Pasadena teen is crowned 2012 Rose Queen

The 16-year-old captain of the varsity volleyball and track and field teams at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy can now add Rose Queen to her credentials after her name was called during a pageant-tense ceremony this morning in Pasadena.

With clasped hands and giddy anticipation, Drew Washington’s jaw dropped after her named was called, the six other members of the Tournament of Roses Royal Court showering her with congratulations.

Screams rang out from her high school peers in the audience.

As the 94th Rose Queen, Washington — a Pasadena resident — will be the lead figure head for the Tournament of Roses Assn., an emissary who will be sent to more than 100 appearances on behalf of the organization. She will also be featured in the 123rd Rose Parade on Jan. 2, with millions of people watching on live television.

It’s a grueling public schedule, but one hundreds of San Gabriel Valley young women strive to attain each year, many of whom grow up dreaming of being one of the few on the Royal Court.
Candidates must be between 17 and 21 years of old and be enrolled at a school within a Pasadena Community College trustees districts. This year, roughly 1,000 young women applied, a group that was whittled down to 34 finalists.

Of those, seven were named to the Royal Court, including Sarah Zuno, Hanan Worku, Cynthia Louie, Kimberly Ostiller, Stephanie Hynes and Morgan Eliza Devaud.

-- Jason Wells and Kelly Corrigan, Times Community News

Photo: Drew Washington (left) was crowned Rose Queen at a Pasadena ceremony Tuesday morning. Credit: Cheryl A. Guerrero