Rose Parade 2024: Meet Emmerson Tucker, Rose Court princess
Emmerson Tucker has known she wanted to be on the Rose Court since she was 9, but it wasn’t until she saw the diversity of 2016’s Rose Court, she said, that she really felt welcomed to join its ranks.
“I saw one of the queens of color,” the Pasadena resident said. “I was just so excited to see somebody who looks like me represented in, you know, my community.”
She added that the diversity of representation on the 2024 court is important and will have a lasting impact for the young girls watching around the world.
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This year’s theme, music, is especially apt for Tucker, who said her favorite way to unwind after a long day is by playing her viola. After attending his concert at the Greek, she said she’s really tuned into Florida singer, Dominic Fike, citing “Why?” And “Frisky,” as her go-to tracks.
The busy Blair High School senior is still finalizing her undergraduate applications but with he ultimate goal of attending medical school to study surgery.She’s already taken the initiative, completing an internship with the Huntington Medical Research Institutes. Her mother, she said, always made sure she saw herself in the workplace.
Pasadena is a place that Tucker and her family have dedicated to for as long as she can remember, she said. Growing up, her family urged her not just to excel academically but in civil service as well. On campus, she helped lead the Black Student Union and off campus she participates in Girl Scouts and volunteers at Washington Hospital.
“One of my biggest things has always been helping people, whether it’s become a surgeon or just become someone in our office, as long as I get to help someone,” Tucker said. “So growing up, getting to see professionals of color inspired me to pursue the medical field. And I hope that I can do the same for some young girl.”
Who: Emmerson Tucker
Blair: High School
Hometown: Pasadena
Hobbies: Music and playing the viola. She’s got eyes on studying medicine.