Recently the Tournament of Roses announced the seven members of the 2017 Royal Court. Selected from a group of 34 finalists, the Royal Court will attend nearly 100 community and media functions, acting as ambassadors of the Association and the Pasadena community at large. Their reign will culminate on Monday, January 2nd, 2017 with the 128th Rose Parade® presented by Honda and the 103rd Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual.
The announcement follows a month-long process with nearly 1000 people participating in the interview process. The Association’s Queen and Court Committee made its selections based on a number of criteria including poise, speaking ability, academic achievement, and community and school involvement.
The seven Royal Court members are (in alphabetical order): Audrey Mariam Cameron, (#727), Blair High School; Victoria Cecilia Castellanos, (#533), Temple City High School; Maya Kawaguchi Khan, (#732), Arcadia High School; Shannon Tracy Larsuel, (#299), Mayfield Senior School; Autumn Marie Lundy, (#212), Polytechnic School; Natalie Rose Petrosian, (#617), La Cañada High School; Lauren Emiko Powers, (#325), Arcadia High School.
“The 2017 Royal Court consists of seven extraordinary young women who are now ambassadors for America’s New Year Celebration,” said Richard De Jesu, chair of the Tournament of Roses Queen and Court Committee. “Starting today, and through January 2, the Royal Court will participate in numerous events that will be treasured memories for the rest of their lives.”
Rose Princess, Audrey Mariam Cameron, 17, is a senior at Blair High School and lives in Pasadena. She is part of the National Honors Society, PTSA, ASB, the varsity cross country team, and varsity track and field team. Audrey volunteers as a mentor through SWAMP (Students with a Mentor Program) and the IB (International Baccalaureate) Mentor Program. Audrey enjoys running, playing the violin and piano, reading, baking, and snowboarding. Audrey plans to study Pre-med, English literature, and Liberal Arts and would like to attend UCLA. Audrey is the daughter of Margaret Cameron and the late Scott Cameron; she has three siblings: Madeleine, Liam and Luke.
Rose Princess Victoria “Tori” Cecilia Castellanos,17, is a senior at Temple City High School and lives in Temple City. Tori has been a part of Brighterside Singers since her sophomore year and has been in five Temple City High School musicals. Tori volunteers with the Pasadena Humane Society, Zooh Corner at Petco and the American Legion in Eagle Rock. She enjoys writing short stories, reading, painting, collecting antiques and thrift shopping with her mom. Tori plans to study English, Musical Theater, and Japanese and would like to attend Amherst College or Smith College. Tori is the daughter of Jesse Castellanos and Rachel Lasota; she has three siblings: John, Erika and Margarita.
Rose Princess Maya Kawaguchi Khan, 18, is a senior at Arcadia High School and lives in South Pasadena. Maya is a part of Arcadia High School’s Apache News, an online news channel, as a student producer. She volunteers with Union Station Homeless Shelter serving food to homeless people, Arcadia Recreation and Community Services coaching youth basketball and as a bible study teacher for elementary to middle school students. Maya enjoys going to the gym, trying new foods, watching movies, and exploring the city. She plans on studying Nursing and would like to attend Cal State Fullerton. Maya is the daughter of Yoko Kawaguchi; she has one brother, Alex.
Rose Princess Shannon Tracy Larsuel, 17, is a senior at Mayfield Senior School and lives in Altadena. She has been a National Honor Society member since 2014 and served this past summer as an intern at The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Research. Shannon volunteers with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Pasadena Chapter Group V and serves as Teen Vice President. Shannon enjoys reading, traveling and exploring, and spending time with family and friends. She would like to attend Yale University and plans on studying Human Biology with a focus in Pre-med. Shannon is the daughter Dori Larsuel and the late Roy Larsuel: she has one sister, Chelsea.
Rose Princess Autumn Marie Lundy, 17, is a senior at Polytechnic School and lives in Altadena. She is part of the Girls Service League, Crescenta Valley Soccer Club and girls’ varsity soccer team. Autumn is currently Co-President of the Black Student Union and has served as a student ambassador in the organization for the past three years. She volunteers with the Kids Space Halloween Festival, Reading Partners, Soccer without Borders and Villa-Parke Community Center in Pasadena. Autumn enjoys acting, drawing and painting portraits. She would like to attend Baylor University and plans on majoring in Human Biology and minoring in Human Physiology. Autumn is the daughter of Jon Lundy and Kim Lundy; she has one sister.
Rose Princess Natalie Rose Petrosian, 17, is a senior at La Cañada High School and lives in La Cañada Flintridge. She is part of the girls’ varsity tennis team, Link Crew, JPL Space Academy, Future Problem Solvers Club, the 20% Time Project and the California Athletic Trainer’s Association (CATA) Sports Medicine Competition. Natalie volunteers with Rescue Train and enjoys listening to music, dancing, watching sporting events and writing software programs. She would like to attend the California Institute of Technology and plans to major in Computer Science with a minor in Political Science. Natalie is the daughter of Shahen Petrosian and Rebecca Loera Nash.
Rose Princess Lauren “Emi” Emiko Powers,17, is a senior at Arcadia High School and lives in Arcadia. She is part of Arcadia High School’s Apache News, and Speech and Debate. Emi’s volunteer work includes Arcadia Assissteens, Girl Scouts, Methodist Hospital’s ICU and her church youth group. She enjoys Taiko Drums, bike riding, traveling, baking, and making those around her laugh. Emi would like to attend Syracuse University and plans on majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Public Relations. Emi is the daughter of Fred and Candice Powers; she has two brothers: Jonathan and Michael.
The Announcement and Coronation of the 99th Rose Queen® and Presentation of the Royal Court is on October 20, 2016 at the Pasadena Playhouse; the event is sponsored by Citizens Business Bank. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase from Sharp Seating Company.
The members of the Royal Court receive cosmetics and consultation from Estée Lauder, flowers provided by Jacob Maarse, wardrobe and accessories from Macy’s, crowns and tiaras courtesy of Mikimoto, formal gowns from Tadashi, and hair styling from The Spa Santé.