McNicholas crowns 2024 Mardi Gras King and Queen

McNicholas celebrated its 72nd annual Mardi Gras on Sunday, Feb. 18 with the crowning of King Remington Holder and Queen Calla Garretson.  

Remy was unable to attend the ceremony due to a pre-scheduled interview with a prestigious university but was recognized in absentia alongside Calla for their dedication and service to our community. 

The theme, McNicholas Eras, paid tribute to the moments of connection that have been shared by the thousands of students who have been part of the McNicholas High School eras. Emcee and faculty member, Mr. Paul Romolo, shared memories from the past seven decades, highlighting the love, service, talents, and spirit that bond the McNicholas community together. 

The evening, full of festive tradition established by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1952, honored the 56 students on the court and honor guard as well as the McNicholas community as a whole. 

Click here to see the full court listing. 

King Remy is a four-year Dean’s List student who has served his community with over 360 hours of community service, including his work with the non-profit May We Help. 

“Remington gives of himself daily to support Rocket High and is always willing to lend a hand,” engineering teacher Mr. Steve Dalton said. “Through his work at May We Help he has aided in constructing an unflippable bed frame for a boy with autism and spent almost 6 months building a wheelchair lift for a camper to help a little girl go camping with her family. Remy exemplifies what it means to live out Full Stature in Christ, using your God-given talents and abilities to serve others.” 

Remy is a member of the Boys Bowling Team, the Academic Team, and the CyberPatriot Team. He has served his fellow students as a retreat leader, Student Ambassador, and McNick Broadcasting member, and served the greater community in his work on the Appalachia Retreat and with the Military History Club. 

Remy has been recognized for his many academic talents, having been named Latin Student of the Year, Business Technology Student of the Year, Social Studies Student of the Year, and has earned membership to the St. Joseph Scholar program, Science National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, and National Honor Society.  

“Remy is an exceptional young man. Even when he was a freshman, I knew he would go on to make a difference at McNick,” said freshmen CREW teacher Mrs. Val Combs. “He is intelligent, kind, loving, giving, and humble with a heart of gold. He radiates McNick's mission and is so deserving of this honor.” 

Queen Calla is a 4-year Dean’s List student, 4-year lacrosse athlete, and 4-year thespian. She has performed in eight shows on the McNicholas stage, including four musicals, and serves as the Thespian Troupe Vice President. 

“Calla brings her personal warmth and intentionality to everything she does to ensure that all students feel welcomed and included at McNick,” said Theology teacher Mr. Jeff Hutchinson-Smyth. “She faithfully fulfills her many commitments with maturity and perspective so that our school might be more bonded together and her willingness to share her gifts and talents so readily invites and empowers others to do so as well.” 

Calla has served her community with over 260 hours of community service, including 32 hours in Granger County, Tennessee. She has served her fellow students as the Student Body Vice President, Peer Mentor, Student Ambassador, Eucharistic Minister, and retreat leader. 

She is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Youth Conference, McNick Broadcasting, and the CREW Leadership Team and has been recognized as a St. Joseph Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and the English Student of the Year. She is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta, the International Thespian Society, and National Honor Society.  

“Calla is the embodiment of what it means to be the Queen of Mardi Gras and is an outstanding representative of the best McNicholas has to offer,” Student Culture Coordinator Mr. Todd Naumann said. “As a member of the CREW Leadership Team and Student Body Vice President, she actively lives our four core virtues of Courage, Resilience, Enthusiasm, & Wisdom.”  

Math Department Chair, Mrs. Ashley Brothers, said, “Remy and Calla are both selfless individuals who put others first. If there is a need to be met, both are quick to reply with a generous ‘yes.’ They love their school and the McNicholas community. They have done a spectacular job sharing their time and talents with McNick and I'm happy they were able to be recognized for their efforts over the last 4 years.”  

Congratulations to King Remy and Queen Calla for this hard-earned and well-deserved honor!