Court Task Force
The Rose Festival's Court Task Force which met for the past six months to perform an exhaustive review of all aspects of the program announced the recommended modifications to the festival's award-winning court program late in February. The modifications include expansion to candidates in the Tri-County area, as well as the opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to participate. The executive summary details the recommendations approved by the Foundation's Executive Committee.
Read the SUMMARY of the Court Task Force Recommendation. (Note: The above summary is in .pdf format.)
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High schools and individuals interested in more details regarding 2009 Court participation may contact Jennifer O'Bryan via EMAIL, or by phone at the Rose Festival office: 503.227.2681.
Queen Elizabeth Larson - Lincoln High School
Portland Rose Festival’s 2007 Queen Elizabeth Larson of Lincoln High School was crowned at the Memorial Coliseum the morning of Saturday, June 9 at 9:20 a.m. surrounded by family and friends. Following the ceremony Queen Elizabeth climbed up to the highest tier of the Rose Festival Court float to lead off the Grand Floral Parade. An active student representative, Elizabeth’s interests involve issues at home as well as abroad. Elizabeth is a Student Assembly member, Superintendent Student Advisory Counsel member, Student Alternate to the Portland Public School Board, Lincoln’s Local School Advisory Committee Co-Student Representative and a member of the Principal Selection Committee as well as an advocate for local Darfur lecture panels and support organizations. She studied abroad in Costa Rica the summer of 2006 and plans to teach kindergarten abroad after finishing a double degree of Early Childhood Education and International Studies at Oregon State University.
The Rose Festival Court comprises 14 outstanding women who are selected from 14 Portland-area high schools by their respective student bodies. Each court member represents her school throughout the months of May and June at many community events, including meetings with business leaders, visits to hospitals and senior living centers, and meetings with a variety of civic groups.
Calling All Ambassadors, Princesses and Queens
Yes -- we're still looking for past Court Members! If you were a member of the Senior or Junior Courts, we want to keep track of you as an IMPORTANT member of the Rose Festival Family!
During our Centennial year, there was a special Reception to honor you: The Past Courts Reception was be held on Sunday, June 10, 2007, during the Centennial Exposition at the Oregon Convention Center. (Registration for the reception was free and included admission to the Centennial Exposition.) People brought along scrapbooks and photos to share -- and renewed old friendships!
The history of the Rose Festival -- including the Rose Festival Courts -- is very important! We're anxious to continue to accept historical donations for future generations to share.
Additionally, we have an on-going project to scan loaned scrapbooks and photos. We need YOU to realize the dream of turning our history into a digital format -- and we're always looking for VOLUNTEERS who can assist us with this meaningful work.
Please feel free to email us at courtalumni@rosefestival.org to update your contact information.
Rose Festival Court Mission
The mission of the Rose Festival Court program is to provide scholarships for higher education, to promote community outreach and volunteerism, to offer networking and mentoring opportunities to outstanding young women in a program that perpetuates an appreciation for Rose Festival history and tradition.
