Chalmette Elementary school’s Mardi Gras ball at Chalmette High honored first-responders as “Our American Heroes’’

Students, from left, Layla Serpas, Kylee Schallenberg and Nathan Schallenberg prepare to lead a procession with a sign singalling the theme of the Mardi Gras ball: “Chalmette Elementary Salutes Our American Heroes.”	From left are Parish Council member Ray Lauga Jr.,, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Lt. Robert Broadhead and Assistant Fire Chief Glenn Ellis.
Students sing and dance as part of the pageant.	Some of the first-responders honored at the ball.

Queen Alaina Francingues and King Taj Lewis,

School Principal Liz Winslow, dressed as Uncle Sam. with Coroner Dr. Bryan Bertucci.

It was like other Mardi Gras balls, with decorations and a fancy look, a royal court and plenty of females in pretty dresses and males in tuxedoes and suits.

But the king, queen and dukes and maids were all students of Chalmette Elementary School, holding its 5th annual Mardi Gras ball at the Chalmette High gym.

And it had a special theme: “Chalmette Elementary Salutes Our American Heroes,’’ the first-responders of St. Bernard Parish.

Sheriff James Pohlmann, Assistant Fire Chief Glenn Ellis and numerous sheriff’s deputies, firefighters. emergency medical technicians and doctors of the parish were honored guests.

“We truly appreciate you,’’ Chalmette Elementary Principal Liz Winslow told the honored group, who lined two sides of the gym as students and relatives filled the stands.
Some 60 students at the school were introduced as king, queen and the royal court of dukes and maids. Taj Lewis reigned as king, while Alaina Francingues was queen.

Winslow, decked out in an Uncle Sam outfit, said school secretary Shirley Serigne spearheads the annual ball.

She added that the theme of honoring American heroes was chosen as a means “of combining the fun of Mardi Gras with education and teaching children about the people who serve and protect us.’’