Nicholls State University’s campus was filled with music, color and celebration as Delta Zeta Sorority partnered with the Bridge to Independence program to host a Mardi Gras parade for students and members of the campus community on Wednesday, Feb. 11. 

The parade featured decorated floats, beads and lively music, creating a traditional Mardi Gras atmosphere while emphasizing inclusion and community engagement. 

To gain a better understanding of the impact the parade had on the Bridge students, I visited Hill Hall, home to the Bridge to Independence Center. A student directed me to a class of Bridge students, which immediately hit me with the lively energy of the students eager to talk about how much fun they had.

Many of the students, such as Delanie Gatreaux, expressed their excitement toward getting to see their pen pals, a common practice it seemed among the group. 

“I got to see my pen pal, McKayln, ” Gatreaux said. 

The sorority Delta Zeta walked alongside Bridge to Independence students, cheering, dancing and interacting with spectators along the route, another major highlight for many of the students.

Many Bridge students, like  Tori Hannon, described the celebration in a few simple yet endearing words. 

“ It was fun, amazing and A++,” Hannon said. 

Devin Ausama, another student in the program, talked about his experience on the float and how happy he was to be on that side of Mardi Gras. 

Ausama’s enthusiasm highlights the success of the overall event, unique in both its inclusion and accessibility. 

The event was designed to provide Bridge to Independence students — an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities — with a fun, social Mardi Gras experience on campus. 

Organizers said the collaboration reflects Nicholls’ commitment to service and student involvement. 

One of the students, Jude Boynton, agreed with this. 

“This was a good example of inclusion,” Boynton said. 

He described the event as an amazing experience because it was something the students may never get to do again. 

The event gave students the chance to feel the atmosphere of Mardi Gras joy not just from the sidelines, but right in the center. 

For Boynton, the highlight came toward the end of the event, at an after-party where he had a chance to hit the dance floor and show off his favorite dance moves. 

Boynton, like many Bridge students, was grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they got to share not only with each other but with the community as well. 

Students, faculty and staff who attended stopped to watch, collect beads and show support as the parade passed through campus.

Rebecca Templeton, who is the Skills Specialist in the Certificate Classroom at the Bride to Independence, is just one of many passionate staff members on the programme who felt inspired by the event. 

 “It was great to see bridge students coming together with other students on campus for fun, dancing, and king cake,” Templeton said. 

Many participants said the event helped strengthen connections between student organizations and campus programs. 

One Bridge student named Darinthus White described the overall experience best. 

His favorite part of the parade?

“Everything!”