NATCHEZ — The Krewe of Janus announces its 2018 theme, officers, and royalty for its 17th Annual Mardi Gras festivities. The grand ball will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Natchez Convention Center.

The theme for the 2018 Mardi Gras season is “Street Life” celebrating famous streets.

The Krewe of Janus 2017-2018 officers consist of the following: Gloria Dangerfield, president; Pamela Plummer, vice-president; Connie Merrick, recording secretary; Fannie Campbell, financial secretary; Barbara N. Johnson, treasurer; Yolanda Cooley, sergeant-at-arms; Wilbur Johnson Sr. and Yolanda Dunham, members-at-large; and LaRoy Merrick, captain.

The Krewe of Janus 2018 Royalty is as follows:

King Janus XVII Christopher Dunbar

King Chris Dunbar is the son of the late Annie “Bea” Dunmore-Dunbar and the late Larry R. Reed Sr. He has four sisters, four brothers and seven godchildren. Dunbar is a 1997 honors graduate of Natchez High School. He went on to Alcorn State University where he received a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology in 2001 and received his certification in vocational education in computer systems technology.

Dunbar worked in education for 12 years teaching 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students in Claiborne, Copiah, and Adams county school districts.

Dunbar is currently a proud employee with AT&T as a wire technician, installing U-Verse, as well as, a part-time employee at Davidson Package Store.

He is an active member of Pilgrim Baptist and a member of Clover Hill Lodge No. 13, A.F.&A.M., Edna Anderson Chapter No. 11, Order of the Eastern Star, The MWWTM Grant Jr. Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. for the state of Mississippi. He is also a member of the Bernard Adams Past Masters’ Council, MW Hiram Grand Consistory, Alkoran Temple No. 35 Ancient Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Alcorn State University Alumni Association, and the NAACP.

In his spare time, Dunbar is helping others, playing with his camera doing photography, as he refers to it, “capturing the moment,” riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his godchildren. You can also find him making his famous praline candy.

Dunbar is always trying to help children who are lost or headed down the wrong path even though he is no longer in the education field.

He lives by the quote, “Helping others, not seeking praise from man, knowing that his blessings come from God!”

Queen Janus XVII Rochelle Rena Green

Queen Rochelle Green is the daughter of Stella Johnson and the late Rev. Duncan A. Green Jr. and Georgia Green. She is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Savannah Faith and Leah Fallon.

Green earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Jackson State University, a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Armstrong State University and a master’s of public health from the University of Southern Mississippi. Green has been a registered nurse for approximately 18 years. She is currently employed as a registered nurse at Glenburney Healthcare & Rehabilitation.

Green is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and a supporter of the Stop Domestic Violence campaign.

She enjoys watching sports, reading philosophical literature, watching actions, suspense, and comedic movies, listening to all genres of music and spending time with family and friends.

Green’s philosophy of life is, “Be true to yourself,” which is her interpretation of Maya Angelou’s quote, “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be!”

Captain LaRoy Merrick

Captain LaRoy Merrick is a native of Natchez but currently resides in Jackson. He is the son of Connie Merrick and Theodore Merrick. He has one brother, DaMorris, and is the uncle to, Jaquan, DaMorris Jr., Kaydence, and Ryleigh.

Merrick is a graduate of the mighty class of 2000 from Natchez High School. After high school, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in finance in August 2004.

He received a master’s in education from the University of Southern Mississippi in December 2012 and a specialist in educational leadership from Mississippi College in August of 2015.

Merrick is currently working on his doctorate in education leadership at Mississippi College. He is employed with Jackson Public School District as the international baccalaureate coordinator where he currently has been charged with starting the International Baccalaureate Programme in three additional schools in the district and he also enjoys planning events.

He attends Anderson United Methodist Church and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Merrick enjoys shopping, traveling, reading and spending time with his family and friends, especially the AOE Crew.

One of Merrick’s favorite quotes is, “If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it. If you do not ask, the answer will always be ‘no’. If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place.”

Duchess LaWanda Baskin

Duchess Baskin is a native of New Orleans, but spent her formative years in Natchez.  She is the daughter of Leonard Wallace Sr. and the late Olegrette King Wallace and is married to Arrocus Sr. and they have three lovely children, Morgan, Madison and Arrocus Jr.

Baskin is a 1993 honor graduate of Natchez High School and in 1997 she received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She later went on to further her career by receiving her master of science degree in nursing from Alcorn State University in 2012.  She recently received PhD in nursing leadership with an emphasis on systems leadership and health outcomes at the University of Southern Mississippi. Baskin is employed by Alcorn State University as an assistant professor and interim director of graduate nursing programs.

She is a member of Zion Hill No. 1 Baptist Church. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, a member of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and a member of the Southern Nurses Research Society.  Baskin is a member of the Zeta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Deborah Chapter No. 5 Order of the Eastern Star.

She is also active in the community as an American Heart Association first aid/CPR instructor and 4H-Club parent volunteer.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, camping  and above all spending time with her family.

Baskin believes as Mother Teresa believed: “The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.”

Duchess Brenda Duncan Letcher

Duchess Letcher is the daughter of the late Leon and Ethel Duncan. She has four siblings: Gwendolyn, Leon Jr., Maurice and Margaret.

She is the mother of two children, Kirya (Yolanda), and Sylvia (Stephen). She is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Tierney, Kendrell, Chelse, Timothy, Atiya, Kirya II and Jamal; and one great grandson, Logan.

Letcher is a 1968 graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in secondary education with an endorsement in educational administration and supervision from Alcorn State University.

Letcher is employed with AJFC Community Action Agency Inc., where she has served as the payroll/accounts payable officer for 19 years. Currently she is the human resource manager for the agency.

Letcher is a member of Beulah Baptist Church where she serves as secretary of the church and Sunday school. She is a member of Lucy Barns Chapter No. 16 Order of the Eastern Star, where she holds the position of treasurer, Pinkie Jackson Amaranth Court No. 1, and Queen of the South.

Letcher enjoys spending time with her family and friends and playing Candy Crush.

Her favorite Bible scripture is Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Duchess La’Toya Antinette Scott

Duchess Scott is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Edward, Mr. Van Scott and Mr. Andre and Mrs. Ira Young. She has four siblings, Ira, Tawanna, Takeea and Jeremy. Scott is the proud mother of two sons, Desmond and Tariq and aunt to Korey, Randrell, Dee, Cali and LJ.

Scott is a graduate of Cathedral High School. She is also a proud alumnus of Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University. She has a bachelor of science in biology, master of science in elementary education, master of arts in teaching, doctor of philosophy in educational administration and supervision, and bachelor of science in nursing. Scott has been working in education for 14 years, serving at Holy Family Catholic School, Wilkinson County Schools, Concordia Parish Schools, Memphis City Schools, Shelby County Schools, and Natchez-Adams Schools, where she currently serves as the 7th grade principal at Morgantown Middle School.

She is a member of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church and she also attends Living Word Worship Center. Scott is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Delta Pi, and numerous educational organizations.

She loves shopping, reading, traveling, hanging out with family and friends and is an avid fan of Alcorn State University football and the New Orleans Saints.

Scott’s motto in life is “Life is not a dress rehearsal, it’s way too short to not follow your passion.”

Duchess Youlanda Scott-Cooley

Duchess Scott-Cooley is the daughter of Deloris and George Scott Sr. She has four brothers, George Jr., the Rev. Juwone Sr., Reginald Sr., and Calvin Sr. and is married to Latoris Sr. Scott-Cooley is the mother of Lanoxne, Tamika, Latrice and Latoris Jr. She has five grandchildren, A’Dasia, Adrian, Jakyren, TraVarrius and Janayla; and three godchildren, Asia, Kevin, and Breanna.

Scott-Cooley is currently employed with AJFC Community Action Agency Inc., where she has been a dedicated bus driver for 34 years and a teacher’s assistant for 22 years. She attends Rehoboth Church.

Scott-Cooley is a very active member of Adah Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Past Matron of the Lucy Barnes Chapter No. 16, Queen of the South, Heroines of Jericho, Alkoran Court No. 1, Daughter of Sphinx, Pinkie Jackson Amaranth Court No. 1, and the L.E. Spencer Administrative Council. Her hobbies include sewing, drawing, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

Duke Arrocus Baskin Sr.

Duke A. Baskin is a native of Houston. He is married to his beautiful wife, Duchess Lawanda, and they have three gorgeous children, Morgan, Madison and Arrocus Jr.

Baskin graduated from Houston High School and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi. Baskin has been employed by Entergy at their River Bend Station as a senior nuclear equipment operator for approximately 10 years. He is a member of Zion Hill No. 1 Baptist Church, a masonic brother of John G Jones Lodge No. 3, and a member of the Rho Epsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Baskin enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, spending time with family and pretty much anything else requiring him to be outdoors.

His favorite quote is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and yours.”