Purple, green and gold colors flashed over the dance floor as University women put on their heels and walked beside their date to the annual Mardi Gras Ball. Students looking to celebrate the Mardi Gras holiday early were able to dress up and get get a glimpse of next week’s festivities. Free food, dancing and all around fun were all part of the University’s traditional party in the Union ballroom.
“It’s a fun event where you can dress up and have fun with your friends,” said David Dessauer, psychology senior and president of Residential Hall Association.
This year was the fifth year RHA has hosted this event, but student turnout this year was lower than past years, with about 50 people in attendance.
Katrina Bell, psychology senior and RHA program director, said funding came from the budget given to RHA from the University. Bell said the committee for the ball divided into two teams, one for entertainment, and one for the court presentation for the event.
The ball was for students living in the residence halls to kick off the Mardi Gras holiday. Dessauer said mostly freshmen attend the event because they make up the majority of on-campus residents.
The crowning of Mardi Gras ball king and queen was the highlight of the event. Bell said students apply to become a duke or dutchess of their residence hall, then the court committee reviews the applications. The committee then interviews the candidates and determines the nominees. Students who attended the event voted upon entering the ball.
This year’s king was Jeremy Chinier, biological sciences junior, and the queen was Crystal Bergeron, studio art sophomore.
Chinier gave a short speech after the crowning. He said it was an honor to be the king and to represent the University and RHA.
Although student turnout was low, Andree Couvillon, psychology freshman, said she enjoyed herself, and the Mardi Gras Ball was everything she anticipated.
“I like music, and I like to dance,” Couvillon said. “It reminded me of high school, and I miss that.”
Bell said the ball also served as a tool for students who are not from Louisiana to experience the holiday and do something unique.
“A lot of students who come from out of town are not familiar with the holiday,” Bell said. “This is a way to come out, dress up and do something fun that usually doesn’t get done.”
—–Contact Phillip Trascher at [email protected]