The Duke of Arkansas, Mark Boydstun was born right here in Shreveport, however he spent most of his life in the historic town of Natchitoches. The youngest of four, he enjoyed attending various Louisiana festivals where he munched on Crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and rice; all still his favorite foods.
The new Duke of Arkansas married his college sweetheart, whom he met while attending Nicholas State University. During those college years, he also attended Northwestern State University where he became fraternity brothers with two past Gemini kings, John Manno and Cliff Poimboeuf.
He enjoys traveling, snow skiing, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, and hunting. He also enjoys spending time in his log cabin on the lake and vacationing with his friends and family.
Our Duke worked in the banking industry for 12 years. He later purchased Parks Concrete, and has owned Boydstun Industries for the past 18 years. For the past 17 years he has called Bossier City his home. He and his wife Janie have been married 29 years and they have two children-Melanie 24 and Matthew 20.
The Duchess of Arkansas, Gloria Whitaker is a charter member of the Krewe of Gemini. She and her late husband, Whit, enjoyed the growth of Gemini and made so many lifelong friends.
This duchess has two daughters, Missy and Tonya, one of whom is a member of the Krewe. She is the proud grandmother of three. Her oldest grandson, Taylor, served as prince under the reigh of King Louis and Queen Noreen.
And, her other grandchildren, Abby and Aiden, enjoy riding the kids float.
She worked has a banker and served on several boards for the chamber of commerce and the Republican Women’s Club. She is committed to her community and family.
Along her side is Tinkerbelle, a precious min pin, who brings laughter and love into her life.
The Duke of Louisiana, Michael Sterritt, Jr. was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and graduated from Captain Shreve High School.
After graduation he moved to Tyler, Texas, where he attended Tyler Junior College and received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. After receiving his degree from TJC, he went on to pursue and achieve his Bachelor’s degree at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Following graduation he moved back to Tyler where he started his career with Greene’s Energy Group. Over the past 10 years has grown with the company and has served as the Ark-La-Tex sales manager for the past 6 years.
In his spare time he loves to play golf, watch football and travel (especially to New Orleans). His fondest memory from the past couple of years is going to Super Bowl 44 where he watched his beloved Saints win the big one. He has been a member of the Krewe of Gemini for four years. He says he is very excited and honored to be your Duke of Louisiana for the Royal Court of Gemini 23.
The Duchess of Louisiana, Cherie Rayner was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University where she studied Nutrition/Dietetics & Nursing. It was in nursing school that she met Mark, her best friend and the love of her life, who she later married
Following graduation from Louisiana Tech, she moved to the Shreveport area. She has been working in the medical field as a Registered Nurse for twelve years at Louisiana Shreveport Health Sciences Center with five years in Labor and Delivery and seven years in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, Code team, S.T.A.R.T.
Our Duchess and her husband have been together fourteen years and happily married for nine of those years. They have two "children" they love to spoil, Lulu and Lillie (dachshunds), who have their hearts and rule the roost.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, speed walking, working out, tennis, dancing and spending time with friends and family. She plans one day upon entering heaven's doors to ballroom dance with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
She also loves the saying by Christian Dior "Happiness is the secret to all beauty; there is no beauty more attractive that is attractive without happiness".
Our Duchess has been a proud member of Krewe of Gemini for three years, has developed some friendships that will last a lifetime and has loved every moment of it.
The Duke of Texas, Donny Young was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Woodlawn High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Louisiana Tech University.
He is an Architect and partner in the firm LeBlanc & Young Architects. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Louisiana Architect’s Association. Donny is proud to say he is an Eagle Scout and both of his boys Craig (32) and Bryan (29) are also Eagle Scouts.
He has been married to the “love of his life,” best friend and Gemini 23s Duchess of Texas, for 36 years. His hobbies include traveling with his family and friends, spending long weekends at Lake Greeson, watching football, fishing, and being a member of Gemini.
Our Duke has served as Float Lieutenant for the past two years and has been a member of Gemini since 2008. His membership in the Krewe has brought him a treasure for life, the many special friends he has made. He is very excited and honored to be a part of the Royal Court of Gemini XXIII and looks forward to many more exciting years with the Krewe.
The Duchess of Texas, Dianne Young was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated from Southwood High School and attended LSUS where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision. She also holds an Educational Specialist Degree from LSU’s main campus in Baton Rouge.
Obviously, she is an avid (perhaps even rabid) LSU fan! Currently she is employed with Caddo Parish Schools as an Instructional Coordinator.
She married her high school sweetheart and “love of her life,” the Duke of Texas. They have been married for 36 years and, as mentioned earlier, have two sons.
Our Duchess’s favorite pastime is traveling with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading, shopping, fishing, watching LSU football, and scrapbooking. She treasures the many lifelong friends she has made since joining the Krewe of Gemini in 2008. She is looking forward to many more years of fun and laughter with the Krewe. And, she is honored to serve as the Duchess of Texas for Gemini XXIII.
