2025 / KREWE OF ROMANY 75TH DIAMOND JUBILEE GLITZ AND GLAM

The Krewe of Romany, friends, and families joined 2025 Ball Captain Heather Knost St. Germain for a “75th Diamond Jubilee with Glitz and Glam” to celebrate the Krewe’s 75th annual ball on Saturday, January 11th, at the Raising Cane’s River Center.  The Ball Captain's joy and love for Glitz, Glam, Diamonds, and Romany came together for all to enjoy!  Heather St. Germain’s costume was platinum, which means success and is a rare precious metal.  Truly sparkling from head to toe with the most fantastic back piece, Heather shined like the rare diamond she is!

Queen Romany LXXV Mary-Hannah Kathryn Varnado, daughter of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Amy and Darryl Varnado, reigned over the “Glitz and Glam Night” themed evening alongside King Romany LXXV Brant Bennett Richard, husband of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Toni Richard.  The queen and king costumes were the color of “Diamond White” and celebrated the Krewes Jubilee with a mix of gold and silver.

Attending the queen were her pages ~ Collins Marie Reid, daughter of Mechelle and Brad Reid and niece of Krewe member Christian Crawford; Alyssa Claire Mincin, daughter of Jessalyn and Dave Mincin and niece of Krewe member Christian Crawford; Avery Claire Corkern, daughter of Karen and Dr. Marc Corkern and granddaughter of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Karen Corkern; Virginia Rosemary Mungall, daughter of Krewe member Sara and James Mungall.

Attending the king were his pages ~ grandson Bennett Smith Richard, son of April and Ryan Richard and grandson of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Toni Richard; grandson Kyle Joseph Richard, son of April and Ryan Richard and grandson of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Toni Richard; John Maxwell Pierce, son of Maddy and Tyler Pierce and grandson of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Melissa Tolson; Brooks Campbell Obertheir, son of Jennifer and Justin Obertheir and grandson of Krewe member Karen Duplechin.

Each of the maids represented different diamonds as the Jubilee celebration continued!   Miss Kay Genevieve Frederickson, daughter of Krewe member Jennifer and Chad Frederickson, represented the “Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond”. Miss Frederickson was escorted by her father. Miss Nataleigh Grace Mincin, daughter of Tracy and Douglas Mincin and niece of Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Tammi Williams, represented the “Green Ocean Diamond”. Miss Mincin was escorted by her father. She was sponsored by her aunt Krewe member and Past Ball Captain, Tammi Williams. Miss Bella Leigh McGucken, daughter of Krewe member Ami and Matt McGucken and Julie and Neal Lambert, represented the “Tiffany Yellow Diamond”.  Miss McGucken was escorted by her father. Miss Ashlyn Paige Gitz, daughter of Krewe member Amy and Peter Gitz, represented the “Pink Star of Josephine Diamond”.  Miss Gitz was escorted by her father.

Taking their final bow were members of the 2024 court:  Ball Captain Kimberley LaCour Mitchell, Queen Romany LXXIV Adrienne Carole Lambert, King Romany LXXIV Robert Edward “Rew” Waltman, Jr., and maids Elise Destiny Fagane, Maci Elizabeth Watson, Aubrey Jordan-Marie Beale, Josephine “Josie” Grace D’Aquilla, Harleigh Michelle Melancon, and Reagan Taylor Gravois.

Also recognized were Past Ball Captains: 1979 Ms. Jynx Marcel, 1990 Mrs. Jenny Anding, 1991 Ms. Cynthia Fayard. 1995 Ms. Jerisse Grantham, 1997 Ms. Jean Sharp, 1998 Mrs. Nancy Day, 1999 Ms. Nancy David, 2000 Mrs. Carol Bizette, 2002 Mrs. Jeanine Schutte, 2003 Mrs. Rachel Grace, 2005 Mrs. Debra Tarter, 2006 Mrs. Lisa Losby, 2007 Mrs. Susan Barnett, 2010 Mrs. Karen Corkern, 2011 Mrs. Belinda Estep, 2012 Mrs. Tammi Williams, 2013 Mrs. Amy Varnado, 2014 Mrs. Toni Richard, 2015 Mrs. Melissa Tolson, 2016 Mrs. Kathy Kimball, 2017 Mrs. Kay Sonnier, 2018 Mrs. Terrie Cavalier, 2019 Mrs. Brenda Torrence, 2020 Mrs. Brandi AlJariri, 2021-2022 Mrs. Maria Rowland, 2023 Tara Schwartz.

The Krewe board members were introduced, including President Ashley Fabre, Vice President Collette Lambert, Treasurer Chelsea LeMieux, Secretary Carla Brown, Costume Officer Adrienne Vaughn and Publicity Officer Sarah Brooks, Special Advisor Terrie Cavalier, and Past Ball Captain Kimberley Mitchell.

As is tradition, the Ladies of the Krewe dazzled the audience in a group production of dancing to songs referencing diamonds.  Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Jerisse Grantham choreographed Krewe couples with the music "Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” by the Glee cast.  Additional members danced to “Single Ladies” by Beyonce.

Robert Chandler was the master of ceremonies. The stage attendants were King Romany LXXII, Bobby Mitchell, Brent Lambert, Jeremy Lemieux, Andrew Hines, and Matthew Vaughn.

Cyndi Deshotel sketched the final court costumes, which were constructed by D&D Creations, Inc. Tony Arieux of American Audio Visual executed the stage design, and Bill Bennett of Sound South produced the sound.

Following the tableau, the ball continued with dancing to music by the talented band The Wise Guys.