This year’s Mobile Carnival Association Queen is none other than, Elizabeth Wilbourn Helmsing, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Guy Helmsing. Born and raised in Mobile, Elizabeth hails from a family deeply rooted in the carnival traditions of the Gulf Coast.
The Helmsing family boasts a rich carnival lineage that dates to her great aunt Ella Packer Blacksher who served as Queen in 1914. Interestingly, her majesty will don her crown this season. From there, her grandfather and grandmother, Frederick Helmsing and Susan Oswalt, served as a knight and lady of the court in 1966 and 1968. From there, her father, Joseph Guy Helmsing, served as a herald in 1982, Juvenile Court escort in 1988, knight in the MCA Court in 1996, and finally as King in 1999. Additionally, both of her cousins, Tallulah Sage Helmsing and Margaret Vidmer Oswalt, reigned as Queen in 1993 and 1996. Other than Elizabeth’s father, the Helmsing family boasts an impressive number of family members who reigned as King Felix III. Her cousin, Marion Stricker Adams Jr., served in 1956. Her cousin, Marion Stricker Adams III, reigned in 1987 while her cousin, Summer Greer Adams reigned in 1991 and his son Summer Greer Adams Jr. reigned in 2020 and his daughter Laura Rutherford Adams also reigned in 2021. Additionally, her cousins, Marion Stricker Adams IV and Guy Coleman Oswalt III, also reigned.
From an early age, Elizabeth fondly recalls the excitement of watching her parents ride in parades, surrounded by the revelry and joy that define Mardi Gras. This season, as a debutante, Elizabeth is experiencing a new perspective on the festivities, attending different organizations’ parties and balls, creating unforgettable memories along the way. “I feel now that I am 22 and invited to some of the events, I am getting a whole new perspective on just how much fun Mardi Gras truly is,” she shares. “As I have grown, I have gotten to see how important Mardi Gras is to our whole community and how many different ways people are able to participate to our city-wide celebration.”
A proud alumna of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Elizabeth is currently pursuing a degree in Communications and Global Health at the University of Alabama, set to graduate in May 2024. Her academic journey includes noteworthy accomplishments such as making the President’s and Dean’s lists and earning membership in various honor societies on campus. Elizabeth is a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she is the Vice President of External Affairs and the Panhellenic Delegate. Elizabeth actively engages in philanthropy, supporting organizations like the JED Foundation, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama, Be Positive, and Be the Match.
Between college semesters, Elizabeth has had the opportunity to work for some pretty amazing companies such as the Charleston Shoe Company and The Scout Guide Mobile Bay, and even studied abroad in Barcelona where she studied Leadership and Power, and Spanish Art and Architecture. “I also had the opportunity to go skydiving on one of the away weekends abroad in Interlaken Switzerland, it was one of the coolest things I have ever done,” she recalls. “My most recent summer I worked as a surgery/patient care tech at Surgicare where I mainly worked on preparing the operating room and tools for different kinds of ophthalmology surgeries.” After college, Elizabeth plans to take a quick stint at a ranch in Wyoming before attending an accelerated nursing program in hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner.
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys the outdoors, particularly being on the water and at the beach and spending time with her family in Tennessee. “With my mom being from Memphis, Tennessee, I have spent the most time there besides the Mobile Bay Area. I absolutely love Memphis and visiting family,” she tells us. “I come from a family of big hunters so I have learned a lot about animals and the outdoors spending time there. My family has a house on Horseshoe Lake right outside of Memphis which is one of my favorite places to be, we always have a crowd of friends and family around and I love to set some fireworks off no matter if it’s the Fourth of July or not!”
Elizabeth attributes her fashion sense to her mother, a style icon in her own right. Collaborating with Celeste Thomas from Debra’s, as well as local designers Homer McClure and Christal Hall, Elizabeth curated a dazzling Mardi Gras wardrobe, blending timeless elegance with playful accents. The royal regalia, crafted by local designers, adds a touch of regal flair to her Mardi Gras attire. “I would say my taste is classic with elements of fun and chicness. I never shy away from a statement piece, and I absolutely love color!”
Making her reign even more special is the fact that she and her long-time close friend will share the royal duties for their respective organizations. Representing the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, Queen Taylor LaKell Nicks, and Queen Elizabeth will reign side by side. “As one of my longtime friends, we get along so well and we’re having so much fun with the fashion and simply supporting one another. I can’t wait to compare stories as we experience this incredible time in our lives. Our entire class from St. Paul’s has been so supportive and we’re all looking forward to catching up and celebrating throughout the festivities!”
As she eagerly anticipates this Mardi Gras season, she reflects on the myriad ways people can engage in the festivities, emphasizing the family friendly nature of the celebration. Whether leading a ball or watching the parades, Elizabeth believes there’s joy to be found at every level of involvement, making Mardi Gras a truly special and unifying event for the entire city. “I am just so honored to be a big part of this season’s celebrations. I can hardly wait for all the fun and I will cherish these memories for a lifetime,” she fondly concludes.
