95th Rose Queen Announced in Pasadena
Vanessa Manjarrez, a 17-year-old student from Mayfield Senior School, was crowned the 95th Rose Queen for 2013. Over 900 girls in the Pasadena area competed in the past month for the crown.
She was awarded the title Tuesday at the Tournament House in Pasadena, holding a bouquet of roses at the first of many media-saturated events.
As the 95th Rose Queen, Manjarrez and the other six high school girls from the Royal Court will make more than 150 appearances at various community and media events. This all leads up to the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade and the 99th Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day.
Judges chose the members of the Royal Court on the basis of public speaking, poise, academic achievement, community involvement and personality.
"Among the many outstanding applicants this year, these seven really rose to the top," Joan Madsen, Chair of the Queen and Court Committee, said in a statement. "We know they will be terrific role models and handle their numerous commitments with poise and grace."
The other members of the Royal Court include Kathryne Benuska, from Maranatha High ; Tracy Italia Cresta, from La Salle High ; Victoria Sophia McGregor, from Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy; Nicole Cherie Nelam, from Pasadena High ; Sonia Shenoi, from San Marino High; and Madison Teodo, from La Canada High.
Manjarrez plans to study science and business in college, and hopes to focus her efforts on stem cell research and genetics.
