The 2017 David Douglas High Rose Festival court is, from left, Destiny Spicer, Princess Tiffany Nguyen, Molly Barker and Ahsia Pearce.
PHOTO COURTESY ROSE FESTIVAL/BENJAMIN BRINK
Princesses from David Douglas, Parkrose and Madison high schools have joined the Portland Rose Festival Court. They are a diverse group, but all of them are active in their schools, and each named the Starlight Parade as their favorite Rose Festival event. The Rose Court appears in parades during the festival—including the Starlight Parade—and represents the city at events throughout the region.
David Douglas selected Tiffany Nguyen, a senior, to represent the Scots on the court. Nguyen served on student council, was homecoming queen and is a Scots cheerleader. An honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, Nguyen enjoys dance and spending time exploring downtown Portland with friends and family. She is also involved in Project Breaker, Link Crew and Youth Ending Slavery. After high school, Nguyen will attend a university and major in sociology, hoping to become a social worker or a human activist working with men, women, and children who have suffered from human trafficking. She is the daughter of Hao Le and Loc Nguyen. She has one brother, Johnny.
Senior Mayranni Cervantes, seated, 17, was chosen as Parkrose High School’s 2017 Rose Festival Princess. She is flanked by the rest of the Parkrose Rose Festival Court, from left, Kaitlyn Carter, 18, senior, Monica Pettigrove, 17, senior, and Alillith Fernee, 16, senior.
PHOTO COURTESY ROSE FESTIVAL/BENJAMIN BRINK
Mayranni Cervantes will represent Parkrose on the court. She played on the Bronco varsity volleyball and basketball teams, was named Athlete of the Month and earned an NCAA honorable mention for volleyball and an NCAA academic achievement award for both volleyball and basketball. Cervantes is a member of Link Crew, MEChA and the symphonic band and enjoys volunteering at retirement homes. She likes the street performers and friendly environment of Saturday Market. Cervantes plans to study veterinary medicine and would like to someday own her own practice. Mayranni is the daughter of Mayra and Rene Cervantes. She has two siblings, Mayrangela and Rene.
The seventh 2017 Rose Festival Court princess was named Tuesday, March 14, in a ceremony at Madison High School. Senior Mele Kavapalu, 18, was selected to represent Madison. Last year’s princess from Madison is, on the left, Abigail Reyes Santiago.
PHOTO COURTESY ROSE FESTIVAL/BENJAMIN BRINK
Madison High Student Body President Mele Kavapalu became the school’s Rose Court princess at an assembly last month. She has been team captain in volleyball, basketball and track and field for the Senators and has earned spirit and inspirational awards in volleyball and a spirit award in basketball. Kavapalu likes to sing and play ukulele, and she plays trombone in the symphonic band. An avid traveler, she looks forward to earning a degree in aviation and starting a career as a professional airline pilot. Mele is the daughter of Kato Kavapalu and has two siblings, Helen and Milika.
Each princess receives a $3,500 college scholarship, and one—perhaps one of these three—will be crowned Rose Festival Queen at the coronation ceremony Saturday, June 10, in advance of the Grand Floral Parade.
