[StBernard] Nemesis royalty will reign Feb. 22 in St. Bernard Parish

[Westley Annis]

Nemesis royalty will reign Feb. 22 in St. Bernard Parish
Print NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 
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on January 30, 2014 at 6:24 AM, updated January 30, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Nemesis royalty will reign Feb. 22, beginning at 1 p.m. when the social club
presents the ninth annual Knights of Nemesis parade in St. Bernard Parish.
State District Judge Perry Nicosia and Leighann Fernandez are this year's
Royal Knight and Goddess.

Nicosia, a lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish, graduated as
valedictorian at Promised Land Academy in Braithwaite. He is a 1989 graduate
of the University of New Orleans and a 1992 graduate of Loyola School of Law
in New Orleans. In 1992, he became a practicing attorney.

For Nicosia, who lives in Poydras, community service is important. He has
spent much of his adult life coaching Little League sports in the parish. He
was named St. Bernard Middle School's Volunteer of the Year in 2012. In
2012, he also was recognized by the Contessa Entellina Society as its Man of
the Year.

Community involvement, education, and legal experience led him to seek his
first political office in 2006 when he ran for the parish's 10th School
Board District and was elected to the position. In 2009, Nicosia was elected
state District Judge for the 34th Judicial District Court for St. Bernard in
Chalmette. He served as Chief Judge in 2011.

Nicosia said he is excited to share his reign with his family who will ride
on a float with him. He has been married to Nicole Delos Reyes Nicosia for
15 years. They have three children, Gene, Ashlin and Cole. 

"It's important to keep this great community parade going strong for the
people of St. Bernard," Nicosia said. "I'm really happy to be part of it." 

Fernandez, the daughter of Shannon Fernandez and Nemesis board member Daniel
Fernandez of Chalmette, is a 2012 graduate of Cabrini High School. She is
currently studying psychology and criminal justice at Loyola University in
New Orleans. She also works at Raising Cane's in Chalmette.

Fernandez is the granddaughter of Linda Fernandez and the late Martin
"Ronnie" Fernandez and Debbie and Nemesis board member Shelton McMillan.

Fernandez said she is thankful for the honor of being chosen Goddess Nemesis
IX and looks forward to a wonderful parade. 

"Planning for the parade has been so much fun," Fernandez said. "It is such
a great parade for St. Bernard Parish. I am very excited to have this
opportunity."

Billy Showalter, president of the Knights of Nemesis, invites residents and
visitors to attend the family-oriented event.

The parade will start at the Civic Center on Judge Perez Dr. travel west on
Judge Perez Drive, U-turn at Meraux Drive, travel east on Judge Perez Drive.
U-turn at Campagna Drive, travel west on Judge Perez Drive and end at Jean
Lafitte Boulevard.

About 250 riders will be featured on 16 floats. The riders will be throwing
a special parade T-shirt, Medallion beads, cups and many other novelty
items. Twenty marching units also will perform.

The Knights of Nemesis was founded in 2004 to promote business and
fellowship in the community.

The Knights of Nemesis Social Club will hold a social meeting Feb. 15 at 1
p.m. at Wimpy's Tavern, 800 E. Judge Perez Drive, in Chalmette.

All members and prospective members are invited to attend. Food will be
provided. For information about the social or parade, contact Billy
Showalter, 504-583-3998 or visit

www.knightsofnemesis.org