Submitted by Marilyn Ford, Public Relations
The Criterion Club recently held the Debutante Pageant for 2016 at the Criterion Center in Dillon. Dr. Deborah Swinney introduced by Sister Towanda Wright serving as Mistress of Ceremony.  The striking newly refurbished auditorium was skillfully decorated befitting a pageant of elegance with white tulle draping and artistically placed arrangements of peace lilies.
Sister Deloris McRae-Augustus extended a hearty Welcome followed by the Invocation, Sister Jackie Thomas.  Announced by Dr. Deborah Swinney; The Grand March of the Debutantes began.  The beautiful young ladies with their handsome male escorts, were regal in appearance.  The Debutantes were wearing formal white elegant ball gowns of various designs and Junior Debutantes in pastel colors.  Debutantes Daijour Huggins-Samuel, daughter of Ms. Joi Huggins, a senior at Dillon High School, Desiree’ McLain, daughter of  Ms. Sharon McLain and Mr. Jerry McLain, a senior at Dillon High School, and Madalyn Lewis, daughter of Ms. Jerri Lewis and Mr. Don Lewis, a senior at Dillon High School were the Senior Debutantes.  The Junior Debutantes were Jua’Myai Bethea, daughter of Ms. Charmane Bethea, a sophomore at Dillon High School, and Zorriyah Bethea, daughter of Ms. Latonya Bethea, a sophomore at Dillon High School.  The Debutantes swayed and sang in melodious voices their special “Debutante Selection”.  Sister Claretha Whitfield introduced the Judges:  Ms. Carmen Bethea, Dillon County Attendance Supervisor, Ms. Angel Bethea, President of Dillon County NAACP and Mr. Sterling Lee, Secretary and Gospel Choir Director and Musician at Lake View High School.

Sister Jackie Y. Leach introduced the guest talent.  Nine year old young Miss A’kaliah Wright, daughter of Mr. Donald and Mrs. Shelawn Curry and Mr. Leondrus Wright, did a dance routine to “Swagger”.   Miss Mallory Townsend, daughter of Ms. Melissa Morrison and Mr. Charles Townsend, senior at Latta High School, sang “Still Holding On” by Deborah Barnes.
The Special Highlights of Debutante Talent and Fashion were presented by Sister LaMecisa Bethea.  Debutantes: Juamiyah Bethea graced the runway in an eye catching strapless white, pink and black dress with amazing ruffles and a pink bow tied in the back.  She also had on eye catching silver earrings, with matching necklace and bracelet.  Her feet were adorned with black suede wedges.  The forceful, energetic dance routine was a praise dance to “Better”.  Daijour Huggins-Samuel modeled a chic black henschel herringbone fedora hat, gold pilot shades, an elegant split long-sleeved jumpsuit with a drawstring waist and slim leg bottoms, gold necklace and gold bracelets and a pair of glamorous icy gold sandals.  Her graceful praise dance was to “Young People Cry”.  Zorriyah Bethea modeled a hot pink A-line dress.  Her dress was adorned with diamond earrings and necklace.  She was wearing a pair of peep toe silver shoes that truly embellished her outfit.  She sang the powerful spiritual “He Wants It All”.  Desiree’ McLain modeled an elegant black sleeveless top, and a black, brown and tan leopard print skirt, gold sparkly bedazzled sandals, big gold earrings, gold arm cuffs and a shiny gold watch.  Her melodious movement of her feet was a tap dancing routine to “Loose Control”.  Madalyn Lewis modeled a floral print dress with pink and blue flowers, adorned with green leaves.  Her outfit was embellished with gold stud earrings, a pearl necklace, a white gold watch and a pair of gorgeous sandals.  Her artistically skillful praise dance routine was to “Rain On Us”.  The Awards and Presentations were announced by Sister Shelawn Curry.  Each Debutante receive trophies in the following categories: The Interview Winners were Madalyn Lewis.  The Academic Winner was Desiree’ McLain and Miss Congeniality was Jua’Miya Bethea.  Talent: First place: Desiree’ McLain, Second place Daijour Huggins-Samuel, and Third place Jua’Miya Bethea.  Fashion: First place, Daijour Huggins-Samuel, Second place, Desiree’ McLain, and Third place, Zorriyah Bethea.  The President’s Awards was given to Jua’Miya Bethea.  Dr. Deborah Swinney introduced Debutante 2015 Yolanda Campbell and she took her final stroll.  Debutante 2016 was Desiree’ McLain.  She was crowned by Debutante Campbell, presented the Loving Cup, Sash, a Bouquet of Flowers and took the Winners Runway Walk. The First Runner Up, Madalyn Lewis, and Second Runner up, Daijour Huggins-Samuel.   They received Trophies and Bouquets of Carnations. Dr. Deborah Swinney introduced Junior Debutante 2015, Da’Kerhia Samuel.  Debutante Samuel took a final stroll. Junior Debutante 2016 was Jua’Mya Bethea.  She was crowned by Junior Debutante Samuel and took the Winners Runway Walk.  She received a Trophy, Sash and Bouquet of Flowers.  First Runner up was Zorriyah Bethea. She received a Trophy and Bouquet of Carnations.     Senior Debutantes of 2016 will be awarded a Scholarship.  The Criterion Members and the numerous former Debutantes present were presented by Sister Linda Manning Langley.
A sincere thank you to The Debutante Committee:  Shelawn Curry, Chairperson, LaMecisa Bethea, Kadra McQueen Wright, President Jackie Yates Leach and other Criterion Members, you are to be commended for your guidance, talent and diligence in the preparation and successful completion of this Pageant.  A job well done!
A Heartfelt thank you to our Debutantes, Parents, Escorts, Sponsors, and Friends for your contributions to our “Evening of Elegance”:  The Criterion Club Debutante Pageant 2016!
The Criterion Club’s inception 1945:  The Motto:  Let Every Woman Do Her Duty:  Colors, Green and White, The Flower, White Gladiolus.