On Feb. 16, McNicholas will host its 68th annual Mardi Gras Pageant and Ball, a tradition started by the Sisters of St. Joseph. As is custom, the court is made up of 20 senior girls and 20 senior boys who are elected and voted for by their peers. 8 juniors will make up the Junior Honor Guard as well as 8 sophomores to make up the Sophomore Honor Guard. The full list of members making up the court and honor guard can be found here. The two seniors who receive the second highest number of votes are named Captain of the Ball and Maid of Honor. For the Class of 2020, this honor is bestowed on Aidan Guessford and Marie Steinkuhl.
Guessford and Steinkuhl both agreed that they were surprised when Principal Dave Mueller announced the court on Friday, Jan. 10.
“It was like a kinda lowkey-surreal moment,” Guessford said. He also added that he talks to Director of Technology Andy Ey all the time who was also Captain of the Ball in 1998. “A bunch of people I’ve looked up to at the school who are teachers now were Captain of the Ball, and it’s kinda cool to think of [it that way],” Guessford said.
Steinkuhl said she was also shocked after hearing she was named Maid of Honor. “[It was] definitely surreal. It was hard to process what it meant.”
Guessford is a part of the Men’s Volleyball Team, the founder of INTERalliance club, a participant in Hands Across Campus, Service Club, and the Vice-President of National Honor Society. Guessford also keeps in touch with the religion department to stay up to date with service opportunities.
Steinkuhl is a part of Service Club, Student Council, Hands Across Campus, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, INTERalliance, Cross-country, Thespian Society and is also a lector, peer minister, Eucharistic minister, liturgy choir instrumentalist, and a Kairos leader.
Guessford plans to attend either The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, or Indiana University, and plans to major in either Business or Pharmacy.
Steinkuhl plans to major in neuroscience, possibly on the path to medical school. Her college choice is still undecided. However, she would love to attend Washington and Lee University.
The McNicholas Milestone 