Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 4, 1994 TAG: 9401050179
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Before Curtis stood 20 of the reasons for that belief: 10 teen-age women, in white evening gowns, who according to the Altruist's criteria cannot be or have been married nor have children, escorted by 10 teen-age men in black ties and tails. Collectively, the young people's accomplishments included numerous civic and scholastic awards, commendations and talents. Many had already been accepted by several colleges. Most had definite career and other plans.
Teen-agers, especially black ones, are often negatively stereotyped. The 10 young women who made their societal debuts this night defy the standard molds, but don't find it odd to do so.
"We think we're typical teen-agers," said debutante Candace Cooper. "We go to school, work, we like music and going to the mall."
They play sports, sing in their church choirs, enjoy reading and eating french fries, pizza, spaghetti, lasagna and cheeseburgers.
Cooper and her friend since the seventh grade, debutante Anika Bowens, last year placed among the top 6 percent of more than 90,000 students vying for the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students. Both also last year won several science awards.
Cooper, who has been accepted as a biology major at George Mason University in Fairfax, plans to become a pediatrician specializing in neonatology. Bowens, who last summer had an internship with the commonwealth's attorney, localities have commonwealth's attorneys; you know which one?plans to major in criminal justice at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and have a career in law.
Both young women study government and English at the CITY School, Roanoke's Center for Instructionally Talented Youth. They take pride in being seniors at William Fleming High School because, they say, their achievements help counteract negative publicity often received by the predominantly black school. They want people to know that not all black teens are bad, lazy or incompetent.
"Pregnant and Proud," a recent story in this newspaper profiling two expectant teen-agers on welfare, drew the ire of many readers who thought the unwed mothers-to-be fit that description or worse.
"I don't think I was as angered as some people," Cooper said. "The newspaper wasn't glorifying their pregnancies, just presenting a different aspect. I have friends who are in similar situations. Everyone makes mistakes."
"I can't say that I agree with the girls in that story, though," Bowens said. "I don't think they're thinking realistically about their futures, their responsibilities or the consequences."
The media and music are often blamed for high pregnancy rates, increased violence and a general moral decline among teen-agers. But Bowens and Cooper said it's not true.
"I think music and television can leave an impression on younger kids. But by our age you know, or should know, that it's not real," Cooper said.
What is real is the encouragement to excel that Cooper and Bowens said they've always received from schoolteachers, counselors and other concerned adults.
Also real are the expectations for them of their families, friends and especially their parents. Both named their mothers as the most influential person in their lives.
And real was years ago - Cooper in the eighth grade, Bowens in the ninth - participating in Altruist balls as Debutantes of Tomorrow.
"I've always been planning for this," Bowens said.
At the Marriott last week, 11 Debutantes of Tomorrow took bows as their accomplishments were listed. Preceding them were nine adorable flower girls, ages 3 through 5. There also was a parade of debutantes from the past, beginning with 1952, the first year the ball was held.
Narrator Curtis, who has been with the nonfraternal Altruist organization since it began 43 years ago, recalled, "There was a time when we'd have 30 or more debutantes. But if we can only find 10 who meet the criteria, then we'll do it with 10," she said. "We won't lower our standards."
Those standards can be hard to meet. Preparations for the ball included some fun activities such as a charm seminar, a reception/fashion show, a special church service at Jerusalem Baptist Church and attending a musical at Mill Mountain Theatre.
But, said Cooper and Bowens, it's hard work learning the routines and selling the tickets, advertisements and other fund-raisers that determine the queen and her court, who each receive a college scholarship. But then came the moment to which all the hard work had led: the debutantes and their escorts floating in a cloud of swirling white gowns in the intricate cotillion waltz, the young women making their societal debuts.
When the dance ended, the '92-'93 winner, Nicole Quarles, took her final walk as queen. A freshman at Hollins College, Quarles participated in a parade in Vinton and played the piano for several local nursing homes during her reign. The winner of more than 130 trophies for various accomplishments, she was featured in Hollins Alumni magazine and is now contracted with V Models. She said that after graduation she plans to pursue acting and modeling and perhaps compete for a Miss America title. She thanked her supporters, family, friends and God for her success.
Then all eyes turned expectantly toward the dais, and decorum went out the door as the crowd cheered boisterously for Shonte Smith, this year's second runner-up. Smith, a senior at William Fleming, is active in the Army Reserve. A multitalented musician who has been listed for three years in "Who's Who Among High School Students in America," Smith enjoys reading, writing and working with computers. Her special interests are in sports medicine, physical therapy, pediatrics, government and health sciences. She plans to attend East Tennessee State University to become a physical therapist.
First runner-up Jasmine Haley also is a senior at Fleming, where she's a member of the Beta Club, the French Honor Society and has won awards for perfect attendance and for maintaining a 3.5 grade point average. She enjoys singing, writing, shopping, reading and African-American studies, and plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University to become an elementary education teacher.
Erika White seemed shocked at being named this year's queen. "I'm just so happy, excited and surprised," she said.
White, a senior at Patrick Henry, has been a member of the student government for four years and is a national award winner with the United States Achievement Academy. She's a member of her school's yearbook staff, has been a member of its homecoming court for three years and is a princess for the '93-'94 reign. She's been a member of the pep club for two years, a varsity cheerleader and a member of Future Business Leaders of America. She's played varsity tennis for four years and also played varsity softball for one year. Her hobbies include tennis, swimming, modeling and photography and her favorite subjects are government and science. In college, she plans to major in physical therapy or elementary education.
She named her mother, Joyce White, who also once was a debutante, as the most influential person in her life.
by CNB