Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have unveiled “Soaring as One,” their 78th entry in the world-famous Rose Parade. Since 1949, the schools' joint program has produced the parade’s only student-designed and student-built float. The 2027 design features giant flying and flightless birds taking to the sky together in a celebration of inclusivity, acceptance and belonging. Allyson Jane Castillo (‘26, mechanical engineering), president of the Pomona Rose Float team, says the story reflects the program’s inclusive spirit, where “everyone has a place, every contribution matters, and together we can create something greater than what any of us can achieve alone.” The 2026 Rose Float team’s entry, “Jungle Jumpstart,” won the Sweepstakes Award, the parade’s top honor.

This article was originally published by Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on September 17, 2026.