A BIT ABOUT US

The Pontotoc Juniorettes Club was established by the Pontotoc Woman's Club (PWC) in the fall of 2010 and federated at the MFWC Northern District Meeting in March of 2011. 

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The Pontotoc Juniorettes Club is composed of girls from all schools in Pontotoc and is open to local homeschooled and privately schooled students.  They come together from different educational settings, sports teams, and youth groups for a common purpose.  Having this cross section of representatives offers members a different perspective in working together, learning from each other, and building friendships that may not otherwise have had an opportunity to form.  The club director, a member of the Pontotoc Woman's Club, offers direction but encourages leadership from the members as much as possible.  For some, this the first opportunity the students have had to direct a program or project independently.  This opportunity develops organizational skills as well as learning how to work with others.

Pontotoc Juniorettes Club is designed to engage high school girls in learning ways to volunteer in serving their community as well as to provide education in a variety of service areas.  The club focuses on ways to promote health and wellness, environmental responsibility, education, arts and culture, and civic engagement.  Guest speakers offer presentations.  For example, representatives from S.A.F.E. speak on domestic and dating violence and offer education on what to do if one becomes a victim.  Club members are then better equipped to avoid dangerous situations as well as help to properly direct a victim to safety or support services.

The club members decide on programs and projects to do throughout the year.  The club' Charity Ball is an example of a fundraising project to raise money for St. Jude and the Palmer Home.  The students selected these charities and then found ways to raise money for support. Fundraising ideas change from year to year; however, the Charity Ball is eagerly anticipated and has quite a bit of excitement surrounding the event.

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The Pontotoc Juniorettes is a part of a hierarchy of club organizations.  The Pontotoc Woman's Club is the sponsor and local chapter.  Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs is the state organization.  General Federation of Women's Clubs is the international organization and offers a wealth of information to members on ways to engage club members.  These service clubs offer a unique opportunity for women to come together for a common goal. 

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The club is not entirely all business.  The members have fun, too!  Often refreshments are served and members have opportunity to get to know one another socially.  Through projects such as painting the walls of the clubhouse at the Pontotoc Country Club, friendships are formed.  Serving side by side with PWC members in the Hospitality Booth at the Bodock Festival offers opportunity to get to know members from the parent organization.  Project opportunities such as collecting plastic bottle tops in a conservation project creates opportunity for dialogue and brainstorming with ideas to maximize the success of the project. 

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The members of the Pontotoc Juniorettes Club are eligible in ninth grade and are encouraged to serve their entire 4-year high school career. Potential members are nominated by current club members and voted upon at the summer meeting.  Club year coincides with calendar year of school; however, some projects may continue through the summer.  Leadership positions are available within the club and are either elected by members or available as a volunteer position.  This structure offers the members opportunities to engage in the club while managing sports, creative endeavors/training, and educational responsibilities that also require time of the student.