Vanessa Manjarrez, 17, of Pasadena, who was crowned Rose Queen today, is of Basque heritage. She is a member of the Basque dance group Gauden Bat of Chino, Calif.

Manjarrez was one of seven girls selected for the Rose Court from over 900 applicants seeking to represent the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade. She was picked for the top post among the seven girls on Oct. 16. Manjarrez and her court will participate in over 150 community and media functions in the upcoming year. The highlight is the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

Watch for Euskal Kazeta’s exclusive interview with Manjarrez in the next few days.

Read our December interview with Vanessa Manjarrez and learn about her experience as Rose Queen.