The Tribune

The Bahamas Debutante Foundation is celebrating its 20th year as the leading non-profit organisation helping young ladies make the transition from adolescence to adulthood with poise and grace.

The foundation will commemorate this milestone with a series of events, culminating with the 2017 Debutante Ball on May 6, 2017 at Meliá Nassau Beach Resort.

Big ideas often have humble beginnings. The recognition of a need that can be met, coupled with an authentic desire to make a difference have resulted in many impactful organisations.

Twenty years ago, a similar convergence of need and a desire to impact the nation sparked the launch of the Bahamas Debutante Foundation.

In 1996, Cristina Johnson, then a performing arts teacher at A F Adderley, found herself teaching students who were just about her age.

“I was just a year older and in some cases, even a year younger than many of my students,” she said.

That closeness in age created an environment where Mrs Johnson’s students felt comfortable sharing their personal problems with her.

“I noticed that the common denominator was that both the boys and girls lacked self-esteem and a sense of self-worth,” she said.

Mrs Johnson immediately began formulating a plan to assist her students work through their self-esteem issues. As fate would have it, within a week she received an invitation from the Cancer Society of the Bahamas to assist with an outreach programme for girls. She excitedly accepted the offer and a year later the Bahamas Debutante Foundation was born.

Since its inception in 1997, more than 1,600 young women have participated in the debutante programme.

Every year, 12th grade female students with a GPA of 3.00 or above who are active in their schools and communities are invited to join the debutantes.

Over six months, the young ladies attend seminars and workshops designed to inspire them, boost their self-esteem and empower them to be successful.

During the course of the programme, debutantes meet weekly and are exposed to thought leaders in various sectors of society. They also pay several courtesy calls on leaders of the nation.

Developing a close relationship with family is highly encouraged and demonstrated in the father-daughter day and mother-daughter day, which often involve emotional tributes from the debutantes to their parents. Their communication skills are also honed through various essay and speech competitions.

Jennice Johnson, senior mistress at Eva Hilton Primary School, was one of 30 young ladies who enrolled in the inaugural debutante programme 20 years ago.

She was also the first Debutante of the Year, an accolade bestowed upon the debutante who performs at the highest level throughout the programme.

“I initially enrolled in the programme because I heard about it from my classmates,” said Jennice Johnson. “I am grateful for the experience, because being a debutante played a pivotal role in preparing me to function in society after graduating high school. Participation in sessions related to public speaking, etiquette and ballroom dancing to name a few, further enhanced necessary skills that a young lady should possess. I encourage future debutantes to embrace the opportunity and take advantage of all the programme has to offer.”

Following her debutante experience, Jennice Johnson enrolled in a degree programme at the College of the Bahamas and has spent the last 16 years as an educator in the public school system.

Growth has been a consistent goal of the Bahamas Debutante Foundation over the years. However, the process has not been without its challenges.

“Our greatest challenge has been consistently raising the funds needed to operate the foundation’s annual programme,” said Mrs Johnson. “It costs approximately $40,000 each year to operate a programme like this.”

Attracting corporate sponsors who have a desire to impact the lives of young Bahamians is main aim of the Bahamas Debutante Foundation going forward.

“We have been very fortunate to have corporate sponsors like Original Patties and Rudolph Mosley, who has supported us from day one to now,” said Mrs Johnson. “We are extremely grateful to those who have assisted whether it was by donating their time and talents or finances to the development of our debutantes.”

Mrs Johnson said she has a bright vision for the future of the foundation.

“I would like to see this foundation cater to the entire female student body, from girls in kindergarten to young ladies in high school. I would also like to expand our reach to assist in the development of our young men. If we can develop programmes that assist in the development of both boys and girls from a very young age, I think our schools and society would be a better place,” she said.