Lindsay Charles’ catalog of Best Days keep adding up.
One recent entry: getting crowned Rose Queen at the steps of the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena on Oct. 29. Another possibility would be New Years’ Day, when the 17-year-old gets to cruise along Colorado Boulevard for about two hours and soak in the appreciative cheers of the crowd lining the 5.5- mile route.
But best days come with or without gowns and crowns. The San Marino teen, reflecting on the parade’s theme this year — “Best Day Ever!” — said her idea of a Best Day Ever is being outdoors with her friends.
“I love hiking, swimming, and running, but it’s always so much more special with friends and good food,” Lindsay said.
The 106th Rose Queen joins a long line of women, from Hallie Woods in 1905 to last year’s Naomi Stillitano, chosen because they personify tradition, character, service and leadership. For Lindsay, school is one place she learned about all four. The Pasadena private school prides itself in boosting the female perspective.
“In my time at Westridge, I’ve always been encouraged to speak up, whether it’s advocating for social justice issues I am passionate about, or advocating for myself in various situations,” Lindsay said. “I think their emphasis on having young girls learn to speak up has incorporated itself into how I carry myself today.”
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At Westridge, Lindsay is the jumps captain of the track and field team, co-lead of the Multicultural Affinity club, and co-leads the sustainability clubs Food Chain LA and Green Guerillas.
At Food Chain LA, she goes to local farmers markets and collects unsold produce for distribution to local food banks.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity to form new friendships and help cut down on food waste and food insecurity,” Lindsay said.
Other interests include gardening, hiking, journaling, drawing, collecting art and neuroscience. She plans to study neuroscience or environmental science.
But first, she is taking time to reflect on the element of connections the parade and game brings. Lindsay said she’s already made friends for life among her Rose Court sisters. But the duo of festivities also connects with anyone watching an event “our nation looks forward to every New Year’s Day,” she said at an earlier event.
“When we take the time to understand, we open ourselves up to deeper relationships and richer experiences. So I encourage you, the next time you’re having conversation with someone, to dig a little deeper, use it as an opportunity to better understand them not just by hearing the words that leave their mouth but by also recognizing the light that enters their eyes when speaking about a certain passion or to recognize the true emotional weight of their head as they rest it on your shoulder.”
Her earliest memory of the Rose Parade is “piling in my family’s car and heading to my dad’s office on Colorado Boulevard. There, we would climb to the fifth floor and watch the parade go by below us.”
Other fun facts about the 106th Rose Queen:
She is bilingual: Lindsay is fluent in Mandarin. Her mother Martha and her grandparents were born in Taiwan.
Favorite place to hike: “One of my good friends from school lives close to Griffith Park, so I love to hike around those trails and enjoy views of L.A. One that is a little closer is Eaton Canyon. I remember going a lot when I was younger, and it always brings me peace.”
Who was the top artist on your Spotify Wrapped? “My top artist was Gracie Abrams, and I didn’t get a top genre, but with boygenius and Phoebe Bridgers being my No. 2 and 3, I’d assume I fall under the indie-pop genre. My favorite artist would probably be Phoebe Bridgers. I love the artistry of her lyrics, and she grew up in Pasadena!”
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you: “As much as I love being active, and doing fun things with friends, I am terrified of roller coasters. Going to Six Flags is such a staple in my friend group, but that is the one thing I will sit out on!”
