A Mardi Gras theme along with New Orleans Jazz and music from Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra serenaded the guests at this year’s Grand Ball which took place at Discovery World. While attendees dined on a feast provided by Bartolotta’s, music was provided by Robb Medford from Rhythm in Motion, located in New Berlin. Medford later took song requests via text messages. According to Kaitlin Campbell, Student Government Secretary at the Mequon Campus, “attendance was higher than expected.”

Scott Dennis, from the District Student Senate, was the master of ceremonies and did not cease to keep the humor going throughout the night. Adam Besaw from the AITP (or the Association of Information Technology Professionals Organization) provided complimentary photos to the couples who attended the Ball.

The crowned royalty from 2010 made an appearance to pass on their titles. Archie Graham, Director of Student Life, took the stage to award Becky Lechmaier, Sandra Richardson and Dan Gehling with stipends from U.S Bank for having a winning speech at the Grand Ball Candidates’ luncheon.

The winners from the Milwaukee Campus were Gehling, from the Student Government, who won the title of King. Gehling said, “I appreciate and respect the decisions that the Downtown campus made, and I am very humbled by it.”

Claudia Jaankowski from the Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) won the title of Queen for the Milwaukee Campus. She commented, “I wasn’t expecting to win, but it feels really good.”

Richardson and George Madison from the Accommodating Student Learning Organization (ALSO) won the titles of Prince and Princess of the Milwaukee Campus. Madison said, “I didn’t win King, but I’m better than him [the King]. Still, I want to thank God for blessing me [with the title of Prince]. I also want to thank everyone who voted for me. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it.”

Richardson commented on her victory, “Since I arrived here [at MATC] in 2009, I’ve been having the best time of my life at 55 years old. I’m energetic, I’m working hard on my studies and I’m having a really great time.”

Drew Mealey from WISPIRG and Ijeoma Ezemba from the Respiratory Therapy Student Association won the titles of Lord and Lady for the Milwaukee Campus. Ezemba said, “Dream big. Strive for the highest position because it takes a lot of courage to give your speech and put yourself out there. Being royalty is an honor because besides the glory, it gives you the guts to push forward.”

Zenobia Davis, from the Student Government, won the title of Court Attendant for the Milwaukee Campus.From the Mequon Campus were Justin Kraemer and Jessica Pizzino, who won King and Queen. Both Kraemer and Pizzino are from the Student Government.

Jason Chin from the Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Club and Lechmaier, from the Student Government, won the titles of King and Queen for the Oak Creek Campus.

Lechmaier said, “I’m very grateful. I really wished that everyone could win. I’m really enjoying myself.”

Paul Gosh, from the Student Government at the Oak Creek campus, won the title of Prince while Julia Fedran from the Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJSO) at the Oak Creek campus, won the title of Princess.

From the West Allis Campus, Wendy Yang of the Student Government won the title of Queen and Alexander Pederson of the AITP won the title of King.

Yang commented on her victory, “It’s not about winning. It’s about hanging with the people who supported me.I’m speechless.”

Jonathan Griswold from the Student Government and Amanda Danielson of the AITP won the titles of Prince and Princess for the West Allis Campus. Missing from the event were Mitchell Martinez and Julisa Perez, who were both LSO (Latin Student Organization) King and Queen Candidates for the Milwaukee Campus. Andrew Fischer from the Culinary Arts Student Association and Jennifer Zadrzynski from the International Students Club at the Oak Creek Campus were both listed in the program as King and Queen Candidates, but neither of them were awarded.

Graham commented on the Ball, “The atmosphere; the skylights and décor, is fantastic and the food is exceptional.”

Dennis stated, “I’m graduating this year, so everyone needs to make sure that future Grand Balls live up to this one from 2011.”

Jaankowski said, “It’s a really beautiful place, better than I expected. It truly is a Grand Ball.