The third annual Diamonds and Pearls Cotillion – hosted by the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center and held in the Seagrape Banquet Room of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort – honored several extraordinary women while also giving several young girls an opportunity to showcase some of the etiquette skills they learned through the organization’s afterschool programs.
Approximately 85 guests attended the elegant event to benefit the organization, which was founded in 2001 to offer a variety of programs, projects and events to benefit the sorely underserved children of Wabasso. Seeking to empower children to become self-confident, responsible and well-rounded, the organization provides mentoring, tutoring and programs such as leadership, life skills and finance, and also funds scholarships.
“I am overwhelmed,” said founder and Executive Director Verna Wright. “There are people I haven’t seen in years. It gives me hope that this event will just get bigger.”
Four young ladies dressed in cotillion gowns gracefully entered the room, escorted by their formally attired fathers or brothers before taking to the floor for a heartwarming waltz, followed by a performance by Dasie’s Diamond Dancers.
Guests were treated to an early dinner while honoring “Community Hero” Elizabeth Faulkner Jackson, the featured speaker, Alice Slaughter-Flowers, and Deandra Shelly. Each received engraved crystal awards for their service to the children, DBHC and the Wabasso community.
Flowers spoke from the heart about domestic violence and the tragic murder of her sister, Rosemary Slaughter-Pate, who was killed by her own son, Everett Pate. Her son had convinced his girlfriend to stay in the house while he and a friend robbed and killed his mother and the girl is now incarcerated although she hadn’t actively participated.
“I know this is a depressing topic but it is important to get the word out to these women and girls to raise awareness about this kind of domestic abuse,” said Flowers. “If their boyfriends are violent to their mothers, they probably will abuse them, so they have to be careful who they date.”
The room’s elegant décor, with crisp white-linen tablecloths accented with aqua centerpieces and chair bows, had been created by Wright and her staff members Elois Harden and Carol Pinder.
“We all worked very hard yesterday but it was for a good cause,” said Harden, who works with the center’s kindergarten and first-grade students.
“I was pretty nervous,” said Jemal Hayes after dancing with his daughter, Iyana, adding that he could imagine one day dancing at her wedding.
Jada Rainey asked her brother Hakeem Rainey to be her escort and, although he had no previous training in the waltz, the pair seemed completely comfortable on the dance floor.
“She asked me to do it and I am always involved in everything she does, so I said yes,” said Rainey. “I am very proud of her.”
“It’s awesome that they are teaching these girls etiquette and poise,” said Cynthia Douglas. “Verna really helps these girls out and these skills really make a difference. We thank Dasie Hope and the parents for instilling those values in the girls.”