Diverse 2017 Rose Festival Court is Out and About

Portland, OR. Fifteen Portland Rose Festival Princesses are making the rounds at local businesses, special events and celebrations. The 2017 court is a standout for its diversity. At a blessing by Archbishop Alexander Sample, he explained how the group has the opportunity to “honor diversity but celebrate our unity as a wonderful community of love, respect, and peace.” The 2017 Rose Festival court is made up almost entirely of young women of color. Five of the princesses were born outside of the country, representing Kenya, China, the Philippines and Ethiopia.

The Rose Festival Court is comprised of up to 15 young women chosen from Portland Metro-area high schools. After their selection court members travel full-time 5 days a week for 5 weeks, visiting community events, business leaders, hospitals, senior living centers, youth organizations and civic groups. Court Members also receive one-on-one mentorship, a $3,500 scholarship provided by The Randall Group, and a complete wardrobe. The Rose Festival Court is presented by Unitus Community Credit Union.

The Rose Festival Queen is chosen from the Court and is crowned at the Queen’s Coronation. The Queen represents Portland and the Rose Festival for one year at appearances throughout the country and abroad. The Coronation will be held just before the Grand Flora Parade on June 10th.

Here’s a rundown of some popular Rose Festival Events:

SATURDAY June 3rd

DRAGON BOAT ART SHOW Antoinette Hatfield Hall – Portland5

SOGETSU IKEBANA EXHIBITION Japanese Garden Cultural Crossing Event Facility

CITYFAIR Tom McCall Waterfront Park

SIR MIX-A-LOT Tom McCall Waterfront Park 7:45 PM

STARLIGHT RUN Lincoln High School SW 16th & Salmon 8:30 PM

STARLIGHT PARADE Downtown Portland

 

SUNDAY 4

COUNTRYFEST Waterfront – RoZone Stage

 

WEDNESDAY 7

FLEET WEEK Tom McCall Waterfront Park

JUNIOR PARADE Hollywood District – NE Sandy and 52nd 1:00 PM

 

THURSDAY 8

SPRING ROSE SHOW Lloyd Center 1:00 PM

 

FRIDAY 9

ROYAL ROSARIAN HONORARY KNIGHTING Washington Park Ampitheater 10:00 AM

 

SATURDAY 10

DRAGON BOAT RACE Tom McCall Waterfront Park – South End 8:00 AM

QUEEN’S CORONATION Memorial Coliseum 9:30 AM

GRAND FLORAL WALK Memorial Coliseum to Downtown Portland 10:00 AM

GRAND FLORAL PARADE Memorial Coliseum to Downtown Portland 11:00 AM

GRAND FLORAL FLOAT SHOWCASE SW Naito Parkway 7:30 PM

 

SUNDAY 11

DRAGON BOAT RACES Tom McCall Waterfront Park – South End 10:00 AM

PORTLAND’S BEST ROSE Washington Park International Test Garden 11:00 AM

There are even more events at http://www.rosefestival.org/event-calendar/2017

 

Here’s more information on members of the 2017 Rose Festival Court.

PRINCESS ANNA SMILEY

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS ERMINA KARIUKI

JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS MAGGIE BEUTLER

WILSON HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS KORAH VONDERAHE

ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS TIFFANY NGUYEN

DAVID DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS MAYRANNI CERVANTES

PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS MELE KAVAPALU

MADISON HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS KEELY NGUYEN

FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS SADE MEANS

GRANT HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS MAHLET (MAHI) WONDAYEHU

CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS BIFTU AMIN

CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS LUCHANNA (LUCY) SAGOO

ST. MARY’S ACADEMY

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS MICHAELA CANETE

METRO WEST

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS MADISYN MONTGOMERY

METRO EAST

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH

 

PRINCESS KRISHAY HAYES-MOTLEY

BENSON HIGH SCHOOL

BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH