Features

Historic Rose Festival Moment as Daughter of Queen Becomes Queen

Portland, OR. Lilianna “Lili” Rosebrook from Valley Catholic High School was crowned the 2021 Rose Festival Queen on June 18th. Deanna Connell, Lili’s mom, represented St. Mary’s Academy on the 1989 Rose Festival Court and was chosen that year’s queen.

Lili poses with her family including her mother, 1989 Rose Festiva Queen Deanna Connell, in navy blue. When asked on her Court application to name her favorite place to visit in Portland, Lili Rosebrook mentioned the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, where she and her family would visit her mother’s signature plaque on the Queen’s Walk.

Lilianna “Lili” Rosebrook learns she has been honored with the crown.

2021 Queen’s Coronation returns to Washington Park Amphitheater and the International Rose Test Garden. Hosted by the Royal Rosarians, the Pageantry of Rosaria included: The Annual Honorary Knighting Ceremony, the Queen’s Coronation, the Queen’s Plaque Laying Ceremony and the Queen’s Garden Party.

Respecting current conditions, the Princesses families, and Rose Festival and Rosarian members had plenty of space in the arena to safely participate in the open-air ceremonies.

Queen Lili would like to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and then go on to medical school. She is a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar who loves running, cooking, singing and dancing with her team. Lili showcased her language skills during her official Court introduction and spoke fondly of cooking traditional Cuban dishes with her grandmother.

Inspired by her dad Philip Rosebrook, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, Lili has volunteered as a fundraiser the National Multiple Sclerosis Society where she was honored with the “Bright Star of the Year” award in 2018 after raising $25,000 through the Bike MS campaign. “The National MS Society has had a profound impact on my life,” says Lili.

The Rose Festival Queen serves for a full year and will represent Rose Festival at special events and appearances throughout the year. The Rose Festival Court program awards a $3,500 scholarships to each Princess, generously provided by The Randall Group. The program promotes community outreach and volunteerism and perpetuates an appreciation for Rose Festival history and tradition. Court members are offered networking opportunities through the Unitus Community Credit Union mentorship program, which assigns a female executive mentor to each young woman. Queen Lili’s Unitus Community Credit Union Mentor is Megan Snyder, Assistant Vice President of Loan Operations.

From Rose Festival:

The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is grateful for the vital financial support provided by our five Premier Sponsors: Spirit Mountain Casino, Alaska Airlines, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Fred Meyer, and Portland General Electric.

A special presentation of the 2021 Queen’s Coronation will be broadcast on FOX 12 Oregon and FOX12+, on Sunday, June 20, at 4:00 p.m.

The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. We value environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism and our historic & floral heritage.

For more information www.RoseFestival.org

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Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.