BY LOUIS C. WARD
EUSTIS – Miss Ja’ Niyah Chambliss is Miss Debutante 2024, Queen of the Cotillion.
Ja” Niyah, an exquisite and accomplished eighteen-year-old Eustis High school senior, was crowned by reigning 2023 Debutante Amaria Brown at the 25th Annual Debutante Ball Saturday evening, February 3, 2024 at Eustis Community Center on Bay Street, Eustis. Florida.
Sponsored by the Silhouettes of Criterions Organization, Inc. the memorable, formal occasion, titled “Reflections of Beauty and Grace,” highlighted the exclusive journey of four promising young Black women from the Lake County community into society.
Alana Seward, 1st Runner-up; Breniya Ja ’Chai Shaw, 2nd runner-up; and A’miyah Copeland, 3rd Runner-up were all very elegant, beautiful, graceful, intelligent, young, Black women with a future of substantial possibilities. From the abundance of applause the debutantes received from the audience, it’s implicit that every one of those debutantes was a winner in the minds and hearts of those who saw and listened to them at the well-attended festive occasion.
Becoming a debutante was not an easy grab, just ask Ja’Niyah. “From August 2023 to February 2024, it took commitment and time. Debutantes had to host an event, attend workshops, dance rehearsals, fundraise, and more,” revealed Ja”Niyah.
Ja’Niyah will always cherish the real sisterhood that happened among the four amazing and beautiful girls. “We connected on a level of sisterhood that wouldn’t have happened without the debutante program,” remarked Ja’Niyah, who would “encourage all African American high school juniors and seniors to participate in a debutante program.”
“I was ecstatic, ” said Sable Fulmore Buggs, Ja’ Niyah’s aunt, when she learned Ja’ Niyah was crowned Miss Debutante 2024 Queen of the Cotillion.
Ms. Buggs, a 2006 debutante, and the choreographer for 2024” s Annual Debutante Ball, said, “Ja’ Niyah’s winning was absolutely more deserving, considering all of the hardship she experienced in life. It was like a full circle moment being crowned.”
The Fathers and Daughter’s Dance and the couples dance are always an eye-opener and fun part of the program. A heartfelt debutante prayer and a tribute to their Moms emotionally charged the evening. Debutantes placed a corsage on their Moms’ arms, expressing their gratitude for their Moms’ support.
“I thought it was a very nice program and it worked out well,” said Gessner Harris, a former president of the Silhouettes of Criterions, Inc. “We had four outstanding young girls with great grade point averages and very supportive parents.
According to Selina Bowers, President, Silhouettes of Criterion Organization, Inc., “The purpose of our program is to promote the development of their leadership abilities, assist in the transition into adulthood and prepare them for continued success in their future endeavors”.
“I was impressed with how committed the girls, seniors with very busy schedules, were to the program. Also, I saw how they really bonded, creating lifelong friendships with a lifetime full of memories,” concluded Ms. Bowers.
With a very receptive smile that could probably light up darkness, A’miyah Copeland completed graduation requirements at Mount Dora High School a semester early with a 3.5 GPA. She will attend Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Commenting on the debutante journey, she said, this will be an experience she will never forget.
Some would ask where does Breniya J. Shaw, a cute, petite, future attorney, find the time to be an athlete, a community volunteer, be active in her church, maintain a 3.4 GPA, and be an honor student for all four years of high school? Maybe it’s her relationship with God and her favorite Bible verse Matthew 6:33; “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”
Alana Seward, crowned Miss Congeniality 2024, is a serious basketball player, who plans to play college ball. She’s a “humble, independent, confident, and loving young lady who always exhibits her kindness to others.”
A high achiever at Eustis High School, Alana maintained a 3.8 GPA, while taking advanced and honor classes. She was a homecoming representative every year at Eustis High School. Alana “believes that this is only the beginning and life will offer endless opportunities for not only her but her Debutante sisters as well.”
Debutantes were recognized with prestigious awards, including the The Patricia Benn Monroe Award for being consistent, dependable and loyal, which went to Ja’Nayih Chambliss.
Breniya Ja ’Chai Shaw received The 2024 Gessner Harris Award for public service. Breniya had more than 400 hours of community service.
Amiyah Copeland was presented the 2024 Award for Participation.
The festive evening closed with the Miss Debutante 2024 – Queen of the Cotillion Victory Walk.
