The Washington Rhinestone Club Inc. celebrated its 69th anniversary on December 20, 2025, with an elegant celebration introducing ten exceptional college women to society at the DoubleTree Hilton in Southcenter. The festive evening brought together family, friends, and supporters to recognize the academic achievements, leadership, and promise of each debutante.
President Cleo Brooks opened the evening with a warm welcome and introduced Dr. Dwane Chappelle, who served as the distinguished master of ceremony for the evening. Dr. Chappelle is the director of the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), where he has led efforts since 2016 to promote educational equity. He oversees the stewardship of the city’s $619 million Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy, which supports strategic investments across the educational continuum. Prior to this role, Dr. Chappelle served as principal at Rainier Beach High School, where he successfully led a 25 percent increase in the school’s graduation rate. He attended the evening’s festivities with his wife, Angela Austin-Chappelle, an educator with Seattle Public Schools.
Among the evening’s most anticipated moments was the crowning of the 2025 Washington Rhinestone Debutante Queen. The reigning 2024 Debutante Queen, the lovely and talented Miss Lynisha Bailey, now a sophomore at the University of Washington, was in attendance to crown the designated queen. Miss Bailey thanked the Washington Rhinestone Club for its continued support and congratulated the 2025 debutantes before placing the crown on Aliyah Aileen Alexander.
Queen Aliyah Aileen Alexander was presented by her father and is the daughter of Lorraine and Melvin Alexander. A graduate of Holy Names Academy in Seattle, she is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science at North Carolina A&T State University. Her escort for the evening was Julian Gobi Thomas-Goodson. Aliyah was crowned Debutante Queen in recognition of earning the highest cumulative high school grade-point average among her peers, with a GPA of 3.82. She received a $2,000 scholarship from the Washington Rhinestone Club, presented by President Cleo Brooks and committee member Brittany Marzest, a former debutante.
The first runner-up, with a GPA of 3.43, was debutante Mariette Jones. She was presented by William Randolph and is the daughter of Harnette Jones. A graduate of Holy Names Academy, Mariette is attending Clark Atlanta University, where she is majoring in psychology. Her escort was Davion Groce. Mariette received a $1,000 scholarship from the club, also presented by President Brooks.
In addition to the queen and runner-up, the following debutantes were honored:
• Bethany Davis, presented by her father, is the daughter of Pamela and Darwin Davis. She graduated from Kentridge High School in Kent and is pursuing a degree in environmental technology at the University of California, Davis. Her escort was Kyle Wabusya.
• Moniah Gabriel was presented by her godfather, Faamanu Segi. She is the daughter of Talonga Gabriel and the late Mosse Gabriel. A graduate of Kennedy High School in Burien, she is majoring in psychology at Fisk University in Nashville. Her escort was Jayden Walker.
• Christian Gleser, presented by her father, is the daughter of C’Ardis and Joshua Gleser. She graduated from Annie Wright School in Tacoma and is studying music and communication at the University of Southern California. Her escort was Wes Rae.
• Nyshae Griffin, presented by her father, Tyrone Griffin, is the daughter of Nykeesa and Tyrone Griffin. She is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and is studying songwriting and music at Berklee College of Music. Her escort was Jaden Arnold.
• Jaya Jordan, presented by her father, Jeff Jordan, is the daughter of Nicole Muongvang and Jeff Jordan. A graduate of Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, she is attending Gonzaga University, majoring in human physiology. Her escort was Brittin Joyner.
• Chava Moore, presented by her father, Derrick Moore, is the daughter of Dawnielle and Derrick Moore. She graduated from Mead High School in Spokane and is majoring in biology at Whitworth University. Her escort was Adonijah Moore.
• Kamiyah Andre’yce Vitartas-Miller was presented by her father, Andre Deshawn Miller. She is the daughter of Heather Ke’sha Vitartas and Andre Deshawn Miller. A graduate of Annie Wright School in Tacoma, Kamiyah is studying political science with a minor in media, arts, culture, and music at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Her escort was Kai Lewis.
• Love Wokoma, presented by her father, Frye Wokoma, is the daughter of Kristi Brown-Wokoma and Frye Wokoma. A graduate of Summit Sierra High School in Seattle, she is pursuing a degree in culinary arts at Seattle Central College. Her escort was Damon Bomar.
Serving in the Queen’s Court were two charming young princesses: Princess Parker Phillips, daughter of Rochelle Tate-Phillips and William Joseph Phillips, and Princess Dajzae Tibbs, daughter of Daz W. Morris and Dorian Tibbs.
Several additional honors were awarded. Mrs. Malver Haynes, a member of the 2025 Ball Committee, presented Souvenir Book Advertisement Award Scholarships to Mariette Jones, Aliyah Alexander, Jaya Jordan, Bethany Davis, Nyshae Griffin, Moniah Gabriel, and Christian Gleser.
The Community Service Award, sponsored by the Girl Friends of Seattle, was presented to Kamiyah Vitartas-Miller for her outstanding contributions. Ms. Katrice Shaw-Charles, a former debutante and committee member, presented a scholarship on behalf of the Past Debutante Alumni to legacy debutantes whose family members previously debuted with the club. Legacy debutantes included Aliyah Aileen Alexander, Mariette Jones, Nyshae Griffin, Moniah Gabriel, and Christian Gleser.
Mrs. Colleen Robinson Walls, chair of the Scholarship Committee, awarded the Venise Jones Poole Music Scholarship to Nyshae Griffin. The scholarship honors the legacy of Venise Jones Poole, a beloved educator and vocalist, daughter of club member Dolores Jones Booker and sister of Deacon Leslyn Jones Petitt.
Each debutante received a $300 book award from the Foundation House, an organization of retired educators and entrepreneurs that has supported the Rhinestone Club’s scholarship efforts annually since 2010.
As a surprise gift, the 2025 debutantes and princesses received Ben Bridge Bennie Bears, donated by longtime supporter Rev. Richard “Doc” Rivers, who also gave the blessing before the banquet. This marked the third year of the Ben Bridge Bear tradition.
The evening’s dances, choreographed by Mrs. Nancy Stephens-Saunders, were a highlight of the event. A former debutante and principal attorney at Foster Garvey law firm, Mrs. Stephens-Saunders is the daughter of Frances Oxner Stephens, one of the club’s founding members. She has long volunteered her time and artistic talent to prepare the debutantes and escorts for this signature performance. The dances were performed with grace and energy to music provided by Butch Harrison and the Butch Harrison Trio.
The Washington Rhinestone Club expressed deep appreciation to the community for its continued support in making the 69th Anniversary Debutante Ball a success. Organizers invite the public to save the date for next year’s event: “A Platinum Affair,” the 70th Washington Rhinestone Debutante Ball, which will be held on December 27, 2026.
