Ball dedicated to staunch supporter Mrs. Lessie Polk
The 62nd Debutante Ball presented by the Altruist Club of Roanoke attracted nearly 450 people on Sunday, Dec. 27 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. Ten debutantes, 10 debutantes of tomorrow and 23 princes and princesses participated in the annual event.
Miss De´Sia Monique Terry, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, was crowned 2015 Debutante Queen. She is the daughter of Omar Jordan and Crystal Terry and was escorted by Brandon Lawrence Smith, son of Omar and Amy Jordan and Robert Smith all of Roanoke. He is a sophomore at Patrick Henry High School. Manns Counseling Service sponsored Miss Terry. Her lady in waiting was Cicely Manns of Roanoke.
Miss Shayla Denise Hunt, daughter of Robert and Sandra Hunt of Roanoke, was first runner up. She is a senior at William Fleming High School and was escorted by Kenneth Andrew Corpening, son of Rodney and Kimberly Corpening, also a senior at William Fleming High. Her sponsor was Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation Service; her lady in waiting was Arlene Scales of Roanoke.
Second runner up was Elizabeth Gail Brown, daughter of Melissa Brown and Melvin Brown of Roanoke and a senior at William Fleming High School. Her escort was Tharin Nathaniel Joseph, a senior at Patrick Henry High and son of William and Tulima Joseph of Roanoke. Her sponsor was Adelphi Social Club of Roanoke; her lady-in-waiting was Jacqualin Moore of Roanoke.
The men of the Altruist Club, honored to have served as this year’s grand marshals were: William White, Donald Shovely, Kenneth Haley, Curtis Brown, Johnny Brown, Jerome Stephens and Andre’ Perry.
Debutantes of Tomorrow were: Jyliah Beasley, Jessica Billingsley, Kathlyn Brown, Kristen Brown, Mackenzie Brown, Haley Day, Tiana Nichole Keeling, Jada Vernon, Kai Washington-Brown and Kameron Washington-Brown, all area middle and high school students.
The princes and princesses, (all elementary age) were: Eden Arnold, Marissa Coles, Reagan Corpening, Diamond Dance, Ayva Haley, Leila Haley, Nicole Hankins, Joshua Hunt, Saniya Hicks, Asia Johnson, Asha Larry, Shakyra Leftwich, Ke’Yone Manns, RMoni Meadows, Jayla Nicholson, Jaona Ransome, Jordan Ransome, Paris Scott, Christian Taylor, Sanaia Terry, Jaelin Vernon, Jonathan Vernon and Kennedy Worrell.
The 2015 Ball was dedicated to Mrs. Lessie Polk of Roanoke who has attended nearly every ball since its beginning. Mrs. Polk was 99 years old on December 29.
Throughout the Altruist Club’s existence, funds raised during the ball have been awarded in the form of scholarships and grants. The amount totals nearly $250,000.
Anyone interested in becoming a debutante, debutante of tomorrow, a prince or princess, (or would like more information about the organization or the ball), should contact Ms. Melinda J. Payne, president of the Altruist Club, at 389-5344.
