busch Scholarship.
Debutante Breona Devers, the daughter of Demetrius Devers and Cristi Devers. Devers is a graduate of Cleveland High School in Seattle, and is currently attending Texas Southern University. Dever’s escort was Josiah Eugene Turner, the son of James and Tashawna Turner. Devers was a recipient of the Past Debutante Legacy Scholarship.
Debutante Janiya Donaldson, the daughter of James Donaldson and Shannel Hester. Donaldson is a graduate of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Washington and is presently attending the University of Washington. Her escort was Robert Willis, the son of Robert and Jenea Willis. Donaldson was the recipient of the Kyla Marks Award, presented by 2018 Debutante Kyla Marks and the Danna K. Johnston Renewable STEM Scholarship.
Debutante Queen Johnson, the daughter of Aiyana Brown and the late Robert Johnson. Johnson is a graduate of Summit Sierra High School in Seattle, Washington, and is currently attending Virginia State University. Her escort was Sejha Jackson, the son of Aiyana Brown. Johnson was the recipient of the Verna Busch Scholarship and the Debutante Advertisement Award.
Debutante Trishana Ribera, the daughter of John Ribera and Bobbi Ribera. Ribera is a graduate of Tahoma High School, and is currently attending Central Washington University. She was escorted by Joey Ribera. Ribera was also the recipient of the Zeta Phi Beta Scholarship and the Past Debutante Legacy Scholarship.
Debutante Teleah Royal, the daughter of Mark Royal and Teresa Love Royal. Royal is a graduate of Garfield High School, and is currently attending Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Royal’s escort was James Barker. Royal was the recipient of the Trinity Chandler Award, the Past Debutante Legacy Scholarship, the Northwest Technology Initiative Scholarship and the Debutante Advertisement Award.
Debutante Ayana Stewart, the daughter of Eric and Celeste Stewart. Stewart graduated from Renton High School, and is currently attending Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Stewart’s escort was Peyton Valentine, the son of Kevin and Shawna Valentine. Stewart was the recipient of the Esther Ross Community Service Award and the Debutante Advertisement Award.
Debutante Nia Tate, the daughter of Stanley Tate and Rochelle Gayton Tate. Tate graduated from Mercer Island High School, and is currently attending Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Tate’s escort was Jaelin Tate. She was the recipient of the Debutante Legacy Scholarship and the Alexis Willliams Memorial Scholarship.
Debutante Payton Trahan, the daughter of Anthony Trahan and Dona Goddard. Trahan is a graduate of Cleveland High School and is currently attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Trahan’s escort was Andrew Vielman, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vieilman. Trahan is recipient of the Debutante Advertisement Award.
Debutante Maralie Jordan Yearby, the daughter of Bobby Yearby, Jr. and Robin Haynes Yearby and the granddaughter of Washington Rhinestone Club member Malver Haynes and Robert Staple Haynes. Yearby is a graduate of Impact Academy of Arts and Technology in Hayward, California, and is currently attending Sonoma State University. Her escort was Roosevelt Willis, the son of Robert and Jenea Willis. Yearby is a Washington Rhinestone Club Legacy Debutante Scholarship recipient as her mother Robin Haynes Yearby made her debut with the Washington Rhinestone Club and was the Queen of her Ball. Yearby is also the recipient of The Cal Family Scholarship, the Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship, and the Debutante Advertisement Award.
Each Debutante was also presented a Foundation House at Northgate Award, and The Bernice Green Book Award.
Serving in The Queen’s Court was Little Princess Harper Adams-Womack, the daughter of Soraya Womack and Zachary Adams and granddaughter of James Womack and Alumni Debutante Leslie Womack. The Page was Immanuel Avant Clemmons, the son of Kristopher and Cam Clemmons.
Ball Chairs for the 66th Anniversary Debutante Ball were Malver Haynes, Frances Stephens and Juanita Taylor.
Mrs. Nancy Stephens-Saunders was the choreographer for the dance routines performed by the Debutantes and Escorts. The Washington Rhinestone Club Inc. is deeply appreciative of the strong and consistent community support that contributed to the success of the 66th Anniversary Debutante Ball.
