Raquel O’Bryant is the Durham County Director of Teen Essence USA Scholarship Compeitions.  An active communitarian, Raquel holds the position of Vice Chairperson of Star Foundation, Inc.; a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and showcasing youth talents.  She also serves as the Program Director of Star Eleganze Talent Mentoring Program, a component of Star Foundation, Inc., based in Durham, NC.  The Star Eleganze program, open to young ladies and gentleman, has its foundation built on the concepts of respect for self, respect for others and self esteem.  
       With her past experience in print and runway modeling, Raquel provides a wealth of expertise and skill
through instruction in the fine arts of modeling, etiquette and poise.  Raquel states, “Our youth need to know that there are adults in our communities who care about where they are going in life and are there to help them along the way.” 
     An accomplished Toastmaster, Raquel has served as a motivational speaker and has chaired and judged several fashion shows and pageants.  Raquel was recently honored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC with the Community Blue Award!  She has obviously dedicated herself to helping improve the lives of others.
     Raquel resides in Durham, NC with her husband Shelly and two dogs, Sadie and Trek.  She is co-owner of Exquisite Affeairs Event Planning Services, also based in Durham, NC.  She attended North Carolina Central University majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling.  In her spare time, Raquel enjoys singing, listening to music, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Pictured with Dr. Ian, from BET
Email: Teenessencedurham@yahoo.com 
    

~Orange County Director~

     Lavonne, is a native of New Bern, North Carolina . In the early nineties she was introduced by the late Natasha Barbee who mentored and coached her in theatrical make-up application, acting, dance, and modeling. Through various modeling venues with the late Natasha Barbee, and other modeling companies such as KGD Production, Sensation Entertainment, Fashion Designer Ed Holman, and Bianca Edwards Henry are just to name a few. Ms. Wright was noted for her professionalism and grace as well as most desired to showcase her runway and coaching abilities.

      She now resides in Chapel Hill, working as an independent contractor Lavonne offers a program of training young girls beginning at the age of four, she also prepares young ladies for pageants and fashion shows. She is respected within the community and viewed by many as being diverse and knowledgeable with a passion for coaching with a positive attitude. She has a natural ability for keeping those around her motivated and excited, she displays strong leadership abilities, which landed her modeling classes on the front page of the Chapel Hill News, July2005.  Lavonne is the proud mother of two wonderful sons.

Email:  lavonnewright143@hotmail.com

 

~Wake County Directors~

 

     LaDaria Richardson, is a native of North Carolina, born and raised in Charlotte.  She is one of the Wake County directors and is very hands on with the Miss Teen Essence Organization. She brings to this organization a variety of talents and expertise and is very honored to expend them in a giving manner. She loves pageantry and has more than 12 years experience on various levels competitively. LaDaria has held many titles both locally and nationally and would like to share her “Winning Secrets” with other young and talented ladies to follow in her trailblazing footsteps. 

     LaDaria enjoys pageantry from coaching, directing to judging. In April, LaDaria became a certified judge for the Miss America Organization (MAO).  Along with pageantry, LaDaria has been a model as well, and has a love for fashion and personal style. She feels that all of these opportunities were afforded to her by hard work, dedication, keeping in mind that we are our greatest competitor! 

     Her passion includes helping others find and their gifts and talents to share with the world.  She enjoys singing, playing the piano, listening to classical, jazz and gospel music, liturgical dance, and writing. Her personal quote simply states: “Greatness comes within the quality of your service”.

Email:  pinkblessed1@yahoo.com

 

 

~Johnston County Director~

     Tiffany Sanders is a native of Pine Level, NC and is a 1995 graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. She is currently employed with the Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections and works as a Probation/Parole Officer in Smithfield, North Carolina. 
      In her spare time she enjoys working in various community service projects and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, The Girls & Boys Club of Raleigh, NC and working as a mentor in the local high schools to young women.  This is her first year as the Local Director of the Johnston County Teen Essence Pageant and she is looking for many more successful years to come.  In her other spare time, if she has any left, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, motorcycle riding and judging pageants where she has had the opportunity to judge on the local and state levels and is currently on the Miss America Organization’s list of eligible judges. 
    “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a Woman”.  Margaret Thatcher
Email:  tiffany04us@yahoo.com

~Sampson County Director~