by Dot Cannon
“Ladies and gentlemen, the 2018 Rose Queen®…our 100th Rose Queen®…is…”
With these words, Tournament of Roses® President Lance Tibbet marked a historic moment in Pasadena on Wednesday evening.
Guests had gathered for the announcement and coronation of the 100th Rose Queen®. The event had already been a celebration.
Before the auditorium opened, attendees were welcomed to a reception in the Pasadena Playhouse courtyard.
Tables were strewn with rose petals.
Meanwhile, representatives from one of the event’s two featured charities, the Make a Wish Foundation, was onsite to greet attendees.
So were two special guests of the Make a Wish Foundation–who would later appear onstage. (We’ll get to that.)
Just outside the Pasadena Playhouse, guests could write good wishes on a wall with “Making a Difference”–the theme of the 2018 Rose Parade®.
As 7:00 approached, guests began entering the auditorium.
A new twist on tradition
The ceremony started, just after seven, with the seven members of the 2018 Royal Court coming onstage.
“I know you’re wondering why we, the members of the Royal Court, are welcoming you to our very own coronation ceremony,” began Rose Princess Julianne Elise Lauenstein. “But you see, we wanted to make tonight’s event really different.” She passed the mic.
“We wanted you all to know how excited and thrilled we are to have been selected to be a part of “America’s New Year Celebration®,” Rose Princess Sydney Grace Pickering continued.
She, too, passed the mic.
“This process is life-changing in so many ways, and we’ve only just begun,” contributed Rose Princess Savannah Rose Bradley, before passing the mic in her turn.
The mic made its way down the line, ending up with Rose Princess Alexandra Marie Artura.
“So what do you say, ladies, shall we get this celebration started?”
The audience applauded enthusiastically.
“…Please welcome the President of the 2018 Tournament of Roses®, Mr. Lance Tibbet!”
“Thank you for being here tonight as we celebrate a truly remarkable milestone: the announcement and coronation of the 100th Rose Queen®,” President Tibbet began. “It’s wonderful to see that the Royal Court is already so…committed to this year’s (parade) theme, ‘Making a Difference’.”
“…(One of the reasons these young women were selected is), in part, the difference they’re already making in their own communities, (and) their desire to make (an even bigger impact as ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses®).”
President Tibbet shared several stories of the people he’d seen making a difference in their communities, during his travels.
“I am incredibly honored to be a part of this evening, as the 113th President of the Tournament of Roses®,” he said. “I stand before you today because of the exceptional men and women that served before me. Likewise, the 100th Queen will stand on the shoulders of those 99 exceptional women that came before her.”
Two 100’s at once
Pasadena was also observing another “100” milestone.
“Yes, the Playhouse is celebrating its 100th year, and still going strong,” President Tibbet said. He introduced Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Danny Feldman.
“A little more than 100 years ago, the first Rose Queen® was crowned, and a tradition was born,” Feldman said. “Around the same time, another group of Pasadena citizens…decided they would establish a theatre for this beautiful community. And the Pasadena Playhouse was born.
“It’s very fitting that this year’s theme is ‘Making a Difference’. For a hundred years, both the Playhouse and Rose Queens® have been dedicated to making a difference in our community. Whether it’s thousands of hours of community service, or hundreds of thousands of people…sitting in these seats, we are both committed to enriching the lives of our community.”
Next, President Tibbet introduced the evening’s emcee: KOST 103.5 morning-show host Ellen K. She would present each of the seven Royal Court members in turn.
“I can’t wait for you to meet these ladies. We’ve been hangin’ out all day,” Ellen K said.
Love, kindness–and laughter
After event-sponsor acknowledgements, the Rose Princesses came onstage individually, introduced by a video about their accomplishments and interests. The girls’ fathers served as voiceover narrators for their daughters’ slide shows.
Ellen K briefly interviewed each Royal Court member about her activities. Several Rose Princesses had earned, or were working towards, the Girl Scouts’ Gold Award.
All were involved in giving back to their communities: volunteer activities, youth ministry and leadership positions in school organizations.
But serious involvement didn’t mean anyone was lacking in humor.
“That was really sweet, it sounded like your dad was crying,” Ellen K said to Rose Princess Sydney Grace Pickering after her introduction ended.
“I don’t think he was, that’s just kind of how he sounds,” she replied. Laughter rippled through the auditorium.
Another lighthearted moment happened during Rose Princess Lauren Elizabeth Buehner’s interview. Her introduction slideshow had included the information that she likes to make cold-brewed coffee at home.
Princess Lauren had described her summer activities. In June, she told Ellen K, she worked with a volunteer group to install tanks and a water purifier to provide a supply of clean water at a Belize orphanage.
Then, Ellen K asked her about that cold-brewed coffee. “So, what makes your (coffee) different than everyone else’s?”
“You know, I’m not really sure, other than that it’s made with love, ” Princess Lauren replied. The audience laughed–and the laughter grew in volume as she continued.
“But I know that my parents really like it, because it saves them a ton of money.”
And with so many Royal Court members who were also Girl Scouts, the inevitable question came up during Rose Princess Georgia Jane Cervenka’s interview.
“So, what are your favorite cookie flavors? Like, top five?” Ellen K asked.
“Well, first of all, Thin Mints, that’s a crowd favorite for sure,” Princess Georgia replied. “And Trefoils are really good with milk, and then my personal favorite is Tagalongs.”
The announcement
After all seven members of the Royal Court had been introduced,President Tibbet returned to the stage. The moment had arrived.
Queen and Court Committee Chair Dave Link came onstage, envelope in hand.
“Ladies, would you please take a step forward,” President Tibbet requested.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the 2018 Rose Queen®…our 100th Rose Queen®…is…”
The auditorium was silent.
“From La Salle High School, Isabella Marie Marez!”
Joyful shrieks and cheers from the Pasadena Playhouse audience, gathered for the announcement and coronation, all but drowned out the name.
After a group hug, White Suiters escorted the new Queen and her court offstage to prepare for the coronation. But two other princesses were waiting to take the stage.
Wishes and dreams
“I hope you saw that there were two charities represented on the patio during our reception,” Ellen K said. “First, the local charity Elizabeth House,…is committed to ending the cycle of homelessness in women and children…”
And after a short video about the second charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, two of its young clients–four-year-old Madelyn and five-year-old Miracle–appeared.
“Madelyn is living with a heart condition and wished to visit Disney World,” Ellen K explained. “Miracle is living with a blood disorder, and wished to go to Disneyland to become a princess. So what better stage to have them on than the stage of princesses here at the Rose Queen® coronation.
“We hope that this princess experience helps in your healing, and that you stay strong and brave. And light it on fire, okay?” Ellen K said.
“Okay,” answered Miracle. The audience applauded loudly as the two small princesses returned to their seats.
Royal recognition–and talent
Next, Ellen K had all the prior Royal Court members in the audience stand for applause.
And surprises were in store.
“We are pleased to have with us tonight, Rose Queen® number 99. She is here to help us celebrate our 100 years of Rose Queens® ,” Ellen K said…”Welcome back to the Pasadena Playhouse 2017 Rose Queen® Victoria “Tori” Castellanos.”
As Queen Tori sang, “Who Knows Where a Dream Might Lead,” a video of previous Queens appeared on a screen behind her.
Enthusiastic applause followed her solo. “Don’t you wish you could just stop time…and relive those simpler days gone by?” asked Ellen K. “It’s a night of surprises, it’s a night of magic, so please put your hands together and welcome…
“…From 2017, Queen Victoria Castellanos…
“…From 2012, Queen Drew Washington…
“…From 1988, Queen Julie Myers-King…
“…From 1966, Queen Carole Cota-Gelfuso…”
The stage filled up with Rose Queens®.
But a rock star was coming.
“Last but never least, and if you were here last year, she brought the house down,” Ellen K continued. “Our longest-reigning Queen, from 1940: Queen Margaret Huntley Main!”
After Ellen K noted that the Tournament “had never had this many Queens on one stage,” Queen Margaret shared a favorite memory.
“Many years ago, 52 of us rode on Kodak’s float and that was very special, but of course tonight is fabulous,” she said.
“What I want to say is, from the moment of epiphany, when I realized I was going to be the 1940 Queen, I was frightened, fulfilled and I couldn’t understand what had happened. Obviously the judges saw something I didn’t know I had.
“But I vowed to be the very best Queen I possibly could…A Rose Queen® is forever.”
Ellen K had a brief Q and A with the other gathered Queens. Among the information they shared: former Rose Queens® have a “girls’ night out”, once every year.
“What happens at ‘girls’ night out’?” Ellen K wanted to know.
“Well, it’s usually a luncheon. It’s quite tame,” one Queen answered.
Crowning a queen
After the Rose Queens® had left the stage, Ellen K shared a video showing some of the activities of the 2018 Royal Court since their October 2 selection.
Then, the Rose Princesses and their new Queen returned to the stage, each on her father’s arm.
John Cotter, of Mikimoto Beverly Hills, presented President Tibbet with the Queen’s crown for the traditional coronation.
“Queen Isabella, as President of the Tournament of Roses®, it is my privilege and honor to crown you as the 100th Rose Queen®, and to reign as the Rose Queen® for the coming year.”
Following the cheers and applause, President Tibbet administered the Queen’s Royal Oath.
The Rose Parade® had just marked another milestone.
Behind the scenes with the Royal Court
So, what is life like as a member of the Royal Court–a Princess’s parent–or a newly-crowned Rose Queen®–on Coronation Day?
“I think my favorite part of today was the food,” said Princess Sydney. “For dinner they brought back some amazing food, and I’m a huge fan of Tater Tots. So I was eating that while they were trying to get some lipstick on me.”
Asked what she might tell her future great-grandchildren, about her experience, she said, “I’d definitely encourage them to try out, just because tonight has been such an amazing experience. ..,It’s just so warming to know everyone in the community is supporting you.”
Princess Lauren echoed Princess Sydney’s sentiments about the food. “We are mac and cheese fans (and) it was just a great experience,. You know, six of my closest friends and seeing one of us become Queen, it’s great. It’s amazing.”
Fifty or sixty years in the future, she said, she’d “definitely tell (my great-grandchildren) about the incredible support that they’d have, as a member of the Court. And just…to really not look past their families and friends. I feel so loved and so supported right now. It’s amazing.”
“Honestly, just being with everyone as Queen Bella was announced, just everyone huddling together and supporting each other, was so amazing,” Princess Savannah said.
Asked what she might tell future great-grandchildren, she said, “I will tell them that if they’re living in Pasadena, they should also try out for the Royal Court, ’cause it has already been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.”
Parenting the Princesses
We’d also spoken briefly with several Royal Court parents.
“(Being a Royal Court parent) is really exciting. (Rose Princesses) don’t change at all (after selection). It’s fun,” said dad John Cervenka.
Mom Teri Lauenstein said being a Rose Princess was an incredible opportunity for her daughter, Julianne. Teri mentioned the kindness of Tournament of Roses® staff and how much she had enjoyed the experience.
Asked what advice she might give Georgia as she served on the Royal Court, Teri said, “Just to remember who she is, and continue to be a good role model in the community.”
And dad Earl Buehner explained what he’d especially liked about the experience of being a Royal Court parent.
“What goes on behind the scenes, and how professional it is, and how they really, really care about the Princesses and the Queen. They’re very, very serious about taking care of them, making sure that they’re equipped to go out into the public. They are fantastic.
“You know, all of a sudden you’re giving your daughter to (Tournament of Roses® staff), and you don’t really know them, but they make it very clear to you that they are taking good care of your child. And they give these young people the experience of a lifetime.”
A Queen’s perspective
Then, we talked with the new Rose Queen®–number 100!–about her “experience of a lifetime”.
“Hearing my name called. That was so, so surreal,” Queen Isabella said.
“As soon as I heard ‘La Salle’, my heart stopped a little bit. I kind of went numb, and Princess Lauren and Princess Alex that were next to me, helped me…they were like, ‘just breathe. We have you, we got you. They truly helped me get downstairs and everything…I was just so excited to be next to them and have them with me. That made me feel so honored.”
So, what advice might she give, to a future Rose Queens®, twenty or thirty years from now?
“I would tell them just to breathe, and that it’s OK to cry,” she said. “I cried a lot. But I’ll have to see how the rest of this year plays out to really give her good advice.”
While she’s already making a difference, Queen Isabella said the past year had taught her an important lesson about that theme.
“What I’ve learned about ‘Making a Difference’, is really respecting all people for who they are, ” she said. “Whether you like them or not, they are a person, and they deserve just as much of a chance as you do.”
Parental joy
“Isabella Marez is my stepdaughter, and it was the most beautiful, amazing moment,” said Dana Valenzuela, who was standing nearby. “And it’s really surreal still, because all I heard was ‘La Sa–‘ and then I was screaming, because I just knew, and I completely lost all composure. And it’s still…incredibly surreal. And I’m so happy for her, having an amazing experience for the rest of her life.”
Dana said being a stepparent of a Royal Court member involved a lot of planning. “Supporting her parents in raising her, and guiding her to really make…wise choices along the way.”
Isabella’s dad Jesse Marez said hearing his daughter’s name announced as Rose Queen® had left him “speechless”.
“I wasn’t sure what to do…all I heard was the school name, and then I heard Dana and her mom jumping for joy,” he said.
Asked what guidance he would give his daughter in fulfilling her role as the new Rose Queen®, Jesse replied, “I want her…to take it in and to enjoy, but also to listen to the people that are guiding her. You know, she’s a leader now.”
“I think it’s an interesting time, I think it’s a wonderful time for young Latinas to aspire to be something bigger, and greater,” Dana added. “And (to) have their voice and be heard from the main stage, it’s just really beautiful.”
And, their advice for their new Rose Queen® as she rides down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day, 2018?
“To enjoy every moment,” Jesse replied.
Dana answered, “To remember, she’s loved.”