Standing outside the white doors of the Pasadena Convention Center, moments before accepting her pearl- and diamond-encrusted crown, Vanessa Manjarrez, the 95th Rose Queen, finally caught up with her new reality. “It really hit me when I was standing outside those white doors: It’s all real now.”
Rose Queen Vanessa Manjarrez, center, was crowned during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. From left are Princesses Nicole Nelam (Pasadena High), Sonia Shenio (San Marino High), Madison Teodo (La Canada High), Queen Vanessa, Princesses Victoria McGregor (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy), Tracy Cresta (La Salle High) and Kate Benuska (Maranatha High). Queen Vanessa, a 17 yr.-old resident of Pasadena is the 95th queen crowned. Queen Vanessa is a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Kate Benuska (Maranatha High) during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Tracy Cresta (La Salle High) during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Madison Teodo (La Canada High) during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Victoria McGregor during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Rose Queen Vanessa Manjarrez was crowned during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. Queen Vanessa, a 17 yr.-old resident of Pasadena is the 95th queen crowned. Queen Vanessa is a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Nicole Nelam (Pasadena High) during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Sonia Shenoi (San Marino High) during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Rose Queen Vanessa Manjarrez, center, was crowned by 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Sally Bixby during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. At left is princess Madison Teodo (La Canada High) and at right is Princess Victoria McGregor (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy). Queen Vanessa, a 17 yr.-old resident of Pasadena is the 95th queen crowned. Queen Vanessa is a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Rose Queen Vanessa Manjarrez, center, was crowned during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. With their fathers, from left are Princesses Nicole Nelam (Pasadena High), Sonia Shenio (San Marino High), Madison Teodo (La Canada High), Queen Vanessa, Princesses Victoria McGregor (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy), Tracy Cresta (La Salle High) and Kate Benuska (Maranatha High). Queen Vanessa, a 17 yr.-old resident of Pasadena is the 95th queen crowned. Queen Vanessa is a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Rose Queen Vanessa Manjarrez enters with her father Armando Manjarrez during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. Queen Vanessa, a 17 yr.-old resident of Pasadena is the 95th queen crowned. Queen Vanessa is a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Rose Queen Vanessa Manjarrez, center, was crowned during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. From left are Princesses Nicole Nelam (Pasadena High), Sonia Shenio (San Marino High), Madison Teodo (La Canada High), Queen Vanessa, Princesses Victoria McGregor (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy), Tracy Cresta (La Salle High) and Kate Benuska (Maranatha High). Queen Vanessa, a 17 yr.-old resident of Pasadena is the 95th queen crowned. Queen Vanessa is a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)
Princess Victoria McGregor’s father Richard McGregor does the Gangnam Style Dance during official coronation ceremony at the Convention Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer)