Fil-Am ‘Royal Court Princess’ shines at Rose Parade

Trinity Dela Cruz is a member of the National Honor Society, Asian Club and Student Environmental Awareness Club, and serves as secretary of the Filipino Club at Marshall Fundamental School. Image: rose_parade/IG

PASADENA – A Filipino American “Royal Court Princess” was in the spotlight today as she rode on the Rose Court float during the 135^th Rose Parade that drew hundreds of thousands of spectators on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

In an annual tradition, the world-famous parade featuring floral floats, marching bands and equestrian units, was overseen by the seven-member Royal Court – which included Trinity Dela Cruz, a Fil-Am high school senior at Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena.

Members of the Royal Court, chosen each year for their public speaking, academic achievement, youth leadership and community involvement, had already taken part in dozens of pre-parade community events.

Trinity Dela Cruz rode on the Rose Court float during the 135th Rose Parade that drew hundreds of thousands of spectators on New Year’s Day. Screen capture/Tournament of Roses video

Dela Cruz is a member of the National Honor Society, Asian Club and Student Environmental Awareness Club, and serves as secretary of the Filipino Club at Marshall Fundamental School.

She leads the Marshall Mighty Eagle Marching Band as drum major and sings in the Altadena Community Church choir and the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.

She took home second place at the Southern California Vocal Association’s Vocal Solo Competition in May for the high school classical voice division.

Dela Cruz and the other members of the 2024 Rose Court serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community and the greater Los Angeles area. Each of them received a $7,500 educational scholarship.

“The selected young ladies exemplify character, service and leadership modeled through their commitment to family, school and community,” according to the Tournament of Roses.

Cheering for Dela Cruz at the parade were her parents, Juan Dela Cruz and Patty Judy, her brother, Diego and sister, Eden.

‘Celebrating a World of Music’

The 135th Tournament of Roses Parade delighted spectators in Pasadena with marching bands, equestrian units and a host of elaborately decorated floral floats – all making their way down Colorado Boulevard with the theme, “Celebrating a World of Music.”

The parade began with an  “Opening Spectacular” performance featuring Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams,  “The Voice” champion Cassadee Pope, “American Idol” alum David Archuleta and Los Angeles singer and songwriter Rush Davis.

They all performed on the Rose Parade opening stage, alongside the Honda float with the theme, “Keep Dreaming.”

The parade made its way along its traditional 5 1/2-mile route, moving east along Colorado Boulevard to northbound Sierra Madre Boulevard, ending at Villa Street.

The San Diego Zoo’s float “It All Started With a Roar” won the 2024 Sweepstakes Trophy, honoring the most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.

https://www.youtube.com/live/M7FcSX2rYHA?si=p4WNe0XmpC3u9afx

The theme was announced nearly a year ago by Tournament of Roses Association President and Chair Alex Aghajanian.

“The 2024 theme brings us together through music,” Aghajanian said. “In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams, one language unites us all — music.”

Leading the parade was grand marshal Audra McDonald, a singer, actress and six-time Tony Award winner.

“I am so deeply honored to have been invited to serve as the grand marshal of the 2024 Rose Parade,” McDonald said.

“As a California kid, raised in Fresno…the new year was always ushered in with the Rose Bowl. Every January 1st, I’d wake up early to watch the parade and the game with my family.”

Nearly 20 marching bands marched and performed during the parade, including groups from Japan and Costa Rica, as well as schools across the country.

The bands of the two universities participating in the Rose Bowl Game – Michigan and Alabama – also took part in the event.

Eighteen equestrian units also participated, including the US Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena, the Budweiser Clydesdales and the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment.

Kaiser Permanente received the President’s Award. At the center of the float, a Kaiser Permanente member stands with outstretched arms surrounded by photos depicting cherished life moments and the caregivers who have helped them along the way. The Los Angeles Philharmonic plays a joyous song as diverse cultural groups dance and walk alongside the float. Image: rose_parade/IG

But the highlight of the parade was the procession of ornate floats, all of which were required to be completely covered by flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark.

The floats were meticulously crafted over several months, beginning with the understructure and concluding with the arduous task of applying the flowers and other materials, generally one piece at a time.

A total of 39 floats took part in this year’s procession. Some were sponsored by local cities, such as Torrance, Burbank and Alhambra, each touting local attractions, while others were funded by businesses such as Kaiser Permanente, Honda, Shriners Children’s and The Cowboy Channel.

Closing out the parade was former “American Idol” champion Jordin Sparks, who rode aboard the final float in the parade honoring the Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts in Brandon, Missouri.

Following the parade, the floats are on display at the Floatfest at Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevard, giving spectators a chance to get a close-up look at the creations. The Floatfest was open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday.

On Tuesday, the Floatfest will be open at 7 a.m. for senior citizens and the disabled, then open to the general public at 9 a.m., closing at 5 p.m.

Floatfest tickets are $20 in advance online, and admission is free for children ages 5 and younger. (with CNS report)