Seven young women were chosen today from among 700 original applicants and 31 finalists to become members of the 2015 Tournament of Roses Royal Court.
The members of the court were announced during a ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, the first of around 100 community and media events the young women will attend, culminating with the 126th Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game.
The members of the court are:
Rose Princess Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, is a first-year student at Pasadena City College and lives in Pasadena. She was homeschooled until eighth grade and recently graduated from Temple City High School. During high school, Mackenzie was president of the show choir and acted as commissioner of the arts for her high school’s Associated Student Body Leadership. Mackenzie is interested in musical theater and acting and has been performing since the age of five. She also has been involved in America Sings, an organization which combines music and charitable service. Mackenzie is the daughter of Matt and Sheri Byers; she has five siblings: Chelsea, Jordan, Kaeli, Aubrey and Timmy.
Rose Princess Gabrielle Ann Current, 18, attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and lives in Pasadena. Gabrielle also is a student at Colburn School of Music where she studies classical voice. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. Gabrielle is the president of Vivace & Friends and was responsible for producing a benefit concert that raised over $5,000 for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. She hopes to major in music management in college. The daughter of Jerry and Kathy Current, Gabrielle has an older sister named Niki.
Rose Princess Veronica Sara Mejia, 19, lives in Pasadena and is a first-year student at Pasadena City College where she is majoring in communications and is a member of the track team. A graduate of San Marino High School, Veronica was a peer mentor and captain of the cross country and track teams. She also spent time as a volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living. In the future, she hopes to work in a clinical setting as a mental health counselor. Veronica’s family moved to Pasadena in the early 1900s and is one of the longest standing Mexican-American families in the city. She is the daughter of Jaime and Yvonne Mejia and has three siblings: Andrea, Samuel and Alyssa.
Rose Princess Bergen Louise Onufer, 17, attends Mayfield Senior School and lives in Pasadena. Bergen enjoys soccer and has been a member of the varsity soccer team for four years. While at Mayfield Senior School, she also has choreographed, taught and performed pieces for her dance conservatory. Bergen is a frequent Eucharistic minister and usher at Holy Family Parish and has trained many confirmation candidates and youth members of the parish. In college, she hopes to study business and communications. Bergen’s parents are Paul and Margit Onufer; she has one younger sibling, Jack.
Rose Princess Simona K. Shao, 17, lives in Arcadia and attends Westridge School where she is the senior class student life representative and president of the Westridge Glee Club. A singer, Simona also is a member of the Westridge Madrigals a cappella group, and as a studio musician has recorded a demo track produced for Rihanna. Simona has volunteered at Hubei International High School in China and completed an internship at the “Hurun Report” in Shanghai. She hopes to attend the University of Pennsylvania with a major in politics, economics or music. Simona is the daughter of Simon Wen and Mona Shao and has one sister: Rebecca.
Rose Princess Emily Alicia Olivas Stoker, 17, lives in Temple City and attends Temple City High School. Emily is the captain of her school’s varsity cheer team and is a member of
Link Crew, a freshman mentoring program. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholastic Federation and is active with the First Baptist Temple City Youth Group. Emily enjoys snowboarding and hiking and hopes to major in chemistry and medicine in college. In the future, she would like to pursue a career in medical research or become a physician. The daughter of Kenneth and Sylvia, Emily has two older siblings: Jeremy and Anissa.
Rose Princess Madison Elaine Triplett, 17, attends John Marshall Fundamental High School and lives in Altadena. Madison is active with the Pasadena City Youth Council, Black Student Union and with the student government at her high school. She plays on the varsity volleyball team and enjoys watching movies and tumbling in her free time. Madison plans to attend Tulane University to study economics with a minor in French. She aspires to develop a non-profit organization that educates minorities on financial literacy. Madison is the daughter of Jouslynn Griffin and has two siblings: Meggie and Paige.
– See more at: http://www.tournamentofroses.com/News/NewsDetail/tabid/132/article/201860/2015-TOURNAMENT-OF-ROSES-ROYAL-COURT-SELECTED.aspx#sthash.SUbAlrZ0.dpuf
Rose Princess Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, is a first-year student at Pasadena City College and lives in Pasadena. She was homeschooled until eighth grade and recently graduated from Temple City High School. During high school, Mackenzie was president of the show choir and acted as commissioner of the arts for her high school’s Associated Student Body Leadership. Mackenzie is interested in musical theater and acting and has been performing since the age of five. She also has been involved in America Sings, an organization which combines music and charitable service. Mackenzie is the daughter of Matt and Sheri Byers; she has five siblings: Chelsea, Jordan, Kaeli, Aubrey and Timmy.
Rose Princess Gabrielle Ann Current, 18, attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and lives in Pasadena. Gabrielle also is a student at Colburn School of Music where she studies classical voice. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. Gabrielle is the president of Vivace & Friends and was responsible for producing a benefit concert that raised over $5,000 for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. She hopes to major in music management in college. The daughter of Jerry and Kathy Current, Gabrielle has an older sister named Niki.
Rose Princess Veronica Sara Mejia, 19, lives in Pasadena and is a first-year student at Pasadena City College where she is majoring in communications and is a member of the track team. A graduate of San Marino High School, Veronica was a peer mentor and captain of the cross country and track teams. She also spent time as a volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living. In the future, she hopes to work in a clinical setting as a mental health counselor. Veronica’s family moved to Pasadena in the early 1900s and is one of the longest standing Mexican-American families in the city. She is the daughter of Jaime and Yvonne Mejia and has three siblings: Andrea, Samuel and Alyssa.
Rose Princess Bergen Louise Onufer, 17, attends Mayfield Senior School and lives in Pasadena. Bergen enjoys soccer and has been a member of the varsity soccer team for four years. While at Mayfield Senior School, she also has choreographed, taught and performed pieces for her dance conservatory. Bergen is a frequent Eucharistic minister and usher at Holy Family Parish and has trained many confirmation candidates and youth members of the parish. In college, she hopes to study business and communications. Bergen’s parents are Paul and Margit Onufer; she has one younger sibling, Jack.
Rose Princess Simona K. Shao, 17, lives in Arcadia and attends Westridge School where she is the senior class student life representative and president of the Westridge Glee Club. A singer, Simona also is a member of the Westridge Madrigals a cappella group, and as a studio musician has recorded a demo track produced for Rihanna. Simona has volunteered at Hubei International High School in China and completed an internship at the “Hurun Report” in Shanghai. She hopes to attend the University of Pennsylvania with a major in politics, economics or music. Simona is the daughter of Simon Wen and Mona Shao and has one sister: Rebecca.
Rose Princess Emily Alicia Olivas Stoker, 17, lives in Temple City and attends Temple City High School. Emily is the captain of her school’s varsity cheer team and is a member of
Link Crew, a freshman mentoring program. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholastic Federation and is active with the First Baptist Temple City Youth Group. Emily enjoys snowboarding and hiking and hopes to major in chemistry and medicine in college. In the future, she would like to pursue a career in medical research or become a physician. The daughter of Kenneth and Sylvia, Emily has two older siblings: Jeremy and Anissa.
Rose Princess Madison Elaine Triplett, 17, attends John Marshall Fundamental High School and lives in Altadena. Madison is active with the Pasadena City Youth Council, Black Student Union and with the student government at her high school. She plays on the varsity volleyball team and enjoys watching movies and tumbling in her free time. Madison plans to attend Tulane University to study economics with a minor in French. She aspires to develop a non-profit organization that educates minorities on financial literacy. Madison is the daughter of Jouslynn Griffin and has two siblings: Meggie and Paige.
– See more at: http://www.tournamentofroses.com/News/NewsDetail/tabid/132/article/201860/2015-TOURNAMENT-OF-ROSES-ROYAL-COURT-SELECTED.aspx#sthash.SUbAlrZ0.dpuf
— Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, is a first-year student at Pasadena City College and lives in Pasadena. She was homeschooled until eighth grade and recently graduated from Temple City High School. During high school, Mackenzie was president of the show choir and acted as commissioner of the arts for her high school’s Associated Student Body Leadership. Mackenzie is interested in musical theater and acting and has been performing since the age of five. She also has been involved in America Sings, an organization which combines music and charitable service. Mackenzie is the daughter of Matt and Sheri Byers; she has five siblings: Chelsea, Jordan, Kaeli, Aubrey and Timmy.
— Gabrielle Ann Current, 18, attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and lives in Pasadena. Gabrielle also is a student at Colburn School of Music where she studies classical voice. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. Gabrielle is the president of Vivace & Friends and was responsible for producing a benefit concert that raised over $5,000 for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. She hopes to major in music management in college. The daughter of Jerry and Kathy Current, Gabrielle has an older sister named Niki.
— Veronica Sara Mejia, 19, lives in Pasadena and is a first-year student at Pasadena City College where she is majoring in communications and is a member of the track team. A graduate of San Marino High School, Veronica was a peer mentor and captain of the cross country and track teams. She also spent time as a volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living. In the future, she hopes to work in a clinical setting as a mental health counselor. Veronica’s family moved to Pasadena in the early 1900s and is one of the longest standing Mexican-American families in the city. She is the daughter of Jaime and Yvonne Mejia and has three siblings: Andrea, Samuel and Alyssa.
— Bergen Louise Onufer, 17, attends Mayfield Senior School and lives in Pasadena. Bergen enjoys soccer and has been a member of the varsity soccer team for four years. While at Mayfield Senior School, she also has choreographed, taught and performed pieces for her dance conservatory. Bergen is a frequent Eucharistic minister and usher at Holy Family Parish and has trained many confirmation candidates and youth members of the parish. In college, she hopes to study business and communications. Bergen’s parents are Paul and Margit Onufer; she has one younger sibling, Jack.
— Simona K. Shao, 17, lives in Arcadia and attends Westridge School where she is the senior class student life representative and president of the Westridge Glee Club. A singer, Simona also is a member of the Westridge Madrigals a cappella group, and as a studio musician has recorded a demo track produced for Rihanna. Simona has volunteered at Hubei International High School in China and completed an internship at the “Hurun Report” in Shanghai. She hopes to attend the University of Pennsylvania with a major in politics, economics or music. Simona is the daughter of Simon Wen and Mona Shao and has one sister: Rebecca.
— Emily Alicia Olivas Stoker, 17, lives in Temple City and attends Temple City High School. Emily is the captain of her school’s varsity cheer team and is a member of Link Crew, a freshman mentoring program. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholastic Federation and is active with the First Baptist Temple City Youth Group. Emily enjoys snowboarding and hiking and hopes to major in chemistry and medicine in college. In the future, she would like to pursue a career in medical research or become a physician. The daughter of Kenneth and Sylvia, Emily has two older siblings: Jeremy and Anissa.
— Madison Elaine Triplett, 17, attends John Marshall Fundamental High School and lives in Altadena. Madison is active with the Pasadena City Youth Council, Black Student Union and with the student government at her high school. She plays on the varsity volleyball team and enjoys watching movies and tumbling in her free time. Madison plans to attend Tulane University to study economics with a minor in French. She aspires to develop a non-profit organization that educates minorities on financial literacy. Madison is the daughter of Jouslynn Griffin and has two siblings: Meggie and Paige.
The members were chosen based on criteria including poise, speaking ability, academic achievement and community and school involvement.
One of the seven members of the Royal Court will be chosen Oct. 21 to serve as the Rose Queen.
