The Krewe of Ceres in Brookhaven will conduct its 56th annual Charity Ball on Saturday, Feb. 25, at The Lincoln Civic Center. Presentations begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling 601-757-2967.

Trainbearers this year are Hallie Ryan LaPorte, Elizabeth Matthews Smith and Matthew Fisher Sones.

LaPorte is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kyle LaPorte, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Estess and Mr. and Mrs. Keith LaPorte. She is a fifth-grade student at Brookhaven Academy, where she is an All-A honor roll student and a Junior Mississippi Scholar.

She enjoys acting, cheering, tennis and soccer. LaPorte attends First Baptist Church where she is involved in choir and Girls in Action. Her mother, Hannah, served as a maid in 2006 and as queen in 2007.

Smith is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josh Smith, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Smith, Mrs. Ann Ramsey and Mr. and Mrs. John Cleve Newton. She is a fifth-grade student at Brookhaven Academy, where she is an All-A honor roll student and a Rising Mississippi Scholar.

Smith enjoys reading, tennis, drawing, dance and performing in school plays and the Brookhaven Little Theatre. She enjoys being with her friends the most. Smith is a member of The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer where she serves as an acolyte. Her father, Josh, served as an escort to the 1995 court. Her siblings have also been trainbearers — Sara Rodgers in 2016, and Hamp in 2020.

Sones is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Bill Sones Jr., and is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sones Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Terry Reid. He is a fifth-grade student at Lipsey Middle School where he is on the All-A honor roll.

Sones enjoys playing baseball, tennis, soccer and basketball. His siblings — David, John, Drew and Claire — have all served as trainbearers on the court. His parents, Bill and Carrie, served as aides on the court in 1999. His grandfather, Terry Reid, served as king in 2012, and his grandfather, Bill Sones, served as king in 2021.