The Monday-morning atmosphere at Tournament House was festive.

Parents and friends of the thirty Royal Court finalists chatted, snapped pictures and found seats in the garden.  PCC’s Tournament of Roses Honor Band played a rousing medley.  Members of the media scrambled for the best vantage point, and the best shot.

The date was October 7, 2013, and Tournament of Roses officials would announce the seven members of the 2014 Royal Court that morning.

Applause greeted the appearance of Queen and Court Committee Chair Alex Young.

“We have a Royal Court!” Young told the audience, adding that the Queen and Court Committee had begun the interview process on September 14th.  “Almost one thousand applicants tried out this year,” Young said, before introducing the thirty finalists.  A Tournament member escorted each one from Tournament House to her place on the stairs.

The moment had arrived.

2014 Tournament of Roses President R. Scott Jenkins stepped up to the podium.   Cameras clicked continuously as he spoke: “We are excited to welcome these seven young ladies to the Tournament family…Alex, will you please provide me with the envelopes?”

Screams of joy, cheers and applause greeted each announcement, punctuated with flourishes from the band–particularly after the words, “Our sixth princess, from Pasadena City College, number 408, Sarah Hansen!”

Lancer Radio reporter Dot Cannon caught up with the 19-year-old international studies major just after the announcement, for a couple of quick questions.