Spectacular Leading Ladies of St. Mary's Academy

Poised, graceful and elegant are words that aptly describe the 52 lovely debutantes that were formally presented to society during St. Mary’s Academy’s 52nd Annual Debutante Ball. Held recently at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, the ball was the culminating event for the Class of 2011 who participated in a host of workshops, practices and activities all geared to instill and develop social graces and leadership.

Reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood, this year’s lavish affair featured the theme, “Spectacular Leading Ladies.”  Cathy Green Miner, a 1983 graduate of the Academy and commentator for the evening, opened the festivities with a prayer.  Immediately following the prayer was a procession of the mothers of the debutantes and the presentation of last year’s queen Miss Troynicka Richardson. Troynicka, a freshman at Dillard University in New Orleans, is the daughter of Mrs. Jennie L. Jones.  She was accompanied by the Keeper of the Jewels, Little Miss Sydney Tamir Haynes. Sydney is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Haynes of New Orleans.

Following a fanfare of music provided by the renowned Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, the attention then turned to the presentation of the lovely debutantes.  Elegantly attired in gowns of white satin, lace and pearls, each debutante exuded confidence and grace as she took her formal bow in the spotlight.  The SMA Debutantes included: Tai Montrell Alcorn, Destiny Ariel Artis, Tierra Domonique Aubert, Kayla Marie Bridgewater, Monique Marie Brown, Brooke Anjelica Brumfield, Kateri Tekakwitha Crayton,  Elysia Ann Dantzler, Keisha Lorraine Dorsey, Domonique Nicole Duckworth, Jasmine Iriel Dumas, Hannah Rashon Dunford, Gabriella Nicole Gaspard, Davien Dionne Gordon, Morgan Lee Gorman, Alexis Ann Jackson, Daryan Myreon Jackson, Jeannine Michelle Jackson, Jennifer Michelle Jackson, Alyssa Marie James, Anisha Breann Johnson, Jene' Nicole Jones, Jennifer Gabrielle Joseph, Unja Lakia LeBlanc, Gabrielle Kurston Lewis, Nehlita Roselynn Moody, La'Shante Cherelle Mutley, Taiylor Alexandria Nash, Stephanie Alicia  Powell, Shante' Salvant, Courtney Lynn Slugher, Christian Marie Smith, Jade Ryne' Smith, Jimmecea Minnie Smith, Breione Jona'e Spencer, Maya D'Andrea Spruille, Chelsi Trenise Stevenson, Monet Victoria Stykes, Eshon Shanelle Trosclair, Ronisha Gailynn Tyler, Brianne Lorraine Verrett, Amber Denise Washington, Britni Arione Wells, Brianne ReJean Whitaker, Bria Nicole Whiticar, Jada Monique Williams and Keithtrel Debra Williams.

Climaxing the evening was the presentation of the Queen of 2011, Miss Allyson Lee Brown, who seemed to magically appear on stage following a short feature film chronically her dream to reign as queen of the ball.  Her highness wore a dazzling gown of white duchess satin, rhinestones and Swarovski crystals, customed created by renowned designer Carter Church. The daughter of Mr. Dolhman Brown and Ms. Cheryl Ross Brown of New Orleans, LA, Queen Allyson has been a student at St. Mary’s Academy since the sixth grade.  Her accolades are many and include a Louisiana Department of Education Trailblazer distinction, two People to People Leadership nominations and induction into the prestigious National Honor Society.  At St. Mary’s she currently serves in several leadership capacities including Vice-President of the Kiwanis Club of Pontchartrain Key Club, Co-Editor of the yearbook, Vice–President of the Pre-Alumnae and Co-Captain of the SMA Cougarette Dance Team.  Additionally, this dynamic young lady is also very active at her church, St. Gabriel the Archangel, where she is a Teen Cross and CYO member, Eucharistic Minister, lector, altar server and liturgical dancer.  This summer she was honored to represent her church at the Catholic Leadership Institute. Additionally, she was nominated and chosen to receive the Outstanding Youth Award, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a Catholic youth.

The queen’s pages for the evening were Master Jamal Nathaniel Bonner and Little Miss Heidi Christina Duncan. Jamal is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tyrone Bonner and Heidi is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Duncan.

The royal Court also included First Maid Miss Mia Patricia Scherer, daughter of Ms. Cookie Armstrong and Mr. Michael Scherer and Mrs. Louise Amedee.; Second Maid Miss Macy Loreal’ James-Ezidore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Ezidore; Third Maid Miss Taeja Monique Mitchell, daughter of Mr. Earl Mitchell, Jr. and Ms. Sylvia Jones Mitchell; Fourth Maid Miss Lorielle Gwennet Ausama, daughter of Mr . and Mrs. Loris Ausama; and Fifth Maid Miss Jennifer Gabrielle Joseph, daughter of Ms Yvonne Black Joseph and Mr. Douglas Joseph, Jr.

Following presentations to the Queen and her Court there was a performance by vocalist Al Ancar who serenaded the Court and Debutantes with a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” Also highlighting the festivities were performances by the Kelly School of Dance and Gymnastics, under the direction of Adrianne Petit Mitchell. The program concluded with a waltz by the debutantes and their dads and a waltz by the dads and moms of the debutantes.

Following the ball was a lavish Queen’s Party that was held in the Belle Grove Plantation Ballroom of the Pontchartrain Center. Entertainment for the party was provided by Bobby Jay and Stuff Like That.