Starla is 'queen for a day' in Mardi Gras parade

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Starla Chapman was a queen for a day in the Morningside Elementary School Mardi Gras parade.

The 4-year-old cancer patient is in remission. A few weeks ago, she was supposed to ride on a float during the Conde Explorers parade, but an official with the Mardi Gras organization was arrested. So she didn't get to ride that day.

Morningside teachers heard the story and decided to help out.

She led the front of the school's Mardi Gras parade, and it was certainly showed that all things work together for good.

Starla Chapman's struggle has caught the attention of the region, and led to a friendship with Alabama Quarterback AJ McCarron.

But on Friday the little girl learned another lesson.

Starla’s mom Deandra Chapman said, "At the end of the day, everything worked out. Everything worked for even greater."

She rode at the front of the procession, proudly waving to the crowd.

It's quite an honor to be named queen for a day, and it's for a school that she doesn't even go to.

Morningside Principal Marva Carter said, "We all decided we needed to do something special for her."

Teachers at Morningside learned about Starla Chapman’s recent mishap, and invited her to come join them.

"It doesn't have to directly affect you for you to care,” said Carter.

And by riding in this parade, Starls Chapman’s parents hope everybody learns a special lesson.

Chapman said, "Cancer is something- you don't have to be old, you don't have to be a male or a female. It happens to kids, it happens to babies, and it doesn't just happen at St. Jude's. It happens right here in our own backdoor."

Starla also had the honor of marching with Order of Isis as a grand marshal during their parade.

In 2011, Starla was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia