Krewe of Elks Celebrates 80th Annual Mardi Gras Ball
The Lemann Memorial Center was the backdrop for a trip around the world celebrating “ The Elks, The Earth and Eighty Years” Saturday evening as the Krewe of Elks held its 80th annual Mardi Gras ball. Serving as ball captain for the evening was Troy LeBoeuf with Rodney “REV” and Natalie Vega as ball chairmen.
The evening opened with the final presentation of King Jolly Goodfellow LXXIX Donnie Olivier and his Queen Emily Nicole Latino, as they were introduced, extended their well wishes for this year’s royalty and took their final walk. A gift of roses was presented to the queen from Ladies Auxiliary President Ashley LeBoeuf.
Reigning over this year’s anniversary celebration were King Jolly Goodfellow LXXX Gerald Gianelloni and his Queen, Katherine Elizabeth Gianelloni. Katherine is a senior at Nicholls State University majoring in Family Consumer Science and serves as President of Delta Zeta Sorority.
His majesty wore a silver brocade tunic adorned with crystals and aurora borealis stones while her majesty appeared in a beautiful scalloped A-line gown with beaded lace over silky satin and finished with eyelash fringe. They wore matching mantles of royal purple and gold.
Costumed couples for this year’s celebration were all former Kings and Queens of the organization. Being presented and paying homage to the King were Henry Schexnayder and Mary Abadie Daze, Marcel “Sonny” Graugnard and Andrea Graugnard, John Beck, Sr. and Ashley Beck Riche, Malcolm Dugas, Jr. and Lyndsey Dugas Thoms, Raymond Aucoin and Emily Doiron, Michael LeBlanc and Betsy LeBlanc Holtzclaw.
Debuting as the Royal Court for King Jolly Goodfellow LXXX were Grand Duchess Haley Nicole Capello, daughter of Past Exalted Ruler Rocky Capello and Mrs. Kim Capello; Grand Duchess Lauren Ashley Mistretta, daughter of Past Exalted Ruler David Mistretta and Mrs. Jill Mistretta; Elizabeth Mary Bellina, daughter of Randy and Rhonda Bellina; Alana Michelle Marcello, daughter of Frank and Sybil Marcello; Grand Duke Alexandre Marc Olivier, son of King Jolly Goodfellow LXXIX Donnie Olivier and Mrs. Alice Olivier; Grand Duke Trey Jude Richard, son of Past Exalted Ruler Jude Richard and Mrs. Gina Richard; Timothy Paul Daze, son of Kenny and 1988 Queen Mary Daze; Seth Michael Guercio, son of King Jolly Goodfellow LXXVII Russell Guercio and Mrs. Stacy Guercio; Robert Preston Landry, son of Mark and Valerie Landry; Dustin George Zeringue, son of Danny and Launa Zeringue.
Junior Maids presented were Paige Rene Gautreau, daughter of Past Exalted Ruler Kevin Gautreau and Mrs. Jill Gautreau, Jordan Marilyn Diez, daughter of Clint and Gina Diez; Alyssa Marie Gros, daughter of Marvin and Jill Gros; Elizabeth Ann Latino, daughter of Billy and Lori Latino; Alyssa Marie LeBlanc, daughter of Butch LeBlanc and Lisa LeBlanc; Bailey Elizabeth LeBlanc, daughter of David and Christine LeBlanc; Karli Ilyse Montero, daughter of Chuck Montero and Kim Vasquez; Grace Elizabeth Villa, daughter of Keith and Audra Villa.
Pages and Heralds paying homage to the King were Camille Thomas LeBoeuf, son of Exalted Ruler Troy LeBoeuf and Mrs. Ashley LeBoeuf; Cameron Gianni Bonadona, daughter of Jerod and Jessica Bonadona; Aiden James Crochet, son of Micah and Tammy Crochet; Michelle Marie Daigle, daughter of Tommy and Janet Daigle; Andrew Neil Landry, son of Bert and Kritsi Landry; Hudson Jacob Theriot, son of Ray and Jenny Theriot; Hensley Rebecca Truxillo, daughter of Joshua and Kimberly Truxillo; Sydney Grace Viallon, daughter of Louis “Kip” and Brandy Viallon; Addison Marie Wilkinson, daughter of Brian and Rachel Wilkinson.
The festivities continued throughout the night with dancing to the music of the band Good Feeling. The evening concluded with a Royal Breakfast hosted by their majesties.