After weeks of competition, Analise Walsh was crowned Royal Majesty for Michigan Technological University’s 103rd Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 1. The coronation hosted by Blue Key National Honor Society at the Rozsa Center marked the start of the week of Winter Carnival.
Walsh, representing Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ), secured the title following her talent performance, Solving a Medical Mystery, in which she demonstrated diagnosing a knight suspected of having the bubonic plague by creating a culture, dyeing the cultured microbes, and examining them under a microscope. She also was awarded the Congeniality Award by the other contestants.
In response to a question about who her role model is, Walsh named her grandfather, who she described as a father figure. Her grandfather sends handwritten letters to her every week. When asked what winning Winter Carnival Royalty meant to her, Walsh responded, “It means so much to me… I’m a first-generation college student … being here and winning is a dream come true.”
The event began at 7 p.m. and featured talent performances, on-stage questions, and short video presentations highlighting each contestant’s contributions to Michigan Tech and the Houghton community.
Among the other finalists, Anna Hartz, representing Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) and Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ), was named First Runner-Up. Second Runner-Up was awarded to Rowan Kuhn, representing Phi Kappa Tau (ΦΚΤ). The Audience Choice Award went to Kaydence Drys, representing Alpha Gamma Delta (ΑΓΔ) and Sigma Tau Gamma (ΣΤΓ).
The selection process for the eight finalists included one-on-one interviews with each judge a week before coronation night. Coronation Judge Jim Grider said, “I’ve had one-on-one interviews with the finalists … they’ve each been thoroughly vetted. It comes down to the talent show and the small things.”
Winter Carnival is a time for students of all majors and organizations to come together and participate in long-standing traditions. With the coronation complete, Michigan Tech now looks ahead with excitement to the rest of Carnival.
For more information and a full list of upcoming events, visit the Michigan Tech website at mtu.edu/carnival/2025.
