CANDIDATES COURT HISTORY; 700 YOUNG WOMEN ENTER TRYOUTS FOR ROSE QUEEN.

Byline: Stephanie Cain

More than 700 young women with dreams of reigning over the coming 110th Rose Parade and 85th Rose Bowl game turned out Saturday for the season's first tryouts for the Tournament of Roses queen and royal court.

The seven-member royal court, perhaps best known for its New Year's Day ride down Colorado Boulevard in front of more than 1 million curb-side spectators, is so steeped in tradition that many young women have spent half of their young lives waiting to be part of it.

``I've waited all my life to try out,'' one candidate told the 10-member Queen & Royal Court Committee, standing rigidly as she spoke.

The initial tryouts included registration, followed by a no-more-than-20-second statement to the committee about why the candidate wanted to be a royal court member, then a quick photo session and refreshments.

The candidates remained anonymous throughout the interview process to ensure fairness.

Waiting for their number to be called, they worried about tripping in high heels and complained about ``that feeling in the pit of my stomach.''

``I'm extremely nervous,'' said 17-year-old Cherie of Pasadena. In a hushed voice, she added, ``And I can't walk in these shoes.''

``My palms are sweaty,'' said 17-year-old Raegan of Pasadena.

Committee Chairman Larry Gray knew exactly what he was looking for.

``We're looking for articulation, poise, personality, appearance, intelligence, all of which are equal factors,'' Gray said. ``This is not a beauty contest. We need someone who's going to put forth our New Year's message to the world.''

Royal court members must be single with no children, enrolled in high school or college and have at least a 2.0 grade point average. They must be at least 17 years old by Dec. 31, 1998, and not older than 21 before Jan. 2, 1999.

Rose, 17, of Altadena said she only decided recently to try out.

``I thought it would be neat to get to meet different people,'' she said. ``It just kind of struck me. I wasn't, like, a little kid who grew up thinking I'd be the Rose Queen.''

Not so for 17-year-old Cady of Sierra Madre, who said she's watched the parade for as long as she can remember.

``My sister (tried out), and she talked about going to the ball and how much fun it was,'' she said. ``It's a little strange that now I can finally try out.''

Caryn Eaves Person, spokeswoman for the Tournament of Roses, said many of the young women who try out want to be part of history.

``Hopefully, even if they don't make it, it's an experience for them,'' she said.