Royal Rosarians

Royal Rosarians

Rosarians march in the 2010 Starlight Parade in front of the official float with Queen Rachel Seeman
Formation	1912
Founded at	Portland, Oregon
Type	Civic organization Ambassadors
Purpose	Civic engagement
Prime Minister	Amy Arasmith - 2025
Queen of Rosaria	Ava Rathi
Website	www.royalrosarians.com

The Royal Rosarians are the "official greeters and ambassadors" of Portland, Oregon. The group was founded in 1912. ^[1]

Its members are most visible during the Portland Rose Festival or at events at the International Rose Test Garden, Washington Park, and the Peninsula Park Rose Garden. Additionally, members, along with the elected Queen of Rosaria, travel to various events and festivals throughout the world. The group also welcomes visiting dignitaries at the Portland International Airport and Union Station. ^[2]

The Rosarian's motto is "For You a Rose in Portland Grows".^{[ citation needed ]}

History

Royal Rosarians in 1912, just after their founding, in the Seattle Golden Potlatch Parade

In 1911, ten Portland businessmen served as representatives of Portland at Seattle's Golden Potlatch Festival. On the train home, the men decided to create an official group to serve as ambassadors of Portland, and specifically its Rose Festival. Around 100 men initially joined and made their first appearance at the 1912 festival. ^[3]

The Rosarians are highly based on English royal tradition.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 1989, the Rosarians inducted their first three female members.^{[ citation needed ]}

Uniforms

The Rosarians are known for their all-white wool suits and straw hats, which they tip to welcome visitors.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Prime Minister and other high officials wear a cape in addition to the standard uniform.^{[ citation needed ]}

Queen and Court

Every year since 1908, a group of up to 15 high school girls from the metro area are chosen in march based on various scholastic and civic achievements. Beginning the first week of May, they travel full-time 5 days a week for 5 weeks, visiting community events, business leaders, hospitals, senior living centers, youth organizations and civic groups. All of the young women receive a $3,500 scholarship (valid at any college or trade school) as well as a complete wardrobe provided by local real estate company the Randall Group.^{[ citation needed ]}

A panel of judges selects one of these girls to be the Queen of Rosaria based on "leadership and scholarship achievement, school activities, civic involvement, volunteer service, communication skills, and overall impression." The queen serves for one year, travelling with Rosarians to various events throughout the world. The names of each years Queens is engraved into an in-ground bronze plaque along the Queen's Walk in the International Rose Test Garden. A coronation for the queen is held during the Rose Festival at Oregon Square. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

List of Queens

The following is a list of all Rose Festival Queens: ^[7]

• Carrie Lee Chamberlain (1908) ^[8]
• Thelma Hollingsworth (1914) ^[9]
• Sybil Baker (1915) ^[10]
• Muriel Saling (1916) ^[10]
• Nina Keets (1917) ^[10]
• Clara Fleischman (1919)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Claire Squires (1920) ^[10]
• Dorothy Metschan (1921)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Harriet Griffith (1922)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Lucy Lee Thomas (1923)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Edith Daily (1924) ^[10]
• Suzanne Honeyman (1925) ^[10]
• Dorothy Mielke (1927) ^[10]
• Elise Bristol (1928) ^[10]
• Lenore Tamiesie (1929) ^[10]
• Caroline Hahn ^[10] - Lincoln (1930)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Rachel Atkinson ^[10] - Lincoln (1931)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Frances Kanzler ^[10] - Washington (1932)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jean Stevenson ^[10] - Jefferson (1933)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Beth Skinner - Franklin (1934)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Irene Hegeberg - Jefferson (1935)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Janet Sooysmith - Lincoln (1936)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Dorothy Hardin - US Grant (1937)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Frances Hulse - US Grant (1938)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jean Hoover - Washington (1939)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Virginia Rothenberg - Jefferson (1940)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Betty Jane Harding - Girls Polytechnic (1941)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Shirley Fowler - Franklin (1942)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Shirley Howard - Commerce (1943)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jo Anne Bush - US Grant (1944)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Joan Williams - Washington (1945)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Lloyde Hough - Lincoln (1946)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Georgene Ormston - Girls Polytechnic (1947)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Barbara Logue - Washington (1948)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Joyce Sommerlade - US Grant (1949)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Dorothy Anderle - Cleveland (1950)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Gloria Krieger - Jefferson (1951)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jeanne Wallace - Washington (1952)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Nancie Williams - Lincoln (1953)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jan Markstaller - Washington (1954)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Nancy Wyly - Jefferson (1955)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sharon Frey - US Grant (1956)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Alice Eastman - Lincoln (1957)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Ruth Parrett - US Grant (1958)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Mary Sue Woolfolk - Jefferson (1959)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jean Ann Jackson - Lincoln (1960)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Linda Fuqua - Cleveland (1961)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Cherie Lynne Viggers - Wilson (1962)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Linda Jean Jackson - US Grant (1963)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sharon Arneson (1964)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sally Swift - Roosevelt (1965)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Julia Ann West - US Grant (1966)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Ana Maria Enriquez - Jefferson (1967)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Margaret Mary Huelskamp (1968)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Rhonda Anderson - Marshall (1969)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Laurie King - Wilson (1970)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kristi Lee - Roosevelt (1971)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Mary Matney - Madison (1972)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Anne Du Fresne - Lincoln (1973)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Danita Ruzic - Madison (1974)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Heather Van Wessem - Jackson (1975)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Diana Fredericks - Cleveland (1976)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sue Higgins - Cleveland (1977)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Tina Klassy - Franklin (1978)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Rochelle Anderson - Marshall (1979)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Robin Marks - Lincoln (1980)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kim DiPietro - St. Mary's (1981)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Leslie Carlson - Cleveland (1982)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kira Rembold - Lincoln (1983)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Stephanie Dir - Central Catholic (1984)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Raina Beavers - Franklin (1985)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Claudia Reimer - St. Mary's (1986)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Rene Pearson - Cleveland (1987)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kelly Manning - Wilson (1988)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Deanna Connell - St. Mary's (1989)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Erin Neill - Cleveland (1990)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Jennifer Deas - Wilson (1991)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Malia Yoshida - Wilson (1992)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Mikylah Myers - Cleveland (1993)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Joy Lawrence - Lincoln (1994)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Larisa Pennington - Lincoln (1995)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kristin Waldram - St. Mary's (1996)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Adrian Williams - Lincoln (1997)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Alisha Moreland - Jefferson (1998)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Amber Starks - Cleveland (1999)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Amy Seely - Wilson (2000)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Wesley Grout - Lincoln (2001)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Leela Joshi - Wilson (2002)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Priscilla Isaacs - Franklin (2003)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Tara Beatty - Wilson (2004)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Katelyn Callaghan - Central Catholic (2005)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Grace Neal - Cleveland (2006)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Elizabeth Larson - Lincoln (2007)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Marshawna Williams - Cleveland (2008)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Rachel Seeman - US Grant (2009) ^[11]
• Victoria Dinu - US Grant (2010) ^[12]
• Lamarra Haynes - Franklin (2011) ^[13]
• Kate Sinnott - Central Catholic (2012)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Hannah Rice - Madison (2013) ^[14]
• Emma Waibel - West Linn (2014)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kahedja Burley - Jefferson (2015) ^[15]
• Grace Ramstad - Centennial (2016)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Michaela Canete - Century (2017) ^[16]
• Kiara Johnson - Parkrose (2018) ^[17]
• Mya Brazile - St. Mary's (2019) ^[18]
• Anya Anand - Lincoln (2020) ^[19]
• Lili Rosebrook - Valley Catholic (2021) ^[20]
• Senya Scott - Ida B. Wells (2022) ^[21]
• Déja Fitzwater - Tigard (2023) ^[22]
• Kobi Flowers - Jefferson (2024) ^[23]
• Ava Rathi - Lincoln (2025) ^[24]

Gallery

• 
  Rosarians celebrating Rosie the Riveter Day
• 
  Female World War II veteran Ada Wyn Parker poses for a photo with a group of Rosarians
• 
  Rosarians in the 2008 Starlight Parade
• 
  Rosarians tipping their hat to Navy Secretary and former Governor of Mississippi Ray Mabus
• 
  Rear Admiral James Kelly is knighted by Queen Marshawna Williams in 2009
• 
  Royal Rosarian , a statue depicting a Rosarian tipping his hat

See also

• Oregon portal

• Roses in Portland, Oregon
• Royal Rosarian (2011)

References

1. Saker, Anne (April 20, 2012). "Royal Rosarians centennial: Marching on as Portland's official greeters". The Oregonian . Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
2. "Royal Rosarians - Official Website".
3. "Royal Rosarians". www.oregonencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
4. "Queen's Coronation presented by Unitus Community Credit Union". www.rosefestival.org. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
5. Oregonian/OregonLive, Amy Wang | The (2016-06-06). "Rose Festival queens and princesses, then and now". oregonlive. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
6. "Past Queens of the Portland Rose Festival". www.rosefestival.org. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
7. "Past Queens of the Portland Rose Festival". www.rosefestival.org. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
8. "Portland Rose Festival". www.oregonencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
9. "A rose for Thelma: First 'elected' Rose Festival queen, from 1914, rules ever after - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
10. "1933 program | The Gallery". gallery.multcolib.org. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
11. "Rose Festival queens and princesses, then and now - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
12. "Grant High's 2010 Rose Festival princess: Victoria Dinu - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
13. "Lamarra Haynes of Franklin High is 2011 Rose Festival Queen - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
14. "Rose Festival 2013: Madison High names Hannah Rice princess - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
15. "Kahedja Burley of Jefferson High named 2015 Rose Festival Queen - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
16. "2017 Rose Festival Queen is Michaela Canete of Century High - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
17. "The Asian Reporter". www.asianreporter.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
18. "2019 Rose Festival queen is Mya Brazile of St. Mary's Academy - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
19. "Portland's Rose Festival queen is crowned in a celebration of 'the beauty within each of us' - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
20. "2021 Queen of Rosaria joins mother among Portland Rose Festival royalty - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
21. "Portland Rose Festival's 2022 queen is Senya Scott of Ida B. Wells High School - oregonlive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
22. "2023 Rose Festival Queen of Rosaria crowned". www.kptv.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
23. "Portland's Kobi Flowers, 2024 Rose Festival Court queen, enjoying college life in Washington, D.C. | The Portland Tribune". portlandtribune.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
24. "Lincoln High's Ava Rathi crowned Rose Festival queen | The Portland Tribune". portlandtribune.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

External links

• Official website
• Royal Rosarian Foundation
• Royal Rosarians at the Oregon Encyclopedia