PO Box 1906, Morgan City, LA 70381, US
2023 Court and Ball
Dr. Eric Melancon and Anna Armato reigned over the royal court of Morgan City’s oldest krewe as King and Queen Hephaestus LXIII on Feb. 18 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
The 2023 Krewe Captain Michael Vining led the ball, whose theme was “Hephaestus Grand Soiree.”
The dukes and maids represented various parties known to our culture as follows: “Southern Garden Party,” Carl Hebert and Ryan Catherine Caldwell, daughter of Greg and Stacey Caldwell; “Hawaiian Luau,” Drew Mallinckrodt and Gweneth Dohmann, daughter of Joey and Sharon Dohmann; “High Tea Party,” Jason Knope and Anna LeLeux, daughter of Jeff and Angelique LeLeux; “New Years Eve,” Briant Dozar and Ella Hover, daughter of Gary and Lisa Hover and Ryan and Shannon Bianchini; “Fiesta,” Brannon Melancon and Dru Fraley, daughter of Jeremy and Annette Fraley; and “Jazz Brunch,” Garret LeBlanc and Lucy Hamer, daughter of Gregory and Shannon Hamer.
Pages to the king were William Montgomery, son of William and Julie Ann Montgomery; and Miller Fuhrer, son of Mallory Johnson Fuhrer and Cory Fuhrer.
The queen's pages were Alex Marie Waguespack, daughter of Jonathan and Tiffany Waguespack; and Marie-Elise Matherne, daughter of Jeffrey and Courtney Matherne.
Adeline Josephine Dohmann, daughter of Joey and Sharon Dohmann, was the gift bearer.
Court heralds were Beckett Minton and Fletcher Minton, sons of Coby and Caitlyn Minton.
Dwayne Aucoin, Gary Hover, John B. Hover and Cooper LeBlanc were knights of Hephaestus.
Melancon was born and raised in south Louisiana and resides in Patterson. He has been married for 27 years to Karen Smith Melancon, of Baton Rouge. They have a son and daughter-in-law, Brannon and Danielle Melancon, of Centerville; and a daughter, Mary Jordan Melancon.
The king graduated from Hahnville High School and LSU, completing his education at LSU Medical School in New Orleans. He serves as a primary care physician/owner of Tiger Island Medical Clinic and is St. Mary Parish's coroner. He has been a member of the Krewe of Hephaestus since 2012, previously serving as a duke.
Armato is the daughter of John and Nicol Armato. She is a 2018 graduate of Berwick High School and a 2022 magna cum laude graduate of LSU in accounting.
While at LSU, Armato volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and The Painted Turtle Camp and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Delta Zeta and Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. She works at Darnall Sikes in Morgan City and is also studying for the CPA exam. Her long-term goal is to work at Darnall Sikes of Lafayette after she passes the exam.
Entertainment for the court was provided by Dance World. Following the ball, a royal breakfast was served to guests.
Miss Anna Armato, Queen LXII
2022 Court and Ball
Gerard Bourgeois and Emma Levert Aucoin reigned as King and Queen Hephaestus LXI at the krewe's Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Hephaestus is Morgan City’s oldest chartered krewe.
Bourgeois is married to Ruth Bourgeois, and they have two daughters, Natalie and Madeline. He is an estate planning and business attorney, practicing at Bourgeois Law, LLC., Morgan City.
Bourgeois follows former family krewe royalty including father, Dr. Melvin Bourgeois (King Hephaestus XXV); sister, Therese Bourgeois Smith (Queen Hephaestus XXXII); niece, Caitlyn Bourgeois Minton (Queen Hephaestus LII); and brother, Dr. Robert Bourgeois (King Hephaestus LVI).
The queen is the daughter of Michelle Hunter Trapp and Judge Gregory P. Aucoin. A graduate of LSU, she's now a first-year law student at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
Aucoin's former family krewe royalty are aunt, Cynthia Aucoin (Queen Hephaestus XIII); grandfather, M.D. Shannon III (King Hephaestus XXIV); grandmother, Colleen Whitley Hunter (Queen Hephaestus XXVIII); and sister, Mary Frances Aucoin (Queen Hephaestus LIX).
The theme of the 2022 court and ball was “Poseidon’s Realm.” Krewe Captain Michael Wise portrayed the aforementioned ancient, fierce god of the sea.
The maids and dukes represented the aspects of Poseidon’s magical world.
The Magnificent Ocean, Lexi Landry, is the daughter of Ryan and Stacey Landry, and was escorted by Casey Shannon. The Coral Reef, Emily Colgin, is the daughter of Clint and Nicole Colgin. Her escort was Andy Walker. The Fish of the Sea, Rayne Hotard, is the daughter of Brandon and Sheli Hotard, and Jamie Hotard. Her escort was Austin Adams. Portraying Pirate’s Treasure, Katie Conrad's parents are Kenneth and Rosalind Conrad. Parker Conrad escorted her. Representing Monsters of the Deep, Kennedy Grizzaffi is the daughter of Frank “Boo” and Jodi Grizzaffi. She was escorted by Jonathan Scully. Depicting The Lost City of Atlantis, Madeline Bourgeois' parents are Gerard and Ruth Bourgeois. Grant Smith was her escort. Pages to the king were Henry Matte, son of Eric and Brittany Matte; and Reid Stanley, son of Casey and Stephanie Stanley. Pages to the queen were Emma Reasoner, daughter of Michael and Jennifer Reasoner; and Kate Murray, daughter of Virgil and Elizabeth Murray. Court heralds were Winston Aucoin, son of Dwayne and Michelle Aucoin; and Andrew Walker, whose parents are Andy and Heather Walker. Gift bearers were Aria Matte, daughter of Eric and Brittany Matte; and Ellison Walker, daughter of Andy and Heather Walker. Knights of Hephaestus were Dwayne Aucoin, Gary Hover, John B. Hover and Garret LeBlanc. Entertainment was provided by Dance World.
Miss Emma Levert Aucoin, Queen LXI
2020 Court and Ball
Madeline Margaret Hover and Allie “Al” Adams III reigned on Feb. 22 as King and Queen Hephaestus LX over the royal court of Morgan City’s oldest krewe. The theme of the ball, held in the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, was “Dynasties of China”. Krewe Captain Gregory Hamer Jr. depicted the “Mighty Dragon”, with the maids and dukes representing the regions and symbols of China. Representing The Qin Dynasty: Cydney Wilson, daughter of Jeffery Wilson and Donna Bostic Wilson, as “The Chinese Garden” and Tony Sala as the “Terracotta Warrior”. Representing the Han Dynasty: Mary Catherine Reggie, daughter of Mary Michelle Reggie and Raymond Reggie, as “Lavish Silks” and Tommy Hover as the “Han Warrior”. Representing the Liao Dynasty: Emily Price, daughter of Jason Price and Tahitia Price Riches, as “Treasures of China” and Scott Grow as “Genghis Khan”. Representing the Yuan Dynasty: Kyle Wilson, daughter of Jeffery Wilson and Donna Bostic Wilson, as “Jade” and Dan Sanford as “Kublai Khan”. Representing the Ming Dynasty: Gabrielle Robicheaux, daughter of Darren and Bobby Jo Robicheaux, as “Ming Vase” and Kody Written as the “Ming Warrior”. Representing the Qing Dynasty: Julianna Hernandez, daughter of Cecil and Kim Hernandez, as “Theatre and the Arts” and Conner LeBlanc as the “Qing Warrior”. The queen is the daughter of John B. and Tracie Hover and a graduate of Berwick High School. She attends LSU, where she is majoring in accounting with a minor in data analytics. She is also a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. Pages to the queen were Meredith Loupe, daughter of Neil and Jennifer Loupe; Evanna Broussard, daughter of Jules and Aggie Broussard; Mary Austin Adams, daughter of Austin and Elizabeth Bordelon Adams; and Edith Written, daughter of Kody and Lauren Written. The king is president of Stewart Supply and is the husband of Shelly Martin Adams. They have three married children, Ashton and Allie Adams IV, of The Woodlands, Texas; Dr. Austin and Elizabeth Adams, of Homewood, Alabama; and Grant and Alaina Adams Dozar, of The Woodlands. Their grandchildren are Arden Adams, Mary Austin Adams, Jules Adams and Griffin Dozar. Pages to the king were Jack Murdock, son of Jonathan and Morgan Murdock; Charles Bostic, son of Brian and Julie Bostic; Preston Rhodes, son of Scott and Anne Rhodes; and Adam Matte, son of Jeff and Lauren Matte. Court heralds were Samuel Landry, son of Matthew and Jaclyn Landry; Brett Hover, son of Tommy and Nicol Hover; Oliver Vining, son of Michael and Diana Vining; and Issac Price, son of Jeffery and Julie Price. Gift bearers were Elizabeth Grow, daughter of Scott and Danielle Grow, and Mary Margaret Montgomery, daughter of Will and Julie Ann Montgomery.
Knights of Hephaestus were Dwayne Aucoin, Gary Hover, John B. Hover and Garret LeBlanc.
Miss Madeline Margaret Hover, Queen LX
2019 Court and Ball
On March 2, 2019, Mr. Chris Anthony Price and Miss Mary Frances Aucoin, daughter of Mrs. Michelle Trapp and Judge Gregory Aucoin, reigned as King and Queen Hephaestus LIX over the royal court of Morgan City’s oldest krewe. The 2019 Captain of the Krewe, Mrs. Lisa Ratcliff Hebert, depicted Paris.
The theme of the 2019 court and ball was “Vive La France”. The Maids and Dukes represented the regions and symbols of France. Representing Versailles were Mr. Luke Patterson and Miss Kate Patterson, daughter of Mr. Mike and Mrs. Erin Patterson. Representing Bordeaux & Champagne were Mr. Stephen Roberts and Miss Natalie Bourgeois, daughter of Mr. Gerard and Mrs. Ruth Bourgeois. Representing Provence were Mr. Jean Paul Bourg and Miss Anna Armato, daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Nicol Armato. Representing The French Riviera were Mr. Shaun Roberie and Miss Brittany Roberie, daughter of Mr. Shaun and Mrs. Bridgett Roberie. Representing Alsace-Lorraine were Mr. Will Montgomery and Miss Anna Segar, daughter of Mr. Jim and Mrs. Susan Segar. Representing The French Alps were Mr. Tyler Louviere and Miss Sara Price, daughter of Mr. Jason Price and Ms. Tahitia Price.
Pages to His Majesty were Master Cohen Cline, son of Mr. Jason and Mrs. Nicole Cline, Master Sam Pizzolato, son of Mr. Chad and Mrs. Kelly Pizzolato, Master Thomas Theriot, son of Mr. Scott and Mrs. Margaret Theriot, Master Oliver Vining, son of Mr. Michael and Mrs. Diana Vining.
Pages to Her Majesty were Miss Belle Bostic, daughter of Mr. Bobby and Mrs. Natalie Bostic, Miss Ruby Bostic, daughter of Mr. Brian and Mrs. Julie Bostic, Miss Aida Pizzolato, daughter of Mr. Chad and Mrs. Kelly Pizzolato and Miss Cleo Price, daughter of Mr. Jeff and Dr. Julie Price.
Court Heralds were Master Winston Aucoin, son of Mr. Dwayne and Mrs. Michelle Aucoin and Master Nathan Theriot, son of Mr. Scott and Mrs. Margaret Theriot.
Gift Bearers were Miss Rosalie Leonard, daughter of Mr. Devin and Mrs. Elizabeth Leonard and Miss Emma Lind, daughter of Mr. Erik and Mrs. Stephanie Lind.
Knights of Hephaestus were Messieurs Dwayne Aucoin, Gary Hover, John B. Hover and Garret LeBlanc.
Miss Mary Frances Aucoin, Queen LIX
2018 Court and Ball
King Hephaestus LVIII Derald J. Hardaway and Queen Hephaestus LVIII Abigail Kathleen Askew, daughter of Carter and Colleen Askew, reigned at the Morgan City Auditorium over the city's oldest krewe at the Feb. 10, 2018, ball.
Krewe Captain Gary P. Stansbury depicted the Courageous Astronaut for the krewe's ball, the theme of which was "Intergalactic Voyage."
The king is vice president of sales for Central Boat Rentals. He and his wife, Connie, have two daughters, Fallon Hardaway Mason, of Fairfax, Virginia, and Victoria Tagliabue Mathews, of Rowlett, Texas. Their grandchildren are Garrett and Gabrielle Mason and Sam Mathews.
The queen attends LSU and owns her own photography business, Abigail Kathleen Photography.
The dukes represented characters from various popular galactic television shows and movies. The maids represented various planets and galaxies.
Representing Captain James T. Kirk and the Milky Way Galaxy were Charlie Solar Jr. and Paige Landry, daughter of Brian Landry and Tim and Andrea Matte.
Representing Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker and the Stars were Burt Adams and Carolyn Sanford, daughter of Joe and Gina Sanford.
Representing Officer William Adama and the Earth were Duane Hirsch and Morgan Boudreaux, daughter of Scott and Alita Boudreaux.
Representing Hal 9000 from "2001: A Space Odyssey" and Jupiter were Mike Patterson and Wrenn Patterson, daughter of David and Kellye Patterson.
Representing Star-Lord Peter Quill and The Black Hole were Jeremy Fraley and Emma Aucoin, daughter of Michelle Trapp and Judge Gregory P. Aucoin.
Representing The Robot from "Lost in Space" and the Sun were Gregory Theriot and Bria Marie Sosa, daughter of Roger Sosa and Dana Stansbury Sosa.
Pages to his majesty were Winston Aucoin, son of Dwayne and Michelle Aucoin, and Garrett Mason, son of Matthew and Fallon Mason. Pages to her majesty were Ava Berry, daughter of Joe’Al and Barbara Berry, and Blakely Fuhrer, daughter of Mallory Johnson Fuhrer and Cory Fuhrer.
Court heralds were Joseph Berry, son of Joe’Al and Barbara Berry, and Preston Beattie, son of Colleen Beattie and Colby Adams.
Gift bearers were Delaney Jane Graves, daughter of Vince and Natalie Graves and Sofi Beatrix Leiko Parker, daughter of Richard and Brandy Parker.
Knights of Hephaestus were Dwayne Aucoin, Gregory Hamer Jr., Gary Hover and John B. Hover.
Entertainment was provided by Dance World. Following the ball, breakfast was served.
Mrs. Abigail Askew Beadle, Queen LVIII