SEE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO | Meet Princess Draia, who is now representing ‘Bronco Pride’ from Parkrose High School, throughout the 2022 Portland Rose Festival …
At Parkrose High School in outer East Portland, family and staff gather in the Theater to learn who will represent the school at the 2022 Portland Rose Festival, and perhaps be named Queen of Rosaria.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Kicking off the 2022 Portland Rose Festival season in outer East Portland this year was Thursday afternoon, March 3.
Before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic struck, this brief ceremony packed the captious PHS Theater, resulting in a standing-room-only crowd composed of students, staff, family and well-wishers.
Watch our exclusive video showing
highlights of this year’s announcement:
Although this year, the event was restricted just to those directly involved due to continuing pandemic concerns, everyone participating said they were enthusiastic about it being live event, and not “just another Zoom meeting”.
Entering the stage through the curtain are PHS Princess candidates Kiaralyn Hatton, Kennedy Phillips, Amyah Warren, and Draia Shelton.
“We’re so happy to be here this afternoon – in person, this year,” exclaimed Parkrose High Principal Molly Ouche.
“And, our candidates are phenomenal; they each have given so much to the Parkrose community,” Ouche told East Portland News.
“That is, they are all really involved; they’re vocal for their communities as well as for the rights of others; and they are leaders in the classroom and leaders on campus,” commented Ouche before the program began.
Next, the Portland Rose Festival dignitaries present were recognized.
Presenting a gift to each Princess candidate is Unitus Community Credit Union Mentor Karen Salman.
Then, in the absence of immediate past PHS Portland Roses Festival Princesses available for the announcement, their 2018 representative – who went on to be Queen of Rosaria – 2018 Portland Rose Festival Queen Kiara Johnson unsealed the envelope and announced this year’s PHS Princess.
“Please welcome 2022 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Draia Shelton,” proclaimed Johnson.
Parkrose High Junior Draia Shelton learns she’s been chosen to represent PHS.
After the official photos were taken, Princess Draia spoke with East Portland News.
“I’m honored; I’ve worked really hard for this,” she began. “I am so thankful to be in this position right now and to have gotten as far as I have, because being a member of the Portland Rose Festival Court is truly an honor,” acknowledged Princess Draia.
In addition to being Varsity Cheer Team Captain, and playing in the band, Princess Draia said she’s proud of her good grades, even in the Advanced Placement classes she’s taken in Biology and Language.
2018 Portland Rose Festival Queen Kiara Johnson pins the tiara on the head of Princess Draia.
“And, I’m also so proud of others in the Parkrose High Court for doing this,” she said “I look forward to representing Parkrose High culture, and showing the world what we’re all about,” concluded Princess Draia.
She attended Vernon Elementary and Parkrose Middle School before coming to PHS, where she is currently a Junior.
Princess Draia’s career goal is to become a marketing manager for major company such as Air Jordan and Nike – and she hopes she will get a boost by receiving one-on-one mentorship from a top female business executive. And, her educational plans of attending a four-year college to earn her degree in business and marketing will be aided by the $3,500 scholarship awarded by The Randall Group.
Congratulations to Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princesses Draia.
Look forward to seeing Princess Draia again on June 10 at the 2022 Portland Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation, to be held this year at Peninsula Park Rose Garden. For genuine, certified information about this year’s Portland Rose Festival, see their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2022 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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