Meet 2019 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High Princess Amy Bonilla, who’s the one representing ‘Bronco Spirit’ this year …
Although school’s out for the day, the Parkrose High School Theater is filled with students and staff, eager to see who will represent their outer East Portland school this year.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Students and staff of Parkrose High School filled the theater Monday afternoon, March 18, to learn who’d made it through the competition to become their 2019 Portland Rose Festival representative.
As the afternoon program began, it became clear that there wasn’t a “Court” of candidates this year – but the school definitely did have a fully-qualified representative for their school: Amy Bonilla.
Reigning Portland Rose Festival Queen Kiara Johnson told of her experiences, over the past year, as Parkrose High’s Princess in the 2018 Rose Festival Queen’s Court.
Before the program got underway, The Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High 2018 Queen Kiara Johnson – last year’s Parkrose Princess – told East Portland News, “The best part of being the Portland Rose Festival Queen is to be able to explain to people what is involved in the program, and explain that this is a scholarship competition, and how amazing the program is,” Queen Kiara said.
Asked her advice for this year’s Bronco Princess, Queen Kiara replied, “Treat each day like a new day; be open and fresh to every new opportunity. Focus on getting to know another school’s Princesses, speak with people you meet along the way, and appreciate the journey!”
The Parkrose High Debonairs serenade soon-to-be-crowned Amy Bonilla.
To start the program, the school’s renowned Choral Director Lesley Bossert conducted the Parkrose High Debonairs, as they sang to the candidate as she sat on the stage.
Princess candidate Amy accepts a gift from her mentor, Unitus Community Credit Union’s Karen Salman, now in her fifth year of working with Parkrose Princesses.
Making it official, 2018 Rose Festival Queen Kiara Johnson places the tiara on the head of 2019 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High Princess Amy Bonilla.
“Thank you all!” Princess Amy grinned to her subjects. “I am so honored, and I’m happy for the support I received from the students and our teachers.”
After the official photo session, Princess Amy told East Portland News. “The most important thing to me about being named Parkrose’s Princess is being able to represent Bronco spirit and our beautiful and the diverse school – allowing me to show everyone how wonderful our school is, and how special we are!”
She grew up in outer East Portland, attending school in the Reynolds School District, until moving to Parkrose Middle School, and now Parkrose High.
As a member of the Debonairs Choir, Princess Amy was delighted by their brief concert at the assembly. She’s also a member of the Parkrose Elite Dance Team, and has multi-sport athlete awards, as well as an Academic Athlete award from each high school year.
Congratulations to 2019 Portland Rose Festival Parkrose High Princess Amy Bonilla.
“I so-much look forward to being with a bunch of empowering women, and meeting new people around Portland,” Princess Amy remarked.
In the future, Princess Amy said, her career goal is to earn a Doctorate in Psychology and become a clinical psychologist specialized in eating disorders. Her plans will be supported by the $3,500 scholarship she will receive from The Randall Group.
Cheer on Princess Amy at the Portland Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation on day, June 8 at 8:30 a.m. – just before the Grand Floral Parade, inside Veterans Memorial Coliseum. For tickets or information, see their website: CLICK HERE.
© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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