Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Learning to wield a sword


"And this is how you hold the wooden sword as you go down Chartres...remember to smile!"

This is our Maid in training with our original Joan of Arc, aka Caye Mitchell, who rides in many local parades and is the core leader of our krewe. She donates her time, love, and horses to the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc, and mentors our student Joans who win the Maid of Honor role.  To the right, 2012 Maid of Honor Aggie Bell, a creative and accomplished young woman at McGhee who impressed our judges with everything from her innovation in starting a Harry Potter Community Service Club to her athleticism,  literary and leadership experience, her love of music and French language skills.

So far the two young women who won this honor before Aggie (Blair Davis, 2010; Mallory Young, 2011) have both been so inspired by the role that they based their college application essays on the experience. Both learned much more about Joan than they ever expected, and both came away from the parade realizing that Mardi Gras is more than they ever imagined...

Congratulations, Aggie, and may the force of Joan be with you!