Sharing the sparkle (12 of 16)

In a county where the annual per capita income averages $12,000-$14,000, most girls cannot afford an array of expensive dresses to attend these events. Often, past queens loan or give away dresses, or sell them for far less than their original cost. At the Volunteer Fireman’s Hall, where the queens met, the coatrack was hung full of dresses available to the girls for $20 or less. That's a big help to girls who must each attend 10-20 events a year for their town in order to earn their scholarships.