Front Row (Left to Right); Tehilah Favour Ofumbi, 2025 ROSE Scholar; Alyssa Yepez, 2025 ROSE Scholar; Keilah Yu, 2025 ROSE Scholar; Leila Nafarrete. Second Row: (Left to Right): Jennifer Hall Lee, PUSD Board Member; Julianne Reynoso, Ed.D. PUSD Assistant Superintendent, Student Wellness and Support Services; Daniel Limon, Citizens Business Bank Executive Vice President and Banking Division Manager; Lori Touloumian, Principal of Marshall Fundamental Secondary School. Back Row: Mark Leavens, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association President; Jameel Franco, 2025 ROSE Scholar; Fletcher Paddock, 2025 ROSE Scholar; Andrew Pimentel, 2025 ROSE Scholar; David Brager, Citizens Business Bank President and CEO. (Not Pictured: Gael Lemus, 2025 Rose Scholar)
PASADENA, Calif. (April 11, 2025) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Association has selected eight high school seniors as the 2025 ROSE Scholars. This year, the program awarded $20,000 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors from the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). We are sincerely grateful to Citizens Business Bank for making these scholarships possible and for standing alongside us in support of our PUSD students.
To date, the program has awarded $100,000 to PUSD seniors. ROSE Scholars presented by Citizens Business Bank is designed to help students in our community thrive and foster their potential.
2025 ROSE Scholars
| Jameel Franco – John Muir High School | Fletcher Paddock – John Muir High School |
| Gael Lemus – John Muir High School | Andrew Pimentel – Pasadena High School |
| Leila Nafarrete – CIS Academy (Center for Independent Study) | Alyssa Yepez – Pasadena High School |
| Tehilah Favour Ofumbi – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School | Keilah Yu – Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
For more information about the students, read their bios HERE.
In the application process, students were encouraged to showcase their future dreams, goals and aspirations through a creative piece. Additionally, they were required to submit a one-page reflection elucidating their thoughts and emotions regarding their creation. Rather than including a minimum GPA, applicants were tasked with obtaining a recommendation from a teacher, coach, counselor or community member.
David A. Brager, President and CEO of Citizens Business Bank, expressed his enthusiasm for the 2025 Rose Scholars program, which awards scholarships to outstanding students within the Pasadena Unified School District. He praised the ongoing partnership with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, highlighting its meaningful impact on education and community growth. Brager reaffirmed Citizens Business Bank’s commitment to empowering local youth, emphasizing the Bank’s proud support of initiatives that create lasting opportunities for future generations.
“At the Tournament of Roses, we believe in the power of creativity to inspire, heal and connect,” said Mark Leavens, President of the 2026 Tournament of Roses. “This year’s Rose Scholars embody that drive, many of which courageously used art and personal expression to share their experiences during the Eaton fires. We are proud to celebrate these resilient students and support their dreams through this scholarship program. Our deepest appreciation and thanks to David Brager and Citizens Business Bank for their steadfast partnership, which helps us uplift the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”
The Association and the Tournament of Roses Foundation are focused on positively impacting the Pasadena community with charitable giving, volunteerism and community involvement. As part of this work, the Association has partnered with Citizens Business Bank for ROSE Scholars and other signature community programs.
