by Dot Cannon
“I was completely shocked. I was stunned, and my knees kind of buckled a little bit.”
That was 17-year-old Erika Karen Winter’s reaction to hearing her name announced, Thursday evening. as Pasadena Tournament of Roses®’ 98th Rose Queen®.
The coronation ceremony was held at Pasadena Convention Center, with families of the seven Royal Court members on hand. These Rose Princesses had been selected on October 6th. All would be riding down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day, in the 127th Rose Parade®. But this evening, one of them would be chosen as the Rose Queen®.
The evening started with music, courtesy of a masterful pianist from Muse/ique‘s counter-conventional Symphony Orchestra. The audience enjoyed his classical approach to songs like “The Girl From Ipanema”.
Longtime KTLA Rose Parade® host and television personality Stephanie Edwards emceed the event. But, before she could get far in her announcer duties…
“…two, three, four, five, six, seven, twelve roses. What is this, Mr. President?” Edwards asked 2015-2016 Tournament of Roses® President Mike Matthiessen, after he handed her an unexpected bouquet.
Apologizing for interrupting her, Matthiessen said, “You’ve been so special to us, the Tournament of Roses® family, and me in particular too, Stephanie. And I just want to say ‘thank you very much’ with this bouquet of roses.”
(Edwards and Bob Eubanks announced their retirement as Rose Parade® commentators last month. January 1, 2016, will be their final time in the Rose Parade® announcers’ booth. Edwards has been co-hosting the KTLA Rose Parade® broadcast for 35 years.)
Then, as directed tongue-in-cheek by Matthiessen, Edwards went “back to the script”. She introduced the members of the Royal Court with brief video clips and a few questions about each one’s interests and future career plans.
Then came time for the announcement.
President Matthiessen returned to do the honors. “I need an envelope. Nothing happens without an envelope.” Receiving one from Queen and Court Committee Chair Ed Morales, he opened it.
“The 2016 Rose Queen is…Erika Karen Winter.”
The Royal Court headed offstage to change and prepare for the coronation.
And Muse/Ique took the stage, with founding director Rachael Worby. “We thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate nearly a century of Royal Court coronations with nearly a century of adventurous…American music,” Worby said. The program that followed showcased a song from each decade, from Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” to a goosebump-raising a cappella medley of Motown hits from the 1960’s.
After recognition of “the oldest living Rose Queens®–that’s what they want us to call them!” by Edwards, the Royal Court returned.
Each Rose Princess came in on her dad’s arm.
‘The coronation followed, and so did the Queen’s Oath. “You don’t have to memorize it….repeat after me,” President Matthiessen assured the new Rose Queen®.
After the coronation, Royal Court members talked about their adventure, so far.
“Tonight was amazing,” said Rose Princess Sarah Shaklan, 17. “I was walking out first and I really didn’t realize how bright the lights would be, and this room is just filled with close acquaintances and family and friends. It was very comfortable, and it was just very exciting to be in this position.”
Rose Princess Natalie Hernandez-Barber, 17, offered an insight on being a Rose Princess. “Princesses glide, they don’t walk. There’s a certain way!”
Asked for a “glide lesson”, Princess Natalie didn’t hesitate. “You keep your knees bent, and you go heel-toe, heel-toe, and your body does not bounce.”
And Queen Erika said her new title had taken a moment to sink in. “I didn’t really realize what was happening till we were in that massive hug, and everybody was saying, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re so proud of you.'”
Queen Erika, who is a 17-year-old senior at Flintridge Preparatory School, also had some advice for future Rose Queens. “The Balboa weekend that we went on…we were just up the entire night, singing and laughing and dancing. So, I hope all the girls have as much fun as we did, and they should really enjoy that time to get to know each other.”