2015 Rose Parade: Rose Court, plan for grand marshal announced

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- The 2015 Tournament of Roses Royal Court and a new plan for grand marshal were announced Monday in Pasadena.

The seven members of the Rose Court include:

-- Mackenzie Joy Byers, 18, of Pasadena City College

-- Gabrielle Ann Current, 18, of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

-- Veronica Sara Mejia, 19, of Pasadena City College

-- Bergen Louise Onufer, 17, of Mayfield Senior School

-- Simona K. Shao, 17 of Westridge School

-- Emily Alicia Olivas Stoker, 17, of Temple City High School

-- Madison Elaine Triplett, 17, of John Marshall Fundamental High School

Each girl was chosen from 700 applicants and 31 finalists. Criteria was based on poise, speaking ability, academic achievement and community and school involvement.

One of the seven girls will be named Rose Queen on Oct. 21.

It was also announced that the family of the late Louis Zamperini will represent him as grand marshal. Zamperini died July 2, shortly after he was appointed to lead the parade.

Zamperini was a track star out of Torrance High School before he went on to become an Olympian and World War II hero.

In the best-selling-book-turned-movie, "Unbroken," Zamperini recounted surviving a plane crash and being held as a prisoner of war in Japan. The film is directed by Angelina Jolie and is set to be released in December.

The formal announcement at the Tournament House culminates with the 126th Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game. The theme of the upcoming parade is "Inspiring Stories."

CNS and the Associated Press contributed to this report.