Jasmin's Princess Coronation

Jasmin Reyes-Contreras, Class of 2026, represents Roosevelt High School as the 2026 Rose Festival Princess. A dedicated student leader, advocate, and community voice, Jasmin’s time at Roosevelt has been defined by her commitment to uplifting others, strengthening student leadership, and creating meaningful change within the Roosevelt community and beyond.

Throughout high school, Jasmin has taken on a wide range of leadership roles at Roosevelt, culminating in her service as Student Body President during her senior year. She previously served as Student Body Secretary and School Spirit Commissioner, building a strong foundation in student leadership. She has been deeply involved in strengthening student leadership during her time at Roosevelt, contributing to the continued growth and visibility of the student council. As this year’s football student section leader, she helped bring a high level of energy and participation to games, contributing to a strong sense of school pride. Through both organizing events and leading from the student section, she has been a visible and active presence in student life.

Jasmin with the 2025 Giving Tree gifts

Jasmin’s leadership within Roosevelt has also extended into the surrounding community. She is a co-founder of The Giving Tree, a student-led winter charity organized by Roosevelt’s student council that has supported more than 200 low-income students across Roosevelt’s feeder schools, from kindergarten through 8th grade. Through the program, families submit requests for needed items, and volunteers are matched with elementary school students to provide gifts and support during the winter season. The project requires extensive coordination and many hours outside of school, with Jasmin playing a central role in organizing and carrying it through each year.

Beyond Roosevelt, Jasmin has taken on leadership roles at the state and national level. As the Oregon State Representative to the National Student Council, she serves as the single student selected to represent Oregon, bringing the perspectives of high school students across the state to a national audience. Through this role, she traveled to Washington, DC on a fully funded trip to speak on Capitol Hill in support of continued Title I funding. She later provided testimony at the Oregon State Capitol in support of House Bill 4154, aimed at improving attendance policies statewide. She has also used social media to connect with student leaders across the country, encouraging students from similar backgrounds to get involved in their communities and pursue their goals.

Jasmin in Washington DC with the National Student Council

In addition, Jasmin has spoken at elementary and middle schools, community events, and large-scale conferences. She served as an MC and speaker at the LEAD Conference, a student leadership conference that brings together more than 2,000 student leaders from across the country, where she addressed a large audience of her peers. She has also spoken at events including the Building Bridges event, a community dialogue initiative focused on connection and addressing challenges within local communities, the PPS teacher strike, and other student-led demonstrations.

One of the moments she is most proud of during her time at Roosevelt was organizing a local “ICE OUT” protest as part of National Shutdown Day. With only two days to prepare, the event brought together more than 500 participants, primarily students. Jasmin delivered a speech in both English and Spanish, showing support for the immigrant community and emphasizing that students will continue to stand up for one another.

During the summer before her senior year, Jasmin studied abroad in Morocco through a fully funded scholarship opportunity. She credits the support of her community in Portland for making that experience possible, including the many individuals who contributed and encouraged her along the way.

Jasmin at the Oregon State Capitol

Jasmin’s achievements have been recognized through several honors. She was awarded the RESPECT Program Student of the Month twice, a program founded by Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard that emphasizes showing up, working hard, and being kind. She was also selected as Oregon’s featured Beat The Odds Scholar, a recognition given to students who have overcome significant challenges while staying on track to graduate and pursue higher education. As part of this honor, Jasmin’s story was highlighted through a short documentary capturing her life and experiences. She has also been a student-athlete, earning PIL Honorable Mention recognition in volleyball as a varsity athlete.

Outside of her many commitments, Jasmin prioritizes time for herself as a way of self-care. She enjoys working out and lifting weights, finding strength and confidence through physical activity. She also enjoys singing, often taking time at night to sing and unwind. These routines help her end each day on a positive note, no matter what the day has brought.

Growing up, Jasmin experienced instability in her life, including witnessing the impact of drug addiction within her family. She describes these experiences as shaping her resilience and determination, pushing her to work hard and create a better future for herself. That sense of purpose continues to guide her work today.

Jasmin's Senior Photo

Jasmin plans to attend Barnard College, Columbia University’s women’s college in New York City. She is interested in studying Public Policy and Latino Studies, with a focus on advocacy for education in low-income communities, and is also considering coursework in Ethnic Studies. Her experiences in student leadership have sparked an interest in possibly running for public office.

As Roosevelt’s 2026 Rose Festival Princess, Jasmin Reyes-Contreras has played an active role in student leadership, advocacy, and community efforts throughout her time at Roosevelt. Her impact is reflected both within the school and in the broader community she has worked to support.