CentraState Ball Queen selected

 The top four contestants in the 2015 CentraState Celebration Ball Queen event were, left to right, Ashlyn Barkalow, Freehold; Lauren Piccolini (2015 Ball Queen), Freehold; Gina Gambardella, Manalapan; and Sarah Marinelli, Freehold.  TRAVIS TANAY PHOTOGRAPHY The top four contestants in the 2015 CentraState Celebration Ball Queen event were, left to right, Ashlyn Barkalow, Freehold; Lauren Piccolini (2015 Ball Queen), Freehold; Gina Gambardella, Manalapan; and Sarah Marinelli, Freehold. TRAVIS TANAY PHOTOGRAPHY CentraState Healthcare Foundation hosted the 2015 Celebration Ball – Mardi Gras Madness on Feb. 7.

South Gate Manor in Freehold provided the Cajun cuisine and location for all the fun, according to a press release.

Guests were greeted by stilt walkers, given a champagne toast along with their first set of beads, and guided down the hallway full of silent auction items into a cocktail hour.

Members of the Freehold Township High School marching band surprised attendees as they paraded through the cocktail hour playing “When the Saints Come Marching In” to lead the guests into the main ballroom.

A short program, lots of beads, a dinner and dancing with music by the Time Machine band entertained attendees for most of the evening.

The night also featured the crowning of the 2015 Celebration Ball Queen, Lauren Piccolini of Freehold, who was sponsored by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home. She will receive a $2,000 college scholarship for her fundraising efforts.

Gina Gambardella of Manalapan, sponsored by Central Jersey Emergency Medicine, will receive a $1,000 scholarship, while Ashlyn Barkalow of Freehold, sponsored by the East Freehold Fire Department, will receive a $500 scholarship.

Sarah Marinelli, Sydney Frankel and Sydney Sweetman, all of Freehold, and Anisha Yerram of Marlboro also participated in the queen contest.

Together, the seven contestants for Ball Queen raised $33,000 for the cause during the past eight months, according to the press release.