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Enthusiastic crowds cheered Orpheus King Dwayne Rovira & Queen Elizabeth Bowie.
2005 ROYALTY REVEALED
Celebrating at Orpheus’ Royal Revelation were Maids
Meghan Hayden, Sarah Garcia, Helen Williams, Queen Elizabeth Bowie, King Dwayne Rovira, and Maids Corinn O'Brien, Alexandra Wright, Sarah Southern, and Megan Kingsmill.
Covington LA, November 20, 2004. — The Original Krewe of Orpheus staged its 18th annual Royal Revelation Celebration, revealing the identity of the krewe’s new king and witnessing as Fate selected his queen.
Celebrants filled a beautifully decorated Covington Country Club for the event. Captain John Lawrence served as master of ceremonies, first introducing the officers and board: President, Roger Farris; V.P., George Maier; Treasurer, Brent Silva; Secretary, Ken Smith; and the Board of Directors: Chris Abide, Jim Cordell, Brian Edmonston, Kevin Flockton, Bret Lowe, Eddie Pablovich, and Eddie Schnauder.
Captain John Lawrence praised the hard work that the board and lieutenants put forth each year and noted that the krewe has doubled in size over the past few years due to everyone’s efforts. He then presented the Orpheus Membership Award for the most new members to Brian Lowe and Lex Cairns. Lowe and Cairns were also given the President’s Award, awarded to the Lieutenants whose float has the highest percentage of returning members to their float from the previous year.
The award for outstanding all-around achievement is the Captain’s Award. It is one of the top honors that a krewe member can receive. This year it was presented to both the Krewe’s Secretary, Ken Smith, and board member Brett Lowe.
The Captain then presented a very special award for meritorious service in staging the parade to Cheryl Farris. Though not officially a member of the krewe, Cheryl has donated her time year after year as the lead parade marshal for the krewe. Cheryl has coordinated marching units, bands, floats, horse units and other parade participants for the krewe, and the crowd shared the Captain’s appreciation for her efforts.
The fair side of the evening’s revelation consisted of 8 lovely young ladies, Maids of Orpheus, who received their own special royal proclamation. The maids were escorted by their sponsors to the Queen’s Cake to draw for positions at that fateful cake. In alphabetical order, the Maids of Orpheus 2005 presented were:
Miss Elizabeth Jean Bowie. Elizabeth is the daughter of Dr. Earl & Debbie Bowie, and was a 2003 graduate of Saint Scholastica Academy with honors. Currently attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Elizabeth is majoring in Pre-Med with a minor in Art History Administration. She is on the Dean’s List, honor societies and is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Elizabeth was escorted by her father, Dr. Earl Bowie.
The 2nd Maid presented for 2005 was Miss Sarah Galliot Garcia, daughter of Terry & Cynthia. Sarah is a 2004 graduate of Saint Scholastica Academy and currently attends Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Majoring in Early Childhood Development, she is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Sarah was escorted by her grandfather, Albert Knecht.
The 3rd Orpheus Maid was Miss Meghan Elizabeth Hayden, daughter of Richard & Sherri Hayden of Baton Rouge. Meghan is a 2003 graduate of Parkview Baptist School of Baton Rouge, where she graduated as valedictorian. She presently is a sophomore at Auburn University, and is a scholar on the Dean’s List, majoring in Molecular Biology. Meghan is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta sororities. She was escorted by her uncle, former Captain and King Orpheus XIII, Dick Feddeck.
Our 4th Orpheus Maid presented at the Royal Revelation was Miss Megan Elyse Kingsmill, daughter of William and Gisele Kingsmill. A 2004 graduate from Mandeville High School, Megan currently attends Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, majoring in art. She was escorted by her father, Orpheus Float Lieutenant William Kingsmill.
Miss Corinn O’Hanlon O’Brien was the 5th Orpheus Maid of the evening. The daughter of Dr. William & Rene O’Brien, Corinn is a 2004 graduate of St. Scholastica Academy. She presently attends Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Community Economic Development. Corinn is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and is politically active. She was escorted by her father, Orpheus Float Lieutenant Dr. William O’Brien.
The 6th Maid of Orpheus presented was Miss Sarah Lucy Southern, daughter of Carl & Jan Southern. A 2004 graduate of St. Scholastica Academy, Sarah now attends Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. She is majoring at Southeastern in Communications and Journalism. She was escorted by her father, Carl Southern.
Our 7th Orpheus Maid presented was Miss Helen Kathleen Williams. Helen is the daughter of Webb & Cathy Williams. A 2004 graduate of St. Scholastica Academy, she is currently attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, majoring in Interior Design. She is a member of the service organization, “Up Till Dawn”, benefiting St. Jude Hospital, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She was escorted by her father, Orpheus founding member, former President and King Orpheus XI, Webb Williams.
The 8th and final Orpheus Maid of the evening was Miss Alexandra Thierry Wright, the daughter of Carter & Stephanie Wright. Alexandra is a 2003 graduate of Mandeville High School, and now attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in Biology. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She was escorted was her father, Carter Wright.
King Orpheus 17th, Rick Dean, escorted Reigning Queen Orpheus, Virginia Carley, into position at the Queen’s Cake to crown her successor. She is the daughter of David and Claire Carley.
The maids drew for their random positions at the Queen’s Cake, which contains eight ribbons - one of which was attached to the lucky purple Orpheus doubloon that determined who the new Queen would be. Excitement mounted as Captain John Lawrence called out to the audience, “Hail, Orpheus!” which was responded to by a rousing “Hail, Yes!” – signaling the Maids to pull the ribbons.
Confusion and cake icing finally revealed a thrilled new Queen: Miss Elizabeth Jean Bowie. Virginia Carley crowned her successor, the daughter of Dr. Earl & Debbie Bowie. Elizabeth will reign with King Orpheus over the krewe’s 18th anniversary Coronation Celebration on January 29th.
The new Queen was then escorted in front of the fireplace, flanked by the Maids.
Captain John Lawrence then read the King’s Scroll, a special poetic revelation of the new king through limerick stanzas that tell a bit more of his identity with each line.
Orpheus Lieutenant Dwayne Rovira was revealed to the delight of the crowed as King Orpheus 18th, and crowned by his predecessor, Rick Dean. Rovira is a long time member of the krewe and owns Masterliner, a pipeline rehabilitation manufacturing company.
Former Kings toasted the new potentate, signaling dancing and celebration till the wee hours of the evening.
Orpheus’ Coronation Celebration Ball will take place at the Castine Center on January 29th. The krewe’s parade will be on Friday February 4th, with 25 floats and the theme: “Orpheus’ Truthful Lyre.”
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