Special to The Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Natchez and Pilgrimage garden clubs recently announced their royalty for the Spring Pilgrimage 2017 season.

Each pair will reign over the Historic Natchez Tableaux for approximately two weeks beginning in March.

Natchez Garden Club Queen Shelby Alexandra Stokes

Shelby Alexandra Stokes is the daughter of Brenda Stokes and Chad Gauthreaux. She is the granddaughter of Sandra and James Stokes of Natchez.

Shelby is a 2013 graduate of Lutheran High School. She is currently attending Cafe Hope Culinary Program in Marrero, La.

She is a teacher graduate assistant at Dara’s Dance Company in Marrero.

Her hobbies include reading and helping the elderly.

Her previous tableaux participation includes Little Maypole, Picnic, Showboat,Wedding of Jefferson Davis, in which she played the flower girl and the bride, and the Court.

Natchez Garden Club King Walker James Foggo

Walker James Foggo is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Foggo of Brandon. His grandparents are Mrs. Mary Ann Foggo-Eidt and Mr. Frances Joseph Eidt Jr. and the late Mr. Henry James Foggo Jr. all of Natchez and Ms. Altha May Walker and the late Mr. Oliver Edwin Walker of Crystal Springs.

Walker is a 2013 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison. He is attending Mississippi State University, where he is pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in physical exercise physiology.

He is an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Lamda Leadership and Honors Organization, Society of Collegiate Leadership and Achievement and Exercise Science Honors Society.

He plays on the Mississippi State University football and golf intramural sports teams and is a first-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

He enjoys playing the guitar, golf, traveling, fishing, hunting, water sports, attending football games and running.

He is a third generation Natchez Garden Club tableaux participant.

Pilgrimage Garden Club Queen Caroline Madison Downer

Caroline Downer is the daughter of Melanie Miller Downer of Natchez and Jeff Downer of Brookhaven and the granddaughter of Ms. Gail Miller Smith and the late Mr. Fleet Miller of Osyka and Ms. Judi Downer and the late Mr. Tom Downer of Olive Branch.

Caroline is a 2014 graduate of Cathedral High School. She is currently attending Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., where she is majoring in English.

She is a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority where she served as her chapter’s awards chair and is currently serving as vice president of standards.

She volunteers at the Rhodes-operated Food Recovery Network, which packages leftover cafeteria food to distribute to local soup kitchens in the Memphis area.

This past semester, Caroline was accepted into Rhodes’ European studies study abroad program, where she studied at Oxford University for six weeks and then traveled to France, Italy, Germany and Belgium to study art history.

She enjoys reading, traveling, baking, writing and spending time with her friends and family.

Her previous tableaux participation includes Little Maypole, Big Maypole, Placard Bearer, Picnic, Polka, Showboat and Soirée, where she was the lead dancer her senior year of high school.

Pilgrimage Garden Club King Charles Eugene Brakenridge III

Charles Eugene Brakenridge III is the son of Georgeanne and Charles Brakenridge and the grandson of Lansing Kolb and Betty-Lou Kolb and Gene Brakenridge and the late Diane Brakenridge.

Chase is a 2014 graduate of Cathedral High School. He currently attends Louisiana State university where he is seeking a degree in general business with a minor in management.

He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where he just served as vice president.

He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

He enjoys water skiing, LSU football and hanging out with his friends.

His previous tableaux participation includes Little Maypole, Big Maypole, Ring Bearer, Polka, Soirée, and he was on the 2016 PGC royal court.