2025 Rose Parade Float Riders and About Our Float
Artist rendering of Shriners Children's "Hope Shines On" 2025 Rose Parade float.
About Our Float
For the 14th consecutive year, Shriners Children’s will participate in the 136th Rose Parade presented by Honda. Twelve representatives will ride on the float entitled Hope Shines On. The float captures the transformative power of the care we provide at Shriners Children's, inspiring our patients to dream of a bright, joyful future full of endless opportunities.
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How to Watch the Parade
Float Concept Description/Why Our Theme Was Chosen
Picture a world where color, hope and joy reign supreme, where every day holds the promise of something wonderful. This is the world Shriners Children's creates for our patients. Our float embodies this magical journey toward a brighter tomorrow, showcasing the life-changing power of resilience.
Imagine a lush tropical paradise, teeming with life. A working waterfall cascades down one side of the float, creating a soothing background melody that washes away the challenges of the past and makes way for optimism and confidence. Brilliant birds take flight overhead, while butterflies flit and flutter through the air, their iridescent wings shimmering in the sunlight. Amid this magical oasis, a school of colorful fish swims playfully through the crystal-clear waters, adding to the sense of wonder and enchantment. Delicate greenery in the shape of hearts sprouts from the float's landscape, a poignant symbol of the compassion and care that fuel Shriners Children's mission. Palm trees sway gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling as they reach for the sky, just like our patients reach for their dreams. Beautiful seashells glisten beneath the float's shimmering shore, a reminder of the treasures that lie within each child, waiting to be discovered and nurtured.
This float is more than just a display made of roses – it is a metaphor for growth and the boundless potential that blossoms when a child is given the chance to thrive. Just as an oasis flourishes in the desert, so too do our patients bloom into their brightest selves at Shriners Children's.
Float riders include two young people who embody the hope and healing at the heart of the Shriners Children's mission. Paige and Grayson, our International Patient Ambassadors, have faced incredible challenges, but with the help of Shriners Children's, they have not only overcome, but thrived. Their stories of perseverance, determination and triumph serve as a testament to the amazing care Shriners Children's provides.
Paige's journey, marked by over 20 surgeries and the challenges of living with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, is a shining example of the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity and emerge stronger. Despite the obstacles she has faced, Paige has become a leader and an inspiration to others, spreading awareness and offering support to those navigating similar challenges. Grayson, born with physical differences that could have limited him, has never let his challenges define his path. With the help of his care team and the unwavering support of his family, he has embraced life with gusto, pursuing his passions and aspirations with confidence and determination. As they look to the future, Paige and Grayson are eager to inspire and support other young people facing similar journeys.
Accompanying Paige and Grayson on the float and representing our fraternity are Imperial Potentate Richard Burke and First Lady Judy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Leslie Stewart, M.D., and other special guests. Together, this group represents the Shriners Children's community, united in the mission to create a world of unlimited potential for children from around the world.
How Our Float’s Theme Relates to the Rose Parade Theme
Imagine a world where every day is the best day ever, where joy and excitement replace apprehension, and where the boundaries of what's possible seem to disappear. This is the world Shriners Children's creates for the children and families we serve. The Rose Parade's theme, Best Day Ever, is about more than just a fleeting moment of joy – it's about the kind of life-changing experiences that fill every day with wonder and promise.
At Shriners Children's, we believe that every child deserves to experience the best day ever, every day. Our care is designed to help children overcome the challenges they face, meet their goals and experience the joy, wonder and limitless potential that every day should hold. Our float’s theme is Hope Shines On because it is a living, breathing representation of this vision, a vibrant representation of the power of hope for our patients.
As the world watches the Rose Parade, our tropical oasis will come to life, delightfully displaying the uplifting power of hope, the magic of the human spirit and the incredible things that can happen when we believe in the chance of a brighter tomorrow. For the children and families of Shriners Children's, every day is a chance to experience the best day ever, to step into a world of color and possibility, and to discover the joy of living beyond limits. This is the message our float will carry to the millions watching the Rose Parade, a celebration of the empowerment, healing and transformation that happens every day at Shriners Children's, where Hope Shines On.
Float Rider Profiles
Paige
International Patient Ambassador, Shriners Children's
Paige, 19, is a college student from Louisiana. When she was 8, she experienced an allergic reaction to a newly prescribed seizure medication. She was rushed to the hospital with a 104 degree fever and her skin slowly blistering off her body. Her diagnosis was Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a painful and rare condition described as burning from the inside out. With the worst form of SJS, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Paige developed a life-threatening rash that eventually covered 80% of her body and mimicked the effects of a severe burn injury. Doctors knew her best chance of survival was to transfer her to Shriners Children’s Texas.
Over the years, Paige has had over 20 surgeries and spent years going in and out of the hospital for treatment. Paige experiences the lingering effects of SJS, including issues with her vision. But this hasn’t stopped her from accomplishing her goals and enjoying life. Her parents and brothers are a constant source of strength, but her care team has become like a second family to Paige. She became a Patient Ambassador for Shriners Children’s Texas, a role that helped her strengthen her determination to succeed, and gives her a platform to spread awareness about SJS. She is dedicated to helping children facing similar battles, including bullying from peers that often accompanies these types of conditions. “To me, being a leader means that you have the will, the want, and the power to make a difference,” said Paige.
Grayson
International Patient Ambassador, Shriners Children's
Grayson, 20, was born in Kiev, Ukraine, without a femur, making his right leg significantly shorter than his left. He was also born missing two fingers on his left hand. At 15 months, he met his parents while living in an orphanage in Ukraine. His parents were ready to adopt and aware that Grayson would need specialized medical care. His mom, Ceci, contacted the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services department at Shriners Children’s Lexington for help.
After arriving in the U.S., Grayson had surgery to remove part of his foot and rework his ankle to suit a prosthetic leg. His mom said the medical center has always made it easy for Grayson to get the care he needs, especially remaining accessible at any time to make adjustments to his prosthetics for comfort, fit and function.
Today, thanks to some help from his care team and a lot of personal perseverance, Grayson never lets his physical differences hold him back. He has tried everything from swimming to football, soccer, basketball, baseball and cross-country running. He’s been active in 4-H and enjoys shooting sports. Grayson is an Eagle Scout and enjoys rock climbing, hiking, bicycling and skiing. “Shriners Children’s Lexington has been a part of my life from the very beginning,” Grayson said. “Shriners Children’s has literally given me the legs to be my fullest self. I am forever grateful for everything they have done for me.”
Kaleb
Patient Ambassador, Shriners Children's
Kaleb is a funny and brilliant 16-year-old boy who’s leit motiv is “Live life to the fullest!” Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, he has overcome more than 270 fractures and 13 surgeries. But that doesn’t stop him from being the bubbly boy he is. His condition isn’t a limitation to what he can achieve. The sky is the limit!
He is a proud ambassador of Shriners Children’s and has been featured in many television commercials and digital advertising. He is currently in 11th grade, attending Vincent Massey Collegiate (VMC) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. An active member of the VMC debate club, he achieved 7th place across Canada in the 2024 French National Debate Tournament. He is also part of the leadership club as an animator to the schoolboard’s annual Leadership Camp. He’s a big fan of online gaming and loves to compete. He wishes to someday become a professional gamer while aspiring to study in communication and media art once in college. He loves reading and learning about different cultures, languages and history. He will be forever grateful to Shriners Children’s for allowing him to fully develop his potential and to live out his dreams.
Kaleb’s mom, Marie Hélène, will also be riding on the float.
Richard G. Burke, Imperial Potentate
Judy Burke, First Lady, Shriners International
Richard Burke is the Imperial Potentate, or CEO, of Shriners International, the fraternity that founded Shriners Children’s. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Children’s. He is serving in his 10th year as a member of the Board of Directors. His wife, Judy, is serving as the First Lady of Shriners International. In her role, Judy leads a fundraising program called On Angels’ Wings that supports Shriners Children‘s wrap-around burn care services.
Richard was born in Endicott, New York, and moved to Atlanta after graduating from State University of New York at Geneseo. He has worked with the same business partners for more than 32 years. He currently serves as chief information officer for Financial Operations Networks LLC, a company he and his partners founded in 2001. A life-changing event set Richard on his journey to becoming a Shriner. Richard served as the Potentate (leader) of his local chapter in 2014, and has served on many committees for Shriners International and Shriners Children’s.
Richard and Judy have been married for more than 31 years. Richard and Judy have dedicated their lives to raising awareness of Shriners International and Shriners Children’s since their granddaughter, Leah, received care for burn injuries at Shriners Children’s Ohio. They enjoy spending time with their three children, their spouses and eight grandchildren. They reside in Buford, Georgia.
Leslie D. Stewart, M.D., Chairman, Board of Trustees, Shriners Children's
Megan Stewart
Leslie D. Stewart, M.D., is the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Dr. Stewart is serving in his fifth year as a member of the Board of Trustees. His wife, Megan, is a nurse practitioner and is very involved with Shriners Children’s events and initiatives. Dr. Stewart served as his chapter’s Potentate (leader) in 2004 and is involved in many committees for Shriners International and Shriners Children’s.
Dr. Stewart received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, graduating in 1983. While there, he was involved in tumor immunology research and authored multiple refereed papers as well as research grants. He had his residency and fellowship training in general and vascular surgery at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of Pennsylvania State University. He has practiced as a general, vascular and trauma surgeon in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee for more than 35 years. Dr. Stewart has held multiple administrative positions and has been both a surgery department and trauma department chairman. In addition, he has been a consultant to numerous healthcare organizations.
Dr. Stewart has two sons, Jamison (a Master Mason) and Timothy (a Mason and Shriner). He and his wife, Megan, and their daughter Collyns live in Collierville, Tennessee.
Dennis Hewatt, Imperial Chaplain, Shriners International
Linda Hewatt
Dennis Hewatt and his wife, Linda, live in Milton, Georgia. Dennis serves as Imperial Chaplain for Shriners International. In his role, he leads the invocation and benediction for all international level Shriner events.
Dennis has a Bachelor of Business Administration, Risk Management and Insurance from University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor, John Marshall Law School. He is also a chartered property casualty underwriter and a chartered financial consultant. He worked at Nationwide Insurance Company from 1984-2005 and has owned and operated insurance agencies in Georgia and Florida since 2005.
Dennis is very involved with Shriners International and Shriners Children’s. He is Past Chairman, Board of Governors, for Shriners Children’s Ohio. He served as Potentate (leader) of his local Shriner chapter in 2019. He’s also active within other Masonic-affiliated organizations.
Dennis and Linda have been married for more than 39 years. They have two children, Michael and Amanda, and three grandchildren, Nora, Anna and Maxine.
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