GROVES — With a crown on her head, it’s official … Tori Tinsley is “representing.”

“I’ve just been so excited. It’s been my dream to represent my city,” said Tinsley, the newly-crowned Texas Pecan Festival Queen.

She took the title at this past weekend’s pageant and said she plans to be at Lions Park throughout the festival this weekend, including when Sandy Calamia’s Danceworks performs on Saturday. It’s familiar ground for Tinsley.

“As soon as I could walk, I’ve been at that festival every year,” she said.

Tinsley, 15, is a sophomore at Port Neches-Groves High School. She is the daughter of Monroe and Sandy Tinsley and was the 2000 Texas Pecan Duchess and the 2006 Texas Pecan Princess. She received the title of Miss Dance at the 2009 KAR Houston Dance Competition.

Her mother, Sandy, is co-director of the studio and Tinsley is an assistant teacher.

“I’m here at least three times a week for hours. I especially love the little bitty kids,” she said. “I do lyrical, tap, jazz, ballet, clogging and hip hop. I feel like it is my passion in life. Dance relieves stress. It’s just fun. It’s something I hope to pursue.”

This queen says she’s a regular girl.

“I’m just an average, regular, typical high school student teenage girl. I like doing anything that’s fun, supporting school football games … just you know, the normal,” Tinsley said.

The Groves Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Center has released complete pageant results:

Texas Pecan Queen:  Tori Nicole Tinsley                      

1st Runner Up:  Kelsey Lynn Cross                                  

2nd Runner Up:  Mariah Elise Kyler