Sussex Technical High School Alumni
Georgetown, Delaware (DE)
Alumni Stories
Melanie Haynes
Class of 2001
Miss Delaware Essence Captures National Title, Miss North American Essence 2011-2012
June 25,2011, in Kansas City, Missouri, Melanie Haynes, Miss Delaware Essence 2011 captured the title of Miss North American Essence 2011!
Melanie Haynes is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has now been a Delaware resident for the last sixteen years. She attended Delaware State University where she studied Fashion Merchandising Textiles Design. Melanie is currently a Behavioral Science major at Wilmington University aspiring to become Child Advocate & child/ family counselor and also plans to attain post masters cert. in Child & Family community counseling & Mental Health counseling.
In addition to Melanie’s involvement with fashion and now pageantry, she is actively involved with her community and considers giving back to be as important as breathing. Melanie has served as a volunteer for the Special Olympics Dover, Delaware, DSU Fashion Merchandising Club, Women’s Senate, Student Mentor. Melanie is also involved with the Susan G Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society, The Sister’s Network (a cancer network for women of color), Think Pink Cancer Outreach program as well as Poverty Delaware. Furthermore, since 2003 she started a non-profit organization entitled The Dreams Drive which enables disadvantaged families to have an incredible life because everyday is special. Melanie would love to become more active in the lives of young females, helping to teach life skills for the modern woman. Melanie is also working on her clothing line after several positive reviews from her mentees and peers.
Melanie’s current platform will be Osteosarcoma a form of soft tissue & bone cancer that at this time has no cure. Melanie went with this cause after the loss of her mother on Oct 7, 2010, only 3 days before the Miss Delaware Essence Pageant.
“I plan to raise awareness of this disease to the entire WORLD with hope of helping find a cure.”
Melanie is also a member of The Order of The Eastern Star (PHA), International Association of Turtles ,The National Council for Negro Women (NCNW), YWTF (The Younger Women’s Task Force), and W.E.E.N(The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network). Melanie looks forward to adding to her list of achievements her motto is
“Everyday that the Lord gives us, can be used to make someone’s life better”.
About the Pageant
The Essence Pageant system was created by Sue Drakeford in 2007 The Essence Pageant system signifies the “Essence” of Today’s Modern Woman, striving to be the most stylish, urban, trend setting pageant around.
The Essence Pageant System awards categories to celebrate women of all ages: Princess, Teen, Miss, Mrs., Ms., and Mrs. Classic Essence and Ms., Miss and Miss Teen North American Essence. For more information about the Miss. Essence Pageant. To book Melanie for an appearance at an upcoming event please email her
June 25,2011, in Kansas City, Missouri, Melanie Haynes, Miss Delaware Essence 2011 captured the title of Miss North American Essence 2011!
Melanie Haynes is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has now been a Delaware resident for the last sixteen years. She attended Delaware State University where she studied Fashion Merchandising Textiles Design. Melanie is currently a Behavioral Science major at Wilmington University aspiring to become Child Advocate & child/ family counselor and also plans to attain post masters cert. in Child & Family community counseling & Mental Health counseling.
In addition to Melanie’s involvement with fashion and now pageantry, she is actively involved with her community and considers giving back to be as important as breathing. Melanie has served as a volunteer for the Special Olympics Dover, Delaware, DSU Fashion Merchandising Club, Women’s Senate, Student Mentor. Melanie is also involved with the Susan G Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society, The Sister’s Network (a cancer network for women of color), Think Pink Cancer Outreach program as well as Poverty Delaware. Furthermore, since 2003 she started a non-profit organization entitled The Dreams Drive which enables disadvantaged families to have an incredible life because everyday is special. Melanie would love to become more active in the lives of young females, helping to teach life skills for the modern woman. Melanie is also working on her clothing line after several positive reviews from her mentees and peers.
Melanie’s current platform will be Osteosarcoma a form of soft tissue & bone cancer that at this time has no cure. Melanie went with this cause after the loss of her mother on Oct 7, 2010, only 3 days before the Miss Delaware Essence Pageant.
“I plan to raise awareness of this disease to the entire WORLD with hope of helping find a cure.”
Melanie is also a member of The Order of The Eastern Star (PHA), International Association of Turtles ,The National Council for Negro Women (NCNW), YWTF (The Younger Women’s Task Force), and W.E.E.N(The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network). Melanie looks forward to adding to her list of achievements her motto is
“Everyday that the Lord gives us, can be used to make someone’s life better”.
About the Pageant
The Essence Pageant system was created by Sue Drakeford in 2007 The Essence Pageant system signifies the “Essence” of Today’s Modern Woman, striving to be the most stylish, urban, trend setting pageant around.
The Essence Pageant System awards categories to celebrate women of all ages: Princess, Teen, Miss, Mrs., Ms., and Mrs. Classic Essence and Ms., Miss and Miss Teen North American Essence. For more information about the Miss. Essence Pageant. To book Melanie for an appearance at an upcoming event please email her
Recent Members
| Brandon Perkhill | 2008 |
| Brandy Morean | 1999 |
| Clay Raymond | 2004 |
| Felipa Shannies | 2003 |
| Melissa Kramer | 1998 |
| Michael Vanderhoeven | 2003 |
| Sam Sound | 2020 |
| Samuel Samuel Daniello | 2021 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Sussex Technical High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Ravens lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Do you have a fun holiday story or a great family tradition? Share them with our fellow Sussex Technical High School alumni! Submit your own stories, achievements and photos in our Alumni Stories section. Read other classmate’s stories and see what they have been up to over the years.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!