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It has been 38 years since a PCC student has been crowned Queen of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Rose Princess and PCC student Sarah Hansen was hoping to break that dry spell last Thursday but unfortunately that was not the case. Instead the crown was placed on the head of 17-year-old Polytechnic student, Ana Marie Acosta.

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“Queen Ana, I now proclaim you the 96th Rose Queen,” said Scott Jenkins, Pasadena Tournament of Roses president, after Acosta recited the Queen’s oath.

The ceremony took place at the First Church of Nazarene in Pasadena and was hosted by Emmy award winning CNN News Anchor Michaela Pereira, who between introducing and interviewing the princesses provided the audience with a couple of laughs.

The format for the event was changed this year to help better work with the Rose Princess’ school schedules. The crowning of the Rose queen, which is usually two separate events with the announcement of the queen taking place a few days before the coronation, was combined into one ceremony.

“This is the first year it’s ever been in this format, they are trying to respect people’s time,” said David Autenrieth, volunteer.

Despite the changes, the ceremony was something out of a princess movie with volunteers in white suits, wide arrangements of flowers, and a big staircase that the princesses descended upon introduction.

“It was a bit nerve racking and we were all very curious to see who the Queen would be,” said Hansen.

Web_rosequeen3_symanow_103113Even though she was not crowned Rose Queen, Hansen feels humbled by the experience and is looking forward to not only continuing her duties as a Rose Princess but also bonding with the court.

“Our main purpose is to serve as ambassadors to the parade,” said Hansen. “I am prepared for these next three months of continual events and I am looking forward to getting closer to the rest of the court.”

Hansen’s s family and friends were not the only ones cheering her on. Her section also included members of the PCC community.

PCC President Mark Rocha was one of those members in Hansen’s cheering section, showing his support with thunderous applause and the occasional fist in the air.

“It is so special for PCC to have one of our students to be selected, we were all rooting for her to be queen,” said Rocha.

After the crowning of the Queen the event concluded with the playing of Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Pereira telling the audience, “See you all on New Year’s eve.”

Paul Ochoa
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