NOLA.com Debutante Coterie 2023-24

Nell Nolan

A new flock of debutantes steps forward in this annual New Orleans tradition

The debutante tradition in the Crescent City goes back decades. Each year, a new flock of young women steps forward at a passel of parties and presentations, eliciting adulation from family and friends.

The culmination of this special season occurs during the weeks of Carnival, when they appear as court maids. A select few wear crowns and answer, albeit ever so briefly, to “Your majesty.”

Who will be the limelighted young ladies for 2023-2024?

Within the pages of the following debutante section, 66 profiles appear, relating pertinent information about each one. Their education, volunteerism, future goals, interests, hobbies and parents’ names all figure into the format.

While the debutante year is a thrilling one, it is balanced by many other aspects of their lives.

For five of the seven organizations featured in the debutante section, the focus is on seniors in college. That plan has been in effect for a couple of years, in contrast to former times when the curtsying was done by college juniors.

Most all have embraced the later time, saying they can now study abroad during a junior year without the concern of society preparations, some involving a queenship.

Others feel they are more confident with their studies as college students because the bulk of their academic work has been mastered. Still others say that making a debut at this slightly later time, and close to their college graduation, prepares them well for the next chapter of their lives, which usually means going to work and building a career.

As they interact with various generations during the season, the debutantes advance their social skills and often make important contacts. These connections can be both a source of friendship and help in the years to come.

Two of the organizations have more flexibility because their traditional debutantes are in high school, predominantly seniors, or are college freshmen. Almost all of the older debutantes attend colleges or universities away from New Orleans and thus juggle academic schedules for highlights of the season, such as parties, presentations and Carnival balls. However, and with a few exceptions, all of the young women grew up in this area. If they didn’t, they have strong family links to the city and its debutante tradition.

For those in the coterie who attend high school or college in New Orleans, it’s easier on their parents. The proximity of their daughters is a bonus because preparations are numerous.

There are lists to be made for parties; photos to be taken; clothes to be chosen for all types of socializing; fittings of special suits or dresses, including the regalia of a queen, when applicable; hairdresser appointments; gifts to acknowledge certain favors; thank-you notes to write; and the constant logistics of getting to and from events.

Some debs go with their parents, others with a pack of pals. Still another element of the season is the training that many younger ones receive.

Debutante Coterie

U’Nique Ashanti Allen

For the past three summers, Miss U'Nique Ashanti Allen has worked with the Summer Success Program at the Heroes of New Orleans Center.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Allen. Her mother is the former Nicquil Cummings.

She is currently a student at the New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School. Her career goal is to become an animator.

Miss Evelyn Blaine Argote will pass through her home state of Louisiana on her way from school in Mississippi to an accounting internship in Dallas.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Randolph Argote. Her mother is the former Maria Barbara Favor.

A graduate of the Louise S. McGehee School, Evelyn excelled in athletics and was co-captain of both volleyball and soccer squads. She was also active in track and field.

A student ambassador, she was also a peer support leader.

At Ole Miss, she is on the chancellor's honor roll and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Chi Omega.

She has worked in the retail and design sectors.

In a previous season, she was a maid in Les Pierrettes. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Randolph Argote

• Graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School

• Attends the University of Mississippi

Evan Alisabeth Bellow

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Allen

• Attending New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School

With her eye on a future in engineering, Miss Chloe Clare Beals is studying and working with a government agency in the engineering sector to learn about the coastal environment and civil engineering.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Chester Beals. Her mother is the former Monique Erin Vinson.

At McGehee, she was president of the National Art Honor Society and in the National Honor Society and Beta Club. She was the recipient of the Tim Trapolin Award and the Katherine McFetridge Memorial Scholarship.

In Baton Rouge, she is a College of Engineering Big Sibling Mentor, a member of the Omega Greek Honor Society and an officer with Pi Beta Phi. She also works with St. Vincent de Paul Bags of Hope and Champions are Readers at Wilbourne Elementary.

In the past, she has worked in specialty retail.

In previous seasons, she was presented at the Bienville Club's President's Ball. ◆

During the 2024 Carnival festivities, U'Nique will be presented as a debutante of the season at the ball of the Original Illinois Club. ◆

Chloe Clare Beals

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Chester Beals

• Graduated from Louise S. McGehee School

• Attends Louisiana State University

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Bellow

• Attends St. Mary's Dominican High School and Delgado Community College

A future in art or physical therapy is in store for Miss Evan Alisabeth Bellow. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Bellow. Her mother is the former Micah Nadine Allen.

At Dominican, she is the president of the National Art Honor Society and the recipient of the Gold Key in Celebrating Art Competition and was awarded second place in U.S. Rep. Troy Carter's Congressional Art Competition. She is an honor student and a member of the varsity golf team. She is concurrently enrolled at Delgado Community College. In the past, she has interned with artist Annie Moran to work on two murals in the city. She has also been a camp volunteer. She will be presented as a debutante of the season at the Young Men Illinois Club Carnival ball in January 2024. ◆

2023-2024

New Orleans Debutante Section

Writer and Editor Victor Andrews

Features Editor Annette Sisco ◆ Society Columnist Nell Nolan

Layout and Design Emily Sucherman

Naima Gabriel Bocage

An active lifestyle might have Miss Naima Gabriel Bocage charting a course to become an orthopedic surgeon.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gerald Bocage. Her mother is the former Areah Christina Rodgers.

At Warren Easton, Naima is in the National Honor Society and on the principal's honor roll. She is a member of the Athletic Training Student Association and on the Lady Eagles softball team.

She has worked as an assistant swim instructor and as a counselor at the Lions Club's Camp Pelican.

In the future, she hopes to pursue an emergency medical technician certification and participate in a job shadowing experience with the New Orleans Pelicans. She will be presented at the Young Men Illinois Club ball as a debutante of the season during Carnival 2024. ◆

• Attends Warren Easton Charter High School

Kayla Monique Bodden

Miss Kayla Monique Bodden is hoping dance holds the key for her future and plans to use her talent to get into Grambling State University after she graduates from McDonogh 35 Senior High School.

She is the daughter of Mr. Karl Allen William Bodden and Dr. Deatrice Monique Green.

At McDonogh, "Kay Bae" is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also attending the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

She worked as a dance instructor and hopes to study dance and physical therapy at college.

She will be presented by the Young Men Illinois Club during their Carnival 2024 ball in January. ◆

Sophie Wilson Brewer

The allure of France and all things French seems to have made quite an impact on Miss Sophie Wilson Brewer, who has studied at one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Paris.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wren Brewer. Her mother is the former Mary Margaret Adams.

At Ben Franklin, she served on the yearbook committee, was involved in peer support and was the team photographer for soccer.

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• Graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School

• Attends College of Charleston

At the Charleston, South Carolina, school, she is on the dean's list and majored in hospitality and tourism management with a minor in French and Francophone studies. She has also studied at Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne. She is a member of Chi Omega.

In the past, she has worked in the event planning, legal and retail sectors.

She has also worked with Second Harvest Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

During a previous sub-deb season, she was in Les Pierrettes. ◆

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Caroline Whittington Casey

• Graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart

• Attends University of Alabama

Miss Caroline Whittington Casey has been in the halls of Congress on her way to her goal of working in the finance field, serving as an intern for the House of Representatives in the nation's capital.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Alcade Casey Jr. Her mother is the former Elizabeth Bienvenu Bonner.

At Sacred Heart, Caroline graduated with high honors and was a member of the Honor Council and a peer support mentor. She also played tennis and cross country.

At the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, school, she is a member of the Alabama Finance Association and is on the dean's and president's lists. She was also chosen for the Women in Finance networking conference in New York. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She has worked in the financial realm and as a market research assistant for the Alabama International Trade Center. As a sub-deb, she was in Squires and Les Pierrettes. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gerald Bocage

• Daughter of Mr. Karl Allen William Bodden and Dr. Deatrice Monique Green

Attends McDonogh 35 Senior High School

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wren Brewer

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Alcade Casey Jr.

Layah Marie Cavett

Miss Layah Marie Cavett is described as happy and ambitious, and she will need both traits in her quest to become an anesthesiologist.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie C. Cavett. Her mother is the former Stacy Janelle Bell.

At Dominican, Layah is a member of the National Honor Society, the historian for Students for Human Dignity and Diversity Club and a member of the school's color guard. She is also in the Drama Club and Craft Club. She has worked as a set designer for student productions.

She has also worked with individuals who have physical and developmental disabilities.

Layah plans to attend Xavier University to major in premedicine.

The Young Men Illinois Club Ball will present Layah as a debutante during the Carnival 2024 season. ◆

Frances Villere Currence

Helping young minds reach their potential is the career aspiration for Miss Frances Villere Currence, who is studying early childhood education.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Morrison Currence Jr. Her mother is the former Mathilde Bernard Villere.

At McGehee, Frances played volleyball and soccer and was manager for volleyball, soccer and track.

At the Fort Worth, Texas, university, she has been on the dean's list and is a member of Delta Delta Delta. She has also worked with the Thrive Hive to raise funds for cancer research.

Previously, she has worked as a counselor at Camp Merrie-Woode and worked in child care and retail.

She was in the courts of Squires, Les Pierrettes and Apollo as a sub-deb. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lynton Guy Cook III

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends the University of Alabama

Adair Guion Cook

To get a good look at her future career in finance, Miss Adair Guion Cook is working this summer with a global consumer wealth management firm in Georgia, but she'll return to the University of Alabama in the fall.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lynton Guy Cook III. Her mother is the former Ann Guion Kleinpeter.

At Newman, she was a member of the homecoming court, the newspaper staff and the soccer and tennis teams.

A Kappa Kappa Gamma, this Bama student is also a member of the Capstone Asset Management Society.

She is also a Lift Volunteer working with veterans in college and has traveled to Guatemala to teach English to children.

In previous seasons, she was in the courts of Squires, Les Pierrettes and Apollo. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Morrison Currence Jr.

• Graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School

• Attends Texas Christian University

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie C. Cavett

• Attends St. Mary's Dominican High School

Hailey Merida Dondis

Miss Hailey Merida Dondis hopes to work in the interior design sector, to travel and perhaps even to live abroad one day.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Abraham Dondis. Her mother is the former Gretchen Merida Schmidt.

At Newman, she was captain of the state championship swim team and received the coaches' award her senior year. She was also the design editor and assistant editor of "The Pioneer" literary magazine and on the honor roll.

At TCU in Fort Worth, she is on the dean's list and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, for which she serves on the ritual committee. She has also worked with Mental Health America making blankets for women's shelters.

Currently an intern with a New York architecture firm, she has also worked in the design, architecture and antiques sectors.

She was in the courts of Les Pierrettes and Apollo as a sub-deb. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Abraham Dondis

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends Texas Christian University

Dream Jamyrie Ellison

A budding entrepreneur, Miss Dream Jamyrie Ellison would also like to help others, as she plans to study to become a child and adolescent psychologist.

She is the daughter of Mr. Derrick Jovan Ellison and Ms. Willie Inaá McKnight.

At the Uptown school, she is a student ambassador, on the presidential honor roll and in the National Honor Society. She is also on the flag team and a member of the Nubian Club.

Jalyn Gabrielle Douglas

Miss Jalyn Gabrielle Douglas hopes to grow "personally, professionally and spiritually" during her time as a debutante over the course of the year.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Stokes Douglas III. Her mother is the former Janell Angelina Trouillier.

A student at the Uptown Dominican school, Jalyn is a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and the National French Honor Society, and she is on the alpha honor roll. She has participated in the school's cross country and track teams.

She has worked as a volunteer for Giving Hope NOLA at its food pantry.

Jalyn's career goals include interior design, architecture or journalism.

She will follow in her mother's footsteps when she is presented as a debutante of the season at the Carnival 2024 ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

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• Daughter of Mr. Derrick Jovan Ellison and Ms. Willie Inaá McKnight

• Attends St. Katherine Drexel Preparatory School

Dream operates her own business selling accessories. She has also worked in retail and personal beauty.

During the Carnival 2024 season, she will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Stokes Douglas III

Attends St. Mary's Dominican High School

Living abroad alone during the COVID-19 pandemic on her initial visit to Europe, Miss Abigail Sloan Fort learned many things that will help her toward her goal of becoming a wellness coach and an advocate for people to become the “best

Abigail Sloan Fort

versions” of themselves they can be.

She is the daughter of Mrs. Arthur Tomlinson Fort IV and the late Dr. Fort. Her mother is the former Mary Vesta deYampert.

As a student in Connecticut, Abigail completed more than 200 hours of community service, was in advance placement art, worked in community outreach and was on the yearbook staff. She also took part in tennis, water polo and crew.

She is currently on a gap year and plans to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia for her spring semester. She also hopes to get her wilderness certification and TEFL certification to teach English abroad.

Abigail has worked in retail, child and animal care and as a lifeguard.

During previous seasons, she was in the court of Squires. ◆

• Daughter of Mrs. Arthur Tomlinson Fort IV and the late Dr. Fort

• Graduated from Suffield Academy in Suffield, Connecticut

• Attends John Cabot University in Rome, Italy

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Michael Gaines

• Graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart

• Attends Louisiana State University

Olivia Marie Gaines

With plans for a career as a speechlanguage pathologist, Miss Olivia Marie Gaines hopes to use her talents to help people with their ability to communicate.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Michael Gaines. Her mother is the former Mildred Maude Connick.

At the Uptown academy, she was a Eucharistic minister, captain of the cross country team and a member of the track team.

As a Bayou Bengal, she is a member of Kappa Delta.

Olivia has also worked for the Louisiana State Senate and is working in the office of the district attorney of Jefferson Parish. ◆

Debs By The Numbers

Young women introduced in this special annual section who will make their debut this season, which runs through Carnival 2024.

• Stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kent Anthony Smith and daughter the late Mr. Derrik E. Gaudin

• Attends Isidore Newman School

Miss Chandler Gabrielle Theresa Gaudin has strong leadership credentials and hopes to pursue a career as a criminologist with an eye toward attending law school.

She is the stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kent Anthony Smith and the daughter of the late Mr. Derrik E. Gaudin. Her mother is the former Kisha Marie Laurent.

At Newman, she has been active in the Red Cross Club, the Cooking Club and the Breakthrough Club, as well as the band.

She has participated in Chevron’s Future Leaders of America, the Teen Council for the City of New Orleans and the Mayor’s Junior Civic Leadership Academy. She has also worked with the Urban League of Louisiana and the advisory council for GoGirl magazine.

After she completes her degree in accounting and entrepreneurship, Miss Kathleen Pierce Gibbons hopes to pursue a master’s degree in accounting and sit for the CPA examination.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cartan Loker Gibbons Jr. Her mother is the former Lynne Stafford Charbonnet.

At Sacred Heart, she was a summa cum laude graduate, class treasurer, highest honor roll and a member of the student council executive board. She also was on the tennis team. She participated in the school’s exchange program in Nantes, France.

At the Oxford, Mississippi, university, Pierce served on the Make-A-Wish philanthropy committee and was a member of the Cardinal Cabinet for Chi Omega. She was also on the chancellor’s honor roll and studied in Innsbruck, Austria.

She has worked as a social media manager in the food service industry.

Kathleen Pierce Gibbons

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cartan Loker Gibbons Jr.

• Graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart

• Attends the University of Mississippi

DEBUT WITH A view

In the upcoming Carnival season, Chandler will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

In previous seasons, she reigned as queen of Squires and was in the courts of Les Pierrettes, Apollo and Harlequins. ◆

WITH A

Chandler Gabrielle Theresa Gaudin

Miss Chase Hope Hardon hopes to parlay her business, XO Chase, into a “global, household fashion brand and marketing company” and capitalize on that success to venture into film, music and modeling.

She is the daughter of Mr. Charles Harrison Hardon and Ms. Caneka WebbHardon, formerly of New Orleans.

At the suburban Atlanta school, she was homecoming queen and captain of the cheer team. She choreographed routines for the basketball and football cheer teams and was an ambassador for the school. She was an officer of the Black Student Union and the Mixed Mastery Chorus, and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the student government association and the Mixed Mastery Chorus.

In fall, she will attend Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Chase has also been involved with Elizabeth Baptist Church, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and was a speaker at the She’s Got Confidence event hosted by Diamond in The Rough.

During Carnival 2024, she will follow in the footsteps of her mother and several relatives and be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Original Illinois Club. ◆

Khailyn Maraé Gordon

With an interest in building, Miss Khailyn Maraé Gordon hopes to pursue a career in construction management engineering.

She is the daughter of Mr. Cedric Gordon Jr. and Ms. Karanell Marie Tassin.

At St. John STEM Magnet School in Reserve, Khailyn is a senior class officer and plays on the volleyball team. She is on the school’s honor roll.

She has previously worked in the food service industry.

During the Carnival 2024 season, she will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Original Illinois Club. ◆

Chase Hope Hardon

With a turn in a Broadway smash under her belt, Miss Nala Monét Hamilton is reaching for the stars and a career on the stage and screen but also a future as a screenwriter.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Patrick Hamilton Jr. Her mother is the former Monique Antoinette Pierce.

From 2017 to 2018, Nala played "young Nala" in "The Lion King" in New York.

At NOCCA, she is the vice president of the Black Culture Club.

Nala Monét Hamilton

She is also founder of BLD Music and Motion, a nonprofit organization formed "to meet the intellectual, social, behavioral, and emotional needs of youth by using the platform of music and artistic expression."

She has worked with Ochsner's STEM Pathfinders and interned with a civil district court judge, and served as parliamentarian and fundraising chair for the local chapter of Jack and Jill of America.

During the Carnival 2024 season, she will be presented as a debutante of the season at the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

Debs By The Numbers

Organizations represented by the debutantes. They are The Bachelors Club, Le Debut des Jeune Filles de la Nouvelle Orleans, the Debutante Club, the Mid-Winter Cotillion, the Original Illinois Club, the Pickwick Club and the Young Men Illinois Club.

Samari Deon Harris

Health care is the long-range plan for Miss Samari Deon Harris as she has worked in the area and plans to study further when she enters college.

• Daughter of Mr. Charles Harrison Hardon and Ms. Caneka Webb-Hardon

• Graduated from Riverwood International Charter School, Sandy Springs, Georgia

• Will attend Howard University

She is the daughter of Mr. Steve Darrel Harris and stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Taurean Armand Pinkney. Her mother is the former Shavonda Monique Jacques.

At Warren Easton, Samari is a member of the National Honor Society, National High School Scholars and the student council and on the alpha honor roll. She is also a member of the school’s softball team.

She has worked with a research study through LSU Health Sciences Center and has certification through the Tulane Public Health program.

During Carnival 2024, she will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Original Illinois Club. ◆

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• Daughter of Mr. Cedric Gordon Jr. and Ms. Karanell Marie Tassin

• Attends St. John STEM Magnet School

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Patrick Hamilton Jr.

• Attends New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

• Daughter of Mr. Steve Darrel Harris and stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Taurean Armand Pinkney

Attends Warren Easton Charter High School

Emma Kate Hattier

Legal matters will matter for Miss Emma Kate Hattier, as she plans to venture forth into a law career following her education.

She is the daughter of Mr. Donald David Hattier Jr. and Ms. Erin Clancy Devlin.

At Country Day, Emma was active with Relay for Life, on the cheer team and a member of the swimming and soccer squads.

She also worked with Project Prom, Dress for Success, Girls Who Code and Second Harvest Food Bank.

At the Hammond university, she has made the president’s list and is a member of Alpha Sigma Tau.

She previously worked as a swim instructor and in the hospitality industry. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. Donald David Hattier Jr. and Ms. Erin Clancy Devlin

• Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School

• Attends Southeastern Louisiana University

Molly Gahagan Heurtin

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Allen Heurtin Jr.

• Graduated from Christ Episcopal School

• Attends Louisiana State University School of Nursing

A desire to work with children is the driving force in the career choice of Miss Molly Gahagan Heurtin, who is studying to be a pediatric nurse and hopes to someday become a registered nurse anesthetist.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Allen Heurtin Jr. Her mother is the former Molly Voorhies Gahagan.

At the Covington high school, Molly was a member of the National Honor Society, secretary of the student council and was a competitive horseback rider.

At LSU in Baton Rouge, she was a

Maegan Elizabeth Haynes

Miss Maegan Elizabeth Haynes seeks a career in interior design and will study the field in a year, when she plans to attend Louisiana State University.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Christopher Haynes. Her mother is the former Lisa Elizabeth McGee.

At Crescent City Christian, she is on the executive board as historian for the student council, a student ambassador, in the vocal ensemble and a member of the volleyball and cheer teams.

Maegan participated in the feed the homeless program at St. Jude Center and raised donations for local animal shelters. She also worked to help her school collect clothing and other items for area shelters.

As a debutante of the season, she will be presented at the Carnival 2024 ball of the Original Illinois Club. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Christopher Haynes

• Attends Crescent City Christian School

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member of Delta Delta Delta.

At the LSU Health Sciences Center’s School of Nursing, she is a member of the Student Nurses Association.

She previously worked in the retail industry and currently works at Children’s Hospital as nurse technician.

In previous seasons, Molly was in the courts of Squires and Les Pierrettes. ◆

Debs By The Numbers

Number of states the debutantes call home, including Louisiana (from New Orleans, Covington, Gretna, Harvey, Kenner, LaPlace, Mandeville, Metairie, River Ridge), Alabama (Fairhope), Georgia (Atlanta), Mississippi (Diamondhead, Pass Christian) and Virginia (Charlottesville).

Allison Marie Loker Hughs

Healthful eating and a love of gymnastics could combine for a unique career for Miss Allison Marie Loker Hughs as she hopes to become "the first sports dietician for the acrobatic gymnastics division of USA Gymnastics." She also hopes to write a cookbook.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Denson Hughs III. Her mother was the former Anne Marie Petitjean.

At Sacred Heart, she was involved in the Hams for Fams program.

At LSU, she is the secretary of the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association and a member of Chi Omega. She is also a nutrition assistant at the LSU Student Health Center.

She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Friends of the Animal Shelter.

She has worked as a gymnastics coach and a health and wellness intern with a local food-service purveyor.

In previous Carnival seasons, she was in the balls of Athenians, Mystery and Dorians and was in the sub-deb courts of Squires and Harlequins. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Denson Hughs III

• Graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart

• Attends Louisiana State University

Debutante Coterie

U'Nique Ashanti Allen

Caroline Whittington Casey

Abigail Sloan Fort

Samari Deon Harris

Gabrielle Marie Johnson Kathleen Loretta Keen Ellie Camryn Kelleher Marian Barkley Laing Kennedy Paige Lewis Arianna Angele Marrero Jade Carol Mason

Emma Kate Hattier

Maegan Elizabeth Haynes Molly Gahagan Heurtin Allison Marie Loker Hughs Layla Callie Jackson Emily Baldwin Johnson

Olivia Marie Gaines

Kathleen Pierce Gibbons

Khailyn Maraé Gordon Nala Monét Hamilton Chase Hope Hardon

Chandler Gabrielle Theresa Gaudin

Layah Marie Cavett Adair Guion Cook Frances Villere Currence Hailey Merida Dondis Jalyn Gabrielle Douglas Dream Jamyrie Ellison

Evelyn Blaine Argote

Chloe Clare Beals Evan Alisabeth Bellow Naima Gabriel Bocage Kayla Monique Bodden Sophie Wilson Brewer

23

Number of high schools attended or attending.

Debs By The Numbers

5,448

Number of miles traveled to attend college by a debutante in the coterie. That's the distance between New Orleans and Rome, Italy.

25 Colleges and universities have members of the coterie amongst their student body.

Skylah Jonquiel Wilson Helen Elizabeth Wisdom

Catherine Marie Zimmermann

Madison Victoria Vidal Sage Alexis Villavicencio Grace Marie Waguespack

Rebecca Patout Walk Kelly Ann Weinstock

Charlotte Conway Williams

Mathilde Frances deVerges Tubbs

Margot Marie Roussel

Catherine Adair Rufty Marguerite Conery Schmidt Celeste Lynn Schonberg

Bailey Victoria Shofstahl Courtland Coyle St. Paul Marin Elizabeth Trepagnier

Jiyah Brielle Payton Elizabeth Downing Petagna

Martha Elizabeth Pinney Caroline Ott Pitalo

Jayla Marie Raymond Margaret Godchaux Roos

Shannon Elizabeth Quinn Plough

Lea Gabrielle McGeathy Claire Louise Moffett

Elizabeth Brent Montgomery Jane Elizabeth Murphy Melita Bragg Nelson

Lucy Elaine Normann Phoenix Denise Pankey

Layla Callie Jackson

Miss Layla Callie Jackson would like to work in the field of fashion, helping “young ladies to admire and empower their beauty,” and will pursue studies in communications and fashion toward that goal.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Jackson. Her mother is the former Shaunte Vinnett.

At the Laplace high school, she is a class president, an ambassador, vice president of the World Language Club, member of the National Society of High School Students, co-captain of the cheerleaders and a yearbook club representative. She has received the Outstanding Young Lady Award and honors for track and field and cheerleading.

Emily Baldwin Johnson

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Noel Johnson Jr.

• Graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School

• Attends Sewanee: The University of the South

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Jackson

• Attends St. Charles Catholic High School

Layla also volunteers at cheerleading camps, event planning and at a local animal clinic. She has also worked in the food service sector.

During Carnival 2024, she will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Original Illinois Club. ◆

Gabrielle Marie Johnson

Miss Gabrielle Marie Johnson has worked many years with the organization Jack and Jill of America, including spearheading a fundraiser for Jack and Jill which raised money for recreation, community centers and Covenant House. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garron Matthew Johnson. Her mother is the former Tonya Marie Short.

At McGehee, Gabrielle is a member of the Diversity Club and recipient of the Community Service Award and the Marie Louise Taylor Elliott Memorial Scholarship. She also on the basketball team and the state-champion track team.

She currently serves as teen president of Jack and Jill and was the chair of the “Perspectives in Black History Fashion Show” fundraiser for the organization.

She hopes to pursue a career in business, specifically in the area of commercial real estate or urban planning.

She will be presented as a debutante of the season by the Young Men Illinois Club during Carnival 2024. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garron Matthew Johnson

• Attends the Louise S. McGehee School

Debs By The Numbers

As a camp counselor for many years, Miss Emily Baldwin Johnson has experience working with young people and will capitalize on that insight as she embarks on a career to work in a school with children.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Noel Johnson Jr. Her mother is the former Maria McGarey Barkerding.

At McGehee, she was the recipient of the Jane Pharr Gage Community Service Award and the Elise McGehee Alumnae Scholarship. She was an ambassador,

captain of the Relay for Life team and event co-chair, and she also played volleyball.

At the Tennessee university, Emily is a university tour guide, member of the Psychology Club and is the rush chair for Phi Kappa Epsilon. She is an orientation and pre-orientation leader.

Emily has worked several years at Camp Merrie-Woode in Sapphire, N.C.

During previous seasons, she reigned as queen of Les Pierrettes and was in the courts of Squires and Apollo. ◆

Debs By The Numbers

Number of students that attend or attended the Louise S. McGehee School and St. Mary's Dominican High School.

Kathleen Loretta Keen

• Daughter of Mr. Steven Edward Keen and Ms. Leslie Susan Louviere

• Graduated from Ursuline Academy

• Attends Louisiana State University

Public relations, with a focus on professional athletics, are the driving force of future plans for Miss Kathleen Loretta Keen.

She is the daughter of Mr. Steven Edward Keen and Ms. Leslie Susan Louviere.

At Ursuline, Loretta was a student ambassador, member of the student council, and president of the junior class. She achieved more than 100 service hours each year she attended.

She was also captain of the school’s volleyball team.

During her senior year at LSU, she hopes to intern in the sports sector.

She has previously worked in the hospitality industry, retail, athletics and child care, and as a counselor at the Jewish Community Center’s camp. In previous seasons, she was in the balls of Caliphs of Cairo and Mystery. She was presented at the Bienville Club’s President’s Ball and was in the court of Harlequins. ◆

Students from the Isidore Newman School, the largest number of students.

Ellie Camryn Kelleher

The fast-paced world of digital media and marketing holds great appeal for Miss Ellie Camryn Kelleher, who hopes to continue working in the field where she has experience already.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Clark Kelleher. Her mother is the former Elesha Gayle Clynes.

At Country Day, Ellie was a member of the National Honor and Cum Laude societies.

On the dean’s list at Tulane, she also is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and Delta Delta Delta.

She was the co-founder and counselor of Funky Fun Summer Camp and is currently social media manager for Tulane SoPA’s Media + Design program. She will be an intern for U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise this summer.

In previous sub-deb seasons, she was a maid in the courts of Squires and Les Pierrettes. ◆

Marian Barkley Laing

Miss Marian Barkley Laing, who is studying communications design, hopes to someday start her own design business after working for a publication or interior design company.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Caulkins Laing of Charlottesville, Virginia. Her mother is the former Barkley DuPre Abbott of New Orleans.

At the Lynchburg, Virginia, school, Marian was a senior counselor and a member of the school’s field hockey, swimming and soccer teams.

•

•

Miss Kennedy Paige Lewis would like to help people improve their confidence through good nutrition and dermatology.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Paul Lewis. Her mother is the former Natasha Raquel Smith.

At Dominican, Kennedy is a member of Students for Human Dignity and Diversity Club, president of the drama club and president of Technical Production. Her goals include graduate school and political aspirations.

Previously, she has worked as a camp counselor and retail.

During Carnival 2024, she will be presented as a debutante of the season at the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

At the North Carolina university, she has volunteered with local animal services and served as the wellness chair for Sigma Sigma Sigma. She has also studied abroad in Italy.

She has worked in hospitality and retail sales, and has been an intern for a local publication. ◆

•

• Attends Elon University

Arianna Angele Marrero

Successfully blending athletics and academics are the name of the game for Miss Arianna Angele Marrero. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Marrero. Her mother is the former Angele Arceneaux.

At Cabrini, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society, and treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. She is captain of the volleyball team and a member of the track and field team.

NELL NOLAN

Continued from on page 3

They learn etiquette, how to make interesting conversation, how to dress and, especially, how to curtsy. Many a deb is undone when she wobbles!

This newspaper is pleased to present our debutante section in a fresh and new format, but one that continues to focus on accomplishments and future plans of the young women who make up the 2023-2024 coterie.

We look forward to the events at

•

Contact: nnolan@theadvocate.com

which they will appear and be presented.

Now the season has started and during the next eight months, the 66 young ladies we have featured in the debutante section will be engaged in a whirlwind of activity shared by their families, friends and sponsoring organizations.

All of this will culminate within Carnival when the gods of mirth will have their say and play. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Marrero

• Attends Cabrini High School

19

In previous Carnival seasons, Arianna was a princess in the court of the Young Men Illinois Club.

During Carnival 2024, she will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the club. ◆

Debs By The Numbers

Number of organizations the young ladies have been presented at or participated in, including the sub-deb krewes of Squires, Les Pierrettes, Apollo and Harlequins. Other Carnival organizations include Athenians, Caliphs of Cairo, Children's' Carnival Club, Dorians, Grand Ball of Osiris, Hermes, High Priests of Mithras, Mystery's Ball of the Roses, Original Illinois Club, Prophets of Persia and the Young Men Illinois Club. Also, the Gulf Coast Debutante Society, President's Ball of the Bienville Club, Spring Fiesta and the Society for the War of 1812 Grand Military Victory Ball.

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Clark Kelleher

Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School

Attends Tulane University

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Caulkins Laing

Graduated from Virginia Episcopal School

Kennedy Paige Lewis

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Paul Lewis

Attends St. Mary's Dominican High School

Claire Louise Moffett

Jade Carol Mason

As president of the Human Dignity and Diversity in Action Club at her high school, Miss Jade Carol Mason hopes “to enhance diversity awareness and inclusion at my high school and in the community,” and eventually attend medical school.

She is the daughter of Civil District Court Judge and Mrs. Omar K. Mason. Her mother is the former Carla Renee Bringier.

At Dominican, Jade has been a member of the color guard and serves as the team manager. She has also won the school’s Juneteenth Art Contest.

Though her artistic talents, she has been awarded a bronze medal from the NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans Competition in drawing. She is also the state treasurer for the Knights of Peter Claver Junior Division. In addition to her artistic endeavors, she has worked at the Louisiana State Museum.

In previous Carnival seasons, she was in the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club.

During Carnival 2024, she will be presented as a debutante of the season at the ball. ◆

• Daughter of Drs. Norman Lee McGeathy and Brigette Nicolle Jones-McGeathy

• Attends Cabrini High School

Lea Gabrielle McGeathy

Following in her parents’ footsteps is the chosen career path for Miss Lea Gabrielle McGeathy, who hopes to one day become a dermatologist.

She is the daughter of Drs. Norman Lee McGeathy and Brigette Nicolle Jones-McGeathy.

At the high school located on the banks of Bayou St. John, Lea is a member of the National Honor Society, a cheerleader, is involved in Campus Ministries and is an alumna of Rock the Street, Wall Street.

During the upcoming Carnival season, Lea will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

The field of neuroscience will be the path to the future for Miss Claire Louise Moffett, who is studying the subject at college and working in various healthcare facilities in that sector.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry McClellan Moffett IV. Her mother is the former Deirdre Claire McGlinchey.

At Newman, she was awarded the Isidore Newman Citizenship Award and was cocaptain of the swim team. She was also a volunteer at Camp Able for children with special needs.

At the Lexington, Kentucky, university, she has been named a Lewis Honors College ambassador and is a member of the Corporate Committee for Dance Blue which raises funds for pediatric cancer. She is on the dean’s list and is a member

of Women in Neuro Club. She is also a member of the 4 Paws Club, which trains service dogs. She is the rotation chair for Alpha Delta Pi.

In pursuit of her career options, she has worked at two local hospitals in the neuroscience and pediatric oncology units. She has also shadowed physicians at her university’s department of neurology.

In previous Carnival seasons, she was in the balls of Les Pierrettes and Osiris. She was also in the courts of Squires and Apollo. ◆

Elizabeth Brent Montgomery

After gaining experience with a South Carolina event venue, Miss Elizabeth Brent Montgomery sees herself in the event planning business.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bullard Montgomery IV. Her mother is the former Courtney Scott Butcher.

At Newman, Ellie was a team captain for four years for the Relay for Life event that raises funds for cancer patients. She also worked with the Balloon Project to help homeless children. She also traveled to Guatemala City to teach English to underprivileged children.

At the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, school, she is on the dean’s list. Ellie is also active in Kappa Kappa Gamma as the new member coordinator and also worked with Kappa B+ to help fight childhood cancer. She was in the Collegiate Leadership and Achievement Society.

In previous seasons, she was the captain of Les Pierrettes and served in the courts of Squires and Apollo. ◆

• Attends University of Alabama

• Daughter of Judge and Mrs. Omar K. Mason

• Attends St. Mary’s Dominican High School

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry McClellan Moffett IV

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends the University of Kentucky

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bullard Montgomery IV

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

Jane Elizabeth Murphy

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Spencer Murphy

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends Washington and Lee University

Melita Bragg Nelson

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Nelson

• Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School

• Attends the University of New Orleans

The intriguing worlds of software development and cybersecurity have captured the interest of Miss Melita Bragg Nelson, who is pursuing a career in these realms.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Nelson. Her mother is the former Virginia Gaughan Corrigan.

The bright lights of New York City are drawing Miss Jane Elizabeth Murphy, with a goal of working in the marketing sector, something she has experienced as an intern this summer.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Spencer Murphy. Her mother is the former Courtney Brooke Hall. At Newman, Jane was the editor of The Pioneer Literary Arts magazine and a writer for The Navigator school

newspaper. She was also a member of the Cum Laude Society.

At the Lexington, Virginia, university, she has been elected to the Williams School of Commerce Real Estate Society. She has also served as rush chair for Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She has worked previously in the marketing sector.

In previous seasons, she served in the courts of Squires and Apollo. ◆

Lucy Elaine Normann

Miss Lucy Elaine Normann is on the move. A former resident of New Orleans, she now calls Fairhope, Alabama, home, goes to school in Auburn, is studying this summer in Spain and hopes to pursue her chosen career in Nashville.

She is the daughter of Mr. Frank Barret Normann and Ms. Lisette Elaine Milham Normann, formerly of New Orleans.

At the coastal Alabama school, Lucy graduated summa cum laude, was vice president of the student government association and was a member of the National Honor Society, Young Life and the women’s golf team.

At Country Day, Melita was a volunteer with Relay for Life, captain of the cheerleaders and on the yearbook committee. While at UNO, she has volunteered at Take Paws animal rescue and will begin fostering with the program this summer. She has also worked with the Krewe of Barkus Carnival parade.

Her love of animals has spurred her to work with Animal Rescue New Orleans. She has also been involved with St. Jude’s through the walk and fundraising.

Melita has previously worked as a social media manager and in cybersecurity. She has also been a student guide for the Confectionary Foundation’s NextGen Program during the Sweet Snack Expo. Melita has also volunteered with organizations around the globe, including Thailand, South Africa and Costa Rica. ◆

Phoenix Denise Pankey

Summer is an active time for Miss Phoenix Denise Pankey, a certified lifeguard who has worked for the City of New Orleans summer youth program.

She is the stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. Godfrey Peters Jr. and Ms. Erika McConduit.

At Ursuline, she is a member of the Key Club and peer ministry. She is on the school’s track team and is a cheer team member for St. Augustine High School. She has also participated in the CloseUp program in Washington, D.C., and completed the Louisiana Youth Seminar at LSU.

In addition to her lifeguard work, she has worked with the Urban League of Louisiana, the Links, Inc., Covenant House, St. Michael Special School, Gentilly Fest and the New Orleans Book Festival.

Her future plans include medical school with a goal of becoming a pediatric psychiatrist.

• Stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. Godfrey Peters Jr. and Ms. Erika McConduit

• Attends Ursuline Academy

• Daughter of Mr. Frank Barret Normann and Ms. Lisette Elaine Milham Normann

• Graduated from Fairhope High School

• Attends Auburn University

As an Auburn Tiger, she is majoring in public relations and is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and a Young Life leader at Lee-Scott Academy there.

She has previously worked in the retail sector and as a staff member at Frontier Ranch Young Life Camp in Buena Vista, Colorado. ◆

During the upcoming Carnival season, she will be presented as a debutante at the ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

FILE PHOTO

Jiyah Brielle Payton

After she was presented as a princess at the Young Men Illinois Club ball a decade ago, Carnival 2024 will see Miss Jiyah Brielle Payton presented as a debutante of the season when the organization gathers in January.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie B. Payton II. Her mother is the former Lesley A. Caliste.

At Dominican, Jiyah is a member of the Human Dignity and Diversity organization and involved with the intramural and crafts clubs.

She has volunteered at school functions and at Covenant House and Ozanam Inn. Her goals include becoming a physical therapist. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie B. Payton II

• Attends St. Mary’s Dominican High School

Martha Elizabeth Pinney

Miss Martha Elizabeth Pinney hopes to gain work experience in different locales with nonprofit organizations, learning how to improve communities, then bringing that knowledge home to New Orleans to improve the Crescent City.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reese Bruner Pinney. Her mother is the former Elizabeth Chatham Mackie.

At McGehee, she graduated with a distinction in French and also studied theater design at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

At the Virginia university, she is on the dean’s list and is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. She is studying politics, philosophy, economics and law and hopes to work in international relations or foreign affairs.

Martha has worked locally with the nonprofit Nous Foundation and is a summer fellow with the organization, which promotes French and Creole culture. ◆

Elizabeth Downing Petagna

• Daughter of Mr. Stephen Price Petagna and Ms. Elinor Spicer Bright

• Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School

• Attends the College of Charleston

For work toward her degree, Miss Elizabeth Downing Petagna will spend her summer researching influences on children’s memory as it pertains to the legal system.

She is the daughter of Mr. Stephen Price Petagna and Ms. Elinor Spicer Bright.

At Country Day, Lizzie was in the National Society of High School Students, on the yearbook committee and played on the school’s soccer team.

At the South Carolina school, she is on the dean’s and president’s lists and is currently conducting her research through

a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship grant. She is also the director of first-year membership for Delta Delta Delta and a member of Psi Chi honor society.

She will intern in the school’s Office of Student Wellness and serve as a peer counselor in the fall.

She has worked in the retail sector and also fostered dogs.

In previous seasons, she was in the courts of Les Pierrettes and Apollo. ◆

Caroline Ott Pitalo

Miss Caroline Ott Pitalo looks forward to a career of building things as she pursues her education in civil engineering.

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reese Bruner Pinney

• Graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School

• Attends University of Richmond

Debs By The Numbers

Number of states the students attend college, including Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Anthony Pitalo. Her mother is the former Carolyn Ott Loria.

At Newman, Caroline was captain of the volleyball team and on the soccer team, and she was soccer team manager.

At the Columbia, South Carolina, college, Caroline is on the dean’s and president’s honor rolls and is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She is an intern with a local engineering firm for the summer.

Previously she has worked as a camp counselor at Camp Point Clear in Guntersville, Alabama.

In previous seasons, she was in the Grand Ball of Osiris, was a lieutenant in Les Pierrettes and in the court of Squires. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Anthony Pitalo

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends University of Richmond

With a background in athletics and philanthropy, Miss Shannon Elizabeth Quinn Plough hopes to stay on the go as a physician’s assistant with a focus on pediatrics.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Francis Plough. Her mother is the former Nancy Anne Cockrum.

At Sacred Heart, she was the recipient of the Paul Charbonnet Senior Award, the Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award and a member of the National Honor Society. She was captain of the swim team and received All-District and All-Metro honors. She was also on the state champion golf team and was Rookie of the Year.

At LSU, she is vice president of

Shannon Elizabeth Quinn Plough

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Francis Plough

• Graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart

• Attends Louisiana State University

communications for the College of Health Sciences and Education ambassadors, a member of Pi Beta Phi and serves as a recruitment counselor during rush week. She is also a member of the swimming club and a Companion Animal Alliance volunteer.

She has worked in several capacities at Camp Marymount in Fairview, Tennessee, including head of waterfront activities, lifeguard and assistant health care manager.

As a step toward her career goals, Shannon has shadowed transplant surgeons and pediatricians at Children’s Hospital.

In previous seasons, she was in the courts of Squires, Les Pierrettes and Harlequins. ◆

Margaret Godchaux Roos

Miss Margaret Godchaux Roos hopes to build a successful future as an industrial engineer and is currently interning with a local firm.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher James Roos. Her mother is the former Rebecca Elizabeth Murphy.

At Newman, Maggie was managing editor of the school's newspaper, a STEM ambassador, captain of the cheerleading squad and captain of the gymnastics team.

At LSU, she is a member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and is active with the rush team for Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She has worked to raise funds for pediatric cancer, Hogs for the Cause and, through the "Kappa Krawfish" event, has raised funds for Mental Health America. She has also worked with CCA Louisiana, the marine conservation organization.

In previous seasons, Maggie was in the courts of Squires, Les Pierrettes and Hermes.

Jayla Marie Raymond

• Daughter of Mrs. Nicole Simmons-Raymond and the late Mr. Jonathan Raymond

• Attends Frederick A. Douglass High School

Meeting first lady Michelle Obama after “mingling with President Obama and the family” was a memorable experience for Miss Jayla Marie Raymond. But she has also performed at Jazz Fest with Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis.

She is the daughter of Mrs. Nicole Simmons-Raymond and the late Mr. Jonathan Raymond.

In addition to attending Frederick A. Douglass High School, Jay also attends the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.

At Douglass, she is an honor student and

Margot Marie Roussel

After studying for a year abroad, Miss Margot Marie Roussel hopes to reconnect with the Virginia campus of her university and continue her studies toward a consulting career.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hayward Roussel Jr. Her mother is the former Joy Marie Booth.

At Newman, Margot was on the executive committee, president of Actions and involved in theater and soccer.

She is an Oliver Hill Scholar at Richmond and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the Alpha Kappa Psi community service club.

She has worked in the management consulting sector and the bond industry. ◆

on the principal’s honor roll and has been awarded the 7th Ward Neighborhood Association Legacy Scholarship. Active in church, she is a lector and liturgical dancer, as well as a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Junior Court 78.

She has also performed with Uptown Musical Theatre in New York City.

Jay hopes to be an advocate for people with disabilities and become a teacher of Braille.

She will be presented as a debutante of the season at the annual Carnival ball of the Young Men Illinois Club in 2024.

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• Attends University of Richmond

By The Numbers

•

• Attends Louisiana State University

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher James Roos

Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hayward Roussel Jr.

Graduated from Isidore Newman School

Number of crowns worn by members of the coterie, including Children's Carnival Club, Squires, Les Pierrettes, Apollo, Harlequins and Spring Fiesta, with more to come in the 2024 Carnival season.

Debs

Catherine Adair Rufty

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jackson Rufty III

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends University of Georgia

The world of finance and all its various avenues are of interest as a career goal for Miss Catherine Adair Rufty, who is working this summer in New York City with a brokerage and advisory firm to learn about the market through a macroeconomic lens.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jackson Rufty III. Her mother is the former Melissa Marsh Miles.

At Newman, Adair was a cum laude graduate and served as treasurer of the senior class. She was editor-in-chief of the yearbook and served on the community service committee for her class for four years. She also played soccer.

At the Athens, Georgia, university, she is in the Morehead Honors College and a member of the Women in Finance club and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She has been interested in the local property management, development and brokerage sector and is working in the commercial real estate realm.

As a sub-deb, Adair was in the courts of Squires and Les Pierrettes. ◆

Marguerite Conery Schmidt

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Burton Schmidt

• Graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School

• Attends University of Virginia

Celeste Lynn Schonberg

With an eye on attending veterinary school, Miss Celeste Lynn Schonberg would like to head to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to help rehabilitate and release the oceanic creatures that call the Australian waters home.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Henry Schonberg. Her mother is the former Lynn Elizabeth Woods.

At Dominican, Celeste was president of Campus Ministry, vice president of the biotechnology club and a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Student Preachers.

At the Starkville, Mississippi, campus, she is a Biological Sciences Ambassador, vice president of finance and housing for Pi Beta Phi and has served as the director of lifelong membership. She is also a member of the Pre-Veterinary Club.

She has worked as a camp counselor and with a local animal hospital.

In previous seasons, Celeste was presented at the Bienville Club’s President’s Ball and was in the balls of Mystery and Athenians. She was also in the courts of Squires and Harlequins. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Henry Schonberg

• Graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican High School

• Attends Mississippi State University

Capitalizing on her experience in philanthropy and her goal of working in administration, Miss Marguerite Conery Schmidt is a co-founder and director of a student-run nonprofit group that works to unite collegiate Greek organizations to benefit the community.

Greek4Good promotes philanthropy and volunteerism in Charlottesville, Virginia, where the University of Virginia is located.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Burton Schmidt. Her mother is the former Mary Leonora Hassinger.

At McGehee, Conery was active with Heart of Passion, a nonprofit that raises funds and plans a summer retreat for teens with cancer. She was also captain

of the soccer, cross country and track and field teams.

In addition to her work with Greek4Good, Conery is also vice president of Kappa Kappa Gamma and has served as philanthropy chair. She is a student athletic trainer with the UVA sports medicine department.

She is also on the executive committee of Ducks Unlimited.

She has worked as a soccer coach locally and in Charlottesville, as well as in the retail sector. She has also been a counselor at Camp Merrie-Woode in North Carolina.

Conery reigned as queen of Apollo and was in the courts of Squires, Les Pierrettes and Harlequins. ◆

Bailey Victoria Shofstahl

The practice of law, particularly in the area of intellectual property, is a key focus for Miss Bailey Victoria Shofstahl.

She is the daughter of Mr. Tyson Brahm Shofstahl and the stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Shane Thornsberry. Her mother is the former Kim Behrens.

At Mount Carmel, Bailey was a member of the National Honor Society, Latin National Honor Society, the sailing team and the yearbook. She was also the regional winner and state runner up for the Junior Achievement Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge.

In Tuscaloosa, she is on the president’s list, director of finance and membership of The Capstone Advertising Federation, and is a member of the Society of College Scholars, Phi Eta Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha. She serves on the academic council.

Bailey has interned with special events and marketing companies and worked at local law firms.

As a sub-deb, she was in the court of Harlequins. ◆

• Graduated from Mount Carmel Academy

• Attends University of Alabama

• Daughter of Mr. Tyson Brahm Shofstahl and the stepdaughter and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Shane Thornsberry

Though she lives in Pass Christian, Mississippi, and attends school at Oxford, Miss Courtland Coyle St. Paul has connections to New Orleans and calls it her favorite city, a place she lived and developed friends after Hurricane Katrina.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rene Cooper St. Paul, formerly of New Orleans. Her mother is the former Sara Elizabeth Hamilton.

At the Bay St. Louis high school, Courtland was on the alpha honor roll, served as an ambassador, in the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Spanish Honor Society, and on the cheer squad.

At Ole Miss, she is on the dean’s list

Courtland Coyle St. Paul

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Rene Cooper St. Paul

• Graduated from Our Lady Academy

• Attends the University of Mississippi

Marin Elizabeth Trepagnier

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gerard Trepagnier Sr.

• Graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School

and in the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society, Women in Business, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor society, Kappa Kappa Gamma and the Panhellenic Standards board.

She has worked with the Gulfport, Mississippi, Camp Able for mentally and physically challenged teens and young adults and has helped raise funds for the JEF Foundation at Ole Miss to bring awareness to mental health and wellbeing. She has also worked for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and beautification in Bay St. Louis.

She has worked in the retail, child care and social media sectors.

She was presented by the Gulf Coast Debutante Society.

Mathilde Frances deVerges Tubbs

For Miss Mathilde Frances deVerges Tubbs, volunteering is part of life. She works with Son of a Saint, the Chartwell School and Cascade Stables, helping children care for horses and teaching them to ride.

She is the daughter and stepdaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Flowers Tubbs and daughter of Ms. Janet Leah Smith Tubbs.

At Country Day, she was a nationally ranked equestrian participant. She also was captain of the soccer team and earned AllState and All-District distinctions. She was a member of the softball team and an AllDistrict first baseman.

At the Uptown university, she is studying toward a marketing degree.

In addition to her love of horses, Mathilde also fishes, sails and travels, plus works as a riding instructor, camp counselor and horse trainer.

She is interning this summer with a local construction firm.

As a sub-deb, she was in the courts of Squires and Les Pierrettes. ◆

• Daughter and stepdaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Flowers Tubbs and daughter of Ms. Janet Leah Smith Tubbs

• Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School

• Attends Loyola University

• Attends Loyola University

With hopes of someday producing and managing a local theater, Miss Marin Elizabeth Trepagnier is studying theater arts and business administration at Loyola University.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gerard Trepagnier Sr. Her mother is the former Marianna Elizabeth deLauneuville.

While in high school, Marin worked with the Brother Martin Dionysians drama club as technical director and stage manager. She was also active in the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, and served as president.

At McGehee, she was a class representative for five years, on the golf team and was the recipient of the

Archdiocese of New Orleans St. Timothy Award.

At Loyola, she is the head stage manager for the theater and dance department, a senior admissions ambassador and intern, a Student Life and Ministry coordinator, in the International Business Program and president of Theta Phi Alpha.

She has worked with several philanthropic endeavors including Habitat for Humanity, Grace at the Greenlight, Catholic Charities and Camp Friendship.

She is an intern is the admissions department at Loyola and has also served as stage manager at several local theaters.

As a sub-deb, she was presented at the Bienville Club’s President’s Ball, was a lieutenant in Les Pierrettes and was in the balls of Caliphs of Cairo and Osiris. ◆

Madison Victoria Vidal

Miss Madison Victoria Vidal is setting her sights on a career in law and is currently working to help low-income families, individuals and the elderly in need gain access to lawyers for a variety of issues with the Pro Bono Project.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cory Joseph Vidal. Her mother is Dr. Robin Rashaun Riley Vidal.

At Ben Franklin, Madison is in the Black Culture Club, the GSA and the Hispanic Culture Club. She has received a first-place honor for spirituals from the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

She is also taking courses at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts.

This summer, she will study opera in Italy at the Trentino Music Festival.

She hopes to someday combine her love of music and law into a career as an entertainment attorney.

In a previous Carnival season, she was a princess in the Young Men Illinois Club ball. This year, she will be presented as a debutante of the season at the ball. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cory Joseph Vidal

• Attends Benjamin Franklin High School

Sage Alexis Villavicencio

Looking forward to an exciting senior year, Miss Sage Alexis Villavicencio hopes to “advocate for my classmates as class senator” when courses resume in the fall.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Charles Ashley, the former Arielle Kristen McConduit.

At Cabrini, she is on the principal’s honor roll, the Ambassador’s Club, the National Honor Society and the Science Honors Society.

She has previously worked in the child care and health and beauty segments, and served as social media manager for a public relations firm.

Grace Marie Waguespack

With the world-class art of Florence, Italy, as a backdrop, Miss Grace Marie Waguespack has recently completed a semester at the Santa Reparata International School of Art and will return to LSU with great experience.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Felicien Waguespack. Her mother is the former Nicole Marie Ecuyer.

At Sacred Heart, she was on the student council, yearbook staff in the environmental club and participated in the exchange program in France.

At the Baton Rouge campus, Grace is on the dean’s and president’s honor rolls and a member of the Interior Design Student Organization and of Kappa Delta.

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Sage hopes to have a career in the real estate sector.

During Carnival 2024, she will be presented as a debutante at the Young Men Illinois Club ball. ◆

Rebecca Patout Walk

As a native of the Crescent City, Miss Rebecca Patout Walk knows what it means to miss New Orleans, but an active life at Mississippi State University keeps her going, with graduation just a semester away and hopes of more honors for her collegiate volleyball squad.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Albert Walk of Diamondhead, Mississippi, formerly of New Orleans. Her mother is the former Mary Kay Weeks of New Iberia.

At the Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, high school, Becca was a member of the fivetime state champion volleyball team, was an American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-American, received the President’s Cup and was president of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society.

At Starkville, where she is on the university volleyball team, she is active in the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team, serves as the communications and social media lead for the Student Athlete Advisory Council, is part of the leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.

Becca has also been a coach at the university’s volleyball camp for high school

• Graduated from Our Lady Academy

• Attends Mississippi State University

players and interned with an advertising and branding company. She has worked with the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club and mentoring programs.

She reigned as queen of the Harlequins ball in an earlier Carnival season and was in the court of Squires. ◆

She has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Baton Rouge to help build and design homes.

As a sub-deb, she was in the court of Les Pierrettes. ◆

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Felicien Waguespack

• Graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart

• Attends Louisiana State University

Kelly Ann Weinstock

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew David Weinstock

• Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day

• Attends Texas Christian University

London is calling for Miss Kelly Ann Weinstock, and the communications major has answered that call for the summer, studying toward her degree at Texas Christian University and law school.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew David Weinstock. Her mother is the former Marion Dowling Welborn.

At Country Day, Kelly was the head student athletic trainer, a member of the National Honor Society, a cheer captain, captain and pitcher for the school’s softball team and received the Tri-Varsity Athlete Award.

At the Fort Worth, Texas, college, she is on the dean’s list, an International Study Award Merit Scholar and a member of Chi Omega.

She has worked with Heart of Passion and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has also worked with the Salvation Army on the Christmas Angel Tree Program.

Kelly has previously worked in the hospitality and social media sectors. As a sub-deb , Kelly was a lieutenant in Les Pierrettes and in the court of Harlequins. ◆

Debs By The Numbers

Debs attend college or university in New Orleans, including Delgado Community College, Louisiana State University School of Nursing, Loyola University, Tulane University and University of New Orleans.

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Charles Ashley

Attends Cabrini High School

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Albert Walk

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Charlotte Conway Williams

• Graduated from Isidore Newman School

• Attends University of Georgia

Skylah Jonquiel Wilson

With her eye on a possible career in developmental psychology or criminal justice, Miss Skylah Jonquiel Wilson will aim for high grades in her senior year and admission to a desired college.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Wilson Jr.

Miss Charlotte Conway Williams hopes to learn more about biotechnology and medicine in graduate school and is working this summer in a lab to get more experience.

She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Claude Somers Williams IV. Her mother is Dr. Laura Scott Conway Williams.

At Newman, Charlotte was vice president of the senior class, editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, a member of the Cum Laude society and played soccer.

Helen Elizabeth Wisdom

Miss Helen Elizabeth Wisdom is attending the Lex Fellowship in London, hoping to gain experience in the field of law by shadowing lawyers in different practices, with her goal of becoming an attorney.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bell Wisdom. Her mother is the former Maria Kourebanas.

At Country Day, Helen was a member of the History Club and a cheerleader. She is attending college at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

She has previously worked as a camp counselor and teaching aide for the fourth grade at Lewiston Middle School.

In previous seasons, she was in the courts of Les Pierrettes and Apollo. ◆

At UGA, she is a Foundation Fellow, co-president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Club and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in a biological engineering lab at the Athens university, as a grading assistant for a thermodynamics course and in the healthcare and hospitality industries. In previous seasons, she was in the courts of Les Pierrettes and Apollo. ◆

At Cabrini, she has been a cheerleader for three years, is on the principal’s honor roll and is active in Campus Ministry.

In the coming Carnival festivities, Skylah will be presented as a debutante of the season at the 2024 ball of the Young Men Illinois Club. ◆

Catherine Marie Zimmermann

• Daughter of Mrs. Paul Michael Zimmermann and the late Mr. Zimmermann

• Graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican High School

• Attending Louisiana State University

Miss Catherine Marie Zimmermann plans a future that will help people keep in good shape as she pursues a career in physical therapy and maintains her interest in dance.

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• Attends Cabrini High School

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She is the daughter of Mrs. Paul Michael Zimmermann and the late Mr. Zimmermann. Her mother is the former Louise Elizabeth Browning.

At Dominican, Katie graduated summa cum laude, was the recipient of the Gordon College Faithful Leadership Book Award, was president of the Biotechnology Club and treasurer of the French Honor Society, a retreat team leader and a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was also on the Jesuit Jayettes Dance Team.

At LSU, the biology major and dance minor is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Sigma Pi, the Society

of Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Center for Collaborative Learning. She is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, serving in many capacities, including fitness chairman.

She has taught dance at several camps and clinics, and has worked with physical therapy clinics and teaching special needs children to dance. She was also the Kenner Discovery Junior High School Owlettes choreographer.

In previous seasons, Katie reigned as queen of the Children’s Carnival Club ball and the New Orleans Spring Fiesta. She was presented at the Bienville Club’s President’s Ball, the Mayflower Society, the Grand Military Victory Ball of the Society of 1812, was in the balls of Les Pierrettes, Prophets of Persia and Caliphs of Cairo and was in the court of Harlequins. ◆

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Wilson Jr.

• Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bell Wisdom

Graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School

Attends Bates College

Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Claude Somers Williams IV

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