Vanessa Manjarrez, of Mayfield Senior School, was named the 95th Rose Queen for Tournament of Roses Parade at a ceremony in Pasadena on Tuesday.
As Tournament of Roses President Sally Bixby prepared to call the name out, the seven members of the Rose Court — all dressed in bright-red dresses — clasped one another’s hands. Cheers and screams for supporters rang out as Vanessa Manjarrez’s name was read aloud from the envelope.
The announcement stunned the 17-year-old, who hopes to one day study stem cell research and genetics.
“I’m not even sure what’s going on after this,” she said. “I’m just in a daze and in a blur, but it’s a really good feeling, and I’m really excited.”
According to her bio on the Tournament of Roses website, Vanessa lives in Pasadena and participates in the Dance Conservatory, the National Charity League, the Pasadena Humane Society and Villa Esperanza.
“I’m excited to give back to my community that’s been my home since I was born,” she said. “I’m excited to be an ambassador for the Tournament of Roses.”
Vanessa and her six princesses will maintain a very busy public schedule that includes about 150 appearances at various events in the months ahead. They will also ride in the 2013 Rose Parade — themed “Oh, the Places You'll Go!”
The Tournament of Roses 2013 Royal Court — named on Oct. 8 — also includes Madison Teodo, of La Canada High School; Sonia Shenoi, of San Marino High School; Kathryne Benuska, of Maranatha High School; Nicole Nelam, of Pasadena High School; Tracy Cresta, of La Salle High School; and Victoria McGregor, of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
Speaking to a KTLA reporter in the audience immediately after the announcement, Vanessa’s father said, “I’m very excited. This is something my daughter was looking forward to.”
Follow Jason Wells on Google+ and on Twitter @JasonBretWells.
As Tournament of Roses President Sally Bixby prepared to call the name out, the seven members of the Rose Court — all dressed in bright-red dresses — clasped one another’s hands. Cheers and screams for supporters rang out as Vanessa Manjarrez’s name was read aloud from the envelope.
The announcement stunned the 17-year-old, who hopes to one day study stem cell research and genetics.
“I’m not even sure what’s going on after this,” she said. “I’m just in a daze and in a blur, but it’s a really good feeling, and I’m really excited.”
According to her bio on the Tournament of Roses website, Vanessa lives in Pasadena and participates in the Dance Conservatory, the National Charity League, the Pasadena Humane Society and Villa Esperanza.
“I’m excited to give back to my community that’s been my home since I was born,” she said. “I’m excited to be an ambassador for the Tournament of Roses.”
Vanessa and her six princesses will maintain a very busy public schedule that includes about 150 appearances at various events in the months ahead. They will also ride in the 2013 Rose Parade — themed “Oh, the Places You'll Go!”
The Tournament of Roses 2013 Royal Court — named on Oct. 8 — also includes Madison Teodo, of La Canada High School; Sonia Shenoi, of San Marino High School; Kathryne Benuska, of Maranatha High School; Nicole Nelam, of Pasadena High School; Tracy Cresta, of La Salle High School; and Victoria McGregor, of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
Speaking to a KTLA reporter in the audience immediately after the announcement, Vanessa’s father said, “I’m very excited. This is something my daughter was looking forward to.”
Follow Jason Wells on Google+ and on Twitter @JasonBretWells.
