Amanda Hiles surrounded by fellow Apache Belles. (courtesy photo)

Tyler Junior College Freshman Amanda Elaine Hiles was named the 85th Texas Rose Queen.

Hiles was formally announced as Rose Queen during a press conference and gala on Thursday night at Willow Brook Country Club.

Hiles learned of her role in the 85th Texas Rose Festival during Apache Belles rehearsal in early November and it has been a closely guarded secret since then.

Texas Rose Festival President Brad Curtis — along with a small entourage of Rose Festival officials, members of the Hiles family and a huge bouquet of roses — made a surprise visit to the TJC main campus to drop in on the rehearsal.

“Ladies, my name is Brad Curtis,” he said to the group, “and next year I have the privilege of being president of the Texas Rose Festival. One of the jobs of the president of the Texas Rose Festival is to select a queen. It’s probably the most important job of the president, and it’s a tough job because the candidate doesn’t just need to be from Tyler, she needs to be a proud Tylerite who loves her city.”

He then called Hiles from the group and asked, “Would you be my queen?”

She immediately answered yes and the room erupted in applause and the newly chosen Rose Queen disappeared into a group hug from her fellow Apache Belles.

“Amanda is the first TJC student ever to be named Rose Queen, and I can’t think of a more perfect choice to represent our college and the city of Tyler,” Apache Belles Director Jasilyn Schaefer said.

Hiles’ mother, Stacy Hiles, said it was important to share the moment with the Apache Belles.

“We are honored and so humbled to be a part of the Texas Rose Festival and we couldn’t do this without her Apache Belle family,” Stacy Hiles said, “These girls are like sisters, and it was such a special moment that we wanted to include them.”

The Texas Rose Festival has been a longtime tradition in Amanda’s family.

“My mother was a lady in waiting, my aunt was queen, I was a train bearer when I was little, my older brother was an escort, and last year my sister was a lady in waiting,” Amanda Hiles said. “Our whole family has been involved in the Rose Festival for many years.”