PASCAGOULA—With the artic blast that has blanketed Mississippi in 2026, ball-goers at The Krewe of Gilles took virtual trip to an endless summer to celebrate the 38 38 king and queen and royal court during a ceremony on Saturday, January 31.
The Krewe of Gilles has existed to fund educational scholarships to senior high school student parishioners in east Jackson County Catholic Churches. It started as a parish dance at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moss Point in 1973, and the funds raised from the church “dance” were used to provide Catholic school tuition assistance for parishioners. The costume dance evolved into a carnival ball that recognized parishioners who are vital to the daily operations of the parish.
In 1989, the “church ball” as it was commonly referred, adopted the name Krewe of Gilles with the same mission of raising funds for educational assistance. Giles is a Greek term that means “servant of Jesus” which is what the krewe aims to accomplish.
After the 1994 loss of East Central High School senior Matthew St. Andre’, a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, the proceeds from this ball began funding the memorial scholarship in Matthew’s name. The Matthew St. Andre Scholarship provides funds for high school seniors who are continuing into post-secondary education.
In an effort to bring together the Catholic community, the Krewe of Gilles began recognizing parishioners from other area Catholic churches in 2013. It has become an all-inclusive Krewe that continues to grow in popularity every year with members of St. Ann, St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Victories, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Alphonsus.
“We strive to create a court that is representative of the hard work happening in our area churches,” said Maria Smith, krewe captain. “My parents were part of the original dance organizers, and I love that I can continue the tradition and provide financial assistance to some of our youth.”
Photo credit: Susan Stachowski
This year the Krewe crowned King Maximillian the 38th Jason Hinkel and Queen Mary of Burgundy the 38th Carla Bond. The royal Court this year was Lennie Sheffield and Cherlyn Whitney, Ted Inbau and Christine Lachaussee, Hudson Hans and Bernie O’Sullivan, and Jack Sisson and Libba Binion. Passing their crowns were the 37th king and queen Eric Hollis and Pinky Broussard.
Scholarship applications for this year’s seniors are being accepted now and will be awarded during class night at individual schools. The Krewe will also make an appearance in the Jackson County Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade in Pascagoula on February 14.
