La Cañada High School senior Nadia Chung was crowned as the 2022 Rose Queen Tuesday evening at Tournament House in Pasadena.
“I didn’t expect it,” Chung said after being chosen as the 103rd Rose Queen from among the seven-member Tournament of Roses Royal Court. “I heard my name and once it finally registered I was just so happy and so excited.”
Chung said she and her fellow Royal Court members “have grown to be the closest, closest friends” since being chosen Oct. 4.
Chung is a journalist with the Los Angeles Times’ High School Insider division, a company member of California Contemporary Youth Ballet, an intern at the Outlook Newsgroup, president of the La Cañada High School speech and debate team, coordinator for accessibility in debate education with Beyond Resolved, president of the mock trial team, and managing editor of The Outspoken Oppa, a website where teenagers can share their viewpoints on important issues. It is named for the Korean term for older brother.
Chung said she intends to study political science and journalism with the hopes of becoming a civil rights attorney focusing on social justice. She is interested in attending Georgetown, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Northwestern, American University or Brown.
Chung and her six princess will attend dozens of community and media events leading up to the 132nd Rose Parade and 107th Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day.
Each member of the court receives a $7,500 educational scholarship as part of the Tournament of Roses’ legacy.
Members of the court are chosen from among hundreds of applicants each year, based on criteria including public speaking, academic achievement, youth leadership and community and school involvement.
The other members of the Royal Court are:
- Jeannine Brigs of John Marshall Fundamental 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 Cañada High School.
The theme of the 2022 Rose Parade, the 133rd procession, is “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” Actor, philanthropist and reading advocate LeVar Burton will be the grand marshal.
