From debate captain to future doctor, three outer East Portland high school students stepped into the spotlight this spring as Portland Rose Festival Princesses, each bringing a distinct story of leadership, service, and ambition to the city’s signature celebration …
Hopefully, one of our outer East Portland Rose Festival Princesses will be the one selected at the Queen’s Coronation ceremony held on June 5. East Portland News archive image
By David F. Ashton
The 2026 Portland Rose Festival, organized by the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, continues as the city’s signature civic celebration – running this year from May 22 through June 7. Among the most anticipated traditions each spring is the selection of the Rose Festival Court – and this year, three Princesses are from outer East Portland high schools.
Their introductions – held at Leodis V. McDaniel, Parkrose, and David Douglas High Schools in March – turned ordinary school days into full-throated celebrations, complete with cheering classmates, proud staff, and a clear sense that the work these students did throughout the vetting process will be recognized on a citywide stage.
McDaniel’s Princess: Avery Mullins
The first outer East Portland Princess was introduced March 5 at Leodis V. McDaniel High School in the Madison South neighborhood.
Introducing Leodis V. McDaniel High School Princess Avery Mullins.*
Princess Avery Mullins, a junior, had already built a reputation on campus as a student who did not shy away from a full schedule. She balanced roles in varsity speech and debate, where she served as Captain, with varsity cheer and JV tennis. She also took part in SAT Prep Club and the Next Level Scholars Program, and was active in National Honor Society and SOLVE, while gaining classroom experience through a CTE education internship and consistently earning a place on the Honor Roll.
Princess Avery said she was most proud of how she pushed herself to grow during her high school years. “As these three years have quickly passed, the part that I’m most proud of is how I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone,” she said. “High school has led me to explore more of what I truly want to do – even if that means trying out for sports that I never saw myself doing, leading me to become one of the speech and debate captains, and connecting with people whom I would never have before.”
Avery plans to attend a four-year university to study psychology, with an eye toward becoming an elementary school teacher, or social worker.
Parkrose’s Princess: Ciara Rowden
One week later, on the afternoon of March 12, the second Princess from outer East Portland was revealed in the theater at Parkrose High School. Supporters filled the school’s Theater as Princess Ciara Rowden, a senior, was announced.
Meet Parkrose High School Princess Ciara Rowden.*
Ciara’s time at Parkrose had been shaped by leadership and service, particularly within student organizations. She participated in National Honor Society, Black Student Union, Improv Club, the Pacemakers group, Poetry Club, and served as Vice President of both Key Club and the Youth HPV Club. Within Black Student Union, she took on increasing responsibility, helping plan events as a junior before serving as President in her senior year. She also distinguished herself as the AVID Speaker Contest winner, and was nominated to be a delegate at The Congress of Future Medical Leaders.
When asked what stood out most from her high school career, Ciara pointed to that AVID speaking honor. “What I’m most proud of, so far in my high school career, as of now would be the AVID Speaker Contest award,” she said.
Ciara plans to attend a four-year university and then continue on to medical school, aiming to become a general practitioner while also considering future paths in psychology, anesthesiology, or radiology.
David Douglas’ Princess: Lydia Yihdego
The third Princess representing outer East Portland was introduced the morning of March 16 at David Douglas High School in the Hazelwood neighborhood, where thousands of students and staff packed into the main gymnasium to cheer her on.
Presenting David Douglas High School Princess Lydia Yihdego.*
Princess Lydia Yihdego, a senior, has been a visible leader across campus. She served in student government as both junior and senior class president, helped lead the Black Student Union as Vice President, and performed as a first violinist at the premier level in the David Douglas High School Symphonics Orchestra. Beyond the school walls, she completed a cancer research internship at Oregon Health & Science University in the summer of 2025. On the court, she captained the JV girls’ basketball team, and in the classroom she consistently appeared on the Principal’s Honor Roll in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
Lydia said organizing one major class event stood out to her as her proudest accomplishment:
“Organizing Junior Sunset is what I’m most proud about, from my high school time,” she said.
She planned to attend a four-year university to study biology and pursue a career as a physician assistant, with a goal of specializing in OB/GYN or dermatology.
Supporting their futures
The academic and career aspirations of all three representatives – Princess Avery Mullins of Leodis V. McDaniel High School, Princess Ciara Rowden of Parkrose High School, and Princess Lydia Yihdego of David Douglas High School – will be supported by a $5,000 scholarship each that they are receiving from The Randall Group.
Rose Festival Events, and how to cheer on your princess
Supporters from outer East Portland will have a chance to cheer for their school’s Princess during one of the Festival’s most ceremonial moments: the Queen’s Coronation. That public event, with standing room only, is scheduled for Friday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to noon at Oregon Square at the Gazebo, 800 NE 8th Avenue.
The 2026 Portland Rose Festival offered its familiar mix of waterfront activities, fireworks, parades, and family traditions. Key events included CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on weekends, the new “America 250” fireworks that show culminates opening night on May 22 from 5 to 10 p.m., and the Junior Parade, which this year was moved to Saturday, May 30.
For parade fans, organizers scheduled a now-combined “Grand Floral/Starlight Parade” on June 6. The season is set to wrap up with the Milk Carton Boat Races at the Westmoreland Park Casting Pond at noon on Sunday, June 28.
More information about this year’s Portland Rose Festival, including schedule updates, ticket details, and Rose Festival Court appearances, can be found on the official website: CLICK HERE.
* Princess photos courtesy Portland Rose Festival Foundation.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
