Alumna reigns as Queen Tucks XLVII
Queen Tucks XLVII Brooks Zitzmann, a 2009 graduate of the Tulane School of Social Work, and King Tucks XLVII John Randle, a 2009 graduate of the A. B. Freeman School of Business, get ready for their Coronation Ball on Jan. 24. The Krewe of Tucks parades on the traditional uptown route on Saturday (Feb. 14) with the theme “Tucks Saves the Day.” (Photo by Zack Smith)
It is good to be queen.
That"s how Tulane University alumna Brooks Zitzmann sums up her time as Queen Tucks XLVII, but she adds that the experience has been more rewarding than words can describe.
It's the collective support of many people that is making this whole grand endeavor possible.”—Queen Tucks XLVII Brooks Zitzmann
“It"s been a whirlwind but it"s been an amazing experience,” Zitzmann said. “From hosting parties as part of my royal duties to the Coronation Ball, it"s been very special and exceptionally fun. I grew up in Tucks, so this experience feels like a rite of passage for me.”
This year, the Tucks royalty has a decidedly Tulane flavor, as King Tucks XLVII John Randle also is a Tulane alumnus.
Zitzmann has been a float captain for several years, and her father and stepmother previously reigned as royalty in the Krewe of Tucks.
This Carnival season also has been unique because Zitzmann, a licensed clinical social worker, currently lives in Washington, D.C. She serves as a chaplain in residence at Georgetown University while pursuing her PhD in social work at The Catholic University of America. Her academic interest is the spiritual dimension of healing from trauma through clinical social work.
“I love learning about humanity as much as I love helping others,” she said. “I hope those passions will translate into inspired teaching and research in addition to my clinical work.”
Between her royal duties, doctoral work and chaplain responsibilities, Zitzmann said her supportive friends and family have been invaluable.
“I"ve had an incredible number of family and friends support me; it"s been amazing,” she said.
“Being queen is really about being lifted up by the members of the Tucks community,” she said. “I am so deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of my family and friends throughout this process. It"s the collective support of many people that is making this whole grand endeavor possible.”
Joseph Halm is marketing/communications coordinator for the Tulane School of Social Work.
