CHARITY BALL

The Pontotoc Juniorettes Club created Pontotoc County's first charity ball in 2021. The theme was Masquerade. Thirteen princesses were presented at the event. Each raised a minimum of $300, with the princess who raised the most being crowned Queen of the Ball. McKenzie Garrett was one of four princesses who raised over $1,000; her totals earned her the title of Queen for the inaugural ball. Palmer Home for Children was awarded $4500 and St. Jude Children's Hospital $1000 from the event's proceeds.

The next year, the Juniorette officers chose Vintage Hollywood as their theme. Again, Pontotoc County ladies volunteered as princesses and raised money for Palmer Home for Children and St. Jude. This time, over $10,000 was raised, and Juniorette Lindy Holley was crowned queen because of her outstanding fundraising efforts.

In 2003, the ball allowed all Juniorettes of any age to be princesses and increased the number of girls fundraising for the cause: PACT, a new local United Way affiliate for Pontotoc County. With twice as many princesses came the most profitable charity event thus far. Karastan Gamble was crowned queen at this spring event.