After being selected by Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana to represent his office as a princess at the Mardi Gras ball, sophomore biology major Leah Franques traveled to Washington, D.C., to celebrate childhood traditions and see the inner workings of Capitol Hill.

Celebrating Mardi Gras with her family, a young Leah Fraques throws beads from the wagon in Louisiana.
(Courtesy of Leah Franques)

Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Franques said she celebrated Mardi Gras by attending a variety of parades and balls. Her school would often cancel classes to allow the students to participate in celebrations, Franques said. 

“In my opinion, Louisiana’s culture is the richest in the South, and I feel really blessed to get a holiday that no other state celebrates,” Franques said. “I’m just so happy that that’s the state I was born in.” 

The tradition of hosting a Mardi Gras ball in Washington, D.C. began in 1944. A group of Louisiana leaders (later known as the Mystic Krewe of Louisiana) organized the event to celebrate their state’s culture. In 1948, the organizers expanded the celebration by inviting Mardi Gras royalty from across Louisiana to participate. 

Franques said one of her favorite aspects of the trip was seeing her home state represented. 

“Being from a small rural town, it can feel like your voice doesn’t matter politically, but seeing a room full of Louisiana-born congressmen who grew up in the same culture as I did, voting on the laws of our country is really cool,” Franques said. “I felt like our little state mattered.” 

TCU sophomore Leah Franques poses with Rep. Clay Higgins outside his office in Washington, D.C.
(Courtesy of Leah Franques)

Franques arrived in the capital on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and spent her days leading up to the Saturday ball exploring the city and visiting monuments. She toured the Hall of the House of Representatives and heard speeches from the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, R-Shreveport, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, who both represent her home state. 

Before the ball, Franques and her guests joined parades inside convention centers. 

Lexi Randolph, a sophomore psychology major and friend of Franques, said, “Everyone had this type of energy because we’re all there to celebrate these amazing people that we love. It’s just one big celebration for who these people are.”

The night of Franques’ presentation, Rep. Clay Higgins raised a toast explaining why he selected her to represent his office. Sophomore biology and chemistry major Addison Pratt, a guest of Franques, recalled Higgins emphasizing the character of the Franques family.

TCU sophomores Addison Pratt, Lexi Randolph and Leah Franques squeeze together in front of the stage at the Friday rehearsal for the Mardi Gras ball. (Courtesy of Leah Franques)

“He said they stick out because they’re all such kind, genuine people,” Pratt said. “I think getting to see her like that was a real testament to her character.”

Franques was escorted by her brother during the presentation and paraded around the room of attendees along with the other royalty.

“I felt like I was a Disney princess wearing my tiara and white gloves,” Franques said it was her childhood dream come true.

After the eventful weekend, Franques celebrated Mardi Gras at TCU by sharing king cakes, a traditional dessert, with her friends and planning for Lent. 

Franques said the biggest takeaway from her time in Washington, D.C. was to embrace heritage. “All of the congressmen kept saying it’s really important to never forget where you came from and no matter where you go, don’t stop celebrating.”