Sabrina Johnson was crowned as the 2025 Cleveland Rose Festival Princess on March 20 in the Cleveland Auditorium. The student body contributed to the decision with a vote based on speeches from the four candidates on March 13, while the Rose Festival Committee interviewed the candidates for the rest of the decision.
Student Body President Owen King and publicity representative Shea Appleyard helped run the assembly, and announced Johnson’s win after a brief speech from a Rose Festival official. Johnson was presented with a bouquet of flowers from Principal JoAnn Wadkins, a gift from the class of 2025, and of course, a tiara from last year’s princess, senior Zora Forsberg.
Johnson, one of four candidates, was the 95th Cleveland princess to participate in the Rose Festival. Also vying for the crown were seniors Jenny Pham and Alara Bekleyen, and junior Celia Roehl. They all shared a group hug after the assembly.
There was much anticipation for the announcement, and the crowd’s loud, ravenous applause showed the school’s love and support for their new princess – and possible 13th queen. Johnson seemed overwhelmed with joy for her crowning, and her speech was full of thanks for the many people who helped get her to this point.
When talking to Johnson after the ceremony, she said, “I’m super excited for the path I’m about to go down, the people I’m about to meet and opportunities I’m about to take.”
A full International Baccalaureate candidate when she graduates next year, Johnson looked gorgeous in her tight black dress and bright gold crown, and when asked what she was looking forward to, she said, “I’m most excited for the Grand Rose Festival where we get to be in the parade.”
Johnson is active in school, participating on the cheer team for the past three years and being a member of the advanced leadership class this year. She has contributed to her community through the numerous opportunities provided by her church youth group. Johnson plans to attend college after graduation, pursuing either a degree in psychology or environmental justice.
She said that she wasn’t too scared about anything to come, and was just looking forward to this unique and exciting experience.
Leading up to the reveal, one of the longtime members of the Rose Festival organization shared their thoughts on the importance of the Rose Festival. She said, “It’s about coming together as a community and showing what makes Portland so unique.” She also thanked teacher Lureena Weesner, Cleveland’s advisor for the Rose Festival princesses, for all of her hard work organizing the assembly and coaching the girls.
Before crowning Johnson, last year’s princess Forsberg expressed her gratitude toward the Rose Festival organizers for the unforgettable year of mentorship and experiences.
“My time on the court offered me more than I could possibly say,” Forsberg said.
A $3,500 dollar scholarship will be awarded to Johnson, which she’s understandably incredibly grateful for. The theme of this year’s festival was community, which was especially apparent with the support the four girls had for each other, and the understanding they showed for one another.
