Meet the LA Catholic behind this year’s Rose Parade

Meet the LA Catholic behind this year’s Rose Parade

Pasadena‘s ‍Rose Parade President‍ Finds Joy in Giving Back

Ed ​Morales, a dedicated husband, father, and ⁢partner ‌at his⁢ law⁣ firm, is also taking on a monumental task this ⁤holiday season: ​leading the Tournament ​of Roses as its president. The 2025 Pasadena Tournament of Roses, which⁤ includes the‍ iconic Rose Parade and⁢ rose Bowl Game, is entrusted⁣ to Morales, a long-time volunteer. This isn’t just a figurehead position; he’s actively involved with every aspect of the organization alongside its dedicated‍ staff, board members, and volunteers.
Meet the LA Catholic behind this year’s Rose Parade
Surprisingly,despite ⁣the intensity of the task,morales exudes a⁣ warmth,calmness,and genuine joy that’s infectious.”It’s not a figurehead position. You’re ‍working side by side with all of the staff,‍ board members, and volunteers,”⁤ he explains. Morales attributes ​this serenity to⁢ the ​immense ⁣trust and respect he has‌ for⁢ the‍ organization’s volunteers.He has long been a part of this community and understands the dedicated⁣ teamwork that makes⁤ this global event ⁣possible.

“Ed’s busy, but never too busy,” saeid Eric Winschel, a⁣ friend and colleague ​who served on the Pasadena jaycees with Morales. “He’ll always find time to talk.⁣ I can’t tell you how​ much fun and silly things we’ve done during our time volunteering. I guess ‍that’s because,at⁢ his essence,Ed is ⁢a really good man. And he’s very good at getting things done.”

Morales’ commitment to community service began early. growing up in⁣ East LA, his family was deeply involved with San Gabriel Mission Church. His mother,‍ Anna, ‌actively participated in various church initiatives, showing young Ed the true meaning of giving back. ⁣”I really do beleive‌ it is in giving that you receive,” he says. This philosophy⁢ has guided ‌Morales throughout his life. He has dedicated notable time to organizations that support families and communities, including the California⁢ School of the Arts,‌ St. Phillip ‌the Apostle Church, the Pasadena Optimist Club, and the Pasadena Jaycees. He believes this ​selfless involvement enriches his life considerably.
Morales walks with his daughter.
Ed Morales‌ poses with his wife,Lisa,who was instrumental in helping him come up‍ with the Rose Parade theme,“Best Day Ever.” (Victor Alemán)
ed Morales, president of the Tournament of Roses, had a helpful partner in ‍selecting the theme for the world-famous parade. That partner was ⁢his​ wife, Lisa, and she played a crucial role in choosing⁣ the 2024 theme, “Best Day Ever.” Their shared commitment to community ‌involvement runs deep.ed and Lisa’s paths first crossed while volunteering‍ with the jaycees, and Lisa carries on a family tradition of service. Choosing the theme is one of the most significant responsibilities ‍for each ‌year’s ⁢president. It’s no small task, since the selected theme influences every aspect of the parade​ from float designs​ to the music performed by marching bands. “It was a little daunting,” Lisa admitted about the⁤ weight ‌of ​the⁢ decision. Together, the couple brainstormed ideas and ultimately revealed their selection at a ceremony on January 18th – fittingly, Ed’s mother’s birthday, who passed away in 2020. ‍ “These⁣ were ‘those unexpected times that⁣ bring a smile, warm⁤ our hearts, and fill us with joy,” Morales announced. “From a once-in-a-lifetime experience to​ the simplest pleasures, each ‌is indelibly etched into our memory.”
The 2025 Rose ⁣Parade‌ will feature a combined marching band of three local catholic high schools —⁣ Don Bosco Tech,Salesian⁤ and St. John Bosco. (Submitted photo)

Combined ⁣Catholic High school‍ Band to March in 2025 Rose Parade

Under the leadership of⁤ Ed Morales, President of the‍ 2025 Rose Parade, a special musical collaboration is about to take center stage. Three⁤ local Catholic high schools ‌- Don Bosco Tech, Salesian, and ‌st. john Bosco – are joining ⁤forces to form ‍a grand marching ​band that will participate in the iconic Rose Parade. the ambitious project has sparked enthusiasm across the schools. Instruments coalesce every Saturday as student musicians from⁢ all three institutions rehearse together, generating a unified sound. The excitement⁣ extends beyond the students, invigorating parents and the broader ‍school communities. “I think the parents may be even more excited,” said Don Bosco ‌President Guillermo “Memo” Gutierrez. “It’s been amazing, I had no idea we’d be able to pull this off and not too many people would ⁣take that kind of risk. But that’s who Ed is,⁢ that’s part⁢ of his gifts. He’s just got such a calm and steady demeanor, he’s such a supportive man, such a good ⁣man of faith. It’s inspiring‌ to be ‍around him.” Morales’s dedication to the⁤ Rose Parade extends far ⁤beyond his local ​community. His role as president grants him ⁢the privilege of informing marching bands worldwide⁤ of their acceptance into the esteemed event – often a life-changing experience for these‌ musicians. “It truly‌ is one of the honors of being president,” Morales said. “I’ve been to Japan, Mexico, Denmark, Panama, and you see the joy⁢ in ​their faces when you tell them.You see‌ the love they have for the‌ parade and ⁢it reminds you that ‌in a world that can seem so divided, something ‌like the Rose Parade, so universally loved by so many ‍people, can bring us back together.”

For long-time volunteer, ⁣ every interaction at ⁤the Rose Parade is meaningful, reminding him of the profound impact this tradition has on the community.

He recalls a special encounter ‌before a parade, when he unexpectedly bumped into ‌Shirley Temple Black, the ‍grand marshal for the third time,⁢ at the Tournament house.They ​had a delightful⁣ conversation about the upcoming spectacle.

over the years, ⁤countless parade attendees ⁣have expressed their gratitude to him ‌personally, a testament to the deep connection​ the event fosters. ​“It’s those little moments,⁤ from⁢ my very first year of volunteering, that really make it worthwhile,” he says. “You wont to tell them there are​ a lot ​more people involved in putting this on than you, ‌but I​ think they know that. They just want to thank ​someone for keeping this tradition that means so much, shows all of us how⁤ much better we are when we are together than ​divided. it’s ⁣really splendid. I’m just so lucky⁢ to be a part of it.”


This is a great start to an‌ article ​about Ed Morales,the president of⁤ the ⁤Tournament of ‍Roses.



Here are ⁢some thoughts and suggestions:



**Strengths:**



* ⁤**Compelling Beginning:** The opening quote from Eric Winschel ‍instantly paints Ed Morales as a dedicated ‌and fun-loving ‌individual, piquing the reader’s curiosity.

* **Personal Touch:** the article effectively blends Morales’ professional role with his personal life and values, showcasing his‍ deep ⁢commitment to community⁣ service and family.

* **Engaging Details:** The inclusion of details like the significance of his‌ mother’s birthday and the shared theme-selection⁤ process with his wife add depth and relatability.



**Suggestions for Improvement:**



* **Expand on Theme Significance:** ⁣While you mention the importance of the theme, delve deeper⁢ into its meaning⁣ and how it will be reflected in the parade’s various elements.

* **Showcase Ed ⁣Morales’ ‌Leadership:** Highlight specific examples of his leadership within the Tournament⁤ of Roses and‌ the impact he’s had on previous parades.

* **Include Visuals Strategically:** The ​images are helpful, but consider incorporating more diverse photos that ⁣capture Morales​ in action, perhaps interacting with community members or during parade preparations.

* **structural⁢ Flow:** The article jumps around a bit. ‍Consider tightening the transitions between paragraphs to create a smoother narrative ⁣flow.

* **Conclude Impactfully:** End with a strong concluding paragraph that⁣ summarizes Morales’ contributions and leaves the reader with⁣ a sense of the ‍excitement⁤ surrounding the upcoming ​parade.



**Additional Questions to Consider:**



*⁣ What are ‍some of the unique challenges Morales ⁤faced as president?

* How​ has he ⁢worked to maintain the customary aspects of the parade while⁣ also incorporating modern elements?

* ⁢What are his hopes and aspirations for​ the future of ‍the Tournament of Roses?







By incorporating these suggestions, you can ‌further⁣ enhance this well-written piece and create a truly engaging portrait of Ed​ Morales and ⁤the Rose Parade.


This is a well-written article about Ed Morales, the president of the Tournament of Roses, and the 2025 Rose Parade. Here are some of its strengths:



* **Strong focus on the human element:** The piece highlights Ed Morales’s personal journey,his partnership with his wife Lisa in choosing the theme,and his dedication to the Rose Parade community. The inclusion of anecdotes like his encounter with Shirley Temple Black adds warmth and personality.

* **Clear narrative:** the article follows a logical structure, beginning with the theme selection process, introducing the combined Catholic high school band, and concluding with Morales’s reflections on the parade’s impact.

* **Vivid descriptions:** Phrases like “Best Day Ever” and “indelibly etched into our memory” evoke positive emotions and paint a picture of the parade’s significance.



**Suggestions for improvement:**



* **Expand on the band’s significance:** While the article mentions the collaboration between the three Catholic high schools, it could delve deeper into the unique aspects of this partnership and its potential impact on the students and the community.

* **Highlight Morales’s challenge:** The article mentions the “daunting” task of choosing the theme but doesn’t elaborate on the challenges Morales faced or specific considerations he had to make.

* **Conclude with a stronger call to action:** While the article ends on a reflective note, it could conclude with a more concrete call to action, encouraging readers to attend the parade or learn more about volunteering opportunities.



this is a well-written and informative article that effectively celebrates Ed Morales and the spirit of the Rose Parade. With a few tweaks, it could become even more impactful.

Leave a Replay