On Monday, the Tournament of Roses announced the seven members of the 2020 Royal Court. Among those chosen was Emilie Risha of la Cañada who attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.

Members of the 2020 Royal Court will serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses®, the Pasadena community, and the greater Los Angeles area and each will receive a $7,500 educational scholarship.

Risha is currently treasurer of the Young Writers’ Society, president of gardening in the Cooking and Gardening Club, Saint Francis High School Theatre dance captain and a member of the Library Advisory Board, Comedy Sportz, and Girl Scouts of Greater LA. She enjoys dancing, writing, cooking, and reading. She plans to study comedy writing and copywriting. Risha is interested in attending University of California, Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University, University of California, Davis, or Chapman University. She is the daughter of Janah and Elizabeth Risha; she has three sisters: Lauren, Allison and Isabelle.

Applicants from 45 Pasadena area schools participated in the interview process and volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses’ Queen and Court Committee selected the Royal Court based on a number of criteria including public speaking ability, academic achievement, youth leadership, and community and school involvement.

The grand finale for the 2020 Royal Court will be riding on a float in the 131st Rose Parade® presented by Honda and attending the 106th Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual, both on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.