Duchesses
Each year, the festival hosts visiting royalty from neighboring communities and occasionally from communities from far away. These young ladies and their escorts are typically sponsored by local organizations and family members to participate in the Tyler County Dogwood Festival as Duchesses in the festival's royal court. Visiting royalty will be invited to attend various functions hosted by community organizations within Tyler County for several days leading up to the coronation ceremony where they will tour our beautiful county, eat some fabulous local food, and make friendships that will last a lifetime. The duchesses and their escorts will also participate in the parade and be presented on stage during the coronation ceremony.
For more information about participating as a duchess, contact Carrie Standley or Candace Dagle.
2024 Duchesses
J'Lee Carol Vaughn
Royal Duchess
Representing Kyle, Texas
Escort: Ashton Dickens
J'Lee Vaughn will represent Kyle, Texas as a Royal Duchess on the 81st Dogwood Royal Court. J'Lee is the daughter of Janna Kerr and Chris Tinsley and Elmo and Deanna Cravey. J'Lee's mother Janna Kerr was the 2003 Tyler County Dogwood Queen. J'Lee's escort during the festival will be Ashton Dickens, son of Alexis Jennings and Eric Dickens of Lockhart, Texas.
Ashley Davis
Representing Spring, Texas
Escort: Logan Primrose
Returning to the festival from Spring, Texas is Duchess Ashley Davis. Ashley is the daughter of Amanda and Alex Davis. Ashley attended Woodville ISD through May of 2021. She is a senior at Grand Oaks High School where she has been a member of the cross country team. Her escort during the festival will be Logan Primrose, son of Sarah and Stanley Russell of Woodville, Texas.
Ke-Tanah Thompson
Representing the Alabama-Coushatta
Tribe of Texas
Escort: Bartholomew Sylestine
The 81st Tyler County Dogwood Festival welcomes Duchess Ke-Tanah Thompson of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Ke-Tanah is the daughter of Traci and Brent Thompson. She is a senior at Woodville High School and currently plays second base for the Woodville Lady Eagle Softball Team. Ke-Tanah's escort during the festival will be Bart Sylestine son of Rashyal and Frank Sylestine. Bart is also a senior at Woodville High School and has committed to play football for at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas in the Fall.
Emma Shirley
Representing Kirbyville, Texas
Escort: Samuel Ben Standley
Duchess Emma Shirley comes to the festival from Kirbyville, Texas. Emma is the daughter of Jason and Angela Shirley and the granddaughter of Debbie and Jerry Yancey and Janie and JP Shirley all of Woodville. She will be escorted by Sam Standley, son of Carrie and Matt Standley of Warren. Sam attends Warren High School.
Lily LeBlanc
Representing Beaumont, Texas
Escort: Jack Andrew Arnold
Duchess Lily LeBlanc will represent Beaumont in the 81st festival. Lily is the daughter of Christie Hastings LeBlanc and the late Chris Mark LeBlanc. Jack Arnold will escort Lily during the festival. Jack is the son of Jenna and Chad Kenesson Arnold of Houston and the grandson of Huntley Kenesson, formerly of Woodville, and the late Judy Kenesson. Jack's aunt, Laura Kenneson Jackson, was crowned as the Tyler County Dogwood Queen in 1998.
Laurel Elisabeth Weaver
Representing Lumberton, Texas
Escort: Ty Michael Cox
Duchess Laural Weaver returns to the festival as a representative of Lumberton, Texas. She is the daughter of Amanda and Ryan Weaver of Lumberton and the granddaughter of Cathy Weaver of Woodville and the late Tommy Weaver and Sondra and Michael Williams also of Woodville. Laural has served as lead varsity athletic trainer and varsity tennis captain for the Lumberton Raiders and plans to attend Blinn College in the Fall to study sports management. Her escort during the festival will be Ty Cox, son of Heather and Steven Cox of Lumberton.
Amy Paige Brandimarte
Representing Beaumont, Texas
Escort: Jason Glenn Norman, Jr
Duchess Amy Brandimarte will be representing Beaumont in this year's Dogwood festival. Amy is the daughter of Dr. Julie Brandimarte and Alfred Brandimarte. Amy's escort during the festival will be Jason Norman, Jr., son of Kesha and Jason Norman also of Beaumont.
Jeannette Belt
Representing Houston, Texas
Escort: Cutter Lowe
Duchess Jeannette Belt will represent Houston in this year's festival. Jeannette is the daughter of Alex Belt and Robert Belt. She is the granddaughter of the late Edna and Bob Belt and the niece of Darla and Wales Dear of Woodville. Her escort during the festival will be Cutter Lowe of Chester. Cutter is the son of Laura David also of Chester and Teri and Stacy Lowe of Lufkin.
Sara Shepherd
Representing Bullard, Texas
Escort: Trevor Hatton
Duchess Sara Shepherd will represent the Bullard in the 2024 festival. Sara is the daughter of Christine and Benji Shepherd. Trevor Hatton, son of Karen and Rusty Hatton of Woodville, will serve as Sara's escort during the festival.
Kaitlyn Ann Thibodaux
Representing Beaumont, Texas
Escort: Gavin Ramsey
Duchess Kaitlyn Thibodaux comes to the festival from the city of Beaumont. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Kathy and Drake Thibodaux. Her escort during the festival will be Gavin Rumsey, son of Amanda and Mike Rumsey of Beaumont.
Allyson Russell
Representing Kirbyville, Texas
Escort: Jathan Traylor
Representing Kirbyville will be Duchess Allyson Russell. Allyson is the daughter of Alysha and Chris McCall. Jathan Traylor, son of Ashley Traylor and Chad Traylor, will escort Allyson during the festival. Jathan attends Woodville High School and is the grandson of Debbie and Jerry Yancey of Woodville. Allyson and Jathan will both be joined by cousin Emma Shirley of Kirbyville, also serving as a member of the 2024 Royal Court.
Maddalen Charles
Representing Carrington, North Dakota
Escort: Ryan Hamilton
Representing the Carrington, North Dakota is Duchess Maddalen Charles. Maddalen is the daughter of Shannon and Michael Charles. Escorting Maddalen will be Ryan Hamilton of Colmesneil.
Isabella Grace Duke
Representing Beaumont, Texas
Escort: Caden Bryce Carney
From the city of Beaumont, comes Duchess Isabella Duke. Bella is the daughter of Shelley and Andy Duke. She will be escorted by Caden Carney, son of Emily and Brent Carney of Huntington. Caden attends Huntington High School and is the grandson of Kaye and Charles Spurlock of Hillister. Caden's mother Emily, was the 1992 Western Weekend Sweetheart.
Jana Belle Haynes
Representing Brookeland, Texas
Escort: Coby Anthony
Duchess Jana Haynes will represent Brookeland, Texas in the 2024 festival. Jana is the daughter of Sarah and Ernest Haynes. Coby Anthony, son of Ashley Aucoin of Spurger, will serve as Jana's escort during the festival.
Paisley Danna
Representing Lumberton, Texas
Escort: Nathan Shaw
From the city of Lumberton, comes Duchess Paisley Danna. Paisley is the daughter of Belinda and Chris Danna. Nathan Shaw of Lumberton will serve as Paisley's escort during the festival. He is the son of Julie and Nate Shaw and the grandson of Don Shaw of Woodville and the late Blanche Shaw.
Nadrea White Thunder
Representing the Alabama-Coushatta
Tribe of Texas
Escort: Nicholas Walker
Duchess Nadrea White Thunder will be representing the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in the 2024 festival. Nadrea is the daughter of Sunny White Thunder. Her escort during the festival will be Nicholas Walker, son of Nacole and Shawn Walker.
Abby Stephens
Representing Silsbee, Texas
Escort: Reid Martinez
Representing Silsbee in the 2024 festival will be Duchess Abby Stephens. Abby is the daughter of Edee and Randall Stephens. Reid Martinez, son of Lisa and Derek Martinez of Silsbee, will serve as Abby's escort during the festival.
Loni Antoinette Ella Briggs
Representing Beaumont, Texas
Escort: Collin O'Neil Roberts
Duchess Loni Briggs comes to the festival from the city of Beaumont. She is the daughter of Camille and Lionelle Briggs. Loni will be escorted by Collin Roberts also of Beaumont. Collin is the son of Angell and Christopher Roberts.
Kylie Brown
Representing Flower Mound, Texas
Escort: Karson Fowler
Duchess Kylie Brown will represent Flower Mound in the 81st festival. Kylie is the daughter of Donna and Jeff Hastings of Flower Mound. Her escort during the festival will be Karson Fowler. Karson is the son of Jinger and Kris Fowler. Karson attends Woodville High School. Karson's cousin Emma McClure will also be joining him as a member of the 2024 Royal Court.
Aiylah Polite-Robinson
Representing the Alabama-Coushatta
Tribe of Texas
Escort: Tavian Battise
From the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas comes Duchess Aiylah Polite-Robinson. Aiylah is the daughter Candice and Manning Robinson. She is a Senior at Woodville High School. Her escort during the festival will be Tavian Battise. Tavian is the son of Kendi Battise and the late Daniel Battise.
Faith Teller
Representing Dallardsville, Texas
Escort: Javen Criswell
Representing Dallardsville, Texas, we welcome Duchess Faith Gellar. Faith is the daughter of Amanda and Simon Gellar. Her escort during the festival is Javen Criswell son of Ruby Thompson. Faith and Javen both attend Big Sandy High School.
Kaylar Steltz
Representing Beaumont, Texas
Escort: Kaden Satterwhite
Duchess Kaylar Steltz will represent the city of Beaumont. Kaylar is the daughter of Alisha Steltz and Rita Hough-Steltz. She will be escorted by Kaden Satterwhite, son of Tiffany Borel and Mitch Satterwhite Kaden is student at Woodville High School.