Rose Court, left to right: Riya Gupta-California Institute of Technology, Serena Hui Guo-Arcadia High School, Keiko Rakin-Alhambra High School, Olivia Hargrove-Pasadena City College, Sophia Bai Ren-Arcadia High School, Naira Elaine Wadley-John Muir High School, Livia Amy de Paula-Temple City High School
PASADENA, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2025) — The excitement was palpable on the south lawn of Tournament House as nearly 200 guests gathered to witness a beloved tradition: the announcement of the seven young women selected to the 2026 Rose Court®, presented by Citizens Business Bank. Friends, family, and community members cheered as the finalists stepped forward, marking the beginning of an unforgettable journey that intertwines history, community, and personal growth.
Volunteer Members of the Queen & Court Committee carefully evaluated each candidate based on academic excellence, leadership, public speaking, and community involvement. The result is a group of remarkable young women who will not only represent Pasadena but also inspire future generations through their dedication and achievements. 7 Young ladies were announced by the Court Committee President, Ron Rodriguez, chosen from among 28 accomplished finalists, the 2026 Rose Court members embody the spirit of the Tournament of Roses®.
“The Rose Court continues a treasured legacy,” Tournament officials shared. “Court members benefit by connecting with their communities, giving back in meaningful ways, and blooming with self-confidence from experiences they will carry for a lifetime.” Each member will also receive a $7,500 academic scholarship, underscoring the organization's commitment to educational excellence.
The anticipation now builds for October 28, 2025, when the 107th Rose Queen® will be crowned in a ceremony on the front lawn of Tournament House. Soon after, the Rose Queen and her Court will step into the global spotlight, riding on their royal float down Colorado Boulevard during the 137th Rose Parade® presented by Honda, and attending the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential on January 1, 2026.
More than just a pageant of roses and regal titles, the Rose Court represents Pasadena's enduring tradition of youth leadership, community pride, and the power of opportunity. For the seven young women chosen this year, their reign will be the beginning of a journey woven into the fabric of the city's history and its future.
“The Rose Court continues a treasured legacy,” Tournament officials shared. “Court members benefit by connecting with their communities, giving back in meaningful ways, and blooming with self-confidence from experiences they will carry for a lifetime.” Each member will also receive a $7,500 academic scholarship, underscoring the organization's commitment to educational excellence.
The anticipation now builds for October 28, 2025, when the 107th Rose Queen® will be crowned in a ceremony on the front lawn of Tournament House. Soon after, the Rose Queen and her Court will step into the global spotlight, riding on their royal float down Colorado Boulevard during the 137th Rose Parade® presented by Honda, and attending the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential on January 1, 2026.
More than just a pageant of roses and regal titles, the Rose Court represents Pasadena's enduring tradition of youth leadership, community pride, and the power of opportunity. For the seven young women chosen this year, their reign will be the beginning of a journey woven into the fabric of the city's history and its future.
Riya Gupta is a student at CalTech and lives in Pasadena. She was the captain of her high school’s junior varsity girls’ basketball team and was actively involved in leadership and service throughout her high school years at Northwood High School in Irvine. Riya is studying mechanical engineering and business economics and management, with the goal of working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to help advance robotics and spaceflight initiatives. She enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, making matcha, and discovering new foods. Riya is passionate about using teamwork to create unity and progress, inspired by her experiences working with peers, teachers, and administrators to expand opportunities for students.
She hopes to continue building on that spirit of collaboration as she pursues her studies and future career. Riya is the daughter of Sandeep Gupta and Deepti Mittal and has a younger sister, Yesha.
She hopes to continue building on that spirit of collaboration as she pursues her studies and future career. Riya is the daughter of Sandeep Gupta and Deepti Mittal and has a younger sister, Yesha.
Serena Guo is a senior at Arcadia High School and lives in Arcadia. She is captain of the Congressional Debate Team, member of the Arcadia Speech and Debate Team and a member of the Arcadia Varsity Volleyball Team. Serena serves as a school site leadership representative, student tutor, and community volunteer at the Arcadia Public Library and Foothill Unity Center, and she has also taken part in legislative conferences advocating directly with state representatives. She is passionate about law and public policy, having recently interned at a law firm to gain hands-on experience, and hopes to pursue a career as a lawyer working toward justice and equality. Serena enjoys training pets, drawing, crocheting, and relaxing with a good Netflix show.
She plans to study public policy with a minor in biomedical engineering at Stanford University, the University of Southern California, or UC Berkeley. Serena is the daughter of Hui Zhou and Wei Guo and has a younger sister, Alyssa.
She plans to study public policy with a minor in biomedical engineering at Stanford University, the University of Southern California, or UC Berkeley. Serena is the daughter of Hui Zhou and Wei Guo and has a younger sister, Alyssa.
Keiko Rakin is a senior at Alhambra High School and lives in Alhambra. She serves as a Student Board of Education Member for the Alhambra Unified School District and the founder and CEO of the Young Authors’ Alliance, an international youth-led literary arts organization supporting writers in more than 20 countries. Keiko has held leadership roles as president of the Creative Writers Club, Alhambra Moors Poets Society and Library Service Club, as well as co-president of the Black Student Union and Literary Service Club.
She is editor-in-chief of The Moor Weekly, Alhambra’s student newspaper, and previously served as Student Site Council Vice Chairperson. Keiko enjoys creative writing, poetry, hiking, baking, acting, visiting museums and aspires to become a human rights lawyer, fiction author, nonprofit leader, and one day own a bookstore. She plans to study human rights, creative writing, public policy, or philosophy at Wellesley College, University of Southern California, Bryn Mawr College or Howard University. Keiko is the daughter of Elisa Morimoto and Massimo Bordi and has three siblings, Nero, Ki’ya and Zamir.
She is editor-in-chief of The Moor Weekly, Alhambra’s student newspaper, and previously served as Student Site Council Vice Chairperson. Keiko enjoys creative writing, poetry, hiking, baking, acting, visiting museums and aspires to become a human rights lawyer, fiction author, nonprofit leader, and one day own a bookstore. She plans to study human rights, creative writing, public policy, or philosophy at Wellesley College, University of Southern California, Bryn Mawr College or Howard University. Keiko is the daughter of Elisa Morimoto and Massimo Bordi and has three siblings, Nero, Ki’ya and Zamir.
Olivia Hargrove is a sophomore at Pasadena City College and lives in Pasadena. A graduate of Marshall Fundamental School, she is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering and is a member of Pasadena City College Motorsports and Cal Tech Racing. Olivia has also been involved with the UC Santa Cruz MESA program, the Cal Teach internship program, and the UCSC Cross Country Club. She enjoys running, hiking, exploring new restaurants with friends, and values teamwork both in academics and athletics.
Olivia plans to continue her studies in aerospace engineering and hopes to attend UC Berkeley, UCLA, or UC Irvine, with aspirations of working in the field or obtaining a master’s degree. She previously spent a year at UC Santa Cruz, gaining experience with the Rocketry Team, which solidified her passion for engineering. Olivia is the daughter of Linda Vogel Hargrove and the late Keith Hargrove and has a twin sister, Ava, who attends the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Olivia plans to continue her studies in aerospace engineering and hopes to attend UC Berkeley, UCLA, or UC Irvine, with aspirations of working in the field or obtaining a master’s degree. She previously spent a year at UC Santa Cruz, gaining experience with the Rocketry Team, which solidified her passion for engineering. Olivia is the daughter of Linda Vogel Hargrove and the late Keith Hargrove and has a twin sister, Ava, who attends the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Sophia Ren is a senior at Arcadia High School and lives in Pasadena. She is the founder and director of Youth4ward, a nonprofit supporting foster children nationwide through music education and community initiatives. She serves as head chairwoman of the Arcadia Civic Youth Council, captain of the debate team, and editor-in-chief of The Arcadia Quill, the school’s newspaper with more than 300,000 online readers. Sophia has performed as a flutist at Carnegie Hall five times and is a member of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra Philharmonic, collaborating with Grammy-winning recording engineers and composers. She enjoys music production, equestrian sports, skiing, debate, travel, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family. She plans to study music production, sociology, and education at the University of Southern California or UCLA, with aspirations of combining music and advocacy in her career.
Sophia is the daughter of Geoffrey Ren and Maggie Han and has three siblings, Angela, Eric and Charlie.
Sophia is the daughter of Geoffrey Ren and Maggie Han and has three siblings, Angela, Eric and Charlie.
Naira Wadley is a senior at John Muir High School and lives in Monrovia. She is treasurer of the Associated Student Body, a leader for the Girls’ Empowerment Group and a lifeguard at Waterworks Aquatics. Naira also serves as a 6U assistant soccer coach for AYSO, a statistician for the Unified Sports Team and a youth Rotarian for Altadena Rotary at John Muir High School. She plays on the varsity soccer team and has also been involved in water polo, swimming, and track and field. Naira enjoys journaling, filming, swimming, watching movies, baking, and eating, and has even started her own cupcake business. Naira plans to study psychology and pursue a doctorate with a goal of working with adolescents. She looks forward to attending UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, Spelman College or Clark Atlanta University. Naira is the daughter of Natasha Brown and has two brothers, Adonis and Diego.
Livia de Paula is a senior at Temple City High School and lives in San Gabriel. She is president of the Associated Student Body, mentor for the English Learners Program, co-president of Healthy Lungs Club, Australian Sister City Exchange Ambassador and a varsity cheer captain. Livia has volunteered at Kaiser Permanente Hospital and previously interned for Sasha Renee Perez’s successful State Senate campaign.
Livia enjoys cheerleading, watching movies, reading dystopian and contemporary novels, journaling, traveling, and spending time with friends. Fluent in Portuguese and currently learning Spanish, she is
passionate about leadership and service and hopes to pursue nursing with plans of becoming a nurse anesthetist. She looks forward to studying at San Diego State University, Cal State Fullerton or UCLA. Livia is the daughter of Carla de Oliveira and João de Paula and has a brother, Lucas.
Livia enjoys cheerleading, watching movies, reading dystopian and contemporary novels, journaling, traveling, and spending time with friends. Fluent in Portuguese and currently learning Spanish, she is
passionate about leadership and service and hopes to pursue nursing with plans of becoming a nurse anesthetist. She looks forward to studying at San Diego State University, Cal State Fullerton or UCLA. Livia is the daughter of Carla de Oliveira and João de Paula and has a brother, Lucas.
