HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO INCLUDED | Meet this outer East Portland Rose Festival 2023 Princess, Jolynn Ta …
This year, students and staff of Parkrose High School are permitted to come to the ceremony in person, and support this year’s Parkrose High Rose Festival “Princess” candidates – so they return to fill up the school’s theater.
Story and photos by David F Ashton
Unlike the two “COVID pandemic years” – when the Parkrose High School (PHS) ambassador to the Portland Rose Festival was announced before a small group of family and friends – this year, on March 17, the 2023 “reveal” was again well-attended by the student body.
Many students and staff were in the PHS Theater, after school was over for the day, to show “Bronco Spirit” for the three candidates – and for the Princess selection announcement.
She’s confident that each of the three candidates would represent the school well, says Parkrose High Principal Molly Ouche.
“This year’s candidates are incredible,” PHS Principal Molly Ouche told East Portland News before the program started. “It’s going to be really interesting to see who’s been chosen this year.
“That’s because each of the three young ladies is very talented,” Ouche continued. “All three of them have played a role in their community, but they’re all unique, and they all have their strengths. I’ve also seen their performances in the classroom, their outside talents, and the voices they bring to the conversation with their ideas.”
2022’s Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Draia Shelton smiles for East Portland News.
As the audience was being seated, last year’s Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Draia Shelton came over to speak with East Portland News.
“What ‘made’ my Portland Rose Festival experience for me was the other schools’ Princesses I was with,” Princess Draia recalled. “It would’ve been as much fun without them. I really loved it, and I miss all those girls so much.”
2023 Portland Rose Festival PHS Princess candidates Laisha Vargas, Jolynn Ta, and Nguyen Nguyen take their places on stage.
As the program began, the student body learned that the 2023 Portland Rose Festival Theme will be “Focus on Fun”. Then the three candidates – Nguyen Nguyen, Jolynn Ta, and Laisha Vargas – were introduced as they walked onto the stage.
Then special guests, including dignitaries from the Portland Rose Festival Foundation and the Royal Rosarians, were introduced.
Unitus Community Credit Union Mentor Jessica Smith presents each of PHS Princess candidates with a keepsake gift.
Before this year’s Princess was formally announced, outgoing PHS Princess Draia Shelton turned to the candidates and said, “I’m so honored to have been put in the same category as you candidates. I hope you treasure this journey.
“Please remember, no matter the results, you all have made a positive impact on your peers,” Princess Draia went on. “It’s been so fun being your 2022 Parkrose representative. I wish you all the best of luck.”
The PHS Princess candidates hold hands while they listen for which of them would become the Parkrose Broncos’ ambassador to the 2023 Portland Rose Festival.
Showing surprise, upon learning that she’s been named the 2023 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess, is Jolynn Ta.
PHS senior Jolynn Ta looked truly astonished when she heard her name announced. She quickly regained her composure as she received her coronet and robe.
2023 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Jolynn Ta receives her tiara from outgoing PHS Princess Draia Shelton.
Speaking to those gathered, Princess Jolynn exclaimed, “I’m so thankful for this opportunity to uphold the Rose Festival tradition at Parkrose High School. I am very thankful for my sister for being supportive, my friends for supporting me, and my teachers who helped me succeed in high school so I could be who I am today.”
PHS Princess Jolynn addresses an audience for the first time in her new role.
The PHS Princess continued, “Thank you to the other candidates it well. They really deserve this honor as much as I do. I’m really thankful for their support through this whole process. And lastly, I hope that I can make everyone in my community proud of their Princess.
After the program, Princess Jolynn told East Portland News, “Yes, I’m a ‘Bronco’ through and through – having attended Sacramento Elementary and Parkrose Middle School. I’ve been a student in this district for 12 years!”
Still taking in the announcement, Princess Jolynn commented, “It may be cliché to say this, but I was not expecting to be chosen; not at all. I do feel immensely grateful to my family, my friends, and my teachers, all of whom helped me during this whole process.”
See highlights of the 2023 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Announcement:
Asked to define “Bronco Spirit”, Princess Jolynn responded, “If I were to describe Parkrose High School in one word, it would be ‘underrated’. I think ours is a school that is often overlooked.
“So, I want to represent my school, showing that we do have such amazing school spirit here; I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know so many different personalities here. I want to show people how wonderful the community is, here at our school.”
The 2023 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Court – Laisha Vargas, Princess Jolynn Ta, Nguyen Nguyen – pose for photographers.
We learned that Princess Jolynn was the president and founder of the Parkrose High School’s Acts of Random Kindness Club, was in Varsity Track and Field, was an Outdoor School Student Leader, and was the O[YES] Media Contest 2022 Firstt Place winner. She considers as her most outstanding accomplishment being selected to go to Chapman University’s Summer Film Academy last summer.
About her career, Princess Jolynn said she ultimately wants to pursue a career in the film industry – specifically, as a TV Showrunner.
Congratulations to 2023 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High School Princess Jolynn Ta!
Princess Jolynn’s educational plans include attending a four-year college in Southern California, double-majoring in Film & Television Production and Political Science. Her higher education will be supported by the $3,500 scholarship awarded by The Randall Group.
Celebrate Princess Jolynn at the 2023 Queen’s Coronation on Friday, June 9 at 11 a.m. in the Oregon Plaza at NE 8th Avenue and Holladay Street. For more information about the 2023 Portland Rose Festival, CLICK HERE to open their official website.
© 2023 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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