South Bay Commissioners Barbara King and Albert Polk
July 17, 2024 – Belle Glade, Fla.,– If anyone saw “Anthony Cannonball” Cannon do his famous dance to Teddy Pendergrass’s “Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose,” at the Fourth Annual Glades Tri-Cities Senior Citizens Prom on June 1, 2024, they would have thought he was back in high school. And in a way, he was. Cannon and 250 of his peers age 65+ from Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, and Clewiston, FL, came together for a masquerade ball themed “A Night to Remember” at the Eddie L. Rhodes Gymnasium in Pahokee, FL, with all the glitz, glamour, and dance floor boogying that would impress prom-goers of any age.
Best Male dancer Mr. Anthony Cannon (Cannonball) and his wife Mrs. Lettie Mae Cannon
KTM Youth & Community Network under the leadership of its founder, Barbara King, organized the event with funding from Palm Health Foundation and Healthier Glades, who are supporting the event to benefit the mental health of senior citizens by bringing them together for social engagement. The concept of the “Tri-City Senior Prom” was originally conceived by Belle Glade resident, Lynette Butts, to offer community elders a special night out and encourage camaraderie.
Clewiston Prom King Mr. Elarge Pope and Barbara King
Highlights of the evening included a moment to remember Mrs. Mary Harrell, who attended all the previous proms before her passing. Her daughter Cynthia Harrell-Baker donated her 360’ Photo Booth for the seniors to enjoy. Other highlights included honoring each city’s prom kings and queens, longest-married couples, and oldest residents.
Janet B. Taylor, former Hendry County Commissioner from Clewiston, and Teri Mitze, Representative Rick Roth’s district aide, were two of the many dignitaries attending the prom and naming the kings and queens from each community. City leaders joining the prom included: Pahokee’s Mayor Keith Babb, Vice Mayor Clara “Tasha” Murvin, and Commissioners Sanquetta Cowan-Williams and Everett D. McPherson, Sr.; South Bay’s Mayor Joe Kyles and Commissioners Albert Polk and Barbara King; and Belle Glade’s Mayor Steve Wilson and Commissioner Robert L. Rease.
Many organizations contributed to the event to make it an enjoyable evening for all. Dress for Success, Prom Beach, Commissioner Albert Polk & Mayor Kyles donated dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories. Event sponsors included US Sugar, AARP, Devoted Health, and the Cities of Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay. Vendors were also on hand to offer information and goodies to the seniors, including AARP, Devoted Health, Legal Aide, Empire Women Health, Area Agency on Aging, and Pace.
About Healthier Glades
Healthier Glades launched in the fall of 2017 in the historically underserved rural area of Palm Beach County with rich culture and agricultural assets. “The Glades” is the collective of four communities—Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, and the unincorporated community of Canal Point—located in the western section of the county along Lake Okeechobee. Healthier Glades’ focus is behavioral health, with the goal for residents to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
About Palm Health Foundation
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors, and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes, and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.
