The Washington Rhinestone Club, which has served the greater Seattle community since 1952, recently presented their 2013 Debutantes to the community.
Dr. Tracy M. Hilliard, PhD, MPH, served as the Mistress of Ceremony for the event. As a Seattle native, Dr. Hilliard is known best for her leadership and service in our local community. She is Director of Data Integrity for the City of Seattle Human Services Department. She is also a Clinical Asst. Professor at the University of Washington in the School of Nursing, Dept. of Psychosocial and Community Health. Locally, Tracy leads the University of Washington Multicultural Partnership Scholarship Program. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she is a regional leader as Public Health Ambassador for the Sorority International Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative.
The Queen of the 2013 Debutante Ball, with the highest accumulative grade point average was Cecelia B. Jackson, a graduate of Holy Names Academy. Jackson is attending Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She is the daughter of Mr. Donald and Mrs. Janice Jackson. Her escort was Travaughn Cobb. Cecelia received a $2,000 scholarship from the Washington Rhinestone Club.
In the Queen’s Court were the following Debutantes:
Runner Up for Queen with the second highest grade point average was Debutante Alexis Raines. Alexis is a graduate of Garfield High School, and attends Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va. Raines is the daughter of Michael and Carmelia Raines. Her escort was Demetrious Parks.
Debutante Ryan V. Busch is a graduate of Foster High School in Tukwila, Washington. Busch attends South Seattle Community College. She is a daughter of Roy Busch and Annie Patu. Her escort was Isaiah Robinson.
Debutante Leoma James is a graduate of Blanchet High School. James attends Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. She is the daughter of Rosie Washington James and Charlie James. Her escort was Darius Anderson.
Debutante Eunique Cemone Patu is a graduate of Foster High School in Tukwila, Washington. Patu attends the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. She is the daughter of Paul H. and Shantel Patu. Her escort was Nathan Proctor.
Debutante Ona Jovaughan Redmond is a graduate of Slidell High School in Slidell, La. Redmond attends Delgado Community College in New Orleans. La. She is the daughter of Owen Smith and Andre Redmond. Her escort was Kevin Sly.
Debutante Jalyia Washington is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Burien, Washington. Washington attends Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the daughter of Robert Willis and Jenea Williams-Willis. Her escort was King Cyprus Richardson.
The Queen’s Princesses were twins Oceanae Unique Hardy and Oceanna Jour Niyah Hardy. They are the daughters of David Hardy and Jennifer Spears.
Each Debutante received a $500 scholarship. Additional scholarships were given to Debutantes from Mrs. Verna Busch, Dr. Donald and Aleta Felder and past Washington Rhinestone Debutantes.
The co-chairs of the Debutante Ball were Malver Haynes and Frances Stephens. Nancy Stephens Saunders served as the choreographer for the ball.
