The Altruist Club of Roanoke is celebrating its 61st year of presenting the Debutante Ball. This year’s ball will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. The following eight debutantes and their escorts will be proudly showcased in the annual event.
Miss Jamyra Deshay Ball, granddaughter of Wendall and Carolyn Ball, is a senior at William Fleming High School. Her escort, Jamel Hale, also a senior at William Fleming, is the son of Ms. April Welton of Roanoke. She is sponsored by Yoedie Swain of Devas House of Hair who is serving as Miss Ball’s lady-in-waiting.
Miss Kiana Grace Bell, the daughter of Kathryn and Carlton Bell, is a senior at William Fleming High School as is her escort, Blake Barnes who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William and Blair Barnes of Roanoke. J&J Sound of Roanoke is her sponsor; Ms. Patice Holland of Roanoke is serving as her lady-in-waiting.
Miss Avery Elle Bolden, daughter of Ms. Aletha Cherry and Vernie Bolden, is a senior at Patrick Henry High School. Her escort, D’Sean Adams, a senior at William Fleming High School, is the son of Mr. Rodney and Mrs. Volletta Wiley of Roanoke. Ms. Peggy Fleming is serving as lady-in-waiting.
Miss Sierra Iran Brown, daughter of Ms. Celeste Brown and Mr. Marcus Brown of Roanoke, is a senior at William Fleming High School. She will be escorted by Mr. Javon Enoch, a junior at William Fleming and the son of Miss Quentina Enoch of Roanoke. Small Steps Learning Academy is sponsoring Miss Brown; her lady-in-waiting is Mrs. Tarin McCoy of Roanoke.
Miss Aaliyah Shemae Gray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Jamay Gray of Roanoke is a senior at Northside High School. She is being escorted by Brian Garnett, son of Mrs. Paula Garnett of Roanoke, who attends Virginia Western Community College. Dr. Melva Belcher of Roanoke and Liberty Tax Service, Roanoke, are her co-sponsors; Ms. Cora Carpenter of Roanoke is serving as her lady in waiting.
Miss Erin Benecia Hilton, daughter of Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Benecia-Hale Hilton of Roanoke, is a senior at William Fleming High School. Her escort is Cameron Johnson of Roanoke, a sophomore at William Fleming and the son of Michael and Mrs. Monique Anderson of Roanoke. Miss Hilton’s sponsor is the Beta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; her lady in waiting is Ms. Clarissa Nash of Roanoke.
Miss Asia Monet Stephens, the daughter of Mr. Jerome and Mrs. Sondra Stephens of Vinton, is a senior at Staunton River High School. Her escort is Michael Manns of Roanoke, a junior at William Fleming and the son of Mr. Michael and Mrs. Victoria Manns. Her sponsor is Inner City Athletic Association of Roanoke; her lady in waiting is Ms. Linia Willis of Williamsburg.
Miss Kanaya Micaela Webb is a senior at William Fleming HS and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Sonya Webb of Roanoke. Her escorted is Guy Smith, a senior at William Fleming and the son of Guy Lee and Mrs. Rebecah Smith of Roanoke. Manns Counseling Service is her sponsor and Ms. Cicely Manns of Roanoke is her lady-in-waiting.
As a community service project this year, the debutantes and their escorts, Debutantes of Tomorrow, prince/princesses and club members, donated canned goods to prepare Thanksgiving baskets equipped with turkeys and all the ingredients for a bountiful meal. The baskets were distributed to those in need.
Throughout the years more than $200,000 in scholarships and grants have been awarded to nearly 2,000 debutantes.
Tickets for the 6:00 p.m. dinner affair are $45 and may be purchased by calling Don Shovely at 562-2353.
