First Jewish, LGBTQ Rose Queen named

Credit: The Tournament of Roses

Credit: The Tournament of Roses

The 2019 Rose Queen represents many firsts -- she is Jewish, a member of the LGBTQ community and wears glasses.

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The Tournament of Roses named Louise Deser Siskel Rose Queen in October after a monthlong selection process. She's a senior at Sequoyah High School and lives in San Marino, California.

Siskel is active in several school groups, including the debate team and judicial committee. Her research in space biology has been funded by NASA Ames, and she is currently conducting breast cancer research at Charles Drew University. She aspires to study cellular and molecular biology.

Siskel told the Pasadena Star News that she's honored to be a barrier-breaking Rose Queen.

“What was important to me throughout the interview process was that I was completely transparent about who I was, about the things that I value, and about the things that I advocate for,” she said.

Siskel will participate in many community and media functions surrounding the Rose Bowl. Most notably, she'll be featured in the Royal Court float during the Rose Bowl Parade on Jan. 1.

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