Arcadia High School senior Serena Hui Guo has been named the 107th Rose Queen, becoming the latest San Gabriel Valley student to lead one of California’s oldest and most celebrated traditions. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced Guo’s selection on October 28, 2025, during a coronation ceremony held on the steps of Tournament House in Pasadena.
Arcadia High senior leads the 2026 Royal Court
Guo, 17, was selected from hundreds of applicants to reign over the 2026 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, serving as the official ambassador for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. She will preside over a seven-member Royal Court that will represent the Tournament at community events, charitable gatherings, and media appearances leading up to the New Year’s Day festivities.
According to the Tournament of Roses, each member of the 2026 Royal Court receives a $7,500 academic scholarship and will appear at more than 100 public engagements before the parade on January 1, 2026.
Academic and community leadership
A standout student at Arcadia High School, Guo serves as captain of the Congressional Debate Team and is a member of the Speech and Debate Team. She also plays varsity volleyball and volunteers with the Arcadia Public Library and Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia, which provides food and social-service support to families across the San Gabriel Valley.
In coverage by Pasadena Now, Guo expressed her excitement after being crowned Rose Queen, saying, “I’m so excited. I’m even more excited to continue the year with the rest of my girls.”
Carrying on a local tradition
Guo’s selection continues a proud history for Arcadia High School, which has produced several Rose Court members over the years. She was chosen for her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community service, according to the Tournament of Roses’ announcement.
The 2026 Rose Parade, themed “Celebrate the Journey,” will mark the 137th annual procession along Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard and the 112th Rose Bowl Game. The Royal Court will make appearances across Southern California through the end of the year, visiting schools, hospitals, and civic events before riding on the Royal Court float in the parade.
Community pride across the San Gabriel Valley
Residents of Arcadia and surrounding cities have celebrated Guo’s achievement as a reflection of the area’s commitment to youth leadership and civic engagement. Arcadia Unified School District publicly congratulated her on social media, calling her accomplishment “a tremendous honor for the Arcadia High School community.”
As the 107th Rose Queen, Guo joins a lineage of young women representing grace, public service, and optimism—qualities that have defined the Tournament of Roses for more than a century.
For details about the 2026 Royal Court and upcoming Tournament of Roses events, visit www.tournamentofroses.com.
