Newly crowned Rose Parade Queen Aliya Haque, 17, says she's proud that the chiropractic profession has selected the Rose Parade as an occasion to tell the world about the centennial. "As a representative of the Tournament of Roses, I'm very excited that you have chosen the parade to show the world through flowers that this is your 100th anniversary," Ms. Haque said.
Aliya, of San Marino, is a senior at Polytechnic School and expects to attend Emory or Vanderbilt University. Aliya was one of nearly 700 young Pasadena-area women competing for the coveted title of Queen of the 1995 Tournament of Roses festivities. Aliya was chosen as one of 34 finalists. The judges scored the finalists on communication skills, poise, personality, academic achievement, and community involvement. Seven girls were then appointed to a seven-member Royal Court, and Aliya was coronated Queen.
The float of the Chiropractic Centennial Foundation will be one of the largest in the parade, a massive 40-foot high American eagle perched atop a 55 foot-long float. Ms. Haque agreed that having such an eye-catching float was a great way for people around the world to get acquainted with chiropractic. "The way you're describing it, with the eagle with the hugh wingspan, those are the floats people always remember throughout the years, and it's a great idea to start off a year of celebration with this big float. Using the American eagle draws on a lot of different themes, heritage as well as the theme of sports excellence."
Ms. Haque related that her father, Irshad-ul, was born in Pakistan, and she's gotten calls telling her that the news of her coronation has reached Pakistan via the Associated Press news wire, just another indication of how truly an international event the Rose Parade is.
When asked about her opinion on health reform and having the free choice of one's practitioner, Ms. Haque commented: "Personally for me, health care reform is a very big issue. I think what could happen in a national system is, for example, if I had a car accident and wanted to see a chiropractor, it might not be covered under the national health plan, and I might have to go to a doctor who would want me to have surgery. So I think for me, having the open choice that is available now in the private sector is better than having the government dictate to me who is best to treat me."
Ms. Haque said she felt "very lucky to have been chosen for such a great honor." We think you'll agree that Ms. Haque and her Royal Court are marvelous representatives of the Rose Parade events, and chiropractic's entry into the Rose Parade.
It should be pointed out that the profits of the Rose Parade festivities go to supporting higher education at the schools of the PAC 10 and Big 10.
The 106th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena begins Monday Jan. 2, 8 a.m. (PST). The anticipated viewing audience is 450 million people in 90 countries. Following the parade is the 81st Rose Bowl game. Kick off is at 1:50 p.m. (PST). See you there.
