Banita Barnes is not a fan of beauty pageants or popularity contests.  In her home, hard work and academic achievement come first and foremost.  So when her only child, Aneesah Giroux, was named to the 2007 Tournament of Roses' Royal Court she may have been a little dubious at first. 

"I never really thought of her being any type of cheerleader, beauty queen or something like that.  I'm not one of those mothers.  But this is turning out to be a great experience," says Barnes, first-floor patient services manager at the School of Dentistry.

Not that Barnes ever really had anything to worry about.  Aneesah, a senior at John Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena, maintains a 4.2 grade-point average, has been selected class valedictorian and is ranked number one in her class.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society and does volunteer work at Huntington Hospital while holding down a part-time job at an Altadena library.

The seven young women who comprise the Royal Court were selected from high school and college students in the Pasadena and San Gabriel areas.  Nearly 1,100 young ladies vied for the honor this year.  The winners were chosen based upon their academic achievement, poise, appearance, public speaking ability and several other criteria.

As a member of the Royal Court, Aneesah will participate in about 150 public events in the three months leading up to the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.  The group will visit senior centers, pediatric wards and make numerous speeches promoting the City of Pasadena and this year's festivities. 

With the Tournament of Roses organization picking up much of the tab for transportation and outfitting the young women, Barnes says her role is somewhat limited.  However, being the mother of such a popular young woman has proven to be a personal challenge.

"I am really a loner.  I am pulled so many different ways, usually on the weekend I like to just  stay home.  Now I'm learning to keep a smile on my face.  Now Aneesah is telling me, 'Mom don't go to the store all tore up!  I don’t want anybody to say Aneesah's mom is jacked!', that's her lingo," says Barnes with a roll of the eyes.

While Barnes says her daughter is relishing her moment in the spotlight, the time away from school—her true passion—has made her miserable.  After finishing high school, Aneesah wants to major in public administration and pursue a career serving the needs of women who are victims of domestic violence.

And, despite Barnes' aversion to the trivialities of beauty contests and the like, it is safe to say she will be discretely ensconced along this year's parade route come January 1.  "Of course, I'm very proud," she says.

Related Links:

2007 Tournament of Roses
http://www.tournamentofroses.com/roseparade/rosequeen.asp

[top]