The Annual Haywood County Schools Foundation Mardi Gras Ball sponsored by Old Town Bank will be held at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday, March 2, at Laurel Ridge Country Club.

The fifth annual event is the largest fundraiser for the Haywood County Schools Foundation. The Mardi Gras Ball has helped raise more than $120,000 for the foundation over the years. Each year a king and queen are crowned at the event. The reigning king and queen are Jonathan Jorstad and Rhonda Schandevel.

Proceeds from the ball help the foundation raise money for student scholarships, needs in the classrooms of the 16 schools in the county and to retain highly qualified educators. Last year this event raised over $ 43,000. The foundation has been helping Haywood schools since 1984 and manages more than 65 scholarship funds. ...