Meet the Rose Queen

Just minutes into a chat with Evanne Friedmann, it becomes obvious why she was chosen as the 2011 Rose Queen. She’s a confident yet humble young woman who is passionate about meeting others — something she does with an understated aplomb.

The Queen and Court Committee “were really looking for someone who is charming and can communicate,” said Friedmann, 17, who lives in La Cañada Flintridge and attends La Cañada High School. Because the queen and the court of six Rose Princesses only have a few seconds sometimes to meet and talk to the public, “we need to be able to engage them.”

The custom of choosing a Rose Queen began in 1905, though it wouldn’t become an annual tradition until 1930. Since then, Rose Queens and Rose Princesses (collectively known as the Royal Court) have been a part of the Tournament of Roses, acting as ambassadors of both the tournament and the city of Pasadena. A highlight of the Rose Parade is the float carrying the Royal Court, and Friedmann will be the 93rd Queen to preside over it. The Royal Court will also “reign” over the 97th Rose Bowl Game and attend around 150 public and media functions during their year in the spotlight.

Each September, more than 1,000 Pasadena-area girls age 17 to 21 vie for the honor of being in the Royal Court, with the monthlong process of ever-longer interviews and speeches gradually whittling down their numbers to a final seven. The Queen and Court Committee, which had 11 members this year, makes its final choice based on such criteria as poise, personality, public speaking ability, community involvement and scholastic achievement.

The 2011 Rose Princesses are Tatyane Berrios, 17, Arcadia High School; Sarah Fredrickson, 17, Maranatha High School; Jessica Montoya, 17, Flintridge Preparatory School; Tenaya Senzaki, 17, Pasadena High School; Kathryn Thomson, 17, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy; and Michelle Washington, 18, Pasadena City College.

“My two best friends were trying out and they had told me about it — and honestly I didn’t think I would have a chance,” Friedmann said. “It’s like a rite of passage in the area. We’ve all talked about it ever since we watched all the girls trying out at my school over the years. I grew up in La Cañada, so every year on New Year’s Day we watched the Rose Parade on TV.”

Friedmann, a former child model, lists her favorite school subjects as history, English and psychology. She loves writing and making films with friends, and has her sights set on a career in the movies. Friedmann found that the Rose Court selection process in itself was a learning experience. As part of the audition process, Friedmann was asked to demonstrate her aptitude for public speaking.

“I’d never given a speech before and so at the first impromptu speech I gave [before the Queen and Court Committee], I was so nervous and my voice was shaking!” she said. “You’re really on the spot … and so you learn about yourself and you actually get proud of yourself the more you go on in the competition.”

Since being named Rose Queen on Oct. 19, her life has radically changed, Friedmann said. “It’s been hectic, but it’s the best type of hectic you can think of!

“I’m doing all these things that I would have never gotten the chance to do. The best part has been the experiences that I’ve had and the stories that I’ve heard.... I’ve been completely changed by these people that I’ve met — people that are unbelievable and determined and charming and engaging.”

Friedmann points to a recent visit to Villa Esperanza Services, an independent day school and occupational therapy clinic for children with Down syndrome in Pasadena, as being particularly moving: “We brought coloring books and pencils and crayons,” she explained. “I sat next to this kid named Eric and he looked at the bag and he smiled, and I said ‘Do you like coloring?’ He gave me the biggest grin I’ve ever seen — I was so surprised and shocked by the honesty of his smile.”

Friedmann will finally be able to just sit back and enjoy herself on the parade float on Jan. 1, and she’s already visualizing the prospect of “coming around the corner onto Colorado [Boulevard] and seeing the crowds waving at us.... Just going through the experience of being in the parade is going to be awesome!”

—Paul Rogers
Custom Publishing Writer