Posted 11:57 pm Saturday, January 05, 2013
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Festival announces 2013’s court, theme
Rachel Vanderpool Clyde, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Nelson Clyde IV, will preside as queen over the 2013 Texas Rose Festival, featuring the theme “Raindrops on Roses and other favorite things,” TRF President Randy Grooms announced during a news conference Friday at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden Center.
Taylor Brooke Carroll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Carroll, will serve as duchess of the rose growers, he said.
Miss Clyde, 18, attends the University of Texas at Austin and Miss Carroll, 18, attends Baylor University.
Miss Clyde said the rose festival has been near and dear to her family, starting with her great-grandparents.
“For me to have the opportunity to be your queen and represent not only the festival but the city of Tyler is an honor and privilege,” she said.
“Throughout the years, I’ve noticed not only how the festival brings the community together, but I’ve also been aware of what a tremendous role the rose industry has played in advancing the reputation of our city.”
Miss Clyde’s family history in the festival dates back to 1939. Many in her family have participated in the festival, including, most recently, her sister Sarah Elizabeth Clyde, who served as queen of the 2008 Texas Rose Festival.
Miss Clyde said she wanted to thank her parents for allowing her the privilege and Grooms for choosing her as this year’s queen. She also commended festival workers, volunteers and community members.
“I’m really looking forward to enjoying this year’s events with my friends, our community and the new friends I hope to make. I look forward to a wonderful year full of fun and excitement,” she said.
Miss Carroll said the rose festival was always one of the highlights of her younger years, and she, too, considers it a great honor to be part of it this year.
“Having been surrounded by roses all my life, I fully appreciate the beauty of the rose,” she said. “The flower holds a timeless elegance that speaks for itself. I am honored and excited to represent the rose industry as the 2013 … duchess.”
Miss Carroll also thanked volunteers and supporters of the festival and Tyler Rose Museum.
After the announcement, members of the court and their families attended the 21st annual Winter Gala, benefiting the Tyler Rose Museum. The museum is a nonprofit organization built solely on private donations. Since it opened in 1992, it has had more than 300,000 visitors.
Taylor Brooke Carroll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Carroll, will serve as duchess of the rose growers, he said.
Miss Clyde, 18, attends the University of Texas at Austin and Miss Carroll, 18, attends Baylor University.
Miss Clyde said the rose festival has been near and dear to her family, starting with her great-grandparents.
“For me to have the opportunity to be your queen and represent not only the festival but the city of Tyler is an honor and privilege,” she said.
“Throughout the years, I’ve noticed not only how the festival brings the community together, but I’ve also been aware of what a tremendous role the rose industry has played in advancing the reputation of our city.”
Miss Clyde’s family history in the festival dates back to 1939. Many in her family have participated in the festival, including, most recently, her sister Sarah Elizabeth Clyde, who served as queen of the 2008 Texas Rose Festival.
Miss Clyde said she wanted to thank her parents for allowing her the privilege and Grooms for choosing her as this year’s queen. She also commended festival workers, volunteers and community members.
“I’m really looking forward to enjoying this year’s events with my friends, our community and the new friends I hope to make. I look forward to a wonderful year full of fun and excitement,” she said.
Miss Carroll said the rose festival was always one of the highlights of her younger years, and she, too, considers it a great honor to be part of it this year.
“Having been surrounded by roses all my life, I fully appreciate the beauty of the rose,” she said. “The flower holds a timeless elegance that speaks for itself. I am honored and excited to represent the rose industry as the 2013 … duchess.”
Miss Carroll also thanked volunteers and supporters of the festival and Tyler Rose Museum.
After the announcement, members of the court and their families attended the 21st annual Winter Gala, benefiting the Tyler Rose Museum. The museum is a nonprofit organization built solely on private donations. Since it opened in 1992, it has had more than 300,000 visitors.
Lonny Uzzell, Tyler Rose Museum board president, said the purpose of Friday night was to showcase the rich history and tradition of Tyler, the rose industry and the rose festival.
He said there were many hardships in the early days of the rose industry, and the pageantry of the Texas Rose Festival brought that to something that has great memories for people dating back to the 1930s.
Grooms also spoke to attendees about the importance of the rose industry in Tyler and the Tyler Rose Museum.
“We’re here tonight to support the Tyler Rose Museum, and the museum does an incredible job of documenting Tyler’s long heritage in the rose industry,” he told the crowd.
“And seeing as though we’re the rose capital of the nation, it’s my opinion it’s very important to support this organization.”
He said he’s learned that Tyler will produce about one-fifth of the nation’s rose bushes, and Tyler processes three-fourths of the nation’s rose bushes. Producers believe the economic impact of the rose industry in Tyler is more than $25 million annually, Grooms said.
“We live in an amazing community, and the festival showcases our city by inviting people from across the nation each year to visit and experience its beauty and friendly people …” he said.
“These are two extremely important organizations in our community, and they are both a part of who we are as a community. As 2013 marks the 80th anniversary of the Texas Rose Festival, we should all be extremely proud of the legacy and tradition that the festival brings to our community and salute all of those that have worked so hard during the last 80 years to make Tyler and the Texas Rose Festival synonymous throughout the state of Texas.”
The ladies-in-waiting, who will serve in the 2013 Texas Rose Festival, also were announced Friday.
He said there were many hardships in the early days of the rose industry, and the pageantry of the Texas Rose Festival brought that to something that has great memories for people dating back to the 1930s.
Grooms also spoke to attendees about the importance of the rose industry in Tyler and the Tyler Rose Museum.
“We’re here tonight to support the Tyler Rose Museum, and the museum does an incredible job of documenting Tyler’s long heritage in the rose industry,” he told the crowd.
“And seeing as though we’re the rose capital of the nation, it’s my opinion it’s very important to support this organization.”
He said he’s learned that Tyler will produce about one-fifth of the nation’s rose bushes, and Tyler processes three-fourths of the nation’s rose bushes. Producers believe the economic impact of the rose industry in Tyler is more than $25 million annually, Grooms said.
“We live in an amazing community, and the festival showcases our city by inviting people from across the nation each year to visit and experience its beauty and friendly people …” he said.
“These are two extremely important organizations in our community, and they are both a part of who we are as a community. As 2013 marks the 80th anniversary of the Texas Rose Festival, we should all be extremely proud of the legacy and tradition that the festival brings to our community and salute all of those that have worked so hard during the last 80 years to make Tyler and the Texas Rose Festival synonymous throughout the state of Texas.”
The ladies-in-waiting, who will serve in the 2013 Texas Rose Festival, also were announced Friday.
Members of the Tyler Court are Miss Catherine Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Ms. Mary Holland Zorn; Miss Blakely Elizabeth Braughton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin S. Braughton; Miss Caroline Blanche Brookshire, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Britton Parker Brookshire; Miss Catherine Ruth Butschi, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brett Alan Stratton and Mr. Brian Scott Butschi, Miss Courtney Carr Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott Davis; Miss Elise Helene Gerard, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Roy Dupuy Gerard Jr.; Miss Hannah Blythe Greenberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Greenberg; Miss Hannah Elizabeth Hightower, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Russell Hightower; Miss Rachel LaRae Johnston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Ray Johnston; Miss Alex Lipscomb, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Lipscomb; Miss Kerrill Lauren Mueller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dana Mueller; Miss Kathryn Ann Nelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brett Eric Nelson; Miss Hanna Renea Riley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wilson Riley and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Wayne Wright;
Miss Regan Brooke Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Glen Smith; and Miss Taylor Dawn Tillson, daughter of Ms. Rebecca Ann Snider Tillson and Mr. Lee Tolbert Tillson.
The queen’s attendants for the 2013 festival are Master George Philip Moore Brownlow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Casey Brownlow; Miss Riley Brooke Rayzor, daughter of Mr. and Mr. Julian Richard Rayzor; Miss Merritt Elizabeth Dial, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David S. Dial; Miss Claire Ann Malone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Shea Malone; Miss Sophia Grace Saunders, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark W. Saunders; and Master Elijah Anderson Saunders, son of Dr. and Mrs. Mark W. Saunders.
Officers and executive committee members for the 2013 festival are Grooms, president; Preston Smith, executive vice president of coronation; Harold Bertram, vice president of rose activities; Ken Waits, vice president of men’s luncheon; Ray Cozby, treasurer; Kelley Brownlow, administrative assistant; Tab Lawhorn, Strutters president; and Julie Dawson, executive director.
Miss Regan Brooke Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Glen Smith; and Miss Taylor Dawn Tillson, daughter of Ms. Rebecca Ann Snider Tillson and Mr. Lee Tolbert Tillson.
The queen’s attendants for the 2013 festival are Master George Philip Moore Brownlow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Casey Brownlow; Miss Riley Brooke Rayzor, daughter of Mr. and Mr. Julian Richard Rayzor; Miss Merritt Elizabeth Dial, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David S. Dial; Miss Claire Ann Malone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Shea Malone; Miss Sophia Grace Saunders, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark W. Saunders; and Master Elijah Anderson Saunders, son of Dr. and Mrs. Mark W. Saunders.
Officers and executive committee members for the 2013 festival are Grooms, president; Preston Smith, executive vice president of coronation; Harold Bertram, vice president of rose activities; Ken Waits, vice president of men’s luncheon; Ray Cozby, treasurer; Kelley Brownlow, administrative assistant; Tab Lawhorn, Strutters president; and Julie Dawson, executive director.
