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RAYNE - The “Jewels of the Nile” Debutante 3rd Annual Cotillion Ball was held Saturday, May 25, at the Rayne Civic Center by the Daughters of Nefertiti.
The “Jewels of the Nile” Debutante Program (young ladies ages 15-18) is designed to reach teen girls from all walks of life. The program promotes leadership skills and provide them with life lasting principles.
The theme for the immaculate evening was “Emeralds of Excellence - Celebrating Seasons of Cultivating Gems,” during which Debutantes were introduced individually, heard words of encouragement through a parent message, and performed choreographed minuets (with escorts) and choreographed waltz (with their fathers).
​The 2019 Debutantes were:
• Queen Kamryn J’Nai Franklin, 17- year-old daughter of Kai Wiltz and a junior at Crowley High School. Her escort was Carlos Figaro Jr., son of Lila Joseph and Carlos Figaro Sr.
• 1st Maid Paige Samone C’erra Figaro, 17-year-old daughter of Lila Joseph and Carlos Figaro Sr. and a junior at Rayne High School. Her escort was Myson Francis, son of Shaundricka Francis and Quincy Beverly.
• Miss Congeniality Natasha Renee Goodwill, 18-year-old daughter of Louis and Pamela Bell and a junior at Rayne High School. Her escort was Torian Ford, son of Stephanie Edwards and Adam Ford.
For the first time, Daughters of Nefertiti Inc. also included the GEMS as part of their program.
The Gems were created as a future debutante program and are for young ladies, grades 9-10, who are looking forward to becoming a debutante.
The three Gems introduced were:
• Tranassia Lasha Citizen, 16-year-old daughter of Tremayne Butler and Anisha Citizen and a sophomore at Church Point High School.
• Azariah Jasonay Senegal, 15-year-old daughter of Jason Senegal and the late Marjorie Baptiste and a freshman at Rayne High School.
• Maziah Monaè Zenon, 16-year-old daughter of Emily Zenon and Daniel Marks, Patrick Senegal and Brittany Hayes and a sophomore at Crowley High School.
Gems have the option of becoming a Daughters of Nefertiti Inc. Jewel during their junior or senior year in high school.
Duties of the Gems include participating in monthly activities, volunteering and completing community service projects, help the organization set up for the ball, being acknowledged at the ball, handing the Debs’ flowers for the “Parent Message”, assist with the “Toast to Royalty” and having a shining moment with their parents at the end of the program.
Emcee for the evening was Donna Duhon, with the invocation by Keltrin Washington.
Greetings were delivered by Samantha Young, with Jeanene presided over the introduction of Gems and presentation of Debs. The new queen was crowned by last year’s honoree, Shanaya Thomas, with Valene Charles making the toast to the new royalty.
The queen and court took part in the Cotillion Queen Promenade, followed by a waltz with their fathers to complete a wonderful evening.
Music for the evening was provided by Jeremy “DJ Sausage” Thomas. Photography was provided by Untouchable Images.
Special thanks to Larry Citizen, Wilton Cook, Brittany Crosby, Curtis Guidry, Falius Lewis Sr. and Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux.
Ladies of the Daughters of Nefertiti, Inc. are president Millerson Wilridge, 1st vice Valene Charles, 2nd vice Tajuana Bessard, secretary Laquinta Wycoff, founder LaRhonda Yokum-Guidry, reporter Timeka Butler, financial secretary Crystal Cailliet, treasurer Nicole Norman, historian Allegra Plummer, Sgt-at-arms Tashaka Butler, and members Jeanene Broussard, Twana Lambert, Jasmine Cook, Tameyka Minix, Samantha Young, Tyrannie Harrison and Kayla Richard.
Throughout the year the young ladies participated in projects such as Harvest of Blessing, nursing home Bingo, College Day at Southern University, skin care class and vision board class.
The Daughters of Nefertiti Inc. wants Jewels to step out of their comfort zone, value hard work and think positive These workshops, social activities and community service events will culminate with this weekend’s “Jewels of the Nile” Debutante Cotillion Ball.

RAYNE - Following almost three weeks of spring training and workouts, the Rayne High Wolves entered Wolf Stadium under new leadership for the first time in over a decade.
Kaine Guidry, named in March as the new football coach and athletic director at Rayne High, returns to his alma mater to lead the Wolves as he stepped on the field of Wolf Stadium on Wednesday, May 15, during the annual spring scrimmage vs St. Louis High.
“I think we did pretty good considering the amount of time we have with everyone following baseball,” stated Guidry of his Wolves following the scrimmage.
Guidry continued, “We have a few key people returning in key positions. But, you have to realize we lost 22 seniors to graduation. That’s a big number, no matter who you have returning -- that’s a big chunk on both sides of the ball.”
Offensively, the Wolves are returning one lineman, Dillon Istre, who will be joined by rookies.
“I think we have some talent,” Guidry noted. “But, that talent will only develop with experience. Our guys were decent today and I’m sure they will improve with time.”
Guidry notes that Collin LaCombe is returning at quarterback “with some experience back there. We’ll see that develop with new receivers and backs in there.”
Rayne’s backfield will see Ron Charles at tailback and Reed Dupont at fullback “and we’ll go from there.”
“With almost everyone having different jobs this year with the different game plan we are instituting, we will have some adjustments for everyone.”
Defensively, the Wolves are returning four “and those guys did well today. We looked ok, but we had a few guys out so we gave up more than I wanted to.”
The Wolves will see Jamarcus Monroe, Ron Roberts, Dylan Istre and Elijah Young return to a slim defensive squad.
Guidry and his coaching staff are overseeing summer workouts as they prepare for the 2019 season.