Scecina senior makes cotillion debut
Diamond Williams Hayes in her cotillion video.
Diamond Williams Hayes is a go-getter and a leader at Scecina and outside of school.
The senior, in her second year at Scecina, was elected as a Student Council class representative this fall.
Then, on Nov. 8, she was among 21 young women formally presented to the Indianapolis community at the 2020 Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program hosted by Ivy Endowment Inc. in partnership with Alpha Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The cotillion and scholarship event, which was virtual and pre-recorded this year, capped years of hard work by Diamond and her fellow debutantes. The program focuses on the needs of minority and under-served young women who aspire to attend college and who are supported by African-American female mentors from the community. Diamond received a scholarship to help pay for books at college.
“I’ve been involved since seventh grade, and I liked it so much,” Diamond said. “I thought it was a positive development experience for African-American young women.”
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The program helps high school juniors and seniors “to equip, encourage and stimulate them to pursue higher education, academic excellence, personal development and civic involvement.”
For six months, every Sunday they attended workshops on topics such as philanthropy, citizenship, etiquette, careers, and financial literacy.
“I’ve met some awesome people, and it’s really been beneficial to my life so far,” said Diamond. “It just helps you be a better woman.”
For community service, Diamond chose to serve lunch to the homeless residing at the Wheeler Mission’s Center for Women and Children.
The debutantes also contribute hundreds of hours of personal and group community service to the Indianapolis area.
Diamond chose to serve lunch to the homeless residing at the Wheeler Mission’s Center for Women and Children.
“I paid for food from Subway, for about 80 women,” Diamond explained. “I brought food to them at Wheeler Mission and served it to them. It was a good experience. I was happy to give that little extra, and I want to do it again.”
Diamond is considering a career in nursing or physical therapy. Her college choices are Marian University in Indianapolis, Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., or Spelman College in Atlanta, the oldest historically black college for women in America.
This year her classes are Catholic Theology, Theatre Arts, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and English. She’s a hard worker who already has most of her high school credits. So after two periods of school, she’s able to leave Scecina before noon for an unpaid internship with Senior1Care in Carmel, Ind., as a home health care aide for an 80-year-old woman.
Besides Student Council, Diamond also is a member of National Honor Society and considers herself a mentor to younger girls at Scecina.
“They really look up to me. I’m like a big sister. That’s what I’m known for,” she said.
Diamond’s favorite classes at Scecina have been Catholic Theology – “because I really love the word of the Lord” – and Chad Tuley’s TV Production class.
“I will give back to Scecina when I’m able to,” said Diamond. “It’s been a blessing to me, and I’m thankful.”
