A History of Giving

The first Mardi Gras Ball was held February 1, 1991 at the Fairmont Hotel. The event was chaired by Ann and Barry Drees and supported by a team of about 30 volunteers. Over $105,750 was raised that evening for the Ursuline Scholarship Fund. The event included a Live and Silent Auction, dancing by Dave Alexander Productions, and a car raffle.

Since that premier event, the Mardi Gras Ball has grown into an extraordinary community-wide celebration with more than 1000 guests. Then and now, the tremendous success of Mardi Gras would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of volunteers, numbering more than 200 this year, who manage every detail of the event.

Donor support has also continued to grow each year. In 2009, proceeds from the Mardi Gras Ball totaled $390,000 for the Ursuline Scholarship Fund. In addition, the event recognized new gifts and pledges totaling $275,000 for endowed scholarships.

Please enjoy the following illustrated history of the Ursuline Academy Mardi Gras Ball. Many of the past Honorary Chairs and Ball Chairs have stayed actively involved and are very much a part of today’s Mardi Gras. We hope to see you at Mardi Gras "Hearts of Gold" on February 13, 2010.

  
“It takes a person with a big heart and an open mind to donate money to change someone’s future. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to steer my life in the right direction. I hope to someday change someone’s life as you have changed mine.”

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT CLASS OF 2013
 
Ursuline Academy
Mardi Gras Ball
February 3, 1991
Chairs:
Ann & Barry Drees
Une Parade
Une Mascarade
February 29, 1992
 Chairs:
Barbara & Bob Middendorf
Lasisez le bon
temps rouler!
 February 20, 1993
Chairs:
 MaryCook Nabors '67 &
Bob Blanshard
Queen of Hearts Ball
 February 12, 1994
 Chair:
Mary Henrich
Moonlight and Magnolias
 February 18, 1995
 Chairs:
Marianne Staubach
Nancy McLochlin
Jazz and Jasmine
 February 17, 1996
 Chairs:
Barb Brum
Luann Sewell
Honorary Chairs:
Andrea & Bob Neuhoff
Masquerade in
Monte Carlo
 February 8, 1997
Chairs:
Vicky Pitts Lattner  '67
Mary Wilbert
Honorary Chairs:
Shirley & Gene Vilfordi
Queen and King
of Diamonds
February 21, 1998
 Chairs:
Mary Lee Duda
Brenda Morgan
Patti Reynolds
Honorary Chairs:
Nancy & Pat McLochlin
125th
Anniversare
 February 13, 1999
Chairs:
Rosalyn Bell
Jennifer Staubach Gates '84
Honorary Chairs:
Marianne & Roger Staubach
Carnival in Rio
 March 4, 2000
Chairs:
June Tehan
Maureen Croley
Honorary Chairs:
Jen & Hal Tehan
Talk of the Town
 February 24, 2001
Chairs:
Jill Jackson
Debbie Sirchio
Honorary Chairs:
Kay & Henry Neuhoff
French Quarter Festival
 February 2, 2002
Chairs:
Teresa Daly Walther '74
Barbara Balisteri Koeijmans '79
Mary Ann McNally
Honorary Chairs:
Mary Lee & Fritz Duda
Let the Good Times Roll!
 March 2, 2003
Chairs:
Donna Garcia de Quevedo
Susan Genovese
Jane Kirby
Honorary Chairs:
Rosalyn & Alan Bell
Impressions of Mardi Gras
 February 21, 2004
Chairs:
Mary Ackels
Jenny Vilfordi Dove '76
Honorary Chairs:
Gale & Allan Peterson
Mardi Gras Y'All
 February 5, 2005
Chairs:
Marian Haggar Bryan '72
Donna Hafertepe Butzberger '72
Honorary Chairs:
Rosemary Haggar Vaughan
Isabell & Joe Haggar, Jr.
Patty & the late Ed Haggar, Sr.
Mardi Gras HOLLYWOOD MASQUERADE
 February 25, 2006
Chairs:
Natalie Devero
Cynthia O'Brien Robinson '76
Honorary Chairs:
Neil & Pat Brown O'Brien '52
 
When the Saints
Go Marching In!
February 17, 2007
Chairs:
Cindy Bartholomew
Tina Noah
Honorary Chairs:
Dorothy & Roger Hirl
What’s Given Shines
 February 2, 2008
Chairs:
Michelle Priolo
Jane Ryan
Honorary Chairs:
Doug & Vicky Pitts Lattner ’69
An Evening of
Grand Gestures
 February 21, 2009
Chairs:
Michelle Collins
Mary Smith
Ana Esteve Yoder ‘82
Honorary Chairs:
The Robert E. Morgan Family