Holiday Turns Into Delicious Moment For Duchess
Duchess of the Rose Growers Amanda Joan Henson
By LINDSAY RANDALL
Feature Writer
For Amanda Joan Henson, family dinner on Thanksgiving wasn't just about piles of turkey, mounds of sweet potatoes and jewel-like cranberry sauce. Autumn's crowning holiday was about roses.
When her grandfather walked in with an armful of pristine roses, she was confused, but her family knew exactly what was going on. Some started crying, her grandfather gave her the flowery gift, and finally, it dawned on her that she was being asked to serve as the 2007 Duchess of the Rose Growers.
"It was a very good Thanksgiving," Miss Henson quipped.
The announcement was particularly meaningful delivered by her grandfather, Clay Ford, owner of Lakeview Rose Nursery and son to D.O. Ford, who founded one of the first rose nurseries in Tyler in 1920.
"We thought it would be special coming from him," said her mother, Donna Henson.
Miss Henson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Henson of Chandler, has been familiar with the rose industry since she was a little girl, and considers it an honor to her grandfather and local rose growers to serve as duchess.
"I'm excited for him (my grandfather) in particular," she said. "Mainly I see it as a way to honor the rose growers of this town. They're the reason we're doing this.
"We've been to the coronation since I was a little girl ... it was my favorite thing," Miss Henson said. "I'm really excited to find out about my dress!"
The duchess attends The University of Texas at Tyler, and plans to continue her education at The University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a medical degree as a physician's assistant.
She also acts as a surgical assistant with a local oral surgeon.
Miss Henson's grandfather, Ford, was president of the Rose Research Foundation in 1944 after returning from service in World War II. Her cousin, Marla Beth Ford, was Duchess of the Rose Growers in 1982.
Miss Henson was also involved in "many past rose parades" with different organizations, she said. An avid dancer, she was part of the Brownsboro High School Golden Girls Drill Team, and performed with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Feature Writer
For Amanda Joan Henson, family dinner on Thanksgiving wasn't just about piles of turkey, mounds of sweet potatoes and jewel-like cranberry sauce. Autumn's crowning holiday was about roses.
When her grandfather walked in with an armful of pristine roses, she was confused, but her family knew exactly what was going on. Some started crying, her grandfather gave her the flowery gift, and finally, it dawned on her that she was being asked to serve as the 2007 Duchess of the Rose Growers.
"It was a very good Thanksgiving," Miss Henson quipped.
The announcement was particularly meaningful delivered by her grandfather, Clay Ford, owner of Lakeview Rose Nursery and son to D.O. Ford, who founded one of the first rose nurseries in Tyler in 1920.
"We thought it would be special coming from him," said her mother, Donna Henson.
Miss Henson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Henson of Chandler, has been familiar with the rose industry since she was a little girl, and considers it an honor to her grandfather and local rose growers to serve as duchess.
"I'm excited for him (my grandfather) in particular," she said. "Mainly I see it as a way to honor the rose growers of this town. They're the reason we're doing this.
"We've been to the coronation since I was a little girl ... it was my favorite thing," Miss Henson said. "I'm really excited to find out about my dress!"
The duchess attends The University of Texas at Tyler, and plans to continue her education at The University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a medical degree as a physician's assistant.
She also acts as a surgical assistant with a local oral surgeon.
Miss Henson's grandfather, Ford, was president of the Rose Research Foundation in 1944 after returning from service in World War II. Her cousin, Marla Beth Ford, was Duchess of the Rose Growers in 1982.
Miss Henson was also involved in "many past rose parades" with different organizations, she said. An avid dancer, she was part of the Brownsboro High School Golden Girls Drill Team, and performed with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
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