BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio - It's been five years since the Valley celebrated debutantes at the Cinderella Ball. A 65-year tradition meant to provide scholarships to young African American women in the Valley, COVID-19 limited the celebration in recent years but it's now back and stronger than ever before.

10 debutantes graced this year's Cinderella Ball Friday evening at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. The Junior Civic League's event is coming back strong, with more than 500 tickets sold. 

"This is our future," said Jenita Gillespie, Chair of the 65th Annual Cinderella Ball. "So we want to invest in them so they can come back and invest in this community." Miss Cinderella was awarded a $2,000 cash prize. Her 1st Attendant was awarded a $1,500 cash prize and her 2nd Attendant was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

The public used Election Runner online to vote for their favorite. High school girls who participate and rank in the top three are honored with cash prizes to benefit their bright futures.

"Which will help with their schooling," Gillespie added. "They have prom coming up so they can use those funds for that."

The young women and their escorts represented Austintown Fitch, Cardinal Mooney, East, Liberty, Struthers, Warren G Harding, Ursuline, and Youngstown Rayen Early College. Ticket sales from the ball go directly towards scholarships.

Debutantes must have submitted their GPA, a letter of recommendation by their school and three additional letters of recommendation," Gillespie said.

"We will start taking applications for our scholarships in January and we make our decisions by May. We're going to give out probably five to six scholarships to individuals within our community," Gillespie said.

All eyes were on Cardinal Mooney's Jasiyah Moreland as she was crowned this year's Miss Cinderella. Cheylynn Smith, an Austintown Fitch student was honored with 1st Attendant. Alyssa Laney, a Cardinal Mooney student was honored with 2nd Attendant. 

Miss Cinderella 2018 Kaia Anderson returned to crown the 2024 court. 

"For a five-year comeback, this has been phenomenal and we look forward to bigger and better balls once again," Gillespie concluded.

The Junior Civic League is already taking applications for next year's ball. Your child must be of any high school age with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher.