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 1,000 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 2011, proceeds from the Mardi Gras Ball totaled $400,000 for the Ursuline Scholarship Fund. In addition, the event recognized new gifts and pledges totaling $185,000 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 “A Mardi Gras to Rememeber – Scholarships for Tomorrow” on February 18, 2012.

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	Hearts of Gold February 13, 2010 Chairs: Linda Booth Diane Brown Honorary Chairs: Ann and Barry Drees
Wild West Mardi Gras – A Scholarship Roundup February 19, 2011 Chairs: Jan Golden Mary Menefee Peggy Wisner Honorary Chairs: The Anne and Tom Wunderlick Family