The Krewe of Natchez Indians has announced its royalty court for its seventh annual Mardi Gras ball set for 8 p.m. Saturday.

This year’s theme is “Welcome to Hollywood” and will feature Purple Diamonds of Jackson, A and J of Natchez and Triple C of Jackson. The event is invitation-only and will be hosted by Delvie Gales at the Natchez Convention Center. The Natchez Indians second annual Mardi Gras parade will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 in downtown Natchez and anyone interested in participating should call 601-442-4350.

Big Chief Kendrick Thompson

Kendrick Thompson was born April 7, 1978, in Natchez. He is the son of Flotie and John Washington. He is also the loving father of two sons, Jayse and Carter Thompson. The brother of Jacqueline (Eddie) Coleman and Emanuel “Dedaman” Jones.

He graduated from Natchez High School in 1996 where he was a member of National Honor Society & Who’s Who Among American High School students. He is an alumni of Alcorn State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-med; moreover, he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in the spring 2000 with the Mighty Eta Chapter. He has been a resident in Houston for the last nine years where he taught biological sciences.

Queen VII Lekeshia Mercedes Jones

Lekeshia Mercedes Jones was born April 10, 1980, in Jackson and raised in Natchez and is the daughter of Robert and Jackie McNeely and has one sister, Jackie Cameron. She is also the proud mother of one daughter, Cambria Chatman who is 8 years old. Jones is a 1998 graduate of Natchez High School. She also graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 2001, Alcorn State University with a bachelor’s in 2003 and masters degree, cum laude, in 2006 and Mississippi College with an education specialist degree in 2009, magna cum laude.

Currently, Jones is pursuing a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from North Central University with a graduation date tentatively scheduled May 2013.

Jones has 12 years of experience in education serving in various roles such as substitute teacher, inclusion assistant, business/English teacher, student services coordinator, coordinator of secondary curriculum and assistant principal. Jones now works with Houston Independent School District as an instructional coordinator and is also employed with K12 Online Education as an assistant principal of curriculum. She resides in Houston.

She is an active member of Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and Phi Delta Kappa. Through these organizations she is allowed to network with educators across the world and serve on panels which positively mold education systems. She is also a member of Texas Association of School Administrators.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping and researching current trends in education. She is pleased to represent the Krewe of Natchez Indians as 2013 queen.

Duchess Ira Scott-Sewell

Ira Scott-Sewell is a 2004 graduate of Alcorn State University School of Nursing and currently has a Master’s of Science in nursing and a Master’s in Health Administration. She earned her Mississippi and Louisiana registered nursing license after passing board examinations in 2004. She earned a Nursing Education Certificate in 2012. She has worked on various units throughout her nursing career, including Medical-Surgical Units, Telemetry units, Intensive Care Units, and has even provided Home Health Care to patients of all age groups. She is currently an assistant professor at Alcorn State University School of Nursing. She developed an interest in health care after working for Reed’s Medical Clinic while in high school.

Scott-Sewell is an active member of Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi Association, the National League of Nursing Association, Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nurses, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

Scott-Sewell is the wife of Keyone Sewell, and her hobbies include traveling, shopping decorating and spending time with family.

Duchess India Tenebra Martin

India Tenebra Martin is the daughter of Joseph Ray Miller and Georgia Anna Martin. She has four siblings Joseph Hawkins, Toya Martin, JaWan Hawkins and Jakeisha Hawkins. She graduated with a 3.75 GPA from Natchez High School, where she was a member of the junior varsity cheerleaders, Lady Bulldogs basketball squad and tennis team. Martin was a member of the BETA Club, Key Club, FCLA, HOSA, Student Council and National Honor Society. She received a bachelor’s in nursing from Alcorn State University, where she was a member of the ASU cheerleaders in 2005-2007 before becoming a golden girl in 2008. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Martin worked at Natchez Community Hospital until September of 2012. She then began travel nursing with Onward Healthcare, where she became vastly known as Stamford’s “Southern Sweetheat” at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn. Martin is now employed at Natchez Regional Hospital in labor and delivery.

Martin’s love and passion for kids has led her to many endeavors such as teaching summer dance camps, creating choreography for Vidalia High School’s First Dance Team, Prancing Vikettes, in 2009-2010. She assists with the Alpha Beauties Step team as well. She has seven special little ones EJ, Javin, Que’ Landon, Delaney, Brionne, and Juno.

Duchess Jacqueline Cameron

Jacqueline Cameron is the daughter of Robert and Jacqueline McNeely and has one sibling, Lekeshia Jones. She is the wife of Douglas Cameron Jr. They have two sons Tristin Cameron and Jordan Cameron. She graduated from Natchez High School, where she danced as a Lady Blue and received her bachelor’s of science in nutrition and dietetics from Alcorn State University where she danced as a Golden Girl. She works for Health and Human Services in Rosenberg, Texas. She attends Graber Road Church of Christ in Rosenberg. She enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, bowling, traveling and shopping.