Natalie Innocenzi, a student at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge, on Tuesday was named the 92nd Rose Queen of the Tournament of Roses.
The 16-year-old Arcadia resident, along with her court of six, will serve as ambassadors of the 121st Rose Parade and 96th Rose Bowl game New Year’s Day.
The new Rose Queen was announced in front of a crowd of family, friends, classmates and media on the front lawn of Tournament House in Pasadena.
To show their support for the two Rose Princesses from Flintridge Sacred Heart — Innocenzi and Princess Katherine Margarita Hernandez — half of the school’s senior class attended the ceremony.
“We were all speculating,” said Susan Rocque, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. “One would say no, I think it’s going to be the blond because they haven’t had blonds in a while.”
Princess Michelle Van Wyk, who attends La Cañada High School, said she was thrilled at seeing her friend named queen.
“We’ve been here since 6 this morning getting ready,” Van Wyk said after the announcement. “We also had a talk before. No matter who’s chosen, we said, our relationship won’t change.”
