Royalty is closer to campus than some students might think.
University students are serving as royal members of Mardi Gras krewes in parades and balls across the state.
Jourdan Puyau, kinesiology senior, strolled through Baton Rouge on Saturday, Feb. 4, as part of the Krewe of Jupiter and Juno. Puyau served as the duke of the krewe’s 2011 parade, which he described as empowering.
“There’s nothing like dangling a bead and seeing so many people reach for it, and then giving it to the kid next to the them” Puyau said. “You just made that kid’s day.”
The main responsibility of royals in a organization is to encourage fellowship among members, often by organizing social gatherings for the crew, Puyau said.
Puyau, who has participated in three parades with Krewe of Jupiter and Juno, said he joined because his parents were long-standing members of the organization. He said although his parents influenced his involvement, anyone can be part of a krewe.
“You just contact whoever’s in charge with a letter saying,‘Hey, I want to be the in the krewe,'” Puyau said. “It’s just that easy.”
Business freshman Emily Williamson, who served as a maid in the Krewe of Olympia in Covington on Saturday, also said she joined her krewe because of her parent’s membership. Williamson said she has enjoyed her experience as a member, specifying parading as her favorite part.
Kaitlin Martin, pre-nursing freshman, is also a maid in the Krewe of the Olympia. She said this year’s parade was especially unique, since the royal court consisted solely of her former classmates.
“It was really nice to come back,” Martin said. “We are all there together, celebrating and having a lot of fun.”
Martin said she also enjoyed participating in a second line, a traditional dance where a king and queen leads a krewe in walking behind a band, waving to a gawking crowd.
In the Krewe of Olympia, the queen is adorned in an elaborate jewel-encrusted gown, while the maids are dressed in more simplistic, white gowns, Martin said.
Both Martin and Williamson said they preferred the more demure look and were happy not to be chosen as queen, but both regarded the position as prestigious.
Martin said the king, who is usually an older, more involved male of the krewe, picks a maid from the court as his queen. His decision is kept secret until two hours before a ball, when the court is presented.
Puyau said the cost for admission to a krewe could range from about $500 to $700, but a position of royalty could cost up to $1,500.
Williamson said she spent about $6,000 on all the festivities associated with krewe membership, including tickets for friends and family members to attend the ball.
“There’s a cost to be maid, then buying beads, and then there’s the dress,” Williamson said. “It all adds up.”
All three of the students agreed the experience of being a royal member of the krewe is worth it, regardless of the expenses.
 
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Contact David Jones at [email protected]