On Sun. Feb. 14, McNick will hold its 69th annual Mardi Gras Pageant. This year, due to Covid-19, there will be no dance following. The Pageant honors 20 senior women and 20 senior men representing the court, and 8 each (4 men, 4 women) on both the junior and sophomore honor guard. A full list of those on the Court and Honor Guards can be found here. The two seniors who receive the second highest number of votes earn the title of Maid of Honor and Captain of the Ball. This year, this honor is bestowed on Madison Isaacs and Ian Phillips.
Q: Describe what you were feeling in the moment when they announced your name over the intercom. What was going through your mind?
Isaacs: I am at home right now because of COVID-19 so I had my friend call me to hear the announcements. I was shocked to hear my name on court then I heard it at the end announcing [me as] Maid of Honor, and I jumped up with excitement! I honestly couldn’t believe it!
Phillips: In all honesty, I was quite surprised to see myself getting Captain of the Ball. I’m very honored to be a part of the court, and could not have seen myself in this position freshman year. I was very happy and excited!
Q: What do you consider to be your biggest achievement at McNick?
Isaacs: I believe that my biggest achievement at McNick is Hope Squad and Service Leadership Team. I run the Instagram’s for [both].
Phillips: My biggest achievement is probably my personal growth — coming from a public school not knowing anyone to a student leader here at McNick.
Q: Now that you’ve been announced as Maid of Honor or Captain of the Ball, do you see yourself as an example for underclassmen?
Isaacs: I am just doing my own thing and if underclassmen find me as an example then I am honored.
Phillips: Not really. I think everyone should go through high school with their own goals, and to have their own achievements as I did.
Q: What do you think of the Mardi Gras counterpart? Were you surprised to see them earn the title?
Isaacs: Ian Phillips is one of my good friends and I totally saw him earn his title. I am so proud of him and can’t wait to see where he goes in life.
Phillips: I am very happy to see [Madison] here with me! She is one of the most hard working people I know, and she truly deserves this! I’m extremely happy to see her [as Maid] and am excited for the night of the pageant with her!
Q: If you find yourself looking back on your time at McNick, say, ten years from now, what do you think you’ll remember the most?
Isaacs: I will most defiantly remember the relationships I made. My favorite memory at McNick was Kairos.
Phillips: The people. McNick’s teachers and students are really what have made me the person I am today, and I could not thank them enough.
Q: What are your plans for college at this point in time? Do you know what you want to study?
Isaacs: I plan on studying neuroscience at the University of Kentucky.
Phillips: At this point, I am looking at either The Ohio State University or Coastal Carolina University and studying either Education or Psychology.
The 69th Annual Mardi Gras Ball will take place on Feb. 14, 2021 at 6:00. More information about COVID protocols for the evening will be announced at a later time.
On Friday, Jan. 22, the 69th Annual Mardi Gras Court and Honor Guards were announced at the end of the day. Seniors Madison Isaacs and Ian Phillips were named Maid of Honor and Captain of the Ball, respectively, earning the second highest vote count in the senior class. “I’m extremely happy to see her here and am excited for the night of the pageant with her,” Phillips said.
The McNicholas Milestone 