by Dot Cannon
(Photo courtesy of Pasadena Tournament of Roses® and used with permission.)
Congratulations to the members of Pasadena Tournament of Roses®’ 2023 Royal Court!
This morning, Pasadena Tournament of Roses® announced the selection of these seven young women from their group of twenty-eight finalists. The official announcement from Tournament House was live-streamed on Tournament of Roses®’ YouTube channel.
An exciting morning
With a fanfare from the PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band, Queen and Court Committee Chair Kathy Perini took the podium.
“As an educator, it is especially heartwarming for me to see so many schools represented (among the finalists), and I can’t think of a better excuse to miss school. Can you?” she asked, as the audience laughed.
Chairperson Perini told the audience that this year’s finalists had been selected from “hundreds of applicants, representing over thirty Pasadena schools”.
After acknowledgements of the members of the Queen and Court Committee, their family members and friends for their support and the Pasadena City College Lancer Band, two members of the 2022 Royal Court appeared, to help with the announcement. Abby Griffith and Jeannine Briggs, now both college students, stood ready to congratulate the new Royal Court members.
“We are also happy to have with us this morning, for the first time, our American Sign Language interpreter,” Chairperson Perini continued.
The theme and the finalists
Referencing the 2023 Rose Parade® theme, “Turning the Corner”, Chairperson Perini talked about the challenges of the last two years.
“We experienced life as never before. and found ourselves wondering when we would be able to turn the corner. Preparation, confidence and fearlessness was required of each one of us. And they are just a few of the attributes of the finalists you are about to meet,” she said.
“…They are individuals of incredible initiative and resilience, yet we are most impressed by their kindness and willingness to serve others. At this moment in time, each and every year, we present to you, tomorrow’s leaders today.”
Chairperson Perini then introduced the twenty-eight finalists. Each appeared on the arm of a white-suited Tournament of Roses® volunteer. The young women, all holding a single red rose, took their place on the red-carpeted steps of Tournament House as she read off their names, numbers and the schools they attended. Audience members shrieked excitedly, applauding each announcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, would you join me now in collectively recognizing these incredible young people…the 2023 Court finalists!”
An enthusiastic round of applause followed.
“And now, please help me welcome the President of the 2023 Tournament of Roses®…Mrs. Amy Wainscott!”
Leading up to the moment
“It’s always interesting to hear how people interpret each year’s theme,” President Wainscott said. during her opening remarks.
“Some may think that ‘Turning the Corner’ refers to putting difficult times behind us. Some might take it as a way to feel emboldened by the unlimited potential that each New Year brings. And others might personalize it towards how they have made significant changes in their own lives, by overcoming a challenge or achieving a fantastic new goal.
“For the seven young ladies selected for the 2023 Royal Court, this is just one of the many turns their lives will take. From what we have seen…we are confident…that they will rise to any challenge and turn every corner with strength, confidence, resilience and grace.”
Introducing the Royal Court
President Wainscott then requested the first envelope.
“Number 332, Sequoyah School, Adrian Crick!”
“Our second Royal Court member: Number 19, from La Canada High School, Uma Wittenberg!”
“Our third Royal Court member! Number 12, from Pasadena High School–Michelle Cortez-Peralta!”
“Our fourth Royal Court member: Number 67, from Marshall Fundamental High School–Zoe Denoncourt!”
“Our fifth Royal Court member: Number 134, from Ogburn Online School–Bella Rose Ballard!” (As Chairperson Perini pointed out while introducing her as a finalist, Ms. Ballard is the first Royal Court candidate from an online school.)
“We’re on to Number Six,” President Wainscott continued. “Number 57, from Arcadia High School–Sahanna Rajinikanthan!”
Whoops, bursts of applause and a fanfare from the Lancer Band had followed each announcement. The six new Royal Court members stood on the red-carpeted steps, each holding a bouquet of roses with which the previous year’s Royal Court members had presented them.
There was one announcement left to go.
“And finally, last but not least,” President Wainscott said.
“From Alverna Heights Academy, Number 351–Salia Baligh!
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, the 2023 Tournament of Roses®Royal Court!”
The audience erupted in cheers and applause. Reporters hurried forward with cameras, recorders and note-taking devices. And we completely missed being a part of the media scramble. We hope this COVID mess disappears by the time the 2024 Royal Court is announced!
But we completely appreciate getting to see the live stream. With that in mind, mark your calendar for two dates.
The next milestones
First, Thursday, October 13th at 10 am, Pacific time. That’s the date the Tournament of Roses® will live-stream their announcement of the 2023 Rose Parade® Grand Marshal on their YouTube channel.
And second, Tuesday, October 25th, at 6 pm Pacific, when Pasadena Tournament of Roses® will live-stream the announcement and coronation of the 104th Rose Queen®, and presentation of the Royal Court.
Meanwhile, these seven new Royal Court members are in for a busy three months.
The new Rose Queen®, selected from this group, will ride with her court in the 134th Rose Parade on January 2, 2023. The Queen and her court will also preside over the Rose Bowl®game, following the parade.
But that’s far from their only commitment.
The Rose Queen® and her Royal Court serve as ambassadors, not only for Pasadena Tournament of Roses® but for the Pasadena community and the greater Los Angeles area. With ninety days, and counting, until the 2023 Rose Parade®, they’ll attend nearly 100 community and media functions, according to Pasadena Tournament of Roses®’ website.
Talk about leadership training! We wish the very best to these amazing young women. Not to mention the other twenty-one finalists on the steps of Tournament House this morning. Getting to be a finalist from among so many candidates is an achievement, in and of itself.
With all of them as leaders, we can expect to “Turn the Corner” into an amazing future.