The Portland Rose Festival announced today the 2024 Fred Meyer Junior Parade Grand Marshal is Mandy Vance, Oregon’s 2024 Teacher of the Year and former Franklin High School Rose Festival Court Princess.
“Dr. Mandy Vance is such a wonderful representation of the Rose Festival’s mission with all of her work to drive opportunity for young people through education,” said Contesa Diaz-Nicolaidis, Rose Festival Board President. “It’s extra special for us to celebrate a former Rose Festival Court Princess as well. The legacy of the Rose Festival Court is so strong around the region, Mandy is a shining example of continuing to deliver on work she started back in high school. Celebrating Mandy as our Grand Marshal in the Fred Meyer Junior Parade is also a celebration of all the dedicated, hard-working teachers of this region. We thank Mandy, and all other teachers, for their service to our children and our communities.”
Dr. Mandy Vance is a pillar of the Oregon education community and is currently on special assignment at Cedar Ridge Middle School in the Oregon Trail School District (Sandy, Oregon) where she is designing and teaching creative science, athletic leadership and academic success courses. Mandy was raised in Portland, Oregon by parents who taught her that a joyful life is one of service to others. Mandy is quoted as saying “Alone we can only do so much, but when we know our students’ stories, are each willing to contribute our own gifts and expertise, and operate with gritty determination to discover what works for each student, this is when they are able to succeed in our schools.”
Source: Portland Rose Festival