Rose Royalty Celebrated in Pasadena

The moment Carol Huang’s name was announced Monday outside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses headquarters, a throng of teenagers let out a shriek of joy that could probably be heard a few miles away at her San Marino home.

They weren’t celebrating because she’s the next Britney Spears. And this wasn’t an MTV beach party. Rather, Huang had learned she was one of the lucky seven chosen to be members of the royal court for the 111th Rose Parade.

“It is an honor to have made it so far,” Huang said diplomatically when asked about her prospects for being crowned rose queen.

She then switched to remarks in Chinese. She could also have answered in Spanish, French--even Latin, which Huang taught herself in between serving as captain of San Marino High School’s cheerleading squad and preparing an early application to Harvard. Her goal: Study international relations and applied mathematics.

This isn’t your father’s rose court. And the usually sedate announcement of who won the final seven spots was anything but calm on Monday, thanks to a couple hundred teenagers who crowded outside the Tournament House because they apparently were off from school for Columbus Day.

The finalists now must wait until Oct. 26, when the tournament’s Queen and Court Committee settles on the 2000 rose queen.

For Mariasol Pena, an Arcadia High school senior, being chosen as a member of the court fulfills a long-held ambition.

“I always dreamed to be in the Rose Parade. But I never thought I’d be here,” said the Paraguayan-born 17-year-old, clutching her bouquet of roses and taking deep breaths. “I was surprised how well the judges really get to know you.”

Along with Huang and Pena, the Queen and Court Committee selected five other 17-year-old princesses.

They are Lauren Beattie of La Canada High School, Caitlin Bogert of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Sophia Bush of Westridge High School, Grace Chen of San Marino High School and Kellie Handy of South Pasadena High School.

Like older sisters and girlfriends before them, the young women are the victors in the tournament’s version of the Navy SEALs’ Hell Week--a monthlong battery of interviews that whittle down more than 900 high school and college applicants to the few.

“We were impressed by the exceptional young women we met throughout the tryout process and are grateful for their participation and enthusiasm,” said Corky Conzonire, chairman of the Queen and Court Committee.

Until Monday, each princess was known to the judges simply as a number. Throughout the judging, no one was allowed to give her name, for fear of influencing the judges.

Twenty-nine princesses made it to Monday’s stage. However, 22 had to settle for two tickets to the Royal Ball.

The finalists will spend the next couple of weeks getting a make-over and pointers on walking, talking and etiquette before one of them is crowned the tournament’s 82nd queen.