To kick off 2015, some of TCHS’s most exceptional will be featured in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.
Rose Court Princesses
TCHS alumni Mackenzie Byers and Senior Emily Stoker are princesses on the 2015 Rose Court. On the day of the parade, the princesses and the queen will do a few interviews and photo shoots before stepping onto their float. Temple City has not had a princess on court in ten years. In addition, they are the first from Temple City to be on court together.
Some of their responsibilities as princesses include making appearances and lending some helping hands throughout Pasadena. For example, they recently attended an event with Zappos in which they handed out shoes to underprivileged children.
“We had to be able to know how to handle ourselves in interviews, on TV or in print,” Byers said. “They give us training on etiquette: how to eat properly, how to walk properly and how to wave.”
Thanks to their extensive training, some benefits from their hard work include a $2500 scholarship for each princess, and the opportunity to forge new friendships through attending several events and doing community service with the other princesses.
“It is so much fun,” Stoker said. “We have gained six new sisters.”
TCHS Marching Band
After submitting two videos displaying the TCHS band’s marching and musical technique, the Tournaments Music Committee accepted them to be a part of the Rose Parade in Oct. 2013. The Pride of Temple City and about 20 alumni will be marching six miles in the parade, with Drum Major Thomas Leong and Assistant Drum Major Victoria Chavez in the lead.
The band will be featuring songs like “Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co.,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Getaway/September” and “Let’s Groove.”
To fundraise for the parade, the band held a dry car wash and sold fireworks during the summer and poinsettias for the holidays. Currently, they are still selling Rose Parade merchandise.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Chavez said. “Fulfilling and living up to what your director expects of you and knowing that a lot of people are going to be watching you. There is no room to mess up.”
The TCHS band will be one of the two high schools representing California.
Boy and Girl Scout Troops
Representing the Boy and Girl Scouts from Temple City, Seniors Janine Hou, Arsheeta Kumar, and Calvin Wang, and Juniors Andrew Bell and Sarah Tomason will be carrying banners in front of the floats that have won awards.
“On the morning of the parade, we have to be there at 3 a.m.,” Tomason said. “So we’re standing on cold grass—but it’ll be worth it.”
The girls registered by turning in an application to the scout office after getting their Gold Award and the boys filled out an online application after getting their Eagle rank. Before being selected, they all attended interviews.
In order to earn their Eagle rank, the boys had to be active in the program for six months after achieving their life rank, obtain 12 merit badges like first aid, plan and lead a group community service project and meet a few other requirements.
The girls each had to dedicate at least 80 hours to conduct individual community service projects that were measurable, sustainable and educational.
The scouts all agree that it is an honor to be selected for the parade, and are thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity.