A trio of princesses for La Cañada
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His girlfriend, Michelle Louise Van Wyk, also a student at La Cañada High School, was one of seven princesses named to the 2010 Rose Court on Monday.
The first thing he did when he reunited with her post-announcement was lift her up in the air to give her a kiss as friends — cheering and hollering — surrounded the couple.
“I was just amazed,” said Moore, as his classmates — mostly girls — continued to cheer and holler at the top of their lungs behind him. Moore was red in the face due to all the attention he was suddenly receiving.
“She really deserved it,” Moore said. “I said, being in the top 25 is winning already. It’s really fulfilling to hear her name. I’m really excited for her.”
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Van Wyk’s father, David, was all but holding back tears and trembling Monday.
“It’s remarkable for me,” said the elder Van Wyk. “I’ve told people before, I grew up as a kid on the East Coast, watching the parade when I was a child. One of the highlights, of course, was when the Rose Court always was in the parade, never thinking that so many years later that my daughter would be on the court. It’s amazing.”
Along with Van Wyk, two Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy students — Natalie Anne Innocenzi of Arcadia and Katherine Margarita Hernández of Pasadena — will be on the seven-member court.
Also on the court are June Ko, 17, a student at Arcadia High School; Lauren Samantha Rogers, 17, a student at Blair High School; Kinsey Elizabeth Stuart, 18, a student at Pasadena City College; and Ashley Renee Thaxton, 17, a student at John Marshall Fundamental High School.
Innocenzi grew up attending the Rose Parade with her aunt, even spending the night on the parade route her freshman year.
“It was freezing,” she says. “I probably won’t do that again, but it was fun.”
Seeing her classmates try out for the Rose Court inspired Innocenzi to do the same.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
Hernández came to the Rose Court tryouts with a laid-back attitude, she says. She adds that she didn’t expect much at first, given that hundreds of girls were vying for the same spot. Hernández was also inspired to try out after seeing her classmates try out. As she advanced in the selection process, she became emotionally attached to the competition.
“You want it more and more,” said Hernández. “You become invested in the competition.”
The tradition of naming a queen and royal court dates back to 1905, with the selection of the first Rose Queen, Hallie Woods. More than 1,100 high school and college students from the greater Pasadena area tried out for the Royal Court, said Tournament of Roses Executive Vice President Jeffrey Throop.
“Awesome. Awesome!” said Flintridge Sacred Heart President Sister Carolyn McCormack, after the names were announced. “They’re beautiful girls. They’re all winners. It’s always such a wonderful experience for the girls to be in this moment. When one is selected to be selected to be on the Rose Court it has an impact on her life.”
The court members will act as official representatives of the 121st Rose Parade and 96th Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2010. Which of them will wear the crown of Rose Queen will be announced Oct. 20.
“We’re going to get really close,” said Hernández as she held a bouquet of red roses, the Tournament’s trademark flower. “We’re going to spend a lot of time with each other and get to know each other really well.” Hernández isn’t thinking about next week’s announcement of the Rose Queen, she says; having made it this far is enough for her, although it would be “so cool” to be Rose Queen.
“They should all be princesses,” said FSHA student Brittany Ek, 18. “They’re all really different, diverse girls, and the Rose Court needs diversity.”
For the next two months, the group of seven will make nearly 150 appearances representing the Tournament of Roses, said Throop.
“Adding to their commitments to school, family, friends and jobs, they will begin their role as official ambassadors,” said Throop.
As to the possibility of his girlfriend becoming Rose Queen, Moore said: “So many things go through my mind. It’s amazing, I ... I can’t tell you.”