From 900 applicants, these seven were picked for the 2016 Rose Parade Royal Court
Wide grins and big bouquets of red roses marked the selection Monday of seven young women as members of the 2016 Tournament of Roses Royal Court.
The women were chosen from a group of 39 finalists who were culled from more than 900 applicants. A selection committee considered applicants’ “poise, speaking ability, academic achievement and community and school involvement,” the Tournament of Roses said in a statement.
Over the next few months, the Royal Court will embark on dozens of media appearances promoting the upcoming Rose Parade in Pasadena. The young women will be lavished with formal gowns, cosmetics, tiaras and hair styling as they go before the cameras.
The members of the Royal Court are:
-- Bryce Marie Bakewell, 17, a Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy senior who is president of the Black Student Union and wants to become a criminal justice attorney.
-- Donaly Elizabeth Marquez, 17, a Blair High School senior who works for the Ambassador Youth Program and wants to study criminal justice or go into the medical field.
-- Breanne Hernandez-Barber, 17, an Alverno High School senior who works with the school’s campus ministry, plays varsity volleyball and wants to become a radio or television host.
-- Rachelle Chacal Renee Liu, 17, a San Marino High School senior who is captain of the speech and debate team and the mock trial team and plans to study biology so she can become a doctor who works with Doctors Without Borders.
-- Regina Marche Pullens, 17, a Maranatha High School senior who is a science department teacher’s assistant who plans to study premedicine in college and hopes to become an anesthesiologist.
-- Sarah Sumiko Shaklan, 17, a La Canada High School senior who volunteers for Huntington Memorial Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House and wants to become a lawyer who does nonprofit work.
-- Erika Karen Winter, 17, a Flintridge Preparatory School senior who is on the cheer and dance team and student senate and hopes to work in marketing and communications within the fashion industry.
The Rose Queen will be announced during a coronation ceremony Oct. 22 at the Pasadena Convention Center.
The theme for the 127th Rose Parade, which will take place on New Year’s Day, will be Find Your Adventure.
Twitter: @haileybranson | Google+
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