The pandemic of 2020 took its toll on every aspect of life in Pasadena and the world. The Rose Parade, among every other major event in the world, was cancelled for the first time in modern memory dimming the hopes of young women who vie for the coveted Rose Queen title.
However, on Monday, the finalists appeared on the south steps of Tournament House replete with face masks ready to hear they may be part of the Rose Court. Soon, the 37 finalists would be down to the seven members of the Royal Court for 2022.
Anticipation grew as nervous teenagers hoped to hear Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller open the envelope and read their name.
The seven members named were:
- Jeannine Brigs of John Marshall Fundamental High School;
- Nadia Chung of La Cañada High School;
- Ava Feldman of South Pasadena High School;
- Abigail Griffith of Pasadena High School;
- Swetha Somasundaram of Arcadia High School;
- McKenzie Street of Flintridge Sacred Heart; and
- Jaeda Walden of La Canada High School.
Members of the 2022 Royal Court will serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community, and the greater Los Angeles area, and will each receive a $7,500 educational scholarship. “The Rose Queen and Royal Court are iconic traditions, steeped in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses’ history and continue as a treasured legacy,” according to as press release sent out Monday morning.
Applicants from 24 Pasadena area schools participated in the interview process, and volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses’ Queen and Court Committee selected the Royal Court based on several criteria, including public speaking ability, academic achievement, youth leadership, and community and school involvement.
The 2022 Royal Court will ride down Colorado Boulevard on the Royal Court float in the 133rd Rose Parade presented by Honda and attend the 108th Rose Bowl Game, both on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.
