The Krewe of Ceres will celebrate its 55^th annual Charity Ball on Feb. 19 at the Lincoln Civic Center. This year’s maids are Carley Elizabeth Craig, Lucy Watkins Donegan, Margaret “Meg” Sproles Foster, Gracie Layton Gray, Rivers Finley Gray, Olivia Grace Lewis, Grace “Gracey” Elizabeth Massengill, Madeline “Madi” Elizabeth Miller, Abby Gayle Smith and Marian Elizabeth Waltman.

 

Carley Elizabeth Craig is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hugh Craig III, granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Hugh Craig II and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Hartl. She is a 2020 Brookhaven High School graduate. She was salutatorian, Star Student, and selected to the Academic Hall of Fame. She was a member of the National Honor and Technical Honor Societies, a Mississippi Scholar, Tech Master Scholar and Presidential Scholar. She received the Magnolia Electric Leadership award, State Bank Science Award and BHS Honor Cup. She was a varsity runner on the Cross Country and Track teams. She was the recipient of an academic excellence scholarship, 1848 scholarship and Flagship Achievement scholarship.

Craig is a sophomore at the University of Mississippi majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in neuroscience. She is a President’s list scholar, Provost scholar, a member of Lambda Sigma Honor Society serving as Treasurer, a member of the Mississippi Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi sorority, Ole Miss Ambassador, Orientation Leader and Coordinator.

Her sisters, Allyssa (Craig) Cassilly (2013), Alexandra (Craig) Mitchell (2015), and Cristina Craig (2019) served as maids on the court. She is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

 

Lucy Watkins Donegan is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Donegan Jr. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Donegan Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morman.

Donegan is a 2020 honors graduate of Brookhaven High School. She was a Mississippi Scholar and a member of National Honor Society. She received the Most School Spirit award, was Red Nation Leader, Student Council Treasurer, and Student Director for the Homecoming Production her senior year. She was also a member of student council, Quill and Scroll, Diamond Dolls and won multiple art awards. Donegan was active at Brookhaven Little Theater and New Octavians competitive theater team. She was honored as class favorite and homecoming maid her freshman and sophomore years.

She was also a member of the Crown Club and Les Belles accruing numerous volunteer hours serving her community.

Donegan is a sophomore marketing major at University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the Student Eagle Club, Student Alumni association, and Student Economic Development Association.

An active member of Kappa Delta sorority, Donegan serves on the Banner Committee as Chair, the Sisterhood Enrichment Team and is now a Recruitment Leader.  She continues volunteer work through Kappa Delta. She is a member of First United Methodist Church.

Her sister, Sulli, served as a maid on the court in 2019, and younger sister Lizzie Donegan, served as trainbearer in 2016.

 

Margaret “Meg” Sproles Foster is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Foster. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John “Dub” Sproles and Mrs. Vivian Foster and the late Mr. James Foster.

Foster is a 2020 Honors graduate of Brookhaven High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and a Mississippi Scholar. She was a member of the Lady Panther slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball teams for 6 years, where she was named to the Athletic Hall of Fame, All-District Team, Daily Leader All AreaTeam, All-District Slow Pitch, team Co-Captain and received Most Valuable Defensive player. She was also a member of the BHS soccer team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA Leadership team and Homecoming Production.

Foster was a recipient of the Underwood Family Endowment, BB Hill Memorial, Servitium John “Dub” Sproles, Lettie Pate Whitehead and Women’s Missionary Union. In high school she received Highest Average Award for Zoology and Botany, awarded the FCA “Bill Buckner” Award, Senior Homecoming Maid, Best Personality in Who Who’s and was a Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassador.

Foster is a sophomore Psychology major at Copiah-Lincoln Community College with plans to continue her education at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and manager for the Co-Lin softball team.

Foster served on the court as a trainbearer in 2013. Her brother, Wil served as an escort in 2016. Her mother the former Sarah Sproles, was an aide to the queen in 1975, and her Aunt Amy Sproles Smith served as Queen in 1982.

Foster is a member of First Baptist Church where she was very active and served on the Youth Advisory Council, Vacation Bible School and Mission Madness volunteer, a Super Summer, Summer Camp, Crave and DNOW delegate and went six summers as a volunteer at Casa de Fe Orphanage for children with disabilities in Ecuador.

 

Gracie Layton Gray is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gray. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Cherie Langston and the late Dr. LeDon Langston, and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Gray.
Gray is a 2020 special honors graduate of Brookhaven High School where she was a member of the Academic Hall of Fame, the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honors Society, and Mississippi Scholars. Gray served as Media Chairman Vice President and then President of the FCA leadership team at BHS. Gracie also excelled as the MVP of BHS cross-country both as a seventh grader and again in high school. She won the Panther Award for cross-country as well. She finished Brookhaven High School as the all-time school record holder in the 5K event. Gracie was active in the Brookhaven Little Theater where she was chosen as the Director of BLTs first Young Directors Project, and multiple service organizations including Disney Princess for Relay for Life, Les Belles, and Crown Club.
Gray originally went to Samford University where she was a Crossland and pre-ministerial scholar. She was nominated to travel abroad for her performance in cultural perspectives. Currently she is a sophomore majoring in history at the University of Mississippi where she continues to enjoy the Tri-Delta sorority. She served as group leader for the Big Event, she is a leader in the Wesley foundation, and was chosen to attend Greek Summit Christian leadership conference.

Gray is a member of First United Methodist Church where she has served as VBS leader and a guest preacher in the pulpit from time to time. She also traveled to Honduras on the mission team in 2016 and 2018. Gray previously served on the court as a trainbearer as did her sisters Rivers, Lily and Anabel.

 

Rivers Finley Gray is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gray. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Cherie Langston, and the late Dr. LeDon Langston and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Gray.

Gray is a 2020 Special honors graduate of Brookhaven High School where she was a member of the Academic Hall of Fame, a Mississippi scholar, and a member of the National Honor Society. Rivers was the secretary of both her 12th grade class and the National Honor Society, 12th grade representative on the BHS student council, and the reporter for Mu Alpha Theta. She was also a letterman multiple times for the Brookhaven High School varsity tennis team. Gray loved volunteering with Brookhaven Animal Rescue League and was active in many volunteer projects with Junior Auxiliary, Crown Club, Relay for Life, and Les Belles. Gray participated in multiple productions of Brookhaven Little Theater as well as also performing in the Brookhaven High School Homecoming production all four years.

Gray is currently a sophomore at Auburn University where she is an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega Epsilon Zeta chapter. She works with their philanthropy of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness in Opelika, Alabama. She was a member of their award-winning Greek Sing Production. She is currently majoring in pre-nursing and enjoys in her spare time, working at Kings Daughters Medical Center as a nursing assistant.
Gray is a member of the First United Methodist Church and was an active volunteer for Vacation Bible School and youth projects. She also had the opportunity to serve on the KDMC medical mission team to Honduras in 2016 and 2018.
Gray previously served on the court as a trainbearer as did her sisters Gracie, Lily and Anabel.

 

Olivia Grace Lewis is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Lewis. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Lewis, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Glen Vaughn. Ball.

Olivia is a 2019 Honors graduate of Brookhaven Academy. She was included in the Honor Roll, President’s List, National Honor’s Society, and Mississippi Scholar’s. She was also on the varsity soccer and basketball teams.

She was a member of the science club, history club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Junior Auxiliary Crown Club. Olivia’s high school awards include the Cougar Leadership Award, Coaches Award, Great Attitude and Great Effort award, Best School Spirit, 50-plus hours community service, scholar athlete of the month, and student of the month. Olivia received the Hannah Hart Smith Memorial Scholarship, Russ Michael Mangold Memorial Scholarship, and a Soccer Scholarship upon graduation. Additionally, Olivia received a MS Board of Supervisors Scholarship and the W.C. “Pop” Allen Memorial Scholarship.

Lewis is a sophomore at Copiah-Lincoln Community College majoring in English. She received the Soccer academic award, and was selected for Who’s Who. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Sigma Kappa Delta Honor Society, and the Trailblazers. Lewis plans to attend Mississippi State University this fall and pursue a major in English. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend Court Reporting School.

Lewis’ mother, Bethany, served as an aide to the queen in the 1981. Olivia is currently employed as a student assistant at the Foundation Office of Copiah- Lincoln Community College. Additionally, she is employed at Berry and Munn, PLLC in Hazlehurst. Lewis is an active member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church.

 

Grace “Gracey” Elizabeth Massengill is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cameron Massengill II. Gracey is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Raiford Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Virgil Massengill.

Massengill is a 2020 Special Honors Graduate of Brookhaven High School where she was a National Honors Society Officer, Class Vice President, Red Nation President and Sports Videographer.  Gracey was the Student Choreographer for Homecoming Production and participated for 4 years. She was named to the Academic Hall of Fame as well as the Athletic Hall of Fame, playing soccer, tennis and cheering for BHS.  She enjoyed her volunteer work with Junior Auxiliary’s Crown Club and starting her own business, Grace Elizabeth.

Massengill is currently a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, a Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College student, majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Manufacturing from the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence. She is on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, Chancellor’s Leadership, a Talbert Fellows, and is a member of Chi Omega Sorority.  She attends Reformed University Fellowship, volunteers her time for the BIG EVENT as personal relations subcommittee.

Massengill worked as a counselor at Camp Desoto for girls. Her father, Robb, served as escort in 1991 and sister, Maggie, served as maid in 2020. Gracey attends Christ Presbyterian Church.

 

Madeline “Madi” Elizabeth Miller is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Miller. She is the granddaughter of Ms. Linda Tausan and the late Mr. Kenneth Tausan and Mr. Richard Miller and the late Ms. Martha Welter.

Miller is a 2020 honor graduate of Brookhaven High School. She was class President 10th, 11th and 12th grade, Vice President of National Honor Society, Team Captain of the Slow-pitch, fast pitch, soccer and cheer teams. She also served on the FCA Leadership team.

Miller was selected by the MS Coaches Association for the 2019 Slow and Fast Pitch All Star Teams. She was selected most valuable offensive player for soccer all four years, most valuable offensive player fast pitch 2018 and most valuable defensive player 2019 and overall MVP both fast and slow pitch in 2020 and received the Scholastic Award. She received the Bill Buckner Character Counts award in 2018 and was selected as BHS Homecoming Queen in 2019.

Miller is a sophomore at Co-Lin Community College where she earned a softball scholarship and was selected as Co-Team Captain for the 2021-2022 season. She is a two-year member of the Trailblazers, Phi Theta Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, was a 2020 freshman maid and the 2021 Homecoming Queen.

Miller will attend Belhaven in the fall pursuing a degree in Biology with plans to attend dental school. She is a member of First Baptist Church.

 

Abby Gayle Smith is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hamp Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Don Palmer.

Smith is an honor graduate of Brookhaven High School. She was a Mississippi Scholars Award recipient and member of the National Honors Society. She was Brookhaven’s Miss Merry Christmas in 2020, served on the Junior Auxiliary Crown Club, and was a member of Les Belles. She was a competitive cheerleader for ten years at the Gym of Dreams and was a volunteer coach on the “Dream Team” for special needs students. She was a varsity cheerleader her freshman year of high school and received a beauty her sophomore year. She traveled to Southeast Asia on a mission trip during the summer of 2019. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she made and donated over 1,000 face masks. Abby is a sophomore Interior Design major at the University of Southern Mississippi. She served as Brookhaven’s Miss Hospitality for 2021 and had the opportunity to be a spokesperson for the ACT Test Prep, Jumpstart. She is an intern for the Radical Radiance Podcast and spends most of her free time sewing for her business, Stitched by Abby.

Smith’s brother, Logan, was an escort in 2020. She is a member of Easthaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven.

 

Marian Elizabeth Waltman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nelson Waltman. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Larry Waltman and Mrs. Helen Carr Rondos, and Mrs. Dale Harris and the late Mr. Sam Harris.

Waltman is a 2020 honors graduate from Brookhaven Academy. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Teenage Republicans, and Junior Auxiliary Crown Club. She was President of the National Science Honor Society, President of the Science Club, and senior class Vice-President. She was voted most dependable and most talented. She was a member of the varsity cheerleading and tennis teams and served as captain for both her senior year.

Waltman is currently pursuing a degree in chemical engineering at Mississippi State University. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority for which she is the current Philanthropy Chair. She is Secretary and Public Relations Chairman of MSU’s chapter of the American Association of Chemical Engineers.

She is the recipient of the Swalm Endowment Scholarship, the Dave and Beth Swalm Engineering Scholarship and, the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant. Marian attends Faith Presbyterian Church.

Waltman’s great-grandfather, Judge Mike Carr, served as king of the court and her great-aunt Julie Carr Chadwick served as queen.