By Maeve Rice
The annual tradition of Mardi Gras started at McNicholas High School in 1953, students gather every February to celebrate their peers who are bringing full stature in Christ, to life.
The Director of Student Life, Mr. Bill Losekamp, has been the chair of the Mardi Gras committee for the past 16 years since 2008. He first joined the board in 1999 when former chair of the science department, teacher, Mrs. Gwyn Bush, was the head of the board.
Lots of preparation goes into Mardi Gras. includes the committee curating the perfect theme. This year’s theme is “Through the Looking Glass.” Previous themes have ranged from “The Cinderella Ball” to “River of Dreams” to “Peanuts.”
One of the most difficult tasks is with nominations. Losekamp said, “The hardest part [each year] is verifying the nominations for students’ activities.” On the nomination ballot, students are expected to list their nominees’ extra-curriculars for two categories for freshmen and sophomores and in three categories for juniors and seniors. Mardi Gras allows students to nominate their classmates in recognition of their service to McNicholas through their extra curriculars. Students along with faculty have the opportunity to first nominate and then vote for those students. After voting takes place, seniors find out who is on the Mardi Gras Court within the first two weeks of January. There is also an Honor Guard for eight members each for both the sophomore and junior classes.
The Court and Honor Guard, while being honored for service at the pageant, devote time days ahead as well as the morning of Mardi Gras to help with set up. In 1953, the Sisters of Saint Joseph brought the event from New Orleans in Louisiana to their school. McNick has continued this tradition for the past 72 years. Mardi Gras is a much more formal event than Homecoming and students are honored for their service. Students are encouraged to wear long dresses and suits or dress pants with sport coats or blazers. Girls on court wear a long dress during the ceremony, while the queen of the court has the option of following tradition and changing into a white gown for the pageant. The queen and king are not announced to the Court and Honor Guard until just before the pageant begins, and attendees find out the queen and king during the pageant that takes place before the dance.
The 2025 McNicholas High School Annual Mardi Gras Pageant and Ball will be held on Sunday, February 16, in the Larry Bogenschutz Gymnasium. Final voting will take place during CREW and tickets for the pageant and ball in early February. More information about ticket sales will be available via email and on daily announcements.
The McNicholas Milestone 