The Tournament of Roses today named Madison Elaine Triplett as the 97th Rose Queen in an official ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza. Presented by Citizens Business Bank, the announcement concludes a month- long process that began with more than 700 Pasadena-area young women who participated in the Royal Court tryouts. The ceremony was emceed by KTLA Rose Parade host and television personality, Stephanie Edwards.
Rose Queen Madison and the Royal Court will make as many as 100 community and media appearances, culminating with the 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda and the 101st Rose Bowl Game serving as the first College Football Playoff Semifinal presented by Northwestern Mutual on New Year’s Day.
Triplett was chosen from among the seven members of the Royal Court who were named earlier this month. The members of the court were selected from a pool of more than 700 Pasadena-area girls and young women who participated in the Royal Court tryouts.
The 17-year-old Triplett lives in Altadena. She is active with the Pasadena City Youth Council, Black Student Union, with her school’s student government and is an opposite hitter on it girls’ volleyball team.
Triplett said she plans to attend Tulane University to study economics with a minor in French and aspires to develop a nonprofit organization that educates minorities on financial literacy.
Triplett and the six princesses will make as many as 100 community and media appearances, culminating with the 126th Rose Parade and the 101st Rose Bowl Game.
The Rose Queen and Royal Court were selected based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement.
The six princesses are:
— Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, of Pasadena City College;
— Gabrielle Ann Current, 18, of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy;
— Veronica Sara Mejia, 19, of Pasadena City College;
— Bergen Louise Onufer, 17, of Mayfield Senior School;
— Simona K. Shao, 17 of Westridge School; and
— Emily Alicia Olivas Stoker, 17, of Temple City High School.
CNS contributed to this story.
