ErinCramer
While April showers bring May flowers, they also bring the annual May Queen tradition. Every April, Marian seniors vote on a May Queen: a classmate who exemplifies the core value of Marian Identity and commitment to living out their faith. 

The May Queen is crowned on the first of May and in turn, crowns the statue of Mary, an homage to Marian’s namesake. However, this year marks a historic deviation from the tradition, as not one but two Marian seniors have been bestowed the honor of being a May Queen. 

The senior May Queen vote resulted in a tie between Clare Engel and Ava DeSmet. “I was surprised at first,” Principal Dr. Susie Sullivan said. “We chased down a few students who hadn’t voted, and it still ended up even between the two girls.”

While a re-vote was an option, Sullivan decided that a tie was a tie and the girls deserved to be celebrated for their accomplishments. “No, we shouldn’t have a re-vote,” Sullivan said. “We should keep them both because the more we can celebrate Marian accomplishments, the better our school will be.” 

When the names were announced at the end of a CAB, DeSmet “was so shocked in the best way possible.” 

The two girls hugged each other on their way up to the podium to collect their flowers and be celebrated by their class.

Engel said the reveal was “crazy. It felt so complete and full circle in a way that I never expected.”

The senior class was instructed to select a May Queen that exemplifies a commitment to faith and spirituality. 

Engel said the honor “means more than I could probably describe. I am just so grateful to be recognized and honored and that people have seen my faith in words and action.”

When DeSmet and Engel first arrived at Marian, they didn’t know each other at all. However, over the past summer, they “did a Bible study together and went to daily mass, which really helped us grow in our faith. Having someone to keep you accountable helps you so much,” Engel said. 

It makes the relationship and faith even stronger when that someone is a close friend. “Having a friendship rooted in faith is so important,” DeSmet said. 

The two girls met for the first time in Mr. Dziadus’ PreAP World History and Geography class. 

“We were seated next to each other, and because it was that class, we didn’t move seats for the rest of the year,” Engel said. 

Despite barely knowing each other when their journey began, the girls attribute God to their meeting and eventual close friendship. 

DeSmet said, “It showed us that God has a plan for us and, over time, He worked in our lives and brought us closer together. It’s such a full circle moment.” 

The two girls grew close over their years at Marian through shared classes and Field Day committees. They slowly came to know each other as best friends, making the honor mean so much more.

DeSmet said the experience “made me really grateful for how much I have grown in my faith. The fact that it was the two of us was unbelievable.” 

As May Queens, they were tasked with giving a speech at the May Crowning Ceremony on May 1. 

Normally, giving a speech in front of one’s entire school can create some anxiety, but not when one gets to speak with their best friend.

“We are doing our speech together,” said DeSmet. “It takes some of the pressure off.” 

All in all, the girls find themselves incredibly grateful to share this meaningful experience. Engel said it “would be a hard job if we didn’t like each other… looking down the road, I can see how lucky I am to share it with someone I feel so close to and love so much.”

Thanks to beautiful weather, the May Crowning ceremony was held outside for the first time in three years. The two queens were introduced by senior Josie Piernicky and Mrs. Jaime Piernicky. 

Each of the May Queens received a speech introduction, describing their commitment to living out their faith and  always being a light in the darkness.

Following the introduction, Engel and DeSmet walked in alongside second graders who recently had received their first communion. To make the ceremony even more special, the girls were all daughters of Marian alumnae. 

After helping all the girls to their respective seats, the two May Queens proceeded to the stage and gave a dual speech. The speech detailed their faith journeys and unexpected friendship and how they plan to keep their connection as they attend different colleges. 

During the speech, the two girls included that they each had different Bibles for their Bible study: one red and one yellow. The red represented love and the yellow represented light and positivity. Each of these traits were ones that Engel and DeSmet found most important and present in their lives. 

In the end, these two colors became synonymous with the colleges that each plans on attending: Engel at Boston College and DeSmet at Iowa State. 

At last, Engel and DeSmet climbed two ladders and laid a crown atop the statue of Mary while the choir sang “Ave Maria.” The two raised their arms and made hearts above their heads as a symbol of love for the senior class and the Marian community as a whole.

“It was truly God working through [the senior class]; they really carried God’s plan out perfectly,” Engel said. “Wow, Class of 2026 — We are memorable.”