by Dot Cannon
“Ladies and gentlemen, our Grand Marshal for the 2020 Tournament of Roses® is–Laurie Hernandez!”
Cheers and applause followed these words from 2020 Tournament of Roses® President Laura Farber, at Pasadena’s Tournament House on Tuesday morning.
Members of the media had gathered for the official announcement. And everyone had been guessing.
Who would personify the 2020 Rose Parade® theme, “The Power of Hope”?
As usual, Tournament officials seemed to be having fun providing clues.
Sparkly blue-and-silver curtains hung over the main door of Tournament House.
This trio played both Latin and Caribbean rhythms (and more than one visitor commented on their excellence!).
Meanwhile, the refreshment table offered cinnamon-apple empanadas, and Mexican hot chocolate. A hint–or simply a treat?
A President’s personal experience of hope
Prior to her announcement, President Farber had explained how she had come to choose “The Power Of Hope” as the 2020 Rose Parade® theme.
“I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. And my parents were there at a time that was very difficult…And so they decided, after a few things that happened, that they had to leave the country they loved so much.
“(They left) everything they knew, everything they had, to start a new life here.
“My husband, Tomas, same story, different time frame, in the Dominican Republic with the Trujillo dictatorship. His family left to come to this country. And our families came here because this country represented a beacon of hope.”
That hope, President Farber continued, included a chance for freedom of speech, education and economic opportunities.
“El poder de la esperanza,” she said, before translating the Spanish words. “The power of hope. Very important theme for us.
“Hope is joy and happiness, dignity and respect…and the beautiful thing about hope is, it never quits. So no one can take it away from you. And that includes being proud immigrants like Tomas and I are.
“But also, scientists who find cures for disease, the football player that will play in our game (hoping) for a personal best for a victory on the field…and of course, hope that band directors have, those amazing kids that come and participate in our bands…
Introducing the Grand Marshal
“Hope, I’m thrilled to announce, is embodied in our 2020 Grand Marshal,” President Farber said.
She told the audience that the Grand Marshal had been born in Old Ridge Township, New Jersey in the year 2000. The Grand Marshal, she added, had displayed a talent for gymnastics at an early age, starting a career in 2012 and joining the U.S. National Team.
“In 2015, after recovering from a fractured wrist, a torn tendon and a dislocated kneecap, she–yes, she–won the Junior All-Around Title at the U.S. Classic. Then came Rio. The Summer Olympics, August of 2016.
“At age 16, our Grand Marshal was the youngest member of that year’s U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team, nicknamed ‘The Final Five’. They won the team gold medal, and our Grand Marshal won the individual silver medal for balance beam.
“Barely a month after those victories, that effervescent personality and those signature dance moves contributed to her winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy for Season 23 of Dancing With the Stars…And she is the first U.S.-born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984.
“She’s a bestselling author of two books, 2017 inductee to the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame,…global ambassador for Stomp Out, an antibully initiative. She’s known as ‘The Human Emoji’.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, our Grand Marshal for the 2020 Tournament of Roses® is–Laurie Hernandez!”
A star gymnast’s superpower
“I just want to say thank you, first of all, to all of you,” Ms. Hernandez said.
“I know that there is so much hard work that is put into the (Rose Parade®) every single year. And I am so honored to be a Grand Marshal.
“This means the world to me, and I used to watch the (Rose Parade®) when I was a little kid, on New Year’s. And it was a tradition, with me and my family, and now I get to be a part of it.
“…And like when I was a little kid, and I would watch the Olympics and hope to be there, I did the same with the (Rose Parade®). And now I have that opportunity as well.”
Ms. Hernandez referenced the parade theme. “Through gymnastics, inside and outside of the sport, I’ve had to find hope within myself, and the perseverance to keep moving forward. Hope really is a superpower…and I think that is so important to keep spreading that message, ‘The Power of Hope’.”
The audience applauded. Cameras clicked.
But…
“Hold on,” said President Farber. “We’re just getting started.”
The second Grand Marshal
“Born in Manhattan,” President Farber said, “Our second Grand Marshal attended the prestigious LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts–you know, the school from Fame?–and went straight to work.
“And did our Grand Marshal ever work, posting a resume today with almost ninety credits. A mezzosoprano who was trained in opera, jazz, and gospel, it was in film and television where it all really took off.”
This Grand Marshal’s film work, President Farber continued, included roles in The Matrix movies and the critically-acclaimed South of Pico. Meanwhile, her television work had her portraying strong leaders and played complex roles in numerous programs including Firefly and Westworld.
And among the awards this second Grand Marshal had won, said President Farber, were a 2001 Alma Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama, a 2016 Visionary Award at the La Femme Film Festival, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Award for Outstanding Performance in a Television Series for her most famous and longest-running role, in USA’s Suits.
“And then, she took the character into her own TV series. Her idea, (for a) spinoff. Pearson. Becoming the first Afro-Latina lead in a television series. She not only stars in the show, but she’s an executive producer.
And that gives her the power…to assemble her own team, to make the hard decisions, to preserve the intergrity of the character To be the boos, onscreen and off.
…”She’s a proud mother, a fierce 50, a trailblazer for women, and for Latinas.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our second Grand Marshal for the 2020 Tournament of Roses is–Gina Torres.”
Memories of Mom–and a parade
“Buenos dias,” said Ms. Torres. “It is truly an honor to be here this morning. So many feelings, so many thoughts, run through my head.
“And I would have to say that the first–because I hear my mother on my shoulder. She loved a parade.”
Ms. Torres shared a favorite parade memory from her childhood in New York.
“The Puerto Rican Day Parade, that went down the Grand Concourse in the Bronx. And we happened upon it, and my mom just stopped cold. And it was after a day of shopping, and she just stood there and she watched everybody come down and celebrate each other.
“And she was just getting more and more emotional, as more and more bands went by. And finally, jsut at the top of her lungs, I heard her say, ‘Que viva Puerto Rico!’
“I said, ‘Mami, we’re Cuban.’ The audience laughed.
“She said, ‘Not today! We’re all the same.’
A lasting gift
“And that, to me, was everything,” Ms Torres said. “Because we shared the world. We shared our neighborhood…our spirit and our lives. And we all arrived…to our corners of the world, to give of ourselves. To give our gifts forward.
“She gave that to me. She taught me that what I have to give, is special.
“And making the decision to be an actor. And understanding that being an actor is truly a team sport. We can’t do this by ourselves. The parades were about teamwork.
“And as I’ve learned more and more about the Rose Parade®,…it’s a team.
“I’m so honored to be part of this team. To give forth everything that I know about creativity, everything that you’ve shared with me when I’ve been here. Everything that I hope the world sees, year in and year out, that we are all so very, very special and have so much to give.
“And what we create together is truly pure magic.”
And–a third!
President Farber took the podium again. “And we’re not done yet.”
Laughter and sounds of surprise greeted her announcement.
“Our third Grand Marshal was born in Puerto Rico. She landed her first Broadway role at age 13!
“Our Grand Marshal appeared in early classic movies such as Singing in the Rain and The King and I.
“But in 1961, she won the role of a lifetime.”
“Yesss!” one audience member was heard to whisper.
“Electrifying audiences and critics alike with her sizzling rendition of ‘America’, she starred as Anita in Robert Wise’s film adaptation of West Side Story,” President Farber continued.
“The movie won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. And our Grand Marshal won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
“On television she became famous to millions of children–including me–from her time on The Electric Company. She also continued to work on Broadway, earning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for a role that was written for her, for The Ritz.”
“…She was awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Obama,” President Farber said. “For her humanitarian efforts, and for promoting racial equity, and for combating such diseases as HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor…
Here, President Farber sang the next words to the tune of the show song…
“That you can win in America.” More laughter from the audience.
A nonstop luminary
President Farber next told the audience that this third Grand Marshal showed no signs of slowing down. “She is currently executive producing and acting in a remake of that legendary movie musical…a hero to Puerto Rico, an American legend…
…”Ladies and gentlemen, our third Grand Marshal for the 2020 Rose Parade®–Rita Moreno!”
“I was born in 1931 in Puerto Rico,” Ms. Moreno told the audience. “And I started dancing, literally, for Grandpa. And my mother made a very important decision.
“She decided that life was somehow going to be better for her little girl. So she did something extraordinary.
“She took a ship to New York City, worked as a seamstress in a sweat factory, and by the time she made enough money, she took the ship back to Puerto Rico to retrieve me and bring me to the United States.
“…And I can never forget the sight of seeing this enormous green lady in the harbor. And I remember thinking, ‘Oh man, look at that. She has an ice cream cone in her hand.
“But my mom explained to me what she represented, which was pretty fabulous.
“…All I wanted in life, ever, from the time I was a little girl, because of Grandpa, I guess, was to be a movie star,” Ms. Moreno said. “And it was not an easy trip, and I’m not going to tell you about it, because I’m 87. It’s going to take several days.
“Therefore, I only want to say that I am so grateful to the Rose Parade®, but especially to Laura, for coming up with this concept.
“And how proud I am to be representing, as it were, with two astonishing women, who are just the best. Aren’t they amazing?”
The audience broke into applause.
An impromptu celebration
Ms. Moreno said she’d seen the Rose Parade® all her life, and was delighted to get to be a Grand Marshal.
“It’s a dream come true. And I can only tell you that I am absolutely thrilled,” she said.
Then, the third Grand Marshal demonstrated her sense of fun.
“And I’m especially thrilled to meet this little girl here,” she said, indicating Ms. Hernandez. “Come here, come over here. Look at this adorable child. You know what, can we have some music?”
The trio that had played before were no longer in their places, as this request was unscripted. But Tournament of Roses® had a popular song piped in.
“You don’t have Latino music?” Ms. Moreno demanded, in mock indignation. “What’s wrong with you?”
Obligingly, the PA system began playing a Latin dance song.
And the three new Grand Marshals displayed their dance moves!
The audience clapped, whooped and laughed.
Ms. Moreno served as stage manager, signaling for the music to “cut” after several minutes.
“OK. Was that fun?” she asked. “Yeah,” said her laughing fellow Grand Marshals/dancers.
More applause.
“Here we are, Mrs. Americas!” Ms. Moreno exclaimed.
“Ladies and gentlemen, el poder de la esperanza, The Power of Hope, is right here,” President Farber said.
“The Grand Marshals of the 2020 Tournament of Roses®: Laurie Hernandez, Gina Torres, and Rita Moreno!”
The audience cheered. Music began: the energetic “America” from West Side Story.
With a loud “pop!”, confetti cascaded over the three 2020 Rose Parade® Grand Marshals.
In their own words
Now, how did President Farber decide on these three (amazing) women, as 2020 Rose Parade® Grand Marshals?
“Well, we have a list that we put together, of people that we think will embody our theme,” she said. “And we wanted people that would appeal to a variety of generations. Right? And strong, for me, women. Latinas was like icing on the cake. And it was easy. It was easy to pick Laurie Hernandez, Gina Torres and Rita Moreno.
“…Each of them bring unique qualities, but they have so much in common. And the chemistry between these three is off the charts. We had a chance yesterday to get together and spend some time. And there’s no question that this was, I’m sorry to say it, but, s brilliant decision,” she concluded, laughing.
“It was magical.”
Meanwhile, Laurie Hernandez experienced that magic when she found out, through her agent, that she had been selected as Grand Marshal.
“I remember feeling speechless and immediately calling my parents, and saying, ‘you guys will never believe the news that I just got’,” she said.
“And it was interesting and kind of an odd situation, ’cause I remember watching the Olympics when I was a little kid, and pointing to the screen and telling my mom, ‘I want to be a part of that’.
“And I did that with the Rose Parade® as well, I’d always wanted to be a part of it. Now I get to do that, with so many incredible, strong Hispanic women.
“And the representation is so important. It was something that I had always hoped to see when I was a little kid. Now you have three generations of it, that the whole world is going to see during the Rose Parade®.”
.Gina Torres recalled the moment she learned she had been selected as Grand Marshal: “It came through my management. And it simply said, ‘scroll down. I think you want to see this.'”
Laughing, she continued, “I scrolled down to the most extraordinary letter, written by Laura. An invitation. And when I wiped the tears from my eyes, there was sort of this moment of disbelief. Complete and utter disbelief, not even knowing or understanding that I could have been on the radar for such an honor. And of course it took me about twenty-five seconds to say yes.
“I was like, YES, and hit that button. And then, really, up to this point it’s been a meditation in, ‘don’t mess this up’. Don’t mess this up, make your mama proud.”
And Rita Moreno commented on the 2020 parade’s theme.
“You know what? I’m a person who is made of hope. I’m a person who has never given up, ever. So this is the perfect theme for me. Because I really believe in hope, I think it’s what carries people through the worst of times.
“And it’s the perfect thing for me. It seems almost as though I made it up.”
The 131st Rose Parade® happens at 8 am, Pacific Standard Time, on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Here’s the link for information.