By Ellie White
On Feb. 19, McNicholas High School will hold its 64th annual Mardi Gras Pageant and Ball, a tradition started by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Per tradition, this event will honor forty students whom each class elects. The two senior students who earn the second highest number of votes from their peers over the past four years are named as Maid of Honor and Captain of the Ball.
Senior Molly Jorden is the Maid of Honor for this year’s Mardi Gras. “I feel really honored, and there’s a lot of people who really deserve it, so it’s very humbling,” she said. Jorden’s involvement over the past four years has included Student Council, the Women’s Golf Team, Service Club, and Cooking Club. She has also won two National Silver Medals from Scholastic Art Awards last year, and has entered again this year, but is still awaiting the results. “The biggest thing that anyone can contribute to our school is the little things, like smiling at people and being nice and welcoming to everyone,” Jorden said. Jorden is currently considering the University of Virginia, Rice University, and Notre Dame University.
This year’s Captain of the Ball is senior Zach Woodke. “I’m really honored. Mardi Gras is a big deal, it’s the biggest celebration that McNicholas has, so I’m just really grateful,” Woodke said. Woodke was the Captain of the Football Team and is the Senior Class Student Council President. He is also a part of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. Woodke feels that being the Captain of the Football team is his personal greatest achievement. Woodke is planning on going to The Ohio State University and majoring in Real Estate Business and minoring in Architecture.
Both Jorden and Woodke were previously on the sophomore honor guard. Woodke’s advice to underclassmen is to “do as much as you can, really make the most of your time here.” Jorden added, “Be open with your classmates and embrace the moments you share with them, you never know the impact you have.”
The McNicholas Milestone 