As her reign as the 2018 Krewe of Andalusia queen draws to a close, Kelly Romero sat back at the Beau Soleil Cafe Thursday, mingling with past pageant winners, and said she knew she was honored to be with such an amazing organization.

“It’s been a wonderful year,” Romero said. “I think the biggest thing is being a part of the organization and the amazing people and all they do for the community.”

Romero said that being part of that forever, to her, is what means the most to her.

“I didn’t realize the caliber of people you’re a part of,” Romero said, adding, “Having lunch with these people, you know, the ones I’ve looked up to my whole life.”

As each year’s reign draws to a close, past queens hold their annual luncheon as they wait for a new member of their family.

“We are honoring and doing our annual luncheon for Reginae Andalusia,” Adele Wormser, the 1990 Krewe of Andalusia queen, said. “All past queens meet for a luncheon three days prior to the ball and then we honor (the past) year’s queen.”

Wormser said the get-together is in preparation for Mardi Gras and for all the festivities set to take place in the coming weeks. 

Because it is a male krewe, Wormser said, the men are krewe members and their wives are their escorts

Each year, the Krewe of Andalusia has a theme for the ball, called a tableau, that introduces the next queen.

“They introduce the court, and the court consist of the dukes, the ladies in waiting, the pages and finally the king and queen,” Wormser said.

As they say farewell to the 63rd queen’s term, Wormser said it’s exciting to share the experience and the excitement with everyone there.

“It’s such an honor to be asked to be queen and to be in the company of other queens who have all also felt the same distinction you have,” Wormser said.

Allison Rader, queen mother and organizer of the ball, said Romero brings something new to the group of former queens, while also adding to the tradition of giving back. 

“Kelly is going to bring some youth and vibrance to the past queens and she’s very involved with the community,” Rader said. “I think she’s going to be a good addition to the contacts and a refreshing to the other queens.”

Romero, who grew up competing in pageants and loving everything that went into it, said she wants to be like the queens of the past, one who future queens can look up to.

“I would like to emulate them and that’s been really neat,” Romero said.

With only a few days left as queen, Romero said she excited for next year’s winner. 

“Saturday will be fun, you know, and It won’t be as stressful as last year because you are very nervous,” Romero said. 

“I know the king and queen coming in will have as much fun as we did.”