by Dot Cannon
“I didn’t believe it,” said 101st Rose Queen® Louise Deser Siskel.
Like her fellow Royal Court members, Queen Louise had come into Pasadena Playhouse on Tuesday, October 23rd, for the Announcement and Coronation of the 2019 Rose Queen®.
But, she hadn’t expected to hear her own name.
“When they announced my school’s name, I’m the only one here from Sequoyah (High) School,” she explained.
“I convinced myself that I heard another school’s name, so I was clapping for one of these other amazing young women. But then I realized, when they announced my last name, that it was actually me that they were talking about.
“I’m really honored and excited for this opportunity, to represent Pasadena, the Tournament of Roses®, and, of course, the six other really accomplished and amazingly poised, brilliant young women on this court.”
The new Rose Queen® is a member of the Debate Team, as well as the Judicial Committee at Sequoyah High School. She is also a member of YMCA Youth and Government.
Earlier that evening, Master of Ceremonies Chris Schauble, co-anchor of KTLA Morning News, had asked her about a research project in which she’s currently involved. Queen Louise is conducting research in space biology, funded by NASA Ames!
Schauble laughingly requested that she explain that work “in layman’s terms”. In response, she told him that she’s researching the effects of zero gravity on astronauts’ systems during space flight.
“I initially got into space biology because it was the only research opportunity…that I could find,” Queen Louise said, after the coronation ceremony. “So when I went up to NASA Ames, I had no idea what to expect.
“But I had a wonderful partner, and I had the opportunity to really get into space biology research. So, I’ll be going back after January first of (next) year, to continue (it).”
Congratulations, Queen Louise! We’ll look forward to seeing you, prior to the continuation of your space biology research, on New Year’s Day, 2019.
Look for 101st Rose Queen® Louise Deser Siskel and her Royal Court in the 130th Rose Parade® , themed, “The Melody of Life”, on January 1, 2019.