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SMRFA Announces 2008 Princesses, Escorts
Sunday,
Nov. 4th, 2007
By Bill
Coburn
The
Sierra Madre Rose Float Association announced the 2008 Princesses and their
Escorts at the annual Coronation dinner held at the Masonic Lodge on Sierra
Madre Blvd. In what was announced as one of the largest fields in recent
history, eighteen young men and women tried out for the four positions on the
float. Only four were to be selected.
Robert
Young, President of the SMRFA, spoke to the eighty or so folks in attendance at
the beginning of the evening, talking about the float, and the building process,
giving an update on this year’s float, which will feature two swan frames
covered in coconut and more than 70 different varieties of roses. Young also
thanked some of the evening’s sponsors, including the Masonic Lodge, which
donated the use of the hall, Jacob Maarse Florist, which donated the floral
centerpieces on the tables, Corfu, which provided the food, and Attitude, which
provides clothing for the Princesses.
Dinner,
provided by Corfu restaurant, consisted of marinated kidney beans and mushrooms,
chicken breast with a delicious garlic “paste” on the side, hummus, taboule,
salad and pita bread. A sweet dessert, baklava, was served after the meal.
After
dinner, Princess coordinator Donna Sutcliffe came up and introduced last year’s
princesses. Unfortunately, she had to do it with a photograph, as three of the
princesses have gone off to college and one, Sierra Madrean Katie Merrill, has
been selected as one of the Tournament of Roses princesses for 2008, and the T
of R Royal Court had a conflicting function which meant Miss Merrill was unable
to attend.
Selected to ride down the boulevard in front of millions this New Year’s Day
representing Sierra Madre were Alexandra Flores, age 17, of Marantha High
School and Hanna Lisa Storlie, age 16, of Alverno High School, who were selected
as Princesses. Selected to be their escorts were Tim Crilly, age 16, of St.
Francis High School and Andrew Pirrone, age 17, of Pasadena High School.
The
Sierra Madre Royal Court represents the Rose Float Association as well as the
City at events throughout the year, and this year they have a very busy schedule
right off the bat. They will assist Santa Claus at Dickens Village in Sierra
Madre on Nov. 16th and 17th, then introduce themselves to
the Association at large at the next General Meeting, which is to be held in the
Rose Float Barn on Sunday, Nov. 18th. They will then be introduced
to the general community via live television at the City Council meeting on Nov.
27th, followed by their first real public speaking setting when they
are on the program for a Sierra Madre Kiwanis meeting, which this year is
tentatively scheduled for Dec. 4th.
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Pres. Robert Young chats with Greg Freedman |
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Vikin Tufenkjian - This year's float is dedicated to his late wife Knar |
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Princess Coordinator Donna Sutcliffe shows a picture of last year's
princesses, none of whom were able to attend |
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Princess Escort Tim Crilly is congratulated |
Princess Alexandra Flores is announced |
Crilly,
Princess Hanna Lisa Storlie, Flores and Princess Escort Andrew Pirrone |
Crown time |
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