Amid a flurry of polite claps and warm smiles, the 2016 Rose Court entered the Pasadena Senior Center for the annual High Tea Monday afternoon. This intimate event gave community members a chance to get to become better acquainted with the seven young women of this years Rose Court.
Many young grandparents bring their grandchildren to be inspired by the court, said Charmaine Nelson, Associate Director of Marketing and Communication at the Pasadena Senior Center. We are so pleased to have the young ladies here, she added.
Two guests that fit Nelsons description to a tea were Lucie Sarkissian and her granddaughter, Alina Bayrakdarian who is in 10th grade. Sarkissian admires the Rose Court Princesses for their community service and saw this tea as the perfect opportunity for her granddaughter to meet the young ladies and continue her own community service.
The seven Royal Court members are this year are Queen Erika Karen Winter and Princesses Bryce Marie Bakewell, Donaly Elizabeth Marquez, Natalie Breanne Hernandez-Barber, Rachelle Chacal Renee Liu, Regina Marché Pullens, and Sarah Sumiko Shaklan.
Each Princess said a few words about herself and how she participates in the community. The accomplishments of these 17-year-olds were astounding.
Princess Bryce Bakewells quote from her grandmother seemed to encapsulate the afternoon, The only legacy we have is the love we create.
After the Rose Court was introduced, The Tap Chicks, a tap performance group at the Pasadena Senior Center, treated the audience to lively performances. The highlight of the afternoon was watching The Tap Chicks perform a raucous mash up of YMCA and Gangnam Style.
The music was so infectious that the Princesses of the Rose Court joined The Tap Chicks on stage.
The afternoon concluded with questions posed to The Rose Court by guests. This lighthearted event reinforced Pasadena community values and, as Princess Rachelle Liu said, it shows the importance of human connection.