By Dennis J. Freeman
Pasadena, CA-It’s a special honor to represent the Pasadena Tournament of Roses as the official Rose Queen of the distinguished Royal Court. Drew Helen Washington is excited to have been given that honor. Washington will oversee the 2012 Tournament of Roses as the 94th Rose Queen, and has the distinction of being just the third African American to proudly wear that crown.
Washington follow Kristina Smith (1985) and Camille Clark (2006) as the only African Americans to bestowed the honor of presiding the Tournament of Roses as Rose Queen.
An outstanding scholar student-athlete at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in Pasadena, California, Washington had to beat out a field of 1,000 contestants to become Rose Queen. She is an honor student, volunteers her time during the summer as a volleyball coach and is heavily involved in charitable works through school club organizations.
A member of the National Honors Society and captain on her school’s varsity volleyball and track and field teams, Washington has already staked her claim as a leader and go-getter, a fact that wasn’t lost on the Tournament of Roses Royal Court selection committee.
“2012 Rose Queen Drew Washington and our six princesses are perfect ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses and the city of Pasadena,” said Tournament of Roses 2012 President Rick Jackson. “They are talented, graceful and stellar role models who will inspire many young girls. We are delighted to have Queen Drew lead our court and reign over the 123rd Rose Parade and 98th Rose Bowl Game.”
In a sit-down interview conducted by Dennis J. Freeman, Washington shared some of her thoughts on what it means to her to be selected as the Rose Queen for the Tournament of Roses.
DF: The Tournament of Roses is such an international event. As the Rose Queen and being a person color, what does this honor mean to you to be a role model to other young women that look like you?
Rose Queen Drew Washington: “Being a woman of color and being an African American queen, I have realized that I am making an impact and a change in society. It is such a monumental thing. For me to be announced it really impacted the African American community of Pasadena. I guess I didn’t realize the impact I was making when I was first announced, but now after everything that has happened…I saw tears in the eyes of my parents. I saw tears in the eyes of the community, people from all walks of life that I had never met before. It’s such a great thing to be part of…I am honored.”
DF: What does it mean to be a role model to other young girls?
Rose Queen Drew Washington: “It’s actually really exciting. It’s really a different feeling. Little girls have come and ask, ‘What’s your favorite color? What color is your room? It’s so exciting to know that I am having an impact and making a change in their lives.’”
DF: What have you learned since being named to court and being Queen?
Rose Queen Drew Washington: “I’ve learned so much, so much about the community and so much about what the Tournament of Roses organization has to offer. It’s a wonderful organization…I’ve met the greatest people being part of the Tournament of Roses Royal Court.”
DF: What does being the Rose Queen of the Tournament of Roses mean to you?
Rose Queen Drew Washington: “When I was first announced as queen in the beginning of October, I really didn’t realize the role of that I had taken on, the role I had been given. But now that I’ve gone through the process and spent time with the girls I truly realize we are role models for children within the city of Pasadena and also for the city of Pasadena. We are really brining light and hope to everyone we meet and being part of the Royal Court, we’re really able to see Pasadena in a different way.
“There are not too many girls my age can say they know truly the beat and the heart and the soul of the Pasadena community. But on the Royal Court I feel as though that I can say that I do. I’ve seen multiple clubs, multiple organizations, and I’ve seen the city in a completely new way. I’ve lived here all of my life and it is really a special, special opportunity.”
DF: How have your parents encouraged you throughout this whole process?
Rose Queen Drew Washington: “My parents are great. I am an only child, so I’m very close to my parents, especially with my dad. My parents drove me to all of my interviews. I would get on the phone with them right after all the interviews. They’ve been such a great support system throughout this whole thing. When I thought I couldn’t do it, when I wasn’t good enough, they were always there to cheer me up. They’re always there to push me and say, ‘Drew, you are good enough. As long as you try your hardest you can do it. They really have been a major impact…even when I have temper tantrums sometimes, they are always there and they are always very supportive.’”
DF: How would you use this platform as Rose Queen to move forward with your own future aspirations?
Rose Queen Drew Washington: “Being queen and being part of the Royal Court, I really realize I am making a difference in my community. I am making a change. That is what has really sparked my interest…making a change in the world. No matter where I go-college, any future endeavors that I have, I truly want to make a difference.”
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, social justice, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University.