Tournament of Roses expands geographic eligibility for Rose Court applicants

The Tournament of Roses has expanded the area from which it will select the event’s Rose Court, officials announced on Monday, Aug. 6.

Traditionally, the geographic area from which the Court comes has been the Pasadena Area Community College District, where applicants must be a full-time resident and a senior in high school or enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 units) in any accredited school or college.

But for 2025, the Tournament expanded the area to or in zip codes 90032 (Los Angeles//El Sereno), 90041 (Los Angeles/Eagle Rock), 90042 (Los Angeles/Highland Park), 91775 (San Gabriel), 91776 (San Gabriel), 91801 (Alhambra), 91803 (Alhambra).

Other requirements include:

• Identify as a female, at least 17 years of age by Dec. 31, 2024 and not more than 21 years of age before Jan. 5, 2025.
• Possess at least a 2.0 grade point average in both the current and previous years’ course work
• Be available to participate, in person, in all interview sessions in the fall.

You must be able to complete the official Rose Court application. The application period also opened this week.

Ultimately, a seven-member Court is named in October, after multiple rounds of interviews. The Rose Queen is then named from the seven finalists.

“We’re looking for applicants who bring diverse strengths and perspectives — whether they’re natural public speakers, youth leaders, academic stars, or involved in their community and school,” according to a statement from the Tournament. “An applicant isn’t required to have all these skills; the selected Rose Court members will provide a well-rounded group who serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community and the greater Los Angeles area.”

The Tournament also touts benefits such as:

• A $7,500 educational scholarship;
• Hands-on volunteering;
• Leadership, public speaking, media and etiquette training;
• Networking with industry professionals;
• Becoming a role model for your peers;
• Riding in the Rose Parade presented by Honda

The first round of Rose Court interviews will take place at Tournament House on Saturday, Sept. 7, and Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.

The 2025 Rose Court will ride down Colorado Boulevard on Jan. 1, 2025. It will be the 136th Rose Parade. The College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 111th Rose Bowl Game will presented later in the day.