On Feb. 29, Wilson seniors Tara O’Malley, Carter Wallace, and Alexis Cadonau, radiant in floor-length gowns, talked excitedly while awaiting their cue to enter their school’s auditorium, where spectators of Wilson’s Rose Court Crowning Ceremony were waiting to discover which of the three had won the place of Wilson’s 2012 Rose Princess. The contestants have the distinction of maintaining good grades and a high involvement in school activity throughout their time at Wilson, and have each made significant contributions to their communities. When the three outstanding students had entered and it was finally time for last year’s Wilson princess, Taylor Hodge, to announce the winner, it was Wallace’s name that she read aloud.

Wallace, who is the third generation in her family to have successfully participated in the Rose Court, felt honored to have been chosen.
“In the past it has sometimes seemed like the Rose Court was a big popularity contest, but I think this time it was different,” Wallace said. “It was nice that people picked me because they genuinely thought I would do a good job.”

Wallace went through two rounds of judging to earn her crown, as did fifteen other princesses around Portland. From here, they will be attending etiquette classes, having fittings, and attending an orientation in April before they begin to tour throughout the community later in May, when they will be meeting people, appearing in parades, and performing community service. For participating in the Rose Court, each of the girls receives a $3,500 scholarship toward college tuition, and receives a whole new wardrobe.

Overall, being a member of the Rose Court represents a commitment of about 12 weeks. But, at the end, Hodge promised from experience that it would be one of the best things a girl ever does.
“There’s nothing better than knowing thirteen new people who you can call your sisters at the end of twelve weeks,” Hodge said.

Wallace said she is looking forward to meeting new people and visiting new places that she wouldn’t normally be exposed to, and she is grateful to be able to give back to a community that has raised her and supported her for 18 years. “I’ve already learned and taught so much through this experience, and it’s only just beginning,” Wallace said. “It’s a give and take kind of thing.”

Her decision to participate in the Portland tradition of the Rose Court, though influenced by her family legacy, was largely based on its role in Portland’s history and culture. “To me, the Rose Court shows how open and progressive our city is,” she said. “It’s great that people celebrate powerful young women and their futures instead of practicing sexist values.”

Wallace also feels that she is driven by a strong affection for her hometown and her upbringing.

“I like that no matter where I am in Portland, there’s always someplace homey,” Wallace said. “Every part is unique.” Wallace describes herself as having a zest for getting out and exploring, and hopes to spend her upcoming gap year working on an organic farm somewhere in Europe. She is still unsure of what she wants to study, though she has been accepted to many colleges and is active in the band, choir, and drama departments at Wilson. Her family has been very supportive of her as she makes decisions about her future, and was a large source of support for her throughout the Rose Court competition.

“My family is crazy, ridiculous, loud, and they drive me absolutely batty sometimes, but we have each others’ backs,” Wallace said. Wallace’s sister, junior Olivia Wallace, said she would probably participate in the Court next year. They are all proud, as Wilson is, to be continuing in the tradition of the Portland Rose Festival.