Courting Miss Washington

At a time when most high school seniors are focusing their energy and attention on college applications, 16-year-old Drew Helen Washington is perfecting her poise, honing her public speaking talent and stepping into the limelight as the 94th Queen of the Tournament of Roses.

Washington leads a Royal Court of seven young women from the San Gabriel Valley who have been chosen from a field of more than 1,000 applicants. They include princesses
Morgan Eliza Devaud (age 18) of La Cañada High School, Stephanie Grace Hynes (18) of Maranatha High School, Cynthia Megan Louie (17) of La Salle High School, Kimberly Victoria Ostiller (17) of Flintridge Preparatory School, Hanan Bulto Worku (17) of Pasadena High School and Sarah Nicole Zuno (17) of Benjamin Franklin High School.

During their tenure which runs from October to January, Queen Drew and the princesses act as ambassadors of both the Tournament of Roses and the city by attending over 150 community events and reigning over both the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 2. They visit hospitals, senior centers, schools and other organizations, and participate in the Salvation Army’s Bucket Ringoff and Toys for Tots, and other Tournament of Roses special events.
Living in Arcadia, Washington attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation and Mu Alpha Theta, and the honors math club. Outside the classroom, she captains the varsity volleyball and track and field teams and is active in the Student Ambassador Club, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), the Multicultural Club and Latin Club.

Washington says that one of the main reasons she tried out for the Royal Court is because of Sacred Heart alum and mentor Katie Hernandez. “When she made the court in 2010, I immediately knew that I wanted to follow in her footsteps and be a role model for young women just as she was for me.”

Contestants for the Royal Court are selected on a combination of qualities including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement. Washington describes the four-session process as “rigorous” and “nerve-racking,” but she appreciated the fact that it was anonymous with contestants identified only by a tryout number. “This allowed the judges to truly judge us according to our skills and abilities at the time of tryouts and nothing else.”

She says she has also learned a lot about herself, including how to react under pressure, gain control of her nerves quickly and speak in a room full of strangers. She credits her success in the latter to speech coach Rosemary Scott. “She’s given us the tools necessary to speak confidently and intelligently in front of any crowd.”

The court attire, supplied by Los Angeles fashion house Tadashi, is always a Tournament of Roses highlight. The 2012 Royal Court gowns are pleated chiffon one-shoulder gowns with an embellished cutout shoulder. “We customized the gowns by adding the beading and made them in white for the queen and in blue horizon for the princesses,” said founder and chief designer Tadashi Shoji.

Tadashi first designed for the Royal Court in 1992 and has been the official designer for the Tournament of Roses for more than 10 years. While his designs always reflect the parade’s annual theme, they have also kept up with fashion trends. “The first gown I created was a sign of the times — a red silk taffeta confection with big puffy shoulders and ruffles,” Tadashi said. “The gowns since have evolved each year and currently reflect a fresher and modern look.”

Washington will also don the Mikimoto crown with 600 cultured pearls and six carats of diamonds that was placed on her head at the Oct. 27 coronation ceremony. “Unfortunately I am not able to keep the crown,” she said, “but I do truly feel like a queen when I am wearing it.”

—Julia Clerk
Custom Publishing Writer