Photos by Chad Riley • Shot on location at Mardi Gras Float Barns • Floats by Mirth Artists LLC
What do 18th-century British courts, Gilded Age New York and Mardi Gras all have in common? A time-honored tradition of presenting young ladies to society. If this practice sounds antiquated, that’s because it is — in a good way. Preserving this custom honors young women and their contributions to society, and the Queens and Leading Ladies of Mardi Gras are certainly worth celebrating.
During the “season,” as it was known, eligible young women dressed in their finest gowns, perfected their curtsies, attended extravagant dances and indulged in lavish dinners. The goal? To find an advantageous match among the potential suitors in attendance. These events also encouraged charitable works and celebrations of tradition and heritage.
Today, this historic tradition continues through Mardi Gras, where young women are selected as Queens and Leading Ladies to represent their mystic societies. The pomp and circumstance of Mardi Gras is undeniably fun, but being selected for the Court is about more than that; it’s a privilege. These young women are entrusted with representing their organizations, allowing them to honor their mystic societies and celebrate this magical season. Above all, by receiving this distinction, these women join the esteemed ranks of those who held the titles before them. This practice upholds and commemorates a unique custom that has endured for generations, contributing to the lasting legacy of the Bay area.
Antiquated traditions are worth preserving when they celebrate family and culture, which is what serving on the 2026 Mardi Gras Court means to the Queens and Leading Ladies. Read on to meet these bright, talented young women, find out why this distinction is so important to them and learn how Mardi Gras has influenced their lives and families.
Queen Louise
Marion Louise Hutchison
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Emory Hutchison
Queen of the Mobile Carnival Association
Leading Lady of the 139th S.C.S. Ball
When she’s not enjoying Mardi Gras, Louise is probably playing mahjong or studying, as the S.C.S. Leading Lady and Texas Christian University student has big ambitions for her future. Her course load includes a major in neuroscience and a minor in cultural awareness in healthcare and she hopes to attend medical school one day, but she still finds time to enjoy Mardi Gras with her loved ones, just like she did as a little girl. “When I was growing up, I got to go watch the parades with my dad and see all my friends. Mobile Mardi Gras is a family affair, and the whole city comes together to make it one of the best.”
Queen Kena
Dr. Kena Xtavier Lane, RPh
Daughter of Representative and Mrs. Napoleon Bracy Jr., and the late HeKema X. Lane
Queen of the 88th Presentation of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association
Kena has a heart for service, as evidenced by her work as a licensed pharmacist and her plans to become a business owner dedicated to providing accessible health care, so serving as MAMGA Queen is a perfect opportunity for her to give back to her community. “Serving as the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association’s 2026 Queen, I am most looking forward to the school visits. Seeing the kids and their level of excitement is a priceless moment,” says Kena. “As the oldest of my siblings, I always strive to be a role model for the next generation.” She has fond memories of attending parades with her family and especially her sisters, Brooklynn and Camille, and is so excited to partake in the fun, glamour and elegance of Mardi Gras with family and friends. At the Queen’s Party, guests will dress in their finest black-tie attire and learn about her platform, “Rooted in Resilience: The Rose that Grew from the Concrete.” Celebrate with Kena by watching her ride in two parades, the King Elexis I Motorcade on Joe Cain Day and the MAMGA Mammoth Parade on Fat Tuesday.
Ella Grace Keaton
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Allan Keaton II
Leading Lady of the 152nd Knights of Revelry Ball
Family time, marching bands and catching beads are only a few of Ella’s favorite things about Mardi Gras. The University of Alabama nursing student cherishes her childhood memories of watching her uncles and grandfather on their float, and this year, she will create another special memory: She will ride in the KOR parade on Fat Tuesday alongside her dad. “There’s truly nothing else quite like Mardi Gras in Mobile,” Ella says. “Its long-standing traditions and unique atmosphere set it apart. Somehow, each year feels even better than the last, and that’s what makes this time so meaningful to me.”
Lois Corinne Whiting
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Gaillard Whiting
Leading Lady of the 138th Order of Dragons Ball
Serving on the Mardi Gras Court comes with a unique thrill for Loie thanks to a special familial connection: Her parents were on the Court together in 1996. Mardi Gras has been important to Loie for as long as she can remember, all the way back to when she was little enough to sit on her dad’s shoulders and catch beads. “My favorite thing about Mardi Gras is everyone getting to be together and celebrate the best season!” she says. “I am so excited for the ball because I get to celebrate it with all my favorite people who mean so much to me.” Loie is studying marketing at the University of Alabama with plans to graduate in the spring, and she will certainly enjoy plenty of MoonPies — her favorite — during this year’s festivities.
Helena Camille Ladas
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stavros Louis Ladas
Leading Lady of the 152nd Double Rush Domino Ball
This is not Helena’s first time participating in a Mardi Gras Court: She was in the Juvenile Court and never thought she would one day be on the “big” Court as an adult. “This is something that I have been looking forward to my whole life,” she says, recalling fond memories of watching the parade from the Athelstan Club, eager to catch stuffed animals, beads and cups. “Mobile Mardi Gras is truly so much fun every year and I am so excited to participate in it!” The Alabama University student is studying finance and minoring in real estate, but in her free time she enjoys baking, traveling and being on the water.
Sarah Knox Biggs
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Collins Biggs
First Lady-in-Waiting for the Mobile Carnival Association
Leading Lady of the 153rd Strikers Ball
From the music to catching beads for her friends to participating in the traditions that are so important to her and her family, it’s easy to see why Mardi Gras is Sarah Knox’s favorite holiday. She loves to tell her friends in Mississippi about the magic of Mobile Mardi Gras, and she is so excited to make new friends and memories while serving on the Court. “My mom and cousins have told me all about how many lifelong friends they have made from this awesome opportunity,” the Ole Miss student says. “Most of my family has served on the Court, and it is such an honor getting to follow their footsteps.” Sarah Knox is majoring in integrated marketing communications and minoring in business and art, with the goal of working in sports media after graduation.
Marianne Hope Goodloe
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Carver Goodloe
Leading Lady of the 159th Order of Myths Party
For Marianne, Mardi Gras is all about spending time with family and friends and enjoying this special season. Her favorite memories including sorting throws with her siblings, and she appreciates the historical significance and uniqueness of Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions. “I am honored and excited to be asked to lead the OOM Sunday party,” she says. “It is an organization that my family has participated in and enjoyed for a long time, so I am very grateful to be a part of their celebration this year.” Marianne is studying consumer sciences with a focus in financial planning at the University of Alabama, and she aspires to become a certified financial planner.
Isabella Ana Williams
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Mark Williams
Queen of the 77th Mystics of Time Gala
Mardi Gras has always been a family affair for Isabella. This year will be extra special as she is crowned Queen of the Mystics of Time — which has been her dream ever since she was a little girl — and she will serve alongside her father, Ronnie, as Father Time. “I want [my dad] to be celebrated just as much as I am because this tradition has meant so much to both of us over the years,” the recent Auburn graduate says. “Experiencing Mardi Gras this year as Queen makes me appreciate the joy, excitement and traditions I’ve loved since childhood in a whole new way.” With a degree in information systems management and internship experiences at Dollywood and Cedar Point, Isabella foresees a future of continued work in the themed entertainment industry, bringing magic to theme park goers the same way she will bring magic to this year’s Mardi Gras festivities.
Rosemary Bender Wilson
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Joseph Wilson
Leading Lady of the 158th Infant Mystics Ball
This time of year brings wonderful memories for Rosemary, who fondly recalls watching her family members ride in the parades and catching her aunt’s hilarious throws, including packs of Conecuh sausages. Rosemary is studying graphic design and computer science at the University of Alabama, with plans to become a creative director. Her creativity extends beyond the classroom, as she enjoys painting and sewing for her friends, who enjoy celebrating Mardi Gras weekend with her. When asked why Mobile Mardi Gras is so special, Rosemary sums it up perfectly: “…I have had the chance to see the fun traditions we have from year to year and how they are so different from everywhere else, because we just do it the best!” Of those unique traditions, she is most looking forward to being presented during the IM Ball and to watching the parade alongside the other debutantes and Knights.
