Th e Ballroom at the West Cal Event
Center was populated with guests representing
all genres of music, from the Blues
Brothers to Trop Rock on January 11. Th is
was a costume year and it could not have
been any better. Th e crowd was greeted by
Krewe President Zelda Lantier, welcoming
them to Krewe des Bons Amis’s 15th Annual
Mardi Gras Ball. President Lantier thanked
her Board of Directors this year: Vice President
Jody Gibson, Treasurer Charles Cubbage,
Secretary Stephanie Caswell and Sgt.
of Arms Mike Allen. Also, a big thanks to
Ball Chairperson Leslie Cubbage, Decorating
Chairperson Kayla Lyons, Float
Chairperson David Gibson, and Social
Chairpersons Leslie Cubbage and the late
Jason McGee.
Th e 2019 King and Queen, David and
Kayla Lyons, made their fi nal walk as Royalty.
Th e familiar voice of Justin Morris commandeered
the microphone as Master of
Ceremonies for the night, exclaiming “Let’s
Get Th is Party Started!”
First order of business was introducing
the hardworking Captains of the Evening,
DJ Leslie G and Jam Master K, better known
as Leslie Gillespie and Kysha Martin.
Leslie was born and raised in Lake
Charles. She has a bachelor’s degree from
16 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • FEBRUARY 24, 2020
McNeese State University and has been the
executive assistant at Farmers Rice Mill for
the last 13 years. She has been married to
Matt Gillespie for 15 years and they are currently
living the dream in Ragley with their
two daughters, Ayasha and Kira. Leslie has
been an active Krewe member for 12 years,
having held numerous Court and board
positions.
Born and raised in Sulphur, Kysha has
degrees in marketing and management with
a minor in psychology from McNeese State
University. She has worked at PPG/Axiall/
Westlake for 17 years and is currently in the
HR department as an Associate HRBP. She
and her husband David reside in Moss Bluff
and have been members of the Krewe off
and on for six years. She has been an active
member and has held previous court positions.
To begin the Royal Presentation, King
and Queen XV, Steven and Jolene John
were introduced to the members and guests.
Moss Bluff residents, Steven and Jolene have
Krewe Captains
Leslie Gillespie and Kysha Martin
King and Queen XV
Steven and Jolene John