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“Surreal,” was the way Cole Fox described the feeling Monday morning after she was selected to serve on the Tournament Royal Court, joining six other young women who will represent the prestigious organization over the next several months leading up to the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s day.
“I didn’t think it was going to happen,” said Fox, moments after the announcement at the Tournament House in Pasadena. “It feels really good.”
Her sister, Harper, was a senior two years ago and tried out for the Royal Court “and had a real fun time,” Fox continued, responding why she pursued becoming a member of the Royal Court. “I’ve grown up here and have always known about it and was excited about it; never did I think I would be here.”
Fox knows that her sister will be “super excited for me along with my grandparents,” she said.
Looking down the road, Fox, unsure of where she will be attending college next year, wants to study biology and later become a dermatologist “and (is) figuring out life as it goes.”
Fox was amongst three South Pasadena students who were finalists, the others being Mia Dawson, also from SPHS, and Eleanor Washburn of Westridge School.
On January 1, Fox will join other Royal Court members in riding down Colorado Boulevard in the 131st Rose Parade and at the 106 Rose Bowl Game
Joining Fox on the Royal Court will be Camille Kennedy, La Salle High School; Emille Risha, Flintridge Sacred Heart; Rakan Saif, Arcadia High School; Reese Rosental Saporito, Marshall Fundamental School in Altadena; Mia Thorsen, Marshall Fundamental School in Altadena and Michael Wilkins, Maranatha in Pasadena.
Fox serves as the Associated Student Body Senior Class Vice President at South Pasadena High, is head of design for the school’s yearbook – Copa de Oro, serves as the School Site Council secretary, is a Girl Scout member, POSSE Foundation Scholarship semi-finalist and the leading role in the school play “Metamorphoses.”
She enjoys vegan cooking, Sudoku puzzles, creative writing, painting, dancing and hairstyling are among her many interests.
Cole is the daughter of Robert and Rachel Fox and has two siblings, Harper and Sawyer.
This year’s theme for the Rose Parade is the “Power of Hope,” and the president of the 2020 Tournament of Roses, Laura Farber, who makes her home in South Pasadena, said, “Hope is the belief that is wanted can be obtained, from the struggles of those who came before us, to dreams yet fulfilled, hope is more than the possibility of fulfillment. Hope is dignity and respect, joy and happiness, aspiration and achievement. And with hope, we can aspire to do better and inspire others to reach higher. With hope everything is possible. Hope never quits. No one can ever take hope away from you. Currently, in this country and this world we are so divided and hope can bring everyone together, everyone on America’s New Year’s celebration. And, we look at these finalists and we have hope for our future.”
On Tuesday, October 22, the announcement of the 102nd Rose Queen and the official Royal Court Coronation will be held at the Pasadena Playhouse.
