Wednesday, October 28, 2026

A Crown, a Few Happy Tears and a New Rose Queen for Pasadena

By EDDIE RIVERA

Eagle Rock High School senior Irene Maddox becomes the 108th Rose Queen, carrying a century-old tradition into a new generation

Irene Maddox is accustomed to covering the news. On Tuesday afternoon, she became the news.

The Eagle Rock High School senior and student newspaper editor was crowned the 108th Rose Queen on the front steps of Tournament House in Pasadena, where seven young women wearing emerald-green gowns, sparkling tiaras and carrying enormous bouquets of red roses gathered for one of the city’s most cherished annual traditions.

When Tournament of Roses President Terry Madigan opened the envelope and announced her name, Maddox was overcome with emotion.

“I was very surprised. I was very happy. Those were happy tears,” she said afterward. “I was just really excited. It’s a tremendous privilege for me to take on this honor and I take it with a full heart.”

Moments later, Madigan placed the iconic Mikimoto crown, adorned with more than 600 cultured pearls and six carats of diamonds, on her head. The Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets provided the ceremonial fanfare.

And just like that, another chapter in Pasadena’s long-running New Year’s Day pageantry had begun.

The ceremony also brought together 19 Rose Queens spanning generations, including Mary Rutte Wallace, who wore the crown in 1945 and is the oldest living Rose Queen. She attended with her daughter, Ginger.

The Rose Queen tradition began in 1905 with Halle Woods, and the title has since evolved into something beyond a ceremonial role. The Queen and her six fellow court members spend months representing the Tournament of Roses at community events, charitable gatherings and public appearances leading up to the Rose Parade.

“These young women have been outstanding students, talented athletes, creative artists, and dedicated volunteers,” Madigan told the gathering. “Even though their interests and experiences are different, they all share a commitment to their communities, a curiosity about the world, and a desire to make a positive difference.”

Maddox, the daughter of Grace and Larry Maddox, appears well prepared for the assignment.

She is editor-in-chief of The Eagle’s Scream, her school newspaper, founded the Korean Culture Club and serves as its president. She is also secretary of Model United Nations and captain of both the varsity swimming and girls water polo teams.

Fluent in English and Korean, she hopes to study English, political science, law or broadcast journalism in college.

But beyond the impressive résumé is a teenager who loves reading, creative writing and watching vintage movies with her father.

She also has a special affection for Pasadena’s public library.

“I love to read and love the Pasadena Public Library,” she said during the ceremony.

Asked about the 2027 Rose Parade theme, “Welcome,” Maddox reflected on growing up with Pasadena’s recreational programs, swimming lessons and libraries.

“The city of Pasadena has been so welcoming to me,” she said. “I’m really proud to be able to be a welcoming figure for young people and represent the city of Pasadena like they supported me.”

Her six fellow court members are Lucy Wendling of San Marino High School, Tessa Choi of La Cañada High School, Elizabeth Rweyemamu of Polytechnic School, Daniela Guzmán of Arcadia High School, Maria McDonald of Thurgood Marshall Secondary School and Evita Bridge of Mayfield Senior School.

Already, the seven have visited Disneyland (“My favorite part!,” she said), undergone speech and etiquette training and developed friendships that Maddox described as finding six new “soul sisters.”

The experience, she said, has been a whirlwind.

Earlier Tuesday, the court attended a luncheon with former Rose Queens, where the young women delivered speeches before preparing for the afternoon’s announcement.

Now comes the busy holiday season, a succession of public appearances and the unmistakable excitement of riding down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day before a worldwide television audience.

But first, one small journalistic matter remained.

Asked who would cover her coronation for the Eagle’s Scream, Maddox smiled at the prospect of finding herself on the other side of the interview.

“One of my very talented staff writers will probably cover it,” she said. “My sister is a staff writer on our paper, so I’m sure she’d snatch that opportunity right up.”

For one afternoon, at least, the young journalist had become the biggest story in her own newsroom.