66th Mardi Gras gala
University of St. Thomas throws a carnivale bash as last hurrah before Lent
What:University of St. Thomas 66th Mardi Gras Gala.
Where: Hilton Americas-Houston.
The scoop: Continuing a long-standing tradition, two UST senior students were crowned king and queen of the school festivities — Queen Samantha Loos-Polk and King Robert Ramirez. With seven co-chairs —Ginger Blanton, Rosie Carrabba, Jan Duncan, Ginger Niemann, Regina Rogers, Annette Strake, and Shelley Tortorice — the Venetian-themed gala brought in close to $930,000 for student scholarships.
In a surprise move for the honoree, the Rev. Donald Nesti, director of the Center for Faith and Culture, board chair Bert Edmundson announced that the center would be named for Nesti, its founder.
Entertainment included the Three Houston Tenors during dinner and Skyrocket! later in the evening.
Who: UST president Bob Ivany and Marianne, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott, Margaret Alkek Williams, Raye White, Lois and Carl Davis, Trini Mendenhall, Jan and Oniel Mendenhall, and Lois and Carl Davis.