Rose Festival Ladies in Waiting

Laurel Shea Strawn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Mark Strawn and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Morris Gary of Tyler and the late Jacqueline Everitt Gary, is a sophomore student at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is majoring in kinesiology. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor societies.

Miss Strawn is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, where she served as executive vice president of the Student Senate her senior year. She was class vice president for three years and a two-year member of the National Honor Society, serving as executive director her senior year. Miss Strawn was a three-year member of the REL varsity volleyball team, receiving academic All-State recognition in 2006 and academic All-District in 2004 and 2005. She was selected to the 2006 All East Texas Volleyball Team, honorable mention, and second team All-District in 2006. She was a member of the varsity track team, placing in District 12-5A in high jump for 2004 and 2005. She was named Miss REL High School, was a finalist for homecoming queen and was class beauty for three years. She was also a four-year member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Miss Strawn is a member of Green Acres Baptist Church. She has volunteered with Make a Wish of North Texas, Animal Rescue Fund, Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas, PATH, and was co-chairman of the Robert E. Lee Blood Drive benefiting Stewart Regional Blood Center. She attended Camp Longhorn for five years. In previous Rose Festivals, Miss Strawn has served as junior hostess at the Queen's Tea.

Family members who have participated in past Rose Festivals include her brother, Collin Gary Strawn, 2004 escort; brother, John Britton Strawn, 1992 trainbearer to the queen and 2002 escort; mother, Susan Gary Strawn, 1973 lady-in-waiting, 1989 Wardrobe properties chairman, 1990 and 1995 Order of the Rose Ball Committee, 1991 Wardrobe Committee doorkeeper, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2001 Queen's Tea Committee, 2003 Cast Party co-chairman, and 2007 Ladies' Luncheon Committee; father, Mark Strawn, member of the Order of the Rose; uncle, Andrew Everitt Gary, 1975, 1976 and 1979 escort; aunt, Dana Hutchins Gary, 1979 duchess; grandmother, Jacqueline Gary, 1971 Rose Show chairman, 1972 Coronation chairman, and Coronation script writer for several years; and grandfather, Morris Gary, member of the Order of the Rose.

Tyler relatives include her grandparents, Morris and P.J. Gary.

Laurel Shea Strawn
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