Lyric Harden becomes Miss Cinderella at ball

Photo

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR: Lyric Harden, center, a Liberty High School student, was crowned Miss Cinderella 2014 during the 59th annual Cinderella Ball at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center in November. Jasmyne Bolling, at right, of Canfield High School, is the first attendant, and Alexandra Carnathan, at left, of Ursuline High School, is the second attendant.

Staff report

BOARDMAN

More than 600 people attended the 59th Annual Cinderella Ball, hosted by the Junior Civic League of Youngstown at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center, 7440 South Ave.

This year’s theme, “The Winner in Me,” highlighted the event and the crowning of Lyric Gabrielle Harden as Miss Cinderella 2014. Miss Harden’s court comprises Jasmyne Bolling of Canfield High School, first attendant, and Alexandra Carnathan of Ursuline High School, second attendant.

Miss Harden is the daughter of Clifton III and Danine Harden. She attends Liberty High School and Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church.

Among her honors are receiving an academic letter and maintaining a 3.94 GPA. Her activities include varsity cheerleading, student government, yearbook committee and volunteering at Heritage Manor Retirement Home and with the Liberty Little Leopards football organization.

Miss Harden plans to attend Case Western Reserve University or Cornell University to major in pre-medicine to become a doctor of anesthesiology. Dontre Adams, a Youngstown State University student, was her escort for the ball.

During the gala, 14 debutantes were presented, along with their escorts, representing several high schools throughout the Mahoning Valley.

Other debutantes were Rickia Alli of East High School, Taylor Brady of Austintown Fitch High School, Carole Bratton of Chaney High School, Korree Cotton of Ursuline High School, Caliyah Crues of Youngstown Early College, Cheyenne Hobbs of Ursuline, Asia Jones-Williams of Chaney, Seannille McRae of Youngstown Early College, Alexis Saunders of Fitch, Hailey Vinson of Liberty and Angelica Wokocha of Niles McKinley.

Other escorts were Roosevelt Cooper of Cardinal Mooney High School, Fredric Faucette of Ursuline, Chris Gunther of YSU, Collin Harden of Girard High School, Richard Hill of Cardinal Mooney, Morgan Perdue of Cardinal Mooney, Taywaun Sharp of Choffin Career and Technical Center, Jordan Smith of Chaney, Brandon Snead of Choffin, Terre Snead of Fitch, Turel Thompson of YSU, Carl Townsend of Youngstown Early College and Jermaine Young of East.

The page was Anthony Durden of Liberty High.

A local band, Michael Austin Project, entertained, and a dance was presented by Kiara Jones and Tanisha Blocker-Perry.

The Junior Civic League acknowledges the following sponsors: The YSU Foundation; Denise DeBartolo York; Home Savings & Loan; Dr. Derrick Jackson podiatry; Sherise Curd, a 1988 debutante; HLW Fast-track; and M-7 Technologies.

The league’s scholarship program was initially developed to supplement the limited amount of funds made available to qualified black students seeking a higher education. To date, the league has awarded more than $580,000 to area students who have excelled to become viable members of the community.

The scholarship program would not be successful without the Cinderella Ball. For 59 years, it has been the sole fund-raising event for scholarship funds. The Mahoning Valley has supported this event, which has become a holiday tradition.

This year’s ball chairwomen were Pamela Murrell, co-chair; Jerrine King; and the JCL president is Susan M. Moorer.

For information about the Junior Civic League visit the website at www.juniorcivicleague.org.