Get to Know LCF's Rose Princess

Morgan Devaud’s journey to the Rose Court began during her junior year at , when became a princess of the 2010-2011 Miss La Cañada-Flintridge Court. Devaud believes the interview process and experiences with Miss LCF helped her with each call back round of for the 2012 Pasadena Royal Rose Court. She is one of seven girls chosen to represent the Tournament of Roses out of almost 1,000 applicants.

Since being crowned in October, Devaud has met the demands of a full schedule.  A typical morning for Devaud starts at LCHS for a few hours of school work before one of the white Tournament of Roses Royal vans arrives to take her to various appearances and events.

“It’s a full time job,” said Devaud’s mother, Vickie Devaud. “Some nights she doesn’t come home until 11 p.m. This experience has taught Morgan excellent time management skills.”

Devaud does not take a holiday break. She has more than 150 public events to attend before Jan. 2, 2012.

She counts some  of her favorite experiences with the Rose Court as those working with children in the community. On Halloween, the Royal Court went trick or treating with young patients at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.

“It was such a wonderful experience to see their excitement and enthusiasm about spending time with us and celebrating the holiday,” shared Devaud.

Another memorable experience was when the Royal Court recently visited Villa Esperanza, a school and center for developmentally challenged children and adults located in Pasadena. “We played games with kids ages 5-22 years old,” said Devaud. “It was a remarkable experience to see how far these mentally disabled students have progressed.”

While at LCHS, Devaud lists her favorite classes as English, history and French. A few of the teachers she fondly remembers are Mr. Kissel for seventh grade math. “His positive zest for life and encouraging attitude made me want to strive and succeed,” said Devaud.

But other teachers also inspired her. “Mr. Cartnal’s passion for social science opened my mind to the world around me and Mrs. Chahine’s strict discipline taught me lessons beyond the walls of the classroom,” Devaud said.

Once her reign concludes, Devaud will focus on finishing out her senior year at LCHS with the goal of attending university with a major in broadcast journalism or communications and public relations.

She is applying to two out-of-state schools: Vanderbilt University and Southern Methodist University. In California, she would be thrilled to get accepted into University of San Diego, University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University or Santa Clara University.

Before going off to college, Devaud hopes to visit friends in Europe. Two summers ago, she lived in Switzerland  to study French.

"My mom and dad encouraged me to attend an international summer program. I developed friendships with people from all over the world,” said Devaud.

Last summer, she invited some of her new friends to La Cañada to experience California. They together then traveled to Ireland. This experiences inspired helped her answer to one of the questions posed during the Rose Court interview: “How would you describe the Tournament of Roses parade to someone from another country?”

Devaud reported grinning at this question, because she described her hometown and its beauty and uniqueness many times to her international friends.

She has much love for her hometown.  “In the words of Hilary Clinton, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Well, La Cañada and LCHS have and always will be a part of my village.”

Cheer on LCF’s Rose Princess Devaud Jan. 2, 2012, as she offers an elegant wave to all of us while riding in the 123rd Rose Parade in Pasadena.