Awek De Piok was crowned Friday as David Douglas High School’s representative on the 2022 Portland Rose Festival Court.

The daughter of Amol Yong and Abraham Piok, the David Douglas senior plans to study nursing at the University of Portland. At David Douglas, she’s a varsity basketball player and a vice president of the Black Student Union.

Rose Festival Court announcements began last week, when the Metro princesses were named. The additional members of the court so far are:

• Adrienne C. Nelson High School junior Isabella Ellsworth, Metro East.
• Jesuit High senior Jenny Duan, Metro West.
• Junior Reba Booze, Benson Polytechnic High School.
• Senior Megan Bathurst, Franklin High School.
• Junior Draia Shelton, Parkrose High School.
• Junior Bailey Armstrong, Lincoln High School.
• Senior Rachelle Hanna, Central Catholic.
• Senior Paige Kehrli, St. Mary’s Academy.

In all, 15 students from Portland-area high schools will serve on the court. Each will receive a $3,500 scholarship courtesy of The Randall Group and one-on-one mentorship arranged by Unitus Community Credit Union.

Announcements continue Monday at Roosevelt and Tuesday at Jefferson. The final member of the court will be named March 18 at Grant, and the 2022 Queen of Rosaria will be crowned June 10 in Peninsula Park.

After two years of downsized festivities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rose Festival will bring back its big in-person parades and events in 2022, starting with fireworks and City Fair’s opening May 27 and culminating with the Grand Floral Parade on June 11.

Read more about Princess Awek De Piok, as told to the Portland Rose Festival.

Princess Awek De Piok

Future education plans: I plan on furthering my education at the University of Portland School of Nursing.

Career plans: I am considering becoming a maternal-fetal nurse.

High school activities and honors: I received a basketball award in 2019-2020 Northwest League 3rd Team All-League (2A).

Hobbies and special interest: I love to do a little bit of everything; I enjoy being in places that challenge me as well. I participate in the David Douglas Black Student Union and am currently one of the vice presidents of the club. I have played basketball for over nine years, four of those years I have been on the varsity basketball team. I enjoy participating in community events as well.

What is your favorite place to visit in Portland and why? I love visiting downtown Portland because it is the time my dad and I have to go out. Being the oldest of seven doesn’t give anyone much time with either one of my parents and with that going downtown always gave me time with my dad which I enjoyed. I always learn something new whenever we go downtown, so that is my favorite place.

What are you most proud of during your high school career? I am proud of my growth throughout my high school years. When I first started high school, I didn’t understand the value of self-esteem. It was something my dad always preached to me but no matter how many times he told me, I never got the concept. I now understand what he meant. If you don’t love and value yourself, it is hard for anyone else to do so. I think that is the best thing I have learned so far.

What is your favorite Rose Festival event and why? Though I have never attended the Rose Festival, I remember watching it online with my family. My favorite event would have to be the Starlight Parade. I love this event because like the whole Rose Festival it brings people of all walks of life together. I love the union it brings to the community. I believe that it’s the one thing that my family and I looked forward to watching every year. I also love the lights as well.

Unitus Community Credit Union Mentor: Edina RizvIc.

— Kjerstin Gabrielson, kgabrielson@oregonian.com