Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Presents Miss Jabberwock 2018

Alumnae
2018 Jabberwock Court with Escorts (L to R): Mr. Kyle Brown escorted Miss Kayle McNeil (2nd Runner Up), Miss Kiana Tompson (Miss Jabberwock 2018) escorted by Mr. Jaylen Lloyd, Miss Brana Dorsey (1st Runner-Up) escorted by Mr. Kwa’Mae Dingle. (Photo: Jerry Head, Jr.)

On Saturday, February 24, 2018, Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presented eight debutantes who graced the stage of Hillside High School Auditorium in anticipation of the sorority’s annual Jabberwock Scholarship Gala. The 2018 theme of this annual event was “Hidden Figures: From Possibilities to Realities.”  The eight debutantes revealed whom they admired as their hidden figure.

The moment many awaited came with the crowning of Miss Jabberwock 2018: Kiana Thompson.  The Jabberwock Court consisted of 1st Runner-up: Bryana Dorsey, 2nd Runner-up: Kayla McNeil.  Other superlative awards presented were Mr. Personality – Joshua Suiter and Miss Congeniality – Nyasija Ruebin.

AlumnaeJabberwock Debutantes

Lauren Bryant, a Green Hope High School junior, is the daughter of Mr. Marshall & Mrs. Roxanne Bryant.  Nelson Lee escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Yara Shahidi – Youth Activist.

Maya Daniel, a City of Medicine Academy senior, is the daughter of Mr. Larry & Mrs. Sheila Daniel.  Joshua Suiter escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Claudia L. Thomas, MD – Orthopedic Surgeon.

Bryana Dorsey, a Charles E. Jordan High School junior, is the daughter of Mr. Renaldo & Mrs. Debra Bryant Dorsey.  Kwa’Mae Dingle escorted her. Hidden Figure: Misty Copeland – 1st African American Female Principal Dancer, American Ballet.

Kayla McNeil, a Hillside High School senior, is the daughter of Mr. Keith & Mrs. Crystal McNeil.  Kyle Brown escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Jeanine Sinkford, DDS – First African American Dean of Howard’s Dental School.

Mykale Rhodes, a Southern High School senior, is the daughter of Mr. Michael Rhodes, Sr. & Mrs. Tevin Daniel.  Santonio Van Hook escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Odile Schweisguth, MD – 1st Pediatric Oncologist.

Nyasija Ruebin, a Hillside High School senior, is the daughter of Mr. Omar Ruebin, Mr. Michael & Mrs. Latoya Baines.  Chuck Manning escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Mary Francis Hill Coley – African American Midwife.

Kiana Thompson, a Hillside High School senior, is the daughter of Mr. Kevin & Mrs. Denise Thompson.  Jaylen Lloyd escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Clara Davis, DDS – Durham Dentist.

McKenzie Williams, a Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School senior, is the daughter of Mrs. Denise Williams.  Damon Sanders escorted her.  Hidden Figure: Marsha L. Grant Ford, PhD – 1st African American Athletic Trainer.

The Jabberwock was initially presented in 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts.  Jabberwock, a word copyrighted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., derives from Lewis Carroll’s tale Alice in Wonderland nonsense poem “Jabberwocky,” in which it was customary for creatures from throughout the kingdom to gather annually to present a gala event.

The Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has held this annual scholarship program since 1962, awarding scholarships to Durham County residents.  The Jabberwock Gala is a formal event resulting from the culmination of social activities, community service, educational workshops, and scholarship fundraising opportunities.  The scholarships awarded to the 2018 Jabberwock debutantes were in excess of $66,000.00.