Maid of Honor Contest - Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc

2024 Maid of Honor Marley Marsalis

Apply to be Joan of Arc in 2026 in the Joan of Arc parade January 6 in New Orleans, and in our sister city Orléans, France, in the summer of 2026.

DEADLINE: November 15, 2025 at Midnight. No Exceptions!

The Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc announces its annual student Joan of Arc competition for young women between the ages of 16-19 years old in New Orleans. The selected Maid of Honor will be chosen to ride on horseback as the namesake of our annual French Quarter Joan of Arc Parade on January 6, 2026. This contest is modeled after the contest held annually in Orléans, France, where a local girl is selected to lead a military parade celebrating Joan’s victorious lifting of the siege of Orléans from the British in 1429.

In addition to leading our French Quarter Joan of Arc parade on horseback on Twelfth Night and serving as the Maid of Honor throughout the parading year, the selected Maid of Honor will receive a travel scholarship to France to meet our sister city’s Jeanne d’Arc and represent New Orleans in Orleans, France!

Past Maids of Honor include: Life Sacco (2025), Marley Marsalis (2024), Emmeline Meyer (2023), Ava Wilkes (2022), Zoe Kanga (2020), Alyssa Fortier (2019), Martha Pinney (2018), Heloise Trumel (2017), Margaux Schexnider (2016), Emma Martello (2015), Clara Bajeux (2014), Gretchen Neuenhaus (2013), Aggie Bell (2012), Mallory Young (2011) and Blair Davis (2010).

Free to Enter: There is no fee to enter the contest. The Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc will provide the majority of the costumes for the selected Joan. All costs for parading, attending the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc’s special events, and travel to France are included in this award; however, some fees for special events and opportunities during the parading year may apply to the Maid’s family and associates.

Eligibility: This contest is open to young women, 16-19 years old (the ages of Joan’s most notable feats and trials), who have shown unique leadership abilities and are currently or have recently studied French in high school, college, or at home. (The candidate must be able to speak some French in conversation and represent Joan in media opportunities, public presentations, and travel to our sister city of Orleans.) This contest does not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, ancestry or creed.

Phone Interviews: The three top candidates will receive a phone interview in English with Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc leaders, and then a phone interview in French with a member of the Consulate General of France in New Orleans’ team, to assess poise, confidence, grace, and French fluency so we may choose the best possible candidate to represent Joan of Arc in our parade, and throughout the year at local, national, and international events.

Travel Scholarship: The New Orleans Rotary Fund, Inc., will award a travel scholarship to the New Orleans Joan of Arc to visit Orléans, France. The goal is for the New Orleans, Louisiana, “Joan of Arc” to meet the Orléans, France, “Jeanne d’Arc,” to experience and learn the history and culture of Orléans, and to build friendships. The Rotary Club of New Orleans formed a Sister City relationship with the Rotary Club of Orléans in 2021. The scholarship includes airfare and travel insurance for the recipient and a parent/chaperone. Lodging in local homes and most meals will be provided by the Rotary Club of Orléans. The date of this visit will be during the summer of 2026.

Application Process

DEADLINE: November 15, 2025

In addition to filling out the application form including two essays and a list of up to 5 leadership experiences, request two letters of recommendation to be sent to founder_amy@joanofarcparade.org or by mail to THE JOAN OF ARC PROJECT 7330 Sycamore Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Responsibilities:

The selected Maid of Honor must be available

for 2 (two) horseback riding practice lessons to be scheduled with our parade horse coordinator in the weeks leading up to the January 6 parade.
to be publicly announced and meet the krewe at the coronation party (Dec. 15, 2025). She will write and present her own brief inspiring speech in English and French for this event.
to ceremonially crown the king at the pre-parade banquet on January 5, 2026.
to ride on horseback and participate in two ceremonies at stops in the parade, the sword blessing at St. Louis Cathedral and the king cake ceremony in Oscar Dunn Park, January 6th, 2026
participate in TV and radio appearances throughout the year, from the coronation date in December 2025 through December 2026 (pending school and other obligations).

Questions: captain@joanofarcparade.org + founder_amy@joanofarcparade.org

2026 Maid of Honor Life Sacco (Photo by Gary H. Jones)

2020 Maid of Honor Zoe Kanga from Lusher.

2012 Maid Aggie Bell crowns our 2012 King Charles VII, Damien Regnard at the king cake ceremony at the end of the parade

2013 Maid of Honor Gretchen Neuenhaus