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LAPLACE — Members of LaPlace Area Recreational and Youth Organization (LARAYO) formed the Krewe of Allovus in 1965 in an effort to build community spirit and celebrate Mardi Gras.

The first ball and parade rolled with Bertram Madere as Grand Marshal and chief assistants Arnold Labat and Kyle Madere by his side. The Allovus Krewe paraded until 1971, at which point they turned over the parade to the LaPlace Jaycees, who organized Krewe du Monde.

It’s been 55 years since Krewe of Allovus began, and it holds the special title of being the oldest Carnival krewe in the River Parishes. Family and youth activities are the focus of the organization.

Year after year, royal court members have been selected based on their participation in LARAYO and Krewe of Allovus.

The 2020 Krewe of Allovus Carnival Ball will be held Saturday, Feb. 15 at St. Charles Catholic High School. The theme this year is “Allovus Explores Ancient Egypt.”

2020 King Allovus LV Darrell J. Catoire has been married to Deborah Braud Catoire for 39 years. Darrell and Deborah have two children, Brandi Schnell (Jeremy Schnell) and Jeremy Catoire (Cassie Catoire), along with four grandchildren: Calvin, Austin, and Collin Catoire, and Amelia Schnell.

Darrell is a 1976 graduate from Riverside Academy and also ITI Technical College. He began his career with Shell Norco as a process operator and retired as an environmental specialist after 39 years of service. Since retirement, he has spent his time traveling, working in his yard and enjoying his family, especially his grandchildren.

In 1987, Darrell and Debbie joined LARAYO, where their two kids played softball, baseball and were members of their Barracuda swim team. Darrell coached both softball (five years) and baseball (nine years). He also supported the swim team by working swim meets and helping to prepare for swim invitationals. In 1997, he was honored to be Duke Allovus XXXII. In 1999 his daughter, Brandi, was Maid Allovus XXIV, and in 2006, Brandi was Queen Allovus XLI.

Queen Allovus LV Kaylyn Rebecca Montz is the daughter of Steven and Dolores Montz.  She has one brother, Braedon Montz. Kaylyn is currently employed at Headline Studio in LaPlace, and she is a graduate of John Jay Beauty Salon. Kaylyn spent her childhood at LARAYO, where she played softball for nine years, competed on the swim team for four years, and served as an assistant softball coach for two years.

Her father Steven was Duke Allovus XLII, Captain Allovus XLVI-XLVIII and King Allovus LIII. Her mother Dolores was Secretary Allovus XLIII-XLV and Captain’s Lady Allovus XLVI-XLVIII. Kaylyn’s parents have been members of the Krewe for 13 years, and Kaylyn has been a member for three years. Kaylyn resides with her family in Reserve.

Captain Allovus LV Gary P. Breaud has been married to the former Dana Ramil for 29 years. They have three children and two grandchildren. Their family has been members of LARAYO for many years. Gary coached his daughters in softball. He and his wife have been members of the Krewe of Allovus for eight years, serving on the decorating committee through the years. His wife also served as secretary from 2016-2019. He was Duke Allovus XLVII and Ball Chairman from 2016 – 2019. His daughter Rianna was Maid Allovus LIV. His father and sister also served on past Allovus courts.

Duke Eugene “Munchy” Brady is married to Jennifer Tamplain Brady. They reside in LaPlace with their two sons, Evan (a senior at SCC) and Cameron (a freshman at SCC). Eugene works at Rain Carbon in Norco. Eugene and Jennifer have been members of LARAYO for the past 13 years. Eugene has served as an assistant baseball coach for both his son’s baseball teams throughout the years. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Maid Allovus LV Jordyn Vicknair is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jessi Vicknair. She is a junior at LSU pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics as well as a teaching certificate in secondary education. At LSU, she is the public relations chair for the Geaux Teach Student Organization, the historian for the Gamma Theta chapter of Phi Sigma Pi honor fraternity, and the NCTM Representative for LSU Council of Preservice Teachers of Mathematics.

She has been part of LARAYO since she was a little girl, playing softball from 2005 to 2014 and swimming from 2007 to 2017. Additionally, she has been a lifeguard at the Larayo pool since 2015. Her dad Jeffrey was Duke Allovus in 2016.

Duke Allovus LV Darrin Paul Gaubert is married to Codi Trepagnier Gaubert. They have two daughters, Lexi and Maci. Darrin is an operations superintendent at Valero St. Charles Refinery. He has been involved with LARAYO for five years, watching his girls swim and play ball. He serves on the LARAYO Board of Directors and coaches softball. Darrin enjoys hunting, cooking and especially spending time with his family. Darrin and his family reside in Montz.

Maid Allovus LV Bailey Bourgeois is the eldest daughter of Curt and Tiffanie Bourgeois of LaPlace. She is a freshman at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette studying graphic design. Other activities include being a member of Phi Mu Sorority, a student orientation staff member, and participating in intramural sports.

She was a member of LARAYO’s swim team for 10 years, softball team for four years and a lifeguard for three years. Her parents have been members of the Krewe for five years. Her father served on LARAYO’s Board of Directors for three years and was also a Duke of Allovus L.

Duke Allovus LV Brandon Levet is married to Jessica Barcelona Levet of LaPlace. They have two children, Kylie, 9, and Kayden, 6. His parents are Marvin and Terrie Levet. Brandon attended St. Charles Catholic High School and graduated in 2003.

Following high school, he became a carrier firefighter for St. John the Baptist Parish and attended the LSU Fire Academy in 2004. He has worked at Shell Norco for 10 years, and he serves as a firefighter and EMT for the refinery. Brandon is also the Battalion Chief for the St. John Parish Volunteer Fire Department. He played ball at LARAYO for about 10 years. His son now plays baseball there, and his daughter swims. They have been members for four years. This marks Brandon’s second year on the board, and he also serves on the grounds committee.

Maid Allovus LV Cobi Victoria Smith is the daughter of Rusty Gaudet III and Jaclyn Hotard Gaudet. Cobi is a recent LSU graduate from the Manship School of Mass Communications. She was a member of the LSU Colorguard, member of Kappa Kappa Psi, LSU student mentor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, a recent intern for the Office of Community Development, and an active member of River Parish Community Theatre. Her younger siblings play ball and swim at LARAYO, and her grandmother is an Allovus Krewe member and LARAYO member.

Duke Allovus LV Matthew Joseph Remondet of Montz is the husband of Stacy Landry Remondet. They have a daughter, Alexis. Matt has been employed at Nalco Chemical as a process operator for the past 13 years. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus in Reserve. Matt coached girl’s softball at LARAYO for five years, and his wife and in-laws were involved in LARAYO for over 15 years. His wife Stacy was Maid Allovus XXVI and Queen Allovus XXVIII. His daughter Alexis was Maid Allovus LII. His father-in-law, Chuck Landry, was Duke Allovus XXII, Captain Allovus from 1991-1994 and was King Allovus XXX. Matt and Stacy have been active Krewe members for the past four years.

Maid Allovus LV Ashleigh Nathalie Zaidain is the daughter of Randy and Michelle Zaidain of LaPlace. Ashleigh is in her junior year of high school at Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) in Natchitoches. In college, she plans on majoring in biophysics. She plays volleyball and basketball at LSMSA, and previously attended St. Charles Catholic High School her freshman and sophomore year where she participated in volleyball, cross-country, swimming and track. In the community for the past three years, she has been a junior volunteer at St. Charles Parish Hospital. She also participates in Relay for Life and LaPlace Lion’s Club activities, and in 2018, she was “Ray of Life” Queen for St. John Parish. Ashleigh and her family have been a part of LARAYO since 2005. She continues to swim and is currently a lifeguard.

Her father Randy has coached softball for nine years and is a swim starter for all the meets. He was on the Board of Directors for six years. Her parents have been part of the Allovus committee since 2010. Randy was a Duke in 2009. Her sister, Zoe, was a maid in 2017.