Debutante Foundation gears up to celebrate two decades

Sun, Feb 26th 2017, 11:19 PM

Jennice Johnson, senior mistress at Eva Hilton Primary School, was one of 30 young ladies who enrolled in the inaugural Bahamas Debutant Foundation's program. She was also the first winner of Debutante of the Year, an accolade bestowed upon the young lady who performs at the highest level throughout the program. And now the foundation is gearing up to name its 20th debutante.
Every year, 12th grade female students with grade point averages (GPA) of 3.00 and higher, who are active in their schools and communities, are invited to participate in the program, helping young ladies make the transition from adolescence to young adulthood with poise and grace.
Developing a close relationship with family is encouraged and demonstrated in the father-daughter day and mother-daughter day, which often involve emotional tributes from the debutantes to their parents. The participants' communication skills are also honed through various essay and speech competitions.
Over six months, the young ladies attend seminars and workshops designed to inspire them, boost their self-esteem and empower them to be successful. During the program, debutantes meet weekly and are exposed to thought leaders in various sectors of society. They also pay several courtesy calls on leaders of the nation.
The foundation will commemorate its 20th milestone with a series of events culminating in the 2017 Debutante Ball on May 6 at the Melia Nassau Beach all-inclusive resort.
Two decades after being named the first debutante, Johnson said she is grateful for the experience, which she said played a pivotal role in preparing her to function in society after graduating from high school.
"I initially enrolled in the program because I heard about it from my classmates. Participation in sessions related to public speaking, etiquette and ballroom dancing, to name a few, further enhanced necessary skills that a young lady should possess. I encourage future debutantes to embrace the opportunity and take advantage of all the program has to offer."
Following her debutante experience, Johnson enrolled in a degree program at The College of The Bahamas and taught science to first and fifth grade public school students for 16 years before her promotion to senior mistress three years ago.
Growth has been the goal of The Bahamas Debutante Foundation over the years, however, the process has not been without its challenges. Attracting corporate sponsors with a desire to impact the lives of young Bahamians is the foundation's goal.
"Our greatest challenge has been consistently raising the funds needed to operate the foundation's annual program. It costs approximately $40,000 each year to operate a program like this. We have been very fortunate to have corporate sponsors like Original Patties and Mr. Rudolph Mosley who has supported us from day one to now," said Johnson. "We are extremely grateful to those who have assisted, whether it was by donating their time and talents or finances to the development of our debutantes."
Johnson said she would like to see the foundation cater to the entire female student body from kindergarten to high school. She said she would also like to expand their reach to assist in the development of young men.
"If we can develop programs that assist in the development of both boys and girls from a very young age, I think our schools and society would be a better place."
Great ideas often have humble beginnings. The recognition of a need that can be met, coupled with a desire to make a difference, has birthed many impactful organizations. Twenty years ago, a similar convergence of need and a desire to impact the nation sparked the launch of The Bahamas Debutante Foundation.
In 1996, Cristina Johnson, then a performing arts teacher at A. F. Adderley School, found herself teaching students who were just about her age.
"I was just a year older, and in some cases, even a year younger than many of my students," Johnson recalled.
That closeness in age created an environment where her students felt comfortable sharing their personal problems with her.
"I noticed that the common denominator was that both the boys and girls lacked self-esteem and a sense of self-worth," said Johnson.
She immediately began formulating a plan to assist her students to work through their self-esteem issues. Within a week she received an invitation from The Cancer Society of The Bahamas to assist with an outreach program for girls. She accepted the offer, and a year later The Bahamas Debutante Foundation was born.
Since its inception in 1997, more than 1,600 Bahamian young women have participated in The Bahamas Debutante Foundation.

DEBUTANTE OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2016 -- Ianna Cartwright, Akhepran International Academy
2015 -- Asha Johnson, St. Anne's School
2014 -- Di'shay Whyms, Anatol Rodgers
2013 -- K'mistie Andrews, St. Augustine's College
2012 -- Barrise Griffin, St. Augustine's College
2011 -- Amethyst Haeward, Queen's College
2010 -- Tyronella Ferguson, St. John's College
2009 -- Shaynora Brown, St. John's College
2008 -- Tonicka Henfield, Aquinas College
2007 -- Tiffany Donaldson, St. John's College
2006 -- Tameka Johnson, St. John's College
2005 -- Shenique Whyms, St. Augustine's College
2004 -- Kendira Beneby, Nassau Christian Academy
2003 -- Braunne Elliott, Temple Christian High School
2002 -- Janique Jones, St. Augustine's College
2001 -- Wendy Lewis, Temple Christian High School
2000 --
1999 -- Tara Thompson
1998 --
1997 -- Jennice Johnson, St. Andrew's School

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