MOBILE, Ala. -- Louise Vass McClure is a child of Carnival.
Her introduction to Mardi Gras began as a toddler sitting on her mother’s lap, watching family members and friends participate in parades and coronations, according to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robison Clarendon McClure Jr.
“I had always watched someone I knew and hoped maybe it would be me in the court someday,” said the 21-year-old junior at the University of Alabama.
Her dream came true this year as she was chosen queen of the Mobile Carnival Association.
In fact, she was planning a trip to Italy this spring until her father said that might not work out. He then gave her the news that she was invited to make her debut at the 57th Camellia Ball and serve as a Carnival monarch.
Mardi Gras special
Jan. 31, 2010
A 40-page special section devoted to the Mobile area's 2010 season of revelry is included in the Sunday Press-Register, available wherever newspapers are sold and afterward while supplies last at the Press-Register building at 401 N. Water St. in Mobile.
Watch for continuing Mardi Gras coverage and read past articles, with photo galleries and parade videos,
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She didn't hesitate to say yes, she said.
The queen's royal lineage dates back to 1927 when her grandmother, Louise Vass McClelland McClure, was the little Queen of Carnival, which predated the Floral Parade. She reigned with G. Cabell Outlaw, the grandfather of this year's king, Peter Cayce Sherman.
Queen Louise Vass reigned as MCA juvenile queen over the Floral Parade in 2003 with king John Connor Peebles. The queen is using a double moniker since her cousin, Louise Vass McClelland, was Queen of Carnival in 2009.
The queen's father was King Felix III in 1977 and has served as the official and unofficial
design chairman of the Mobile Carnival Association for 30 years. Her uncle, David Cooper, was King of Carnival in 1971, and her cousins, Margaret Folmar Cooper and David Jones Cooper Jr., were also monarchs of Mobile Carnival. Her cousin, Ashleigh Cooper, was a first lady-in-waiting in 1990. Her uncle and godfather, Homer Leon McClure, was a knight in the 1978 court.
The queen and her mother, Rosemarie Knowles McClure, found her coronation gown while shopping for a dress for the Camellia Ball. The dress was made in New York, and they worked
with local shops to embellish it for the coronation.
One challenge was finding the perfect color for the royal robes, her mother said.
"Louise wanted green and Homer wanted blue to accentuate her blue eyes," her dad said. "So they agreed on a blue green."
Homer McClure was the "creative force" behind the design and creation of the queen's royal robes, said Robby McClure. "We couldn't have done it without him."
"He has this vision," Queen Louise Vass said. "He can't explain it, but he can see it. I trust him completely. He knows what I like."
The queen's mother said her daughter has been easy to work with during the dress selection and design of the robes. "There's been no stress. It's been very enjoyable."
The queen's royal duties include attending parties and events with people of all ages and generations.
"It's a major step in maturity," her mother said. "I always liked the girls to know her friends' grandparents."
Queen Louise Vass has no problem getting up in front of a crowd, in part because of her years on stage with dance and cheerleading, her parents said.
"I'm pretty outgoing and I'll reach out to people," the queen said. "This will be so much fun."
Queen Louise Vass' royal attire was created by Homer McClure. The fabric is a blue green, watered silk, with shades of gold forming the background for embroidered panels woven abroad. Silver and gold stones, aurora borealis and marguerite rhinestones frame the cascades of gold and silver motifs which are also heavily embellished with pearls. These jewels surround the border of the queen's robes, which total 18 feet in length. The queen's initials, LVM, were created of pale gold leather embossed with silver and gold brilliants and dominate the center of the train to form a symmetrical center.
Her Majesty's robes feature a heavily beaded copy of the Vass Crest with the words "Cassis Tutissama Virtus," which means "A Metal Helmet Protects Valor," and contrasts with a favorite part of the crest — an ostrich with a horseshoe in its mouth for good fortune. The train is bordered in a "meaningful" mossy green and trimmed in white fur.
Her dress was created from efforts in Mobile and New York. Vera Wang made the dress from special fabric and it was enhanced in Mobile with asymmetrical motifs edged in brilliants and pearls.
The crown and scepter were created by Tonya and Tommy Cain, and Jane and Jim Rhinewalt of Dynasty Collection. The crown is a replica of the Poltimore Tiara made by Garrard in 1872 and is made of Swarovski crystals featuring elegant swirls and arches embracing marquis and Tiffany stones. Pear-shaped crystals adorn the center of the delicate design and continue through the crown. Her scepter follows the design of the crown.
The queen's collar is created of masses of bugle beads formed into crystal leaves with clusters of small lilies, made of small pearls surrounded by brilliants.
Family:
parents Robby and Rosemarie McClure and sister Anna Robison McClure
Education:
graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School; currently a junior at the University of Alabama
Interests:
art and art history, traveling, cooking, game conservation (worked on fund-raisers for the Alabama Wildlife Federation)
Career plans:
majoring in restaurant hospitality management; interested in traveling and working abroad after college
Ladies of Queen Louise Vass
Several ladies will attend Queen Louise Vass McClure as she reigns over this season’s festivities of the Mobile Carnival Association:
Lady Ellen Grace Barbour
is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Macdonough Barbour III and Mr. and Mrs. Jon Michael Meek. A graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, she was co-captain and dance captain of the cheerleading squad and an instructor and member of the Fine Arts Dance Academy. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Spanish Honor Society and secretary of Mu Alpha Theta. She attends Ashland Place United Methodist Church, where she has served as a volunteer for vacation Bible school. She is studying health care management at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and Sigma Alpha Lambda. She plans to earn a master’s degree in health care administration.
Lady Charlotte Carrington Brady
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John David Brady Jr. She is a graduate of UMS-Wright, where she was a member of the varsity volleyball team, secretary-treasurer of the Student Government Association and a member of the National Honor Society. She attends All Saints Episcopal Church. She is studying commerce, business administration and marketing at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of the Honors College, Kappa Delta sorority and Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. She works at Camp Mac as senior counselor and riflery director.
Lady Lauren Isabelle Courtney
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Toomey Courtney. She is a graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, where she was vice president of Beta Sigma Chi and a member of the Interact Club and Service Leadership. She also served as a Girl Scout leader at Augusta Evans. She attends St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She is studying psychology and human development at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and a mentor at Matthews Elementary and Holt Elementary schools. She has also worked as a research assistant.
Here's a quick look at this season's Mobile Carnival Association events:
FLORAL PARADE:
noon Feb. 13 and Feb. 15 on Route A.
CORONATION
: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Mobile Convention Center. No admission cost. Tickets are required because of limited seating and may be obtained at the MCA office, 108 S. Claiborne St. The
KING's SUPPER
follows coronation at 8:30 p.m. Cost: $125 per person.
KING FELIX III PARADE:
The king arrives at foot of Government Street at 11 a.m. Feb. 15. The parade also rolls on Fat Tuesday after the Knights of Revelry.
QUEEN'S LUNCHEON:
1 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Grand Ballroom at Mobile Convention Center. Cost: $75 per person. Tickets may be purchased at MCA office.
JUVENILE COURT LUNCHEON:
2 p.m. Feb. 15 at Mobile Convention Center. Cost: $30 per person.
INFO:
251-431-9334
Lady Katherine Harris Crow
is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Moniac Crow. She is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she was a cheerleader, a member of the Pro-Life Club and a Ronald McDonald volunteer. She attends St. Ignatius Church. She is studying public relations and computer science at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Chi Omega sorority and a student writer for the Dialog newsletter. She also served as an intern in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Rep Jo Bonner.
Lady Page Randolph Cunningham
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Horst Cunningham of Fairhope. She is a graduate of St. Paul’s School, where she was a member of the cross-country team, Interact Club and Beta Sigma Chi sorority. She was also on the Dean’s List. She attends St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope. Now a nursing student at the University of South Alabama, she has also attended the University of Mississippi, where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
Lady Allison Louise Hill
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ashton Hill III. She is a graduate of UMS-Wright, where she was yearbook section editor, a varsity cheerleader and a member of Beta Sigma Chi, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. She was also on the Headmaster’s List. She attends Springhill Presbyterian Church, where she serves in the church nursery. She is studying finance, economics and accounting at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Honors College. She is also on the Dean’s List.
Lady Amelie Courtney Inge
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Tunstall Inge and a graduate of St. Paul’s School. She was editor of the yearbook and president of Beta Sigma Chi and participated in Service Leadership. She also received the Betty Stone Yearbook Award. She attends St. Ignatius Church. Formerly a student at the University of Alabama, she is studying counseling and psychology at the University of South Alabama. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and has worked as a volunteer with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Her goal is to become a counselor.
Lady Virginia Herndon Inge
is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George Bullock Inge. A graduate of UMS-Wright, she attends Christ Church Cathedral. She is studying psychology and anthropology at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She plans to attend graduate school.
Lady Carolyne Blair Jones
is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Frederick Jones. A graduate of UMS-Wright, she was a member of the Honor Council and co-editor of the yearbook and played 4A championship tennis for three years. She has served on the Presbytery Youth Council at Government Street Presbyterian Church. She is majoring in American studies at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., where she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the executive board of Alternative Spring Break. She is also on the Dean’s List and completed a summer internship at the Federal Trade Commission.
Lady Elizabeth Tully McAleer
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Guy McAleer Sr. She is a graduate of McGill-Toolen, where she was an honor roll student and a member of the varsity cross-country team, varsity track team and Ambassador Club. She attends St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She is majoring in accounting at Auburn University, where she is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, the Pro-Life Club and the Student Alumni Association. She also works as a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club and Links to Literacy.
Lady Margaret McMillan McGehee
is the daughter of Elizabeth Lane Weldon and Thomas Crichton McGehee. She is a graduate of Fairhope High School, where she was secretary-treasurer of her senior class, president of the Debate Club and a member of the National Honor Society. She attends Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairhope and St. Luke’s and Christ Church in Chelsea, in London. She studied international business and finance at Richmond, the American International University in London, and graduated last spring. She is a member of the Finance Society, the Richmond Tennis Club and the International Women’s Club. She works as an editorial assistant at Pop Magazine and plans to earn an MBA.
Lady Virginia Marion Taylor McLure
is the daughter of Gin Taylor McLure and Tucker McLure of Alexandria, La. She is a graduate of Bolt High School in Alexandria, where she was valedictorian of her senior class, a member of the tennis team and French Club, and announcements editor for Ecrivez, a literary magazine. She has attended St. James Episcopal Church in Alexandria and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Va. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont and earned a degree in English (creative writing) last spring at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She was on the equestrian team and served as volunteer for K.A.R.E. (Katrina Aid and Relief) and the SPCA. She spent her junior year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. She works at Apex Covantage in Washington, D.C., and plans to pursue a career in writing and publishing. In 2008 she reigned as queen of Parlangua in the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association. Her mother,
Virginia "Gin" Taylor McLure
, reigned as MCA queen in 1971.
Lady Margaret Alison Meacham
, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Edward Meacham Sr. of Mobile, is a graduate of McGill-Toolen, where she was a member of the tennis team and the Pro-Life Club. She was also on the honor roll. She attends St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She is a nursing student at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She has also received the Alumni Scholarship and served as an intern for U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner.
Lady Sadie Lyons Meaher
, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Meaher III of Mobile, is a graduate of UMS-Wright. She has attended the University of Sussex in England and is majoring in communications and classical studies at Tulane University in New Orleans. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the Sailing Club. She has worked as an intern for Universal Motown in New York City and in the New Orleans Office of Film and Video.
Lady Katherine Amanda Melton
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Earl Blankenship III of Mobile and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Carl Melton of Atlanta. She is a graduate of UMS-Wright, where she was a member of the Interact Club and yearbook staff. She was also an officer in Beta Sigma Chi. She attends Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. She is studying marketing and business at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, the American Marketing Association and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Lady Adele Fitch Miller
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Miller. She is a graduate of St. Paul’s School, where she was a member of the senior homecoming court and yearbook staff, a junior varsity cheerleader and varsity football photographer. She was also active in the Interact Club and played junior varsity soccer. She attends St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She is studying public relations and computer science at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Kappa Delta. She plans to pursue a career in public relations.
Lady Frances Lacy Radcliff
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Morgan Radcliff Jr. She is a graduate of UMS-Wright, where she was a varsity cheerleader and an officer of Beta Sigma Chi sorority. She also played soccer. She was an acolyte and active in Loaves and Fish at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She is studying corporate communications, public affairs and political science at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she is a member of Chi Omega sorority and a campus senator in the Student Government Association. She also writes for the campus newspaper. Her cousin,
Lucy Radcliff Lyons
, was MCA queen in 1963.
Lady Helen Hunter Robertson
is the daughter of Anne Reese and Jim Robertson of Mobile. She is a graduate of St. Paul’s School, where she was president of the French Club, varsity and junior varsity cheerleader, and junior and senior class treasurer. She attends St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn, where she is co-head of the Pan y Vino Retreat Team. She is majoring in French education at Auburn University, where she is president of Pi Delta Phi French Honor Society and Nouveau French Club. She is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
Lady Ann Marie Russell
, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Caldwell Russell, is a graduate of St. Paul’s School, where she was a member of the Interact Club, Mu Alpha Theta and Morning Saints Bible Study. She attends St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She has attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., and is presently studying nursing at the University of South Alabama, where she is on the Dean’s List. She is also a member of the Spinsters and works as a tutor. Her artwork has been shown at Space 301 and Paper Wasp Gallery.
Lady Adelaide Elizabeth Smith
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gary Smith Jr. of Mobile. She is a graduate of St. Paul’s School, where she was a varsity cheerleader and treasurer of Beta Sigma Chi. She was also a member of Service Leadership. She attends St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She is studying public relations and Spanish at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
Lady Caitlin Harris Terry
is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Andrew P. Terry of Mobile. She is a graduate of UMS-Wright, where she was a cheerleader, a member of the homecoming court and president of the Interact Club. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She attends Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. She is studying business and accounting at the University of Alabama, where she is a member of Beta Alpha Psi (business school honorary society) and philanthropy chairman for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She plans to attend graduate school.