The Lorain County Section of the National Council of Negro Women recently presented its eighth annual Vision of Beauty Cotillion at the Lodge of New Russia Township, 46300 Butternut Ridge Road.
It was an evening that celebrated the elegance, grace and brilliance of the nine young ladies, each prepared to be presented to their community.
Debutantes with the junior debutantes at the Vision of Beauty Cotillion. (Bob Stascak – For The Morning Journal)
“The women are all high school seniors, and some of the women have been waiting since they were in the eighth grade to participate,” said Council Third Vice President Angel Campbell. “The program starts at the beginning of the school year, and it is eight months long, culminating with the cotillion.
“The workshops are held at libraries in Lorain County. The program teaches skills that are useful in life, such as financial literacy, communication, civic engagement and healthy relationships.”
Cotillion committee member Tamara Jones said she has been involved with the Vision of Beauty Cotillion since day one, back in 2019.
Tamara Jones, a member of the Vision of Beauty Cotillion, at the event before it started. (Bob Stascak – For The Morning Journal)
“This is a beautiful and remarkable event, which gives the young ladies a chance to do something different in their lives,” Jones said.
The mothers and mother figures were introduced by committee member April Linder: Kathy Julien, grandmother of Dejaney Julian; Tabatha Harris, mother of Mya Anderson; Candace Bolarinwa, mother of Seraiah Jackson; Monique Betterson, mother of Sarah Betterson; Ashlee Washington, mother of Khloee Washington; Ashleigh Jenkins, mother-figure of Raihanna Ogbuji; Jarshae Randleman, mother-figure of Adrionnah Pinkston; Shamika Ody, mother of Lesliana Hendricks; and Quinn Washington, mother of Sacarria Washington.
The escorts were then introduced: Dekarion Wimberly, son of Rahkeebia Cook, a senior at Elyria High School; Israel Bush, son of Steve Bush and Alina Fluker, a senior at Lorain High; Brian Curry, son of Brian and Jasmin Curry, a junior at Elyria High; Clayshon Wright Jr., son of Arikka and Clayshon Wright Sr., a senior at Lorain High; Khalil Washington, son of Kip and Ameerah Washington, a senior at Elyria High; Kingston Daniels, son of Sydney Bryant and Darrius Daniels, a junior at Elyria Catholic High; Quentin Lewis, son of Quiiondae Lewis and Heather Grayson-Reynolds, a sophomore at Clearview High; Andrew Currier, son of Benjamin and RaeToria Currier, a sophomore at Elyria High; Christian Ensley, son of Gregory A. Ensley, Pamela Michelle and Rochelle Ensley, a senior at North Ridgeville High; and Kaleb Washington, son of Lawrence Washington and nephew of Keandra Shores, a senior at Elyria High.
Debutants and escorts at the Vision of Beauty Cotillion. (Bob Stascak – For The Morning Journal)
The nine 2026 Vision of Beauty debutantes were:
• Dejaney Julien, a senior at Elyria High, and the eldest of two children born to Fijabi Julien-Gallam and stepdaughter of Anthony Gallam, escorted by her grandfather Cudjoe Fanfare.
• Mya Isabel Anderson, a senior at Midview High, daughter of Michael and Tabatha Harris, escorted by her father.
• Seraiah Jackson, a senior at Elyria High, the daughter of Darrell Taylor and Candace Bolarinwa, escorted by her father figure Taiwo Bolarinwa.
• Sarah Betterson, a senior at Millennial Reign Academy, daughter of John and Monique Betterson and the middle child among seven siblings, escorted by Gerald Knox.
• Khloee Washington, a student at Elyria High School, daughter of Ashlee Washington and Christopher Mathis, escorted by her father.
• Raihanna Irlene Ogbuji, a senior at Avon High, the daughter of Anthony Ogbuji and Deonna Schubert, escorted by her father.
• Adrionnah Pinkston, a senior at Elyria High, the daughter of Amanda Jimenez and Roy Pinkston, escorted by her father’s supporter, Bryan Jimenez.
• Lesliana Hendricks, a senior at Lorain County Joint Vocational School, the daughter of Shamika Ody and Leslie Hendricks III and stepdaughter of Brandon Ody, escorted by her father.
• Saccaria Ivani Washington, a senior at the Early College High School at Lorain County Community College, the daughter of Quinn Washington and the late Tarris Jones, escorted by father figure Desmond Jones.
The 2026 Vision of Beauty Junior Debutantes were introduced: Anaya Rhymes, 7, the daughter of Ajanee Rhymes; Annalyse Jackson, 7, the daughter of Tamecia and Jalil Jackson; Audrey Jackson, 9, the daughter of Tamecia and Jalil Jackson; Brielle Cook, 7, the daughter of Bethanie Currie; Delaney “Laney” Currier, 6, the daughter of Rae and Ben Currier; Ellis McCall, 4, the daughter of Danny and Naji McCall; Kalia Johnson, 5, the daughter of Jasmine Hamilton; Marley Sage Lester, 10, the daughter of Ashley and Michael Lester; and Tayleigh Spraggins, 9, the daughter of Patrice Calloway.
