PORTLAND, Ore. — The Rose Festival has been a long standing Portland tradition stemming since 1907 with multiple festivities. This year the festivities commence Friday, May 24 and run through Sunday, June 23. The massive festival is put on by the nonprofit Portland Rose Festival Association, and includes three separate parades along with other festivities promoting the community within the Rose City.
The Rose Festival Court is made up of 15 students, historically all girls, selected from high schools across the Portland metro area. The program offers the students scholarships, mentorship, networking, volunteer and community outreach opportunities— all while promoting and carrying on the tradition of serving on the court.
This year court members will receive one-on-one mentorship with top women executives from the festival's presenting sponsor Unitus Community Credit Union, a $3,500 scholarship provided by The Randall Group valid for any accredited college, university or trade program, and a complete travel wardrobe including shoes and accessories.
Court applicants are interviewed by a panel of community judges and asked to provide a speech to their student body for voting. In addition to student body voting, the candidates are judged in the following areas: character, communication skills, presence and the school vote.
Princess announcements typically take place late February and early March.
Part of participating on the court includes a lot of traveling. Court members are expected to travel five days a week, visiting community events, business leaders, hospitals, senior living centers, youth organizations, civic groups and participating in the Rose Festival's parades and events.
These are the requirements to qualify to apply to be a Rose Festival Court princess:
- Identify as a female
- Attends an eligible high school in Multnomah, Washington or Clackamas county
- Be a on track senior gradating in the current school year or junior graduating the following year
- Have a minimum 2.75 to 3.0 GPA (preferably 3.0)
- Completed 20 hours minimum of community service
Here are the 2024 Rose Festival Court princesses:
Princess Heleen RedBird is a junior representing Roosevelt High School. She plans on going into law and studying anthropology for people of color around civil rights. She is varsity lettered and is an inducted thespian in her school's theater program. Heleen enjoys reading, drawing and trying foods and deserts with her mother. She also takes pride in being an activist and speaking up for students who are afraid to advocate for themselves. She participates in theater, choir, Indigenous Alliance club, and Self Enhancement Incorporation at her school.
“I want to represent my school and community because I know representation matters,” says Heleen. “I am Black and Native American, and I will be a first-generation high school graduate.”
Princess Julia Dixon is a senior representing Franklin High School. She plans on becoming a clinical psychologist, but is also considering careers in film acting, screenwriting, and producing. Julia enjoys acting in her school's theater productions, reading, hiking, spending time with friends, singing and song writing. She also takes pride in having portrayed Ursula in the Little Mermaid last fall. She grew up watching many Franklin High theater productions and it has always been her dream to play a lead role at Franklin High. Her favorite Rose Festival event is the Grand Floral Parade; she describes it as a "magical celebration of different cultures."
Princess Mackenzie Devereux is a senior representing Ida B. Wells High School. She plans on becoming a quantum biophysics researcher and surgeon. Mackenzie enjoys knitting, crocheting, painting, drawing and building tiny dollhouses. She's also an avid reader and book collector, and is proud of her work addressing and combating gender bias at her school. She also formed and implemented a program that works to create awareness about the presence and effects of gender-based discrimination specifically in STEM and upper-level classes at her high school. Mackenzie's favorite Rose Festival moment is the Junior Parade, which holds a special place in her heart since she would attend it as a kid with her grandmother and mother, in support of her brother who plays sousaphone.
Princess Jayda Jackson is a senior representing Central Catholic High School. She plans on becoming a pediatrician. Jayda enjoys playing basketball, softball and volunteering at the Blanchet House, helping the houseless community. She's most proud of how she's been able to respond to hardships in her life, such as having two knee surgeries in one year. This took a big toll on her mental health and academics, but she was able to bounce back. Her favorite Rose Festival event is the Starlight Parade; Jayda enjoys the different lights, which make the city even more beautiful to her.
Princess Cadence Wooden is a senior representing La Salle Catholic College Preparatory. She plans on becoming an agent or broadcaster in the sports business. Cadence enjoys playing basketball, reading, cooking, writing, drawing comics for her school newspaper, and being a mentor for other incoming students and younger kids. She's most proud of the work she has done as her school's ambassador, and seeing the positive influence she has had on the student body and students who shadow her. Cadence's favorite Rose Festival event is the Grand Floral Parade; she enjoys this parade because of the tradition her family holds. They get up early to save seats on the bridge, and send someone off to get warm drinks and breakfast.
Princess Amelia Godard is a senior representing Sherwood High School. She plans on majoring in business management and minoring in entrepreneurship, with dreams of owning and running her own business someday. Amelia enjoys going on runs, playing tennis, and participating in spin and Pilates classes. She's also involved as the president of the Black Student Union at her school, dance team, National Honors Society member, and plays on her school's tennis team. She's most proud of the work she's done with a team that travels annually to Cambodia and Ethiopia to provide free healthcare. She was recently a recipient of a sponsorship to head the Ethiopian Vision Team to provide prescription eyewear to those who need it. Amelia's favorite Rose Festival event is the Junior Parade; she enjoys it because of many fond memories she's made at the parade as a kid.
Princess Isabelle Muresan is a senior representing Lincoln High School. She plans on majoring in political science and building a career in either law or journalism. She's involved with her high school's student government, Mental Health Awareness club, and period club. Isabelle's hobbies include reading, creative writing, collecting vinyl, painting, drawing and sewing. She's most proud of her growth as a leader over the span of her high school career. Isabelle's favorite Rose Festival event is the Grand Floral Parade; she enjoys being able to gather with the local community to watch all the different floats.
Princess Daniela Gray is a junior representing Grant High School. She plans on building a career in the medical field to become a nurse. She's involved with her high school's volleyball and softball teams. Outside of school, Daniela enjoys sewing, cooking, snowboarding, volleyball, softball biking, thrifting, working out, and hanging out with friends. She's most proud of her willingness to take risks and try new things throughout her high school career. Daniela's favorite Rose Festival event is the Junior Parade; it holds a special space in her heart because of her childhood memories of watching and participating in the parade as a girl scout.
Princess Zora Forsberg is a junior representing Cleveland High School. She plans on getting her Ph.D. in clinical psychology and becoming a therapist. Zora is co-chair of Cleveland's Black Student Union and is involved in the National Honors Society, and French speaking programs. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting, reading, going on nature walks, and painting. She's most proud of the Black History Month assembly she helped put on, which highlighted local Black-owned businesses and culture guests. Zora's favorite Rose Festival event is the Milk Carton Boat Race because she enjoys the sense of community it brings, and how joyful and happy everyone is during the event.
Princess Jacqueline Ngo is a junior representing Parkrose High School. She plans on studying computer science and criminal justice, and is looking into a career as a Cyber Forensics Analyst. She's involved with the National Honors Society, cheerleading, tennis, Student Health Action Council, Asian Youth Society, Mock Trial, AVID, and Fan Dance. Her hobbies include finding new food spots and finding ways to relax. She's most proud of her perseverance and determination. Jacqueline's favorite Rose Festival event is the Starlight Parade because it's a way for her to support the Parkrose High School band and performing teams as a fellow student.
Princess Mari Franco Morgado is a senior representing David Douglas High School. She plans on going into the medical field and becoming a travel nurse. Mari is a mentor for freshmen students at her school and is involved with the women's wrestling team, Latino Student Union, Latino Network, Class Treasurer, and CommuniCare. In her spare time, she enjoys being creative by making flower bouquets. She is most proud of putting herself out there and helping others. Mari's favorite Rose Festival event is the CityFair because she enjoys seeing local businesses there as well as all the food and rides since she is an adrenaline seeker.
Princess Kobi Flowers is a senior representing Jefferson High School. She plans on becoming an anesthesiologist or pharmacist. Kobi is involved with TRIO Upward Bound, Self Enhancement Inc, Black Student Union, and she is the secretary of her school's student government and the varsity cheerleading captain. She enjoys baking, as it signifies joy and love, especially since her family tradition includes baking her family's annual Christmas sugar cookies. Kobi is most proud of joining her cheerleading team because she has gained a family. Her favorite Rose Festival event is the Grand Floral Parade, and the feeling of community gathering together and bonding over the annual event.
Princess Amelia Snyder is a senior representing St. Mary's Academy. She plans on either becoming a physician or pursuing research. Amelia is involved as the captain of her school's basketball team, school ambassador, tutor, National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll International Honors Society, and she is a recipient of the Scholar Athlete and Presidential Academic Excellence awards. Her hobbies include baking, drawing, reading, drawing, competitively swimming, and being in nature. She is most proud of how she has been able to push herself and the development of her leaderships skills. Amelia's favorite Rose Festival event is the Grand Floral Parade because it holds a special place in her heart. In middle school, she had the opportunity to march in the parade holding her mellophone.
Princess Julie Liu is a junior representing Leodis V. McDaniel High School. She plans on getting her Ph.D. and becoming a bi-literate psychologist or psychiatrist. She's involved with the Chinese Club, varsity golf, Stomp n' Shake Cheerleading, drumline, Asian Pacific Islander Youth Advocacy Program, Tzu Chi Academy, National Honor Society, College Possible and STEP UP. Her hobbies include volunteering, ice skating, photography, cooking, and watching documentaries. Julie is most proud of becoming president of the Chinese Club, and taking on a leadership role that helped her better understand and cater to the needs of her community. Julie's favorite Rose Festival event is the Starlight Parade because when she was in third grade, she said took part in a race that was a part of the event.
Princess Laedyn Romero is a senior representing Benson Polytechnic High School. She plans on becoming a trauma room nurse, EMT or OBGYN. She's involved with her school's track and field, soccer team, Native American Culture Club, CommuniCARE, and is the senior class president. Her hobbies include hip hop dancing, aerial silks, hula hoop, drawing, working with children and participating in TrackersPDX. Laedyn is most proud of her academic growth, especially overcoming learning disabilities and transforming her approach to education. She said she finished her year as top student in her class and has taken several AP classes, which once seemed out of reach to her. Her favorite Rose Festival event is the Starlight Parade because it holds a special place in her heart as a symbol of magic and hope during a challenging chapter in her life.
