2023 Flag Bearers Announced

2023 Gulf Coast Carnival Association Flag bearers, from left, Delaney Kate Chowske, Ava Faye Carter, Megan Bernice Murray, Mary Evelyn Jakubik, Anna Campbell Jakubik, Parker Alan Lamas, Martha Hewitt Cloyd, Lexi Lynn Bruni, Blaine Elias Barbee and Mary Grace Bertucci.

BLAINE ELIAS BARBEE    

Blaine Elias Barbee is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Barbee of Biloxi, MS.  He attends Biloxi Upper Elementary School where he is a member of the National Elementary Honor Society, Yearbook Staff and Student Council.  He is also a member of the Envision Alumni Association, National Youth Leadership Forum, and Pathways to STEM.  Blaine enjoys playing soccer and serves as team Captain for his travel baseball and football teams.  Blaine’s parents, Brandon and Christy Barbee are GCCA parade float sponsors.

MARY GRACE BERTUCCI

Mary Grace Bertucci is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ryland Bertucci, Sr. of Gulfport, MS. She is an honor roll student at Bayou View Middle School where she cheers for the sixth grade football team and is a member of the Builders Club.  Mary Grace is on the Jess Dance team, Grassroots volleyball team and Bayou Bluff tennis team.  Mary Grace is a member of St. James Church where she attend CYO.

Mary Grace’s father, Ryland Bertucci, Sr. was a duke in 2020 and served as a page in 1994.  Her brother Ryland Bertucci, Jr. was a page to King d’Iberville in 2022.  Her uncle, Jeff Bertucci was a duke in 2019  and a page in 1994.  Her Aunt, Lee Anne Bertucci served as a page in 1991. Her grandfather, Frank E. Bertucci was a duke in 1986, Lieutenant of Carnival in 1991-1992, King d’Iberville 1994 and chairman of the board in 2022-2003. Her great grandfather Frank Bertucci served as King d’Iberville 1961.

LEXI LYNN BRUNI

Lexi Lynn Bruni is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Tim Bruni of Gulfport.  She is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Bayou View Middle School where she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and member of the student council. She is a cheerleader for the Viking football team and member of the Lady Viking soccer team. Lexi plays select soccer for South Mississippi Soccer Club and is a member of St. James Catholic Church. She enjoys outings with her friends, tumbling and cheering on the New Orleans Saints with her family. She is a member of St. James and Trinity youth groups.

AVA FAYE CARTER

Ava Faye Carter is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Carter of Gulfport.  She is an honor roll student at Bayou View Middle School where she is also a cheerleader.  Ava is a member of Jess Dance competition team.  She and her family are members of St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport. 

Her grandfather, Rick Carter, was a duke in 2007 and King d’Iberville in 2009.  Her father, Jake Carter, was a duke in 2015. Her sister Mia Carter was a page in 2015 and a flag bearer in 2017. Her sister Isabella Carter is a page to Queen Ixolib 2022.  Her aunt, Christina Carter Burks, was a maid in 2010 and Queen Ixolib in 2012. Her aunt, Alexa Carter, was a made in 2012 and Queen Ixolib in 2015.

DELANEY KATE CHOWSKE

Delaney Kate Chowske is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Chowske of Gulfport.  She is in the seventh grade at Bayou View Middle School where she is on the Superintendent’s list, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, cross country team, and soccer team.  Delaney is a four-year member of her Gulf Coast United Futbol Club select team.  She is also a member of The Bridge United Methodist Church and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church’s youth group.  She is active in the National League of Junior Cotillion Gulf Coast Chapter, as well as children’s theater at Center Stage.  She also enjoys tennis, snowboarding, Twin Lakes Summer Camp, art, and hanging out with friends.

Delaney’s mother, Brittany Rester Chowske, was a maid in 2002.  Her grandfather, John Rester, was a duke in 1999. 

MARTHA HEWITT CLOYD      

Martha Hewitt Cloyd is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Everitt Cloyd of Ocean Springs, MS.  She attends Ocean Springs Upper Elementary where she is an “A” student and participates in the gifted studies program Connections. Martha enjoys singing lead vocals with her band at Rock U2, and she also plays the piano and the French horn. She is active in her school ‘s drama club where she was a lead performer in this years Christmas Play.  Martha is a skilled artist with a pencil and is honoring her artistic skills using other mediums.  She enjoys her multiple, daily walk and loves to spend time with her family, especially with her brother Gaines.  She loves her cats, Galadriel and Nemo, and loves her parents most of the time.

Martha’s father, Joe Cloyd was a GCCA duke in 2022.

ANNA CAMPBELL JAKUBIK

Anna Campbell Jakubik is the daughter or Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Webb, IV of Gulfport, MS and Mr. and Mrs. Damian Jakubik of Biloxi.  She attends Saint Patrick High School where she is an honor student and a member of the Irish Emeralds dance team and elected as 7th grade student council representative.  Campbell loves to sing, dance and act and has performed in a variety of theatrical productions at St. James Elementary and Wings Performing Arts. She was selected as the People’s Choice winner for the 2022 Miss Aquarium Pageant and was also runner-up for her age division. Campbell plays tennis, enjoys snow skiing and is a member of Trinity Youth and Trinity United Methodist Church of Gulfport.

Campbell’s mother, Kelly Lanier Webb, was a flag bearer in 1988 and 1989, a Maid in 1996, and Queen Ixolib in 1997. Her Aunt, Blair Lanier Seegers, was a page in 1992, a flag bearer in 1993, and Queen Ixolib in 2003. Her Grandfather, Dr. Douglas C. Lanier, Jr., was a Duke in 1988 and King D’Iberville in 1992.

MARY EVELYN JAKUBIK

Mary Evelyn Jakubik is the daughter or Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Webb, IV of Gulfport, MS and Mr. and Mrs. Damian Jakubik of Biloxi.  She attends Saint Patrick High School where she is an honor student and a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Mary Evelyn plays USTA competitive tennis and has been ranked in the top 5 of her age division in the state of Mississippi. She played varsity tennis for Gulfport High School in 7th and 8th Grade and was runner up in district girls doubles in the 8th grade. She currently plays on the St. Patrick varsity tennis team. Mary Evelyn is an advanced snow skier and she enjoys playing the piano, traveling and spending time with her friends, family and animals. She is a member of Trinity Youth and Trinity United Methodist Church of Gulfport.

Mary Evelyn’s mother, Kelly Lanier Webb, was a flag bearer in 1988 and 1989, a Maid in 1996, and Queen Ixolib in 1997. Her Aunt, Blair Lanier Seegers, was a page in 1992, a flag bearer in 1993, and Queen Ixolib in 2003. Her Grandfather, Dr. Douglas C. Lanier, Jr., was a Duke in 1988 and King D’Iberville in 1992.

PARKER ALAN LAMAS

Parker Alan Lamas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Lamas of Biloxi.  He is an honor student at Biloxi Junior High where he is a member of the National Junior Beta Club, Biloxi Junior High Football team, Soccer team and Baseball team.  Parker also plays for the Ocean Springs Blue Sox Baseball Team and in his free time he enjoys golfing, fishing, gaming, and watching all Mississippi State sporting events.

Parker’s mother, Ashleigh Pickich Lamas was a flag bearer in 1993 and a maid in 2004.  His grandfather, Joseph Leckich, served as duke in 1980.  His uncle, David Leckich, was duke in 2019. 

MEGAN BERNICE MURRAY

Megan Bernice Murray is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Murray of Gulfport.  She attends St. Patrick High school where she is on the principal’s honor roll and a member of the St. Patrick’s softball team and track team.  Megan enjoys kayaking, going to the beach, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with friends.  She is a member of the St. James Youth Group.

Megan’s mother, Angela Mozingo Murray, was a maid in 1993, and a flag bearer in 1987. Her grandmother, Linda Ingrassia Mozingo was Queen Ixolib in 1965. Her grandfather, Tony Ingrassia, was a duke in 1961.  Her great-uncle Frank Bertucci was King d ’Iberville in 1961.