Rose Float Princesses: Tracey Janzen

Many people like to talk about taking a trip to Europe. Tracey Janzen, one of Sierra Madre's princesses on the city's Rose Float, wants to live and work there. And if you talk to her long enough, she'll tell you how.  

First, she'll try to get to either the University of Oregon or New York University. Then she wants to major in business and carry a double minor in finance and German, studying abroad in Berlin. Then she'd like to work on the finances with many of the automotive industries there, such as Porsche.

"That's my plan," said the 16-year-old student.  

"I'm German, so I've always wanted to go to Germany," she said. "And I was like, 'What's in Germany that I can do?' For University of Oregon, I looked at their study abroad program and also for NYU. I wanted Germany to be a definite. My dad and I were talking, and he mentioned cars. They bring a lot of money in and they're constantly being made, so I was like, 'Yeah, that's pretty awesome.' And I'm good at math."

Her talents for numbers didn't stave off her nervousness of being interviewed for a spot on along with three others. She's always wanted a chance at the Rose Court, but at 16, she's a year away from taking her shot. However, she did prove ready to assume her place on Sierra Madre's float.

"I came in having a friend to talk to, which is nice," she said. "But the interview was scary … but I think because everyone was so nice, I was thinking, 'You're tricking me, this is a trick question, right?' But was actually pretty easy."

Tracey has lived in Sierra Madre her whole life, and she notes that her family has a long history with the city as well and have been around town to sometimes be recognized. 

"My great-grandparents moved here, my grandma was born and raised here, my mother was born here, and everyone is related to everyone in this town in my family. I'm used to knowing people," she said. "I was with my dad looking at the new senior center, and two people were like, "Oh, you're a sierra madre princess, right? and I was like, "Um … yes! Thank you! It was really cool."

She's also no stranger to some of the workings of city government, sleeping in the chairs of the council chambers while her father served Sierra Madre for six years, she said. That meant many nights staying until about 11 p.m., doing homework during meetings. But that also led to an air of familiarity when the princesses had to address the city council recently.

"I felt like it was my territory, like I knew this place," she said. "But speaking was scary, because it's on TV, and I'm thinking, "Are people going to laugh at what I say, am I really that funny or am I getting pity laughs?"

Plenty of people will get to see Tracey on the float, and she said she's used to riding around to places, as she often travels with her grandmother, who is an author. The travel alone has led to some unlikely encounters. 

"They always think Sierra Madre is a gated community. It's a family place, so it's kind of like that," she said. "But I've been walking and would see people I've met in Nebraska, and they'd say, 'Oh, we came to visit because you said you lived here!'"