GUEST COMMENTARY: BY KAYLESA SIMMONS
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Following a two-year hiatus, the Yellow Elder ITC Club has announced its 39th Ball will be held under the distinguished patronage of the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, on May 14, 2022, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the City of Life Event Center on East Sunrise Highway (formerly A Social Affair).
This year marks the 42nd year since the inception of the debutante ball program, which seeks to prepare an outstanding cadre of high school students to play a meaningful role in the community with a formal introduction. The top award recipients are usually provided with scholarships or financial assistance for educational purposes.
This year five debutantes — Anya Edwards Toote, Bandelli Lowe, D’Leah Malcolm, Aimee Franks and Patrelle Laing and their selected escorts – Micheal Styles, Latrell Anderson, Delbert Whyte, Michael Edwards and Zion Russell — are students of Bishop Michel Eldon High and Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy. They will center stage, where the debutantes will be introduced by their fathers or father figures.
The debutantes, adorned in beautiful white gowns, and their escorts smartly attired in formal black suits will perform a spell-binding choreographed waltz routine to the music of the famous Blue Danube under the instruction of former debutante Mrs. Liselle Russell.
The theme for the ball is “The Rose”. The Rose is said to be the Queen of all flowers and the pink rose is the most elegant of them all. The debutantes are charged to emulate the refined qualities of the rose.
Part of the program includes training in the social graces, dining etiquette, communication skills, character development and financial literacy. The participants were also exposed to leisure sports like tennis.
The affair features a sumptuous dinner, the presentation along with entertainment. The Grand Bahama Boys Brigade will form the hour guard. Recently crowned Miss Teenager Universe Flonique Lightbourne will be among our special guest.
Parents will also have an opportunity to show off their waltzing skills during a special father-daughter dance and mother-son dance. Throughout its 42-year history, the Debutante Ball Committee has been proud to welcome participants from generations of former debutantes and escorts. This year is no exception.
The grand evening will culminate with the presentation of the Debutante of the Year, Escort of the Year, Princess Rose, Prince Charming, Lady Grace and Gallant Knight.
The criteria for selection of the award recipients is the quality of a 500 word essay on a topic chosen by the committee on the importance of social graces, completion of 10 hours of community service, responsibility, attendance at training sessions, general deportment, co-operation and attitude.
Young ladies between the ages of 16 to 18 years from the various high schools who have maintained a grade point average of 3.0, are invited to participate.
The debutantes select their escorts, who must also be high school students between the ages of 16 to 18 years. The escorts participate in the training sessions and complete the same requirements of community service and an essay
Committee members include: Elizabeth Carey, Kaylesa Simmons, Annie Beckles, Liselle Russell and Charles Laroda.
