Pasadena Tournament of Roses announces 136th Rose Parade Royal Court finalists

The 28 finalists for the 2025 Rose Court gathered at the front step of the historic Tournament House for a group photo just before the final round of interviews kicked off on Monday, Sept. 23.

This year’s interview process saw applicants from 49 Pasadena-area schools competing for spots on the Rose Court, continuing a Rose Parade tradition that dates back to 1905. Seven of the finalists will be chosen and announced on Sept. 30. The Rose Queen is then named from the seven finalists on Oct. 29.

The Rose Court will ride down Colorado Boulevard on Jan. 1, 2025, during the 136th Rose Parade, which is themed “Best Day Ever!” They will also attend the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 111th Rose Bowl Game later that day.

“We are excited to continue the treasured legacy of the Rose Court, whose members benefit by connecting with their communities, giving back in meaningful ways and bloom with self-confidence from valuable experiences they will carry with them for a lifetime,” Pasadena Tournament of Roses said in a press release on Monday.

Volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses’ Queen & Court Committee selected the finalists based on several factors, including academic achievement, community and school involvement, public speaking ability and youth leadership, the Tournament said.

Each winner will receive a $7,500 educational scholarship and participate in community and media functions. They will also undergo personal development training in areas such as pubic speaking and etiquette, as well as serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community, and the greater Los Angeles area.

In recent history, applicants have had to reside within the Pasadena Area Community College District and be a full-time resident and a senior in high school or enrolled as a full-time student (taking at least 12 units) in any accredited school or college. They must also identify as female, be at least 17 by Dec. 31 and not older than 21 before Jan. 5, with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

But this year, the Tournament has expanded its requirement for the applicant pool beyond the PCC District’s boundaries. Applicants from zip codes in San Gabriel and Alhambra as well as areas of El Sereno, Eagle Rock and Highland Park are now eligible to apply for the Rose Court.

The 28 Rose Court Finalists are:

First row, from left to right:

• Isabella Villavicencio, Mayfield Senior School;
• Ashlyn Pimental, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy;
• Giavanna Folda, San Marino High School;
• Briar Bryant, Flintridge Preparatory School;
• Isabella Jackson, Alhambra High School;
• Simone Ball, Arcadia High School;
• Faith Perez, Pasadena City College;
• Anna Shore, Pasadena City College;
• Katherine Kammas, South Pasadena High School; and
• Gabriela Sanchez, Gabrielino High School

Second row, from left to right:

• Saniyah Brunston, John Muir High School;
• India Garcia-Robb, South Pasadena High School;
• Lara Georgian, Mayfield Senior School;
• Gabriella Gamboa, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy;
• Parisa Bryant, Maranatha High School;
• Lindsay Charles, Westridge School;
• Amishi Mahadev, South Pasadena High School;
• Ariel Thio, Temple City High School; and
• Olivia Lopez, Pasadena High School

Top row, from left to right:

• Kate Kelly, La Cañada High School;
• Piper Scherbert, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy;
• Sophia Page, Mayfield Senior School;
• Lisette Parker, Maranatha High School;
• Ella Bradley, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts;
• Malini Pradhan, Flintridge Preparatory School;
• Margaret Dillard, La Cañada High School;
• Mona Dillard, La Cañada High School;
• Violet Marino, Marshall Fundamental Secondary School