The 2016 Royal Court poses at Hillsides during an afternoon tea with the children of Hillsides. Front, then left to right: Sarah Shaklan, Rachelle Liu, Regina Pullens, Queen Erika Winter, Bryce Bakewell, Natalie Hernandez-Barber, and Donaly Marquez.
When the Tournament of Roses(R) Royal Court recently visited Hillsides for an afternoon of tea and crafts, one princess had a special message to the girls in attendance, many of whom are in foster care.
“I wanted to share that I was in a group home myself,” said Princess Donaly Marquez of Blair High School in Pasadena. “I’ve been through foster homes, and I understand what it’s like.” She went on to say that not everyone thought she would make the court, but she did, adding, “It doesn’t matter where you come from, you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Princess Donaly’s uplifting impromptu speech, which one girl said, “touched my heart,” was a highlight of an already exciting day for the children who live at Hillsides Pasadena residential treatment program. The residential program provides a safe and stable environment for children who cannot live at home, have suffered trauma, or face emotional or behavioral challenges.
It has become tradition that the Royal Court visit Hillsides each year. The Queen and Princesses spent an hour and a half with the girls, chatting and making bracelets with them. Several of the members of the Royal Court talked about how they enjoyed working with children. Queen Erika Winter of Flintridge Preparatory School counsels seventh graders at her school and said that her biggest advice is to “be confident and be yourself.” Princess Bryce Bakewell of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volunteers with children with disabilities in her community and hopes to one day be an attorney and help juveniles.
“The Royal Court attends some 100 events in two and a half months, and we are so thankful that each year, the Rose Queen and the Princesses spend time with the children of Hillsides,” said Hillsides Chief Executive Officer Joseph M. Costa. “They are wonderful role models for the girls, and their visit is one of the most anticipated events of the year.”
The Royal Court was selected from some 900 Pasadena-area young women. Their community and media appearances will culminate with the 127th Rose Parade® and the 102nd Rose Bowl Game®.
Hillsides, founded in 1913, is a child welfare non-profit serving children in the foster care system and families in crisis. Headquartered in Pasadena, the agency serves more than 6,200 children and families a year throughout Los Angeles County. For more information, please visit www.hillsides.org.
