Young women shine as they are presented to society
Massaponax High School student Whitney Hinnant gets the star treatment when she's crowned Miss Debutante
Date published: 11/27/2005
By CATHY DYSON
HITNEY HINNANT arrived at the ball dressed like a celebrity, with dark glasses and a silky white gown.
All eyes--and digital cameras--were aimed her way. She smiled, posed and hugged all those who kissed her cheek under the glare of the spotlights.
Then the formal events ended, and Whitney had the chance to exhale.
She placed her flower bouquet in a chair, took a bite of cheesecake from a relative's plate and headed to the dance floor for the "Electric Slide."
Whitney had enjoyed the star treatment, but now she was ready to party.
The Massaponax High School senior was crowned Miss Debutante at the 11th annual ball for area students.
When the tiara landed on her head, it ended hours of waiting, weeks of preparation and months of fundraising.
The only person who might have been happier than Whitney was her mother, Sha.
"I told everybody that I'm going to do a happy dance tonight because it's over," said the mom, as she joined her daughter for some sliding.
There were lots of smiles--and proud parents--in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn Select in Central Park last Saturday night. More than 400 friends, relatives and church members gathered as 20 young ladies were presented to society.
The debutante process and ball were sponsored by Xi Upsilon Omega, the local chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Many of the debutantes wore bridal gowns with beaded bodices or twinkling tiaras that sparkled in the spotlight.
Each girl took the stage, alone, trying not to look nervous as an announcer read her extensive list of accomplishments.
Then, each did what they'd all dreaded: a curtsy in front of the crowd. For months, the girls had practiced the proper way to bend knees and lower upper bodies.
Each made it through the formal presentations. The girls and their handsomely dressed escorts also danced to the minuet without any glitches.
But many of the debutantes had a major case of butterflies before they were introduced, caused by more than tight corsets.
"I'm so nervous, I can't stop my stomach," said Jameka Samuel, as the girls waited backstage.
"I'm about to die," said Nicole Carter.
"Anybody got a Twix bar?" asked Jasmine Holmes.
'You win everything'
In the midst of the pre-ball jitters sat the young lady later named Miss Debutante.
Date published: 11/27/2005
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