First published in the Dec. 16 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
For the first time, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced a partnership with Sycamores to provide emotional wellness support to members of the 2022 Royal Court.
Royal Court members have already been coached in public speaking and etiquette skills, media and speech training, and guidance in leadership, to prepare for their duties as ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses.
To enrich the Royal Court experience even more, Sycamores staff members will be available to discuss behavioral health wellness in groups, and individually, to help the young women develop coping skills throughout the Rose Parade season.
The two Pasadena organizations have shared deep roots in the community, dating back to the creation of Sycamores as Pasadena’s first orphanage in 1902. The Pasadena Children’s Training Society, later named Sycamores, was established by Fannie Rowland, the wife of Dr. Francis F. Rowland, a founder of the Tournament of Roses and the first Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade in 1890. Today, Sycamores provides innovative programs and services through a network of locations throughout Los Angeles County.
“The Rose Parade is such an important tradition in the Pasadena community, and we are honored to be able to offer wellness support to the members of this year’s Royal Court,” Sycamores President and CEO Debra Manners explained.
Manners continued, “It is an exciting time for this impressive group of young women, but we recognize serving on the Royal Court can also be a stressful time.”
Between now and New Year’s Day, the group is scheduled to attend numerous community and media events as representatives of the Tournament of Roses.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Sycamores, their personalized approach with the Royal Court has already been an asset,” said Steve Perry, Chair of the Tournament of Roses’ Queen & Court Committee. “We are encouraged that the parents of the court are supportive of the program, (and) together we are helping to create the best experience possible.”
