Altadena teen named 97th Rose Queen

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Altadena resident Madison Elaine Triplett, 17, was named the 97th Rose Queen by the Tournament of Roses on Tuesday.

Triplett was anointed queen after a month-long process involving more than 700 Pasadena-area young women who tried out for the Royal Court, according to the Tournament of Roses.

Triplett attends John Marshall Fundamental High School and plays on the varsity volleyball team. She's active with the Pasadena City Youth Council and the Black Student Union, and plans to attend Tulane University to study economics, the association said.

Triplett and six Rose Princesses will preside over the 126th Rose Parade and the 101st Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day, in addition to as many as 100 community and media appearances.

The Rose Princesses are Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, Pasadena City College; Gabrielle Ann Current, 18, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy; Veronica Sara Mejia, 19, Pasadena City College; Bergen Louise Onufer, 17, Mayfield Senior School; Simona K. Shao, 17, Westridge School; and Emily Alicia Olivas Stoker, 17, Temple City High School.

Triplett and the princesses were chosen based on qualities including public speaking ability, academic achievement, community involvement and poise.

Triplett was presented with a crown with six carats of diamonds and more than 600 cultured pearls. All Royal Court members received a pearl necklace.