Special to the Democrat

The Krewe of Heart & Soul’s fifth annual Mardi Gras Tableaux Ball will be at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at the Natchez Convention Center.

The 2018 Royalty are:

King 2018 Courtney “CJ” Rachal

King Courtney “CJ” Rachal is the 32-year-old son of the late beloved Sandra Ann Rachal and the late Amos Northern. He was reared in Grosse Tete, La., and currently is a native of Port Allen, La. His biggest support system is his two sisters, Sharonda and Danasha Rachal and his godmother/aunt Wanda Rachal! Courtney is the proud godfather of seven little rascals and plays a very active role in all their lives.

Courtney attended and graduated in the top 10 of his class from North Iberville High School in 2003. He then went on to attend  Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge and received his bachelors of science degree in accounting in 2010.

He is currently the founder and owner of My Dream Affair Event Planning, LLC based out of Grosse Tete, servicing all of Louisiana and the lower southern region of the United States. Courtney started MDA in April 2014 and has been self-sufficient since with the help of family and friends who are his biggest supporters, which he says, “Thank you all” from the bottom of his heart. He is a member of Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge.

Courtney is currently an active and involved member of the SU Alumni Federation Chapter of Baton Rouge and sponsors, as well as, gives back to community organizations by participating in a host of community service activities throughout the year, because he loves being a positive role model and influence to others. He enjoys fellowship and entertaining his family and friends, traveling and helping others when he’s not working.

His message to others comes from Mark 5:22-24 — “Therefore I say unto you, all things for which you have prayed and ask, believe that you have received them and they will be granted to you.”

Upon the loss of his beloved mother last year which was his pride and joy, his prayer to the world is to appreciate and cherish everyone around you, not just your loved ones because there’s no second chances at life.

Queen 2018 Brittney Vontres Scott

Queen Brittney VonTres Scott is a native of Ferriday. She is the 30-year-old daughter of Branton and Sandra Lewis. She is the grandaughter of Sarah Scott and Norma Bessye and Alfred Lewis. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Madison and Brylie.

She is a 2005 graduate of Ferriday High School, where she was salutatorian of her class. She also graduated cum laude in fall 2010 from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, where she received her bachelors of science in accounting.

She is currently employed by Delta Bank in Ferriday, where she has worked since January 2011. Her official title is a universal banker but she has many daily roles that she works in. She is a member of the 2017 Concordia Parish Emerging Leaders, board member for the Concordia Council on Aging, a member of the STEP Leadership Committee and a continuous volunteer for school and community functions.

She is a member of the Harvest Baptist Church in Ferriday, pastored by Charles Chandler. She is a member of the choir, women’s ministry and volunteers with the youth department. Her favorite bible passage is Psalms 121, because in every trial and tribulation God will always be there.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, shopping and traveling.

Her biggest aspirations are to become a prominent figure in her community, help as many people as she can with servitude and to encourage others to live life to the fullest and make every moment count.

Co-Captain Brittney Nichole Anderson

Brittney Nichole Anderson is the 28-year-old daughter of Martin Anderson and the late Slyvia Anderson.  She is also the daughter of Monica Anderson and the late Vernadine Anderson.  She currently resides in Natchez. 

Brittney is a 2007 graduate of Natchez High School.  She is currently pursuing her bachelor of science degree in information systems from Strayer University. Brittney is currently employed with the Natchez-Adams School District. 

Brittney attends Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church of Natchez pastored by the Rev. Melvin White.

In Brittney’s spare time she enjoys traveling, attending rodeos, shopping and spending time with her family.

Queen 2014 LaShinda Nix

Queen 2014 Lashinda Nix, 35, is the daughter of the late Albert and Gloria Nix of Clayton. She is the youngest of three children and was raised in Clayton with her two older sisters Kimelar Nix-Skipper and Schrylean Nix-Duncan.

She attended Ferriday High School, where she was the 1999-2000 homecoming queen. She graduated from Ferriday High School with honors and went on to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge. She received her associate degree in organizational management from Ashford University and her bachelors of arts degree in child development.

She is employed by the Concordia Parish School Board, where she has been working as a paraprofessional for 11 years at Ferriday Lower Elementary and three years at Concordia Parish Academy. She has worked with children ranging from pre-kindergarten to second grade. 

She is the mother of one daughter Cle’Onia Cummings, 17, and two sons Jy’Kareyus, 12, and La’Kaden, 9.

Nix is a member of the Harvest Baptist Church in Ferriday, where she is a member of the Perfecting the Praise Dance Ministry and the WIN Ministry mentor. She is also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Crescent Chapter No. 142.  She enjoys helping others in any way possible, and in her leisure time she loves spending time with her children and family, traveling, shopping and just enjoying life.

King 2014 Jeremy Fakes

King Jeremy Fakes is the son of Irma Jan Fakes of Natchez and the late Henry “Pot” Woods. He is the grandson of Annie Mae Christmas of Natchez and the late Hattie Robinson Woods and Nathaniel “Suga Doo” Fakes. Fakes graduated with honors from Natchez High School in 2001. He furthered his education at the University of New Orleans and later Alcorn State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in general studies/education.   

He was active in many activities and organizations in both high school and college, and received a number of awards for excellence including being inducted into the College National Honor Society and also being selected as “Best Dressed” at Alcorn State University two years in a row.

Fakes is a member of NAACP, Alpha Lamba National Honor Society and Minority Business ORG.  He is member of the Egypt Baptist Church of Natchez, where he serves as president of the choir.  He also has a quartet group that originally started out as “The Undertakers” but in recent years changed the name to “Anointed.”

He has traveled all over the United States in singing God’s praises on some of the biggest stages with people such as Lee Williams, Harvey Watkins, Doc McKenzie, Marvin Sapp and Rance Allen.  He credits his singing to his grandmother, Annie Mae Christmas.

His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Fakes enjoys traveling, singing, clothes, antique cars, computers, spending time with family and football.

He is a diehard Alcorn and Dallas Cowboys football fan.

King 2015 Willie Wesley Jr.

King Willie Wesley is a native of Natchez. Willie is the son of Willie and Diane Wesley Sr.  He is married to Latoya Wesley and together they have six children. Willie is a 2004 graduate of Natchez High School, where he was a member of the football and track team.  After high school, Willie continued his education at Alcorn State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in recreation.

He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and also and advisor for the Sigma Beta Club in Natchez.  Willie works for the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks and attends New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Willie’s hobbies include spending time with family, coaching little league baseball for the T.M. Jennings League, coaching for the Natchez Falcons youth football team, playing flag football, hunting and fishing.

Queen 2015 Toyna “Tonii” Washington

Queen Tonya Taursette “Tonii” Washington is the daughter of Jane and the late Albert James Washington of Natchez. She is the mother of two children, Deshawn Griggs and Kendria Washington. She has two brothers, Ken and George, and three sisters, Anita, Linda and Teresa. She is also the godmother of Jaylen Matthews and the late Kynsley Rankin. She is a graduate of South Natchez Adams School and of Alcorn State University where she received her bachelors in biology and obtained a masters in biology and guidance and secondary education. Tonya is currently employed by the Natchez-Adams School District as a Biology I and 8th-grade science teacher. She is a member of the Antioch Baptist Church where she sings in the choir. She is also member of the Vidalia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her hobbies include shopping, helping others and spending time with her family.

Queen 2016 Shandria Lynett Hueing

Queen Shandria Hueing is the daughter of David and Sherry Hueing of Ridgecrest.  She is the sister of David R. Hueing and Bridgette Williams.  Hueing was born in Natchez but raised in Vidalia. She is the proud mother of one son, 10-year-old Marc Perkins Jr.

She graduated from Vidalia High School in 1997. In 2002, Hueing received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La.  She later received her master’s degree in social work from Louisiana State University in 2013.

She is employed by Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. She is the child welfare supervisor for the Catahoula/LaSalle Parish Child Welfare Office in Jonesville. Hueing has been employed with the agency for 13 years where she has worked or received training in all programs offered by the child welfare department. She is a licensed mastered social worker for the state of Louisiana.

Hueing is a member of the Order of Eastern Star Rosewood Chapter No. 65 of Vidalia, Louisiana Social Service Supervisors Association and the National Association of Social Workers.

She enjoys being with family and attending sporting events.

King 2016 John Prosser

King John Prosser is the son of Valerie and John Franklin. He is the brother of Treniece Conner and Kenneth Prosser.

He graduated with honors from Ferriday High School where he excelled in academics and enjoyed being a part of the mighty Ferriday High Trojan band.

Prosser is currently a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, where has been active for almost 11 years.  He has also been working with several offshore careers. Prosser is the proud father of his only child John Prosser Jr.

He is a member of the Harvest Baptist Church in Ferriday.  He’s a Masonic Brother of Ferriday Lodge No. 101. 

Traveling, poetry or just enjoying a drink with friends are just a few of Prosser’s hobbies, but spending time with his family is what he enjoys above all.

Queen 2017 Debra LaMaude Allen

Queen Debra L. Allen was born and reared in Lake Providence, La.  She is married to Roger Allen. To this union, two sons were born, Roderick and LaVonta Allen. Debra is grandmother to Melanie and Releigh Allen and the godmother to Erin Jackson, Erica Singleton, Rachel Ellis, Jamiyah Curtis and Akeyoh Prater. Her mother is Ms. Martha Haley and she has three siblings, Felicia Haley, Michael Haley and the late Adrienne Auguster. 

Debra is a graduate of Lake Providence Sr. High School in Lake Providence. She holds and associate degree in applied science in child development form Hinds Community College and a bachelor of science in general studies from Alcorn State University where she graduated Cum Laude. Currently, Debra is pursuing a masters in education from Alcorn State University.

She is employed with the Natchez Adams School District as the district parent liaison.  Debra is also a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Lucinda Robinson No. 6 Order of Eastern Star where she as the financial secretary, Toys for Tots and Junior Auxiliary of Natchez.

In her spare time, Debra enjoys spending time with her husband and family, cooking  and shopping.

King 2017 Roger Allen

Roger Allen was born and reared in Jonesville.  He is the son of Mrs. Oleavy Allen and the late Henry Allen. He is married to Debra L. Allen.  Roger is the father of seven, Roderick, LaVonta, Timothy, Reginald, Roger, Sharelle, and Deshana. Roger is also the grandfather to Melanie and Ryleigh Allen and the godfather to Erin Jackson, Erica Singleton, Akeyoh Prater, Rachel Ellis and Jamiyah Curtis.

Roger joined the U.S. Army in 1977 where he served as a truck driver instructor and a squad leader for three years, whereas later join the Louisiana National Guard and served 18 years.  Upon serving in the National Guard he was deployed to Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991).  He retired from the Army with 21 years of service. 

Currently, Roger is employed by Stine Lumber Company in Natchez.  He is also a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Enoch Lodge No. 18 and Lucinda Robinson No. 6 Order of Eastern Star where he serves as Patron.

Roger enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and family, fishing, traveling and listening to music.