The Royal Brazile Family
Brazile sisters: Aundrea '21 (left) and Mya '19 (right).
On Friday, April 16, Aundrea Brazile ’21 became the Rose Festival Princess for St. Mary’s Academy. This news comes two years after Mya '19, her older sister, was crowned as the 2019 Rose Festival Queen. The possibility of Aundrea and Mya both serving as Queen would mean “everything and more” to the Brazile sisters.
The two consider themselves very close and see sharing this role as another opportunity to deepen their relationship. In conversation with Aundrea, she believes sharing the role as Rose Festival Princess “gives us another tie as sisters and will always bring us together." While these sisters share the same role as princesses, the two embrace their individuality and it’s a “blessing” to share this special moment. With their own interests, the Brazile sisters have forged different paths at SMA and beyond.
Over the last four years, Aundrea spent a majority of her time in leadership activities; she is a LINK mentor, a part of Girls Coalition, a UNITE workshop leader and participates in Lead Like a Girl. Next year, she plans to study elementary education at a 4-year university with the hopes of teaching 5th grade. Aundrea is extremely grateful to the SMA community for the opportunity to represent a school she loves and considers it "another way to say thank you” for all that she has received. At St. Mary’s, Aundrea learned to use her voice and lead by example. She seeks to represent the values of the Sisters of the Holy Names by “inspiring young girls."
St. Mary's Academy Rose Festival Princess, Aundrea Brazile '21
In Mya’s eyes, Aundrea is already an inspiration, as she is “unapologetically and joyfully herself; Aundrea has the ability to lift someone else’s spirits automatically—it’s genuine and natural.” The former Queen’s advice is “to be 110% yourself,” something she deeply admires about her younger sister Aundrea.
Though the festival may look different this year, according to Aundrea there is no more important time for the Rose Festival than now. “The pandemic reminds us how sacred time and the traditions of the Rose Festival are,” says Aundrea. The festival brings her hope because it provides a sense of normalcy in an abnormal year. More importantly, it is an opportunity for new traditions and space to celebrate Portland.
