Pasadena City College officials say the college is honored to have two of its students chosen today to the 2015 Tournament of Roses Royal Court. Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, and Veronica Sara Mejia,19, were picked from a group of over 700 Pasadena-area young women to act as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena community at large. Rose Princesses Byers and Mejia were selected based on a number of criteria including poise, speaking ability, academic achievement, and community and school involvement. Byers and Mejia will join five other Rose Queen candidates to form the Royal Court. Royal Court members are responsible for attending as many as 100 community and media functions, culminating with the 126th Rose Parade® presented by Honda and the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual.Â
Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Robert Miller expressed his pride and excitement at having two students from PCC on the court. “The college is thrilled to have not one, but two Princesses to help the world usher in the New Year on January 1st! We congratulate Mackenzie and Veronica and wish them the very best as their great adventure begins.â€
Rose Princess Mackenzie Joy Byers is a first-year PCC Pathways Student who attended Temple City High School. At Temple City, Mackenzie was president of the show choir and acted as commissioner of the arts for the Associated Student Body Leadership. Mackenzie is interested in musical theater and acting. She has also been involved in America Sings, an organization that combines music and charitable service.
Rose Princess Veronica Sara Mejia is also a first-year PCC Pathways Student from San Marino High School. Veronica is majoring in communication and is a member of the Lancer Track Team. Veronica was the captain of the cross-country and track teams at San Marino. She also has spent time volunteering at Sunrise Assisted Living. Veronica’s family has been a part of the Pasadena community since the early 1900s.
[Photo: Second from left  – Veronica Sara Mejia, Third from the left – Mackenzie Joy Byers