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Dennis (’01) serves as Queen of Carnival
Mar 10, 2005 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
As a little girl growing up with the tradition of Mardi Gras, Kate Dennis (’01) entertained a quiet hope that one day she would be named Queen Ixolib. Little did she know, at the age of 22 her dream would become a reality.
“As a child, watching the parades on Mardi Gras Day and seeing the elaborate costumes was the highlight of Carnival for me,” said Dennis, who will graduate from Wake Forest University in May and plans to attend law school.
“Costumes, particularly those of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s (GCCA) royalty, have always been exquisite; seeing queens ride by on floats seemed like a fairy tale,” she recalled. "I now know, however, that it is a reality, and is one that will forever remind me of my home and how blessed I am to have grown up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, among such unbelievably community-oriented families and individuals.”
And that is what Carnival is all about, according to Dennis, who has for many years marveled at the ability of the Gulf Coast to come together as a community during this annual event.
“The combination of community, history and religious heritage shared by so many members of the Coast is what makes Carnival so remarkable, leaving those who first learn of it simply awestruck,” Dennis said. “While the costumes are exquisite, and everyone certainly takes the opportunity to have a good time during the week leading up to Mardi Gras Day, the celebration is not just a party, not just an excuse to forget about the daily grind of life. The most significant part of such a celebration is the community’s willingness to come together and relive tradition, rejoice in shared history and actively participate in living common faith and beliefs.
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a matchless area steeped in custom and culture known only to this region. Simply having such tradition in common with other members of the community is incredible, but to be chosen as their representative is an honor I shall always strive to deserve,” Dennis continued. “So many incredible queens have gone before me; to be in such company is an honor, but it is also an opportunity that challenges me to be a better and more complete person, to represent the Coast and serve as an ambassador of the area and its tradition for years to come.”
Each year, the GCCA’s Board of Directors, a volunteer group of past kings, captains and others involved in Carnival, take nominations and then vote to select King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib. Generally, the king is a prominent businessman who is involved in the community and has previously been a part of Carnival. Similarly, the queen is usually from a family with strong Coast ties, previous GCCA experience and extensive community involvement.
When the Captain of the Carnival approached Dennis in May 2004 and asked her to serve as Queen Ixolib 2005, she was more than thrilled to accept. And while the vast majority of the court was assembled by the end of the summer, the public was unaware until Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 – only one day before the Coronation Ball and two days before Mardi Gras itself.
“As always, those who are involved in Mardi Gras remains a closely guarded secret until the celebration has already begun,” Dennis said. “The element of surprise made the whole Carnival experience – from being first asked in May through the year of reign – much more memorable.”
At the Coronation Ball, Dennis was accompanied by King d’Iberville Carl Chaney, a South Mississippi banker who moved to the Coast in 1998 to become chief financial officer for Hancock Holding Company and Hancock Bank.
“Prior to the Coronation Ball, there are several events – a Queen’s Luncheon, King’s Dinner, Royal Reception and other gatherings of the court – that provide the families of those involved, as well as the invited public, opportunity to witness the culmination of Carnival’s celebration,” Dennis said, “but the Ball is the first time anyone other than those involved are allowed to view the exquisite costumes created especially for the year’s events.”
Each year, the Captain chooses a theme, and the costumes are then designed accordingly by Sheila Gray, who has worked with GCAA for decades. This year’s theme was “Canvas Masters,” so the dress of the dukes and maids were fashioned to resemble various works of art by renowned international and local artists.
King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib are always attired either in white or gold, as these colors are reserved for those who reign over all of Mardi Gras, according to Dennis, whose costume took approximately six months to complete.
“The gown itself was made of ivory satin with a lace overlay; the mantle and train were also designed specifically for this year’s event and, like the gown, will never be duplicated,” she said.
As the King and Queen were introduced at the Coronation Ball, Dennis was thrilled to share this special moment with her family, friends and community.
“Mardi Gras is an incredible celebration and would have been magnificent in itself; however, knowing so many friends from across the country – many of whom had never experienced the true Mardi Gras – were there participating in Carnival made it so much more special and memorable,” she said.
The Dennis family is no stranger to Carnival, with father, Dave, serving as a duke in 1987, associate captain in 1989 and 1990, Captain of Carnival in 1991 and 1992, and King d’Iberville in 1995; daughter, Kate, serving as page in 1992 and Queen in 2005; and son, Padrick ('03), serving as page in 1995 and Flag Bearer in 1997.
“As a child, watching the parades on Mardi Gras Day and seeing the elaborate costumes was the highlight of Carnival for me,” said Dennis, who will graduate from Wake Forest University in May and plans to attend law school.
“Costumes, particularly those of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s (GCCA) royalty, have always been exquisite; seeing queens ride by on floats seemed like a fairy tale,” she recalled. "I now know, however, that it is a reality, and is one that will forever remind me of my home and how blessed I am to have grown up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, among such unbelievably community-oriented families and individuals.”
And that is what Carnival is all about, according to Dennis, who has for many years marveled at the ability of the Gulf Coast to come together as a community during this annual event.
“The combination of community, history and religious heritage shared by so many members of the Coast is what makes Carnival so remarkable, leaving those who first learn of it simply awestruck,” Dennis said. “While the costumes are exquisite, and everyone certainly takes the opportunity to have a good time during the week leading up to Mardi Gras Day, the celebration is not just a party, not just an excuse to forget about the daily grind of life. The most significant part of such a celebration is the community’s willingness to come together and relive tradition, rejoice in shared history and actively participate in living common faith and beliefs.
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a matchless area steeped in custom and culture known only to this region. Simply having such tradition in common with other members of the community is incredible, but to be chosen as their representative is an honor I shall always strive to deserve,” Dennis continued. “So many incredible queens have gone before me; to be in such company is an honor, but it is also an opportunity that challenges me to be a better and more complete person, to represent the Coast and serve as an ambassador of the area and its tradition for years to come.”
Each year, the GCCA’s Board of Directors, a volunteer group of past kings, captains and others involved in Carnival, take nominations and then vote to select King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib. Generally, the king is a prominent businessman who is involved in the community and has previously been a part of Carnival. Similarly, the queen is usually from a family with strong Coast ties, previous GCCA experience and extensive community involvement.
When the Captain of the Carnival approached Dennis in May 2004 and asked her to serve as Queen Ixolib 2005, she was more than thrilled to accept. And while the vast majority of the court was assembled by the end of the summer, the public was unaware until Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 – only one day before the Coronation Ball and two days before Mardi Gras itself.
“As always, those who are involved in Mardi Gras remains a closely guarded secret until the celebration has already begun,” Dennis said. “The element of surprise made the whole Carnival experience – from being first asked in May through the year of reign – much more memorable.”
At the Coronation Ball, Dennis was accompanied by King d’Iberville Carl Chaney, a South Mississippi banker who moved to the Coast in 1998 to become chief financial officer for Hancock Holding Company and Hancock Bank.
“Prior to the Coronation Ball, there are several events – a Queen’s Luncheon, King’s Dinner, Royal Reception and other gatherings of the court – that provide the families of those involved, as well as the invited public, opportunity to witness the culmination of Carnival’s celebration,” Dennis said, “but the Ball is the first time anyone other than those involved are allowed to view the exquisite costumes created especially for the year’s events.”
Each year, the Captain chooses a theme, and the costumes are then designed accordingly by Sheila Gray, who has worked with GCAA for decades. This year’s theme was “Canvas Masters,” so the dress of the dukes and maids were fashioned to resemble various works of art by renowned international and local artists.
King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib are always attired either in white or gold, as these colors are reserved for those who reign over all of Mardi Gras, according to Dennis, whose costume took approximately six months to complete.
“The gown itself was made of ivory satin with a lace overlay; the mantle and train were also designed specifically for this year’s event and, like the gown, will never be duplicated,” she said.
As the King and Queen were introduced at the Coronation Ball, Dennis was thrilled to share this special moment with her family, friends and community.
“Mardi Gras is an incredible celebration and would have been magnificent in itself; however, knowing so many friends from across the country – many of whom had never experienced the true Mardi Gras – were there participating in Carnival made it so much more special and memorable,” she said.
The Dennis family is no stranger to Carnival, with father, Dave, serving as a duke in 1987, associate captain in 1989 and 1990, Captain of Carnival in 1991 and 1992, and King d’Iberville in 1995; daughter, Kate, serving as page in 1992 and Queen in 2005; and son, Padrick ('03), serving as page in 1995 and Flag Bearer in 1997.
