Thursday, November 7, we met with many other Rotary clubs at the San Marino Community Church.  The program was the Rose Court for the 125th Rose Parade, that will take place, January 1, 2014, in Pasadena.

The girls were seated at various tables prior to being called up to the podium.  This gave the Rose Court time to talk with Rotarians in a casual manner.  The program started and they were asked to come  forward, to be introduced to all in attendance.

Princess Jamie Ann Kwong, was the first to be introduced.  She is 17,  and a senior at La Salle High School and lives in Pasadena.  All of the girls are very active in their schools. Rose Princess Jamie, is President of the school’s National Honor Society.  She is also active in National Charity League of San Marino.  Jamie also volunteers at the Kidspace and Huntington Hospital.   Her career choice is to become an International lawyer.

Rose Princess Kayla Diyana Johnson-Granberry is also 17, and attends Pasadena High School.   She competes in tennis and has played the piano since the age of 8.  She has been a participant in a program called”College Bound” which prepares students for admission into college.  She has worked for two years as an intern at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office.  She resides with her parents in Altadena.

The next Rose Princess to be interviewed was Sarah Elizabeth Hansen.  She is 19 , and attends Pasadena City College.  She  also teaches pre-school at Pasadena Foursquare Church.  She wants to eventually transfer to either UCLA or UC Berkeley and major in Communications and also Dance.  She lives at home with her parents in Pasadena.

Rose Princess Elyssia Widjaja, 17, is a senior at San Marino High School.  She is captain of the school’s Speech and Debate team and active with many other school projects.  She also volunteers with the American Cancer Society and Let’s Hope Organization.  She is interested in studying business communications, public relations at USC or Pepperdine University.  She lives in San Marino with her family.

The last Rose Princess to be introduced was Katherine Diane Lipp, 17. and attends La Canada High School.  She has been on the school’s pep squad and volunteers with Brothers’ Helpers in Los Angeles.  She hopes to pursue a career in art and design and currently works at The Paper Rabbit in Montrose.  She lives with her family in La Canada.

One Rose Princess , Elizabeth Katie Woolf, was not present so there was only five Rose Princesses to be interviewed . However, she is 17, and attends La Canada High School and lives with her family in La Canada.   She is involved at school as the 2014 yearbook editor, co-captain of varsity song squard, and 2nd grade tutor and teacher’s assistant at La Canada Elementary School.  She also is a volunteer at Pasadena’s Elizabeth House.  Elizabeth hopes to attend University of Michigan and study business.

Rose Queen Ana Marie Acosta was last to be introduced and she received a nice applause from the Rotarians and guests.  She is 17, and attends Polytechnic School.  Ana loves horses and is captain of her school’s varsity equestrian team, and also a member of the Girl’s Service League. She has been accepted into the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s 2013 Emerging Athletes Program.  She wants to become a surgeon specializing in neurology.  Queen Ana Marie resides in Altadena with her family.

The moderator then asked the girls questions regarding life, and what is it that has thrilled you the most.  Answers were “Making this Royal Court”, “Being true to the foundation that your parents gave you”, “Life with purpose”, “The hard work that you do, to make your dreams come true”,  “Following dreams”.  One Rose Princess replied that she had visited Monte Vista Grove. ” To meet these people gave her much hope for the future and the next generation.”

As the program came to a close, I looked at the young ladies, knowing that they, since their very early childhood, hoped that someday they, too, would ride on the Rose Court Float on New Year’s Day.  It is every little girl’s dream.  Yes, this is a dream come true for them,  and it will be, forever, a special memory for the rest of their lifetime.

(Phyllis Corliss)

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