Our very own Michelle Cortez ‘23 is a Rose Princess!

Members of the 2023 Royal Court will serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community and the greater Los Angeles area, and will each receive a $7,500 educational scholarship.

The selected young ladies exemplify character, service and leadership modeled through their commitment to family, school and community.

Applicants from 30 Pasadena area schools participated in the interview process, and volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses' Queen and Court Committee selected the Royal Court based on several criteria, including public speaking ability, academic achievement, youth leadership, and community and school involvement.

The Rose Queen® and Royal Court are iconic traditions, steeped in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses' history and continue as a treasured legacy. Royal Court members experience countless benefits; becoming part of an organization dedicated to hands-on volunteerism, discovering opportunities to connect with and give back to the local community, developing public speaking skills and growing self-confidence.

The 2023 Royal Court will ride down Colorado Blvd. on the Royal Court float in the 134th Rose Parade® presented by Honda and attend the 109th Rose Bowl Game®, both on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Michelle Cortez-Peralta is a senior at Pasadena High School and lives in Pasadena. She is currently president and founder of the Girls Learning Internal (GLI) Club, Student Board representative, a member of the California Scholarship Federation, TRIO Upward Bound at Cal State Los Angeles, co-captain of the girls varsity tennis team and a member of the baking club, tutoring club and the Creative Arts Media and Design Academy at her high school. Michelle enjoys hand embroidery, reading, graphic design, volunteering, advocating for women's rights, and spending time with family and friends. She plans to study civil or environmental engineering and is interested in attending USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal State San Luis Obispo or Stanford. Michelle is the daughter of Antonio Cortez and Bertha Peralta and has a brother, Daniel.