All copyrighted materials included within the Handbook of Texas Online are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Jack Rhodes gives his sister Caroline, right, of . One entire side of each bedroom is covered in a bulletin board-like material that allows roommates to decorate with push pins or tape without messing up the walls. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? Previous lines have met John Wayne, Bob Hope and Troy Aikman, to name a few. For many like Thompson, dance consumes them. Many current Rangerettes are from Dallas, Austin, and Houston. They were required to wear their hair in a ponytail on top of their heads. KV: A drill team is a group that performs to music, usually as halftime entertainment at football games. Dec 2011 - 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony, Jan 2009 - Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots Ball, Washington, D.C. for the, Jan 2005 - Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots Ball, Washington, D.C. for the, Jan 2001 - Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots Ball, Washington, D.C. for the, This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 15:22. They had to pin a gigantic name tag on their solid-colored. Nothing's been the same since. What is the Rangerette practice schedule? She was not realmore of a permanent paper doll glued to the side of a beige brick building at Kilgore Collegebut she served her purpose in drawing me away from the oil museum and pulling me towards the Rangerette Museum. Regardless of class, all Rangerettes have to raise their hands when the directors speak. Regardless of who makes the squad, they all join with the knowledge that how they look is judged -- whether it's via a weight limit, or a reprimand for not wearing enough mascara. It's the kind of perfect living room your grandmother dreamed of, complete with silver candleholders, throw pillows and luxury you can almost smell. I cant imagine that someone would try out if she didnt want to follow long-standing rules. The Kilgore College Rangerettes were founded by Gussie Nell Davis, a physical education instructor from Farmersville, Texas who had previously taken an all-girl's group called the "Flaming Flashes" from being a simple high school pep-squad to an elaborately performing drum and bugle corps in Greenville, Texas. The Rangerettes are an organization that is, undoubtedly, a paradox. Said Emily Wendt, a member of the 2013-15 lines: "You can't expect your leg to hit your face every day and not have any repercussions. The Rangerettes are legendary for a very good reason, and you can learn all about why when you visit their museum on Kilgore College's campus. She reaches for the tissue packet that has been passed around the room more than the Sunday collection plate. If you change your mind, you can easily unsubscribe. While Lovett treats the 'Rettes as an artistic subject, he also captures the esprit de corps that keeps the girls smiling even when they have to march on icy pavement and prompts their mothers to wear T-shirts that proudly proclaim "Rette Mom." KV: Well, the Rangerettes appeal to people who like tradition. Daniel Kilgore is 35 years old. Many of the codes stress good mannersfor example, they are taught to smile and to say please and thank youbut the girls also learn to become conscious of the way they present themselves in public. Much of the population included the "roughnecks" of the oil industry and few families. The Official YouTube page of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes! Daniel Kilgore weighed 291 lbs (131 kg) when playing. Rangerettes return from high-kicking performance abroad O. Rufus Lovett, a fine art photographer who has taught at Kilgore College for more than thirty years, began photographing the 'Rettes in 1989. Their halftime shows have done the impossible -- surpassed the appeal of a football game in, of all places, Texas. For kick endurance, you can't run. [51], On July 1, 2021, Judge Alfonso Charles ordered Motes to pay Blair and her daughter $400,000 in compensatory damages and $175,000 in punitive damages. Injuries can be an issue. I had traveled to Kilgore to see the East Texas Oil Museuma fascinating tribute to the petrochemical wealth of East Texas and the boom that sprung serious life into this corner of the state. "I think it's given me self-confidence and it helps me get to know myself more," she said. Being a Rangerette forces a woman to push herself past the point she thought she could reach, to find a version of self-esteem that may have been lacking before. But most of the girls I spoke to had a very simple reason for trying out for Rangerettes: They are the best at what they do. The Handbook of Texas Women project has its own dedicated website and resources. Or with wet hair. As she leads the way to the sophomores' study room upstairs, Arredondo turns the corner to find a tiny scrap of white paper littering the floor. Mrs. Wayne and Mrs. Blair have worked together with the Rangerettes since 1993. Rangerettes Bring Red, White, Blue And Shades Of Gray To Cotton Bowl Kilgore, TX | The Daytripper XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? After college, Dana returned to Kilgore College and the Rangerettes in 1986. [41] Kathryn Heller Zwick is a Rangerette from Longview, Texas, who attended Kilgore College and performed with the team from 1976 to 1978. Kilgore Rangerette Museum. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Today, its fair to say that the dance team outshines their own football team in a big way. Getting accustomed to the kick expectations and the athleticism of the organization is what most Rangerettes cite as most difficult. Luckily, it has a . Kilgore College Rangerettes Performance, Kilgore, TXPublished by: Studio Glam Dance and Acrobatics, Lufkin, TX, http://StudioGlam.Dance, http://Facebook.com. KV: Organizations that are rooted in tradition tap into strong feelings that are tough to explain to outsiders. The assailant kidnapped Blair's daughter, who at the time was a Freshman Rangerette. There's an expectation of perfection that extends even to the Rangerettes' living space. In July 2005, the Zwick Foundation provided Kilgore College with a $3.5 million grant for design and construction of a new dormitory exclusively for use by the Rangerettes. Teresa Palomo Acosta, His interpretive photo essay in this book expresses his fascination with "the glamour of the Rangerettes' performances juxtaposed with the small-town atmosphere, football turf, metal bleachers, chain-link fences, and asphalt and concrete environment." Kilgore Rangerettes (@KCRangerettes) / Twitter For 76 years, the Rangerettes, who got their start by creating halftime entertainment at junior college football games, have made the weekends worth working toward. Handbook of Texas Online, The assailant, Nancy Alice Motes, was arrested on a charge of aggravated kidnapping and released on $500,000 bond on December 30, 2016. The Rangerettes were the first of their kind when they began in 1940 as a vision of the late Gussie Nell Davis. Rangerettes return from high-kicking performance abroad. "I think there's a lack of motivation to try out," said Kevelyn Jones, an African-American on the 2014-15 line. Davis created the. But once the women are chosen, a naked face is taboo. Long COVID patients turn to unproven treatments, Why evenings can be harder on people with dementia, This disease often goes under-diagnosedunless youre white, This sacred site could be Georgias first national park, See glow-in-the-dark mushrooms in Brazils other rainforest, 9 things to know about Holi, Indias most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach. Daniel Kilgore was born on December 18, 1987. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? Kilgore College Rangerettes | Kilgore TX - Facebook Perfection, or at least the pursuit of it, is what keeps the Rangerettes' bubble from popping. With her training and 26-hour drive, Thompson had already proven to herself she could do whatever the heck she put her mind to. She was on the team from 1981-1983. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire. On a Tuesday three summers ago, Thompson graduated high school. If the women weren't performing the way Davis thought they should, she would tell them to sit down and have a conversation with "Percy" -- short for perseverance. 1. And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. Some special unit of woman combatants who could shoot and ride and who defended the great state Texas from evildoers and lawlessness? I imagined, entering the museum with a wide-open mind. "Football has always been secondary at football games around here. But it's also an expression of nostalgia, and of loss. Not only does being male disqualify me, but I would never make it past the first audition. The Kilgore Rangerettes, the first women's precision drill team in the world, began in 1940 under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis, a physical-education teacher. The Rangerettes perform at Kilgore Rangers football games, but they arent as dependent upon the team as cheerleaders are. For more information, visit www.rangerette.com. This entry belongs to the following Handbook Special Projects: We are a community-supported, non-profit organization and we humbly ask for your support because the careful and accurate recording of our history has never been more important. That template included the same fundamentals the Rangerettes hold onto today: the never-ending series of high kicks, the always-popular jump split and the simple, patriotic uniforms. History | Kilgore College Rangerettes Dance performance scholarships are also available by audition through the school of Fine Arts (Dance Department), as well as scholastic scholarships and many other forms of standard student financial aid. Just as I was ready to pack up and leave Kilgore behind, I caught a glimpse of the smiling blond vision down the street, a three-story cowgirl grinning and beckoning to me with all the friendship of sunny Texas. [39] The residence was completed in August 2006[40] for the 20062007 school year, and was formally dedicated in a ceremony a few months later. "Whenever I did see my number on the sign, I just felt relieved because all my life I had wanted to be a Rangerette, and I had finally become one. I watched and listened to them repeat that exact same phrase about fifty more times during their practice, to the point of it becoming slightly alarming, or at least disconcerting. Outside judges are also brought in to assist in evaluating hopefuls during tryouts. Although constantly looking put-together and beautiful is held at a premium within the organization, it might actually take away from their athleticism. Davis served as the group's director for forty years, until June 1979. She quickly enlisted the help of local oil millionaire Liggett Crim to pay for the Rangerettes' initial costs. [43], On Saturday, October 19, 2019, a former Kilgore College Rangerette and her husband donated a $3.5 million estate gift to fund scholarships for the Rangerette organization. In addition to teaching photography at Kilgore College, Lovett works as a fine art and editorial photographer. The announcement, made in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus, culminated an abbreviated version of tryout week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They're an exclusive club in which perfectly curled hair, high kicks, years of dance training, scuffed-up white boots and small-town pride all come together to form a team filled with what the Rangerettes deem "all-American girls." To Teresa Kaelin Shore, whose daughter Catherine was on the 2014-15 line, the benefits of Rangerettes stick with her today -- so much so that she speaks about her involvement in present tense. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/kilgore-rangerettes. The Rangerettes perform at Kilgore College football games, and in many other athletic and special events, including the Cotton Bowl game, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,[7][8] and five presidential inaugurations. During practices, freshmen aren't allowed to speak. [2], The Kilgore College Rangerettes were founded by Gussie Nell Davis, a physical education instructor from Farmersville, Texas who had previously taken an all-girl's group called the "Flaming Flashes" from being a simple high school pep-squad to an elaborately performing drum and bugle corps in Greenville, Texas. ", QB Young 5-10 1/8, 204 pounds at NFL combine, Horns' Robinson: Versatility worthy of early pick, Edey leads Wooden finalists; Bama's Miller off list, 'Not going out this way': Nets, down 28, stun C's, Scherzer tries to test pitch clock limits, gets balk, Sources: Patriots tell QB Hoyer he's being cut, Shiffrin, in fifth, gets 'big goal' with overall title, Ledecky sees 9-year win streak in U.S. snapped, Inside the long-awaited return of Jon Jones and his quest for heavyweight glory, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? When the directors give instructions or criticism, Rangerettes have to respond with "Yes, ma'am, thank you. February 2023 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn? With that explosion came trouble. Alas, I had failed to call ahead and arrived to learn that the museum was closed for the day. In anticipation of the organization's 75th anniversary, filmmaker Chip Hale followed the Rangerettes for a year, creating the documentary Sweethearts of the Gridiron. There is no limit to the number of hopefuls who may attend pre-training and tryout for Rangerettes. Kilgore Rangerettes - High Kicks and Smiles "I come back and walk upstairs and I get chills. The announcement, made in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium, culminated 'tryout . A mans world? You may attend annual pre-training and tryouts a maximum of two times, and you must meet the attendance criteria for Kilgore College. Rangerette Showcase Hours: Wednesday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Extended hours during special events) For information about the Rangerette Showcase: Rangerette Showcase and Museum Phone: (903) 983-8265 Fax: (903) 983-8255 showcase@kilgore.edu Megan DeHoyos Lead Attendant Rangerette Museum and Showcase Phone: (903) 983-8266 mdehoyos@kilgore.edu And it's not uncommon for teenagers to hang out in the Wal-Mart parking lot on weekend nights. Signup today for our free newsletter, Especially Texan. Are scholarships available for Rangerettes? "We're the example. For a change of pace, discover the distinguished history of the legendary Rangerettes at the Rangerette Showcase and Museum. The anonymous donor was a Kilgore College graduate whose wife is a former Rangerette. "It used to be a town of 800 and it grew to 10,000 people overnight. 'My dream': 2019-20 Kilgore College Rangerettes announced Rangerette Showcase and Museum | Kilgore College We're going to need tissues. Whether she knows it or not, every girl who has ever dreamed of taking her place in a line of high-kicking dancers on a football field at halftime has been inspired by the Kilgore College Rangerettes, the world's first precision dance drill team. It's a bond that you can't really explain until you're immersed in it.". Bergen said. Surrounded by hopes, dreams and years of tradition, 32 young women became the newest members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes dance and drill team this morning. Many of these women were good at drill team or dance team or cheerleading in high school and had an itch to pursue drill team at Kilgore College for the same reason a basketball player might want to pursue basketball at a Big Ten or Big 12 university. An icon of Americana, the red-white-and-blue clad Rangerettes have drawn the attention of numerous photographers and writers seeking to understand the enduring appeal of a group that some might view as anachronistic. [1], In the late afternoon of December 29, 2016, there was an armed home invasion and kidnapping at Rangerette Director Dana Blair's home. [1] According to the Texas State Historical Association, Davis said she would "be receptive when a qualified black tried out. That's what the Rangerettes had been doing since the '40s. Approximately 6,000 people see the show each year, with many people traveling from out of town to attend and provide a boost to Kilgore's economy.[34][35][36][37][38]. Horenstein [30][31] and Tracie Stanfield. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Kilgore College was established in 1935 in an effort to bring more families to the town, but at football games, men would often go under the bleachers to drink and fight. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. His recent books include Unseen and Personal Best. A student at a Salt Lake City performing arts high school, Thompson took the only jazz class that was offered during her senior year and taught herself the rest of the Rangerettes' routines. There was no giggling or laughing or playing up on stagewatching the Rangerettes practice was no different than watching a US Marine boot camp where if a soldier made a misstep and forgot to say, Yes, Sir, they might have to drop and give twenty. Kicking is the foundation of what the Rangerettes do, and it's what thousands of fans come to see. ", No matter, the Rangerettes have a perception issue: Nearly every piece of their literature depicts white Rangerettes. When out-of-towners flock to AT&T Stadium each year, says Dana Blair, they get a "little bit of Texas" when the Rangerettes perform, white-tasseled cowboy boots . Where was Daniel Kilgore born? Now there just still aren't that many [who] try out. Requests for evaluations after July 15th will not be honored. It's helped me with my confidence and communication, just talking to other people.". They're part of an entity -- like the ocean or a new car -- that can only be seen in all its forms if you're actually inside of it. High Kicks Across the Color Line - Kilgore Rangerettes Integrate in The Rangerettes portray a narrow image of beauty, especially when the program's diversity is evaluated alongside it. Every Rangerette receives a partial scholarship each semester. They were not saying these lines out of heartfelt gratitude or common courtesythey were saying it because if they didnt, something horrible would happen. He wanted something that would increase female enrollment at the college but would also keep fans in their seats during football half time shows instead of drinking alcohol under the stands. They were not allowed to wear makeup except for red lipstick. The Rangerettes became a success early on despite criticisms of their uniforms featuring skirts above the knee, which by the 1960s had become much shorter. "It was in God's hands, I remember Ashton saying," Ginger Terry says before her voice breaks again. You're supposed to be presentable at all times.". | Stadium Entry Waiver. Apparently, in order to join the elite dance drill team of Kilgore College, girls must be able to kick high enough to touch boot toe to the front brim of their white cowboy hats. Her mother, Holly Kerr, admires the efforts to inspire other CPRS warriors. FAQ | Kilgore College Rangerettes Rangerettes have to develop "kicking muscles" -- a combination of strength, power and flexibility that's simply not built without repetitively throwing their legs as high as they can go, elasticizing hamstrings past the point of normal. If this all seems dramatic or strange, then you're definitely not part of the Rangerettes' sphere. But that doesn't matter for the women wanting to be part of the program. texasmonthly.com: What got you interested in writing about the Rangerettes? We need your support because we are a non-profit organization that relies upon contributions from our community in order to record and preserve the history of our state. She grew up in Louisiana, but the family often made trips back to Kilgore. There are hamburger joints, a movie theater, a 16-lane bowling alley. The no-grass rule is just one of many that Rangerettes live by. January 2023 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn? Cross your legs -- little etiquette things I grew up with.". And if not for oil, the Rangerettes themselves might not have formed 76 years ago. Masters. Wayne yells from the alcove overlooking the gym floor. "We'd love to have more diversity.". How tall is Daniel Kilgore? "You have a weekend coming up, and I suggest you use that time to figure out how you're going to get your kick endurance up. I doubt any Texas Rangers, be they policeman or baseball players, could perform such a physical feat. Kilgore Rangerettes - O. Rufus Lovett - Google Books So began the Rangerettes, a precision drill team that was, at the time, unprecedented. Who do the Rangerettes perform for? Daniel Kilgore was born in Kingsport, TN. accessed March 04, 2023, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country, H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping. What he found led him eventually to produce the widely viewed Rangerettes documentary "Beauty Knows No Pain." A white hat and boots complete the Rangerette look. Masters brought Davis, who had established the "Flaming Flashes," a high school girls' drum and bugle corps in Greenville in 1928, to Kilgore and gave her a free hand in setting up the team. "There's a difference there.". Whether she knows it or not, every girl who has ever dreamed of taking her place in a line of high-kicking dancers on a football field at halftime has been inspired by the Kilgore College Rangerettes, the world's first precision dance drill team. The Rangerettes' legacy is one of longevity, ritual, and fanfare. If you can find a Rangerette who doesn't cross her legs, or who doesn't call you 'ma'am' or 'sir,' you should go ahead and buy a lottery ticket -- your chances really are that low. We'll send you a couple of emails per month, filled with fascinating history facts that you can share with your friends. The TSHA makes every effort to conform to the principles of fair use and to comply with copyright law. My Hometown: A True-Blue Rangerette Explains Why There's More to [46], Some critics have "expressed dismay at the emphasis on physical attractiveness and rigorous and authoritarian training. Miller Kerr is a Kilgore Rangerette Captain - People Newspapers The exhibit, housed in the college's physical education building, features costumes, props, and other memorabilia. texasmonthly.com: You said the girls have a saying: You cant understand it from the outside, and you cant explain it from the inside. As an outsider, how were you able to get inside Rangerette culture? No. The Kilgore College Rangerettes rehearse on the stage of Dodson Auditorium in Kilgore, Texas (Photo by Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler), The Rangerette Museum in Kilgore, Texas (Photo by Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler), Early Kilgore College Rangerettes from the 1940s (Kilgore College Rangerettes Museum & Showcase in Kilgore, Texas), The Kilgore College Rangerettes prepare for the spring dance review Revels. Section 107 related to Copyright and Fair Use for Non-Profit educational institutions, which permits the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), to utilize copyrighted materials to further scholarship, education, and inform the public. And for visitors who believe the star power cannot be contained to screens the size of a car window, there's a 60-person theater, too. Rangerette Showcase and Museum. KILGORE, Texas -- In a plain brick building in the middle of a sleepy town, in a cluster of rooms that would otherwise be empty, everything sparkles. DeHoyos is leading the way to the Rangerettes' gym on a bright day in Kilgore; the east Texas sun is borderline scorching. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? Oil has provided the livelihood for Kilgore, but the Rangerettes are the lifeblood. ), no more, no more, fakin' it (kick!).". Said Blair: "I think the football team would watch us practice and say, 'Yeah, that looks hard.' Success is mine, I've got the key, I'm makin' it, sings Naughton. Founded in Kilgore, Texas, in 1939-1940 by the incomparable Gussie Nell Davis, the Rangerettes have performed for national and international audiences, appearing frequently at events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and major football bowl games across the nation, including the New Year's Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas each year since 1951. Being part of the Rangerettes is a lifestyle, and it often sets the trajectory for the rest of the women's lives. As the Rangerettes prep for their Cotton Bowl performance, their obsession with appearance is on high alert. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Since the Kilgore Rangerettes became so popular, all-female drill teams have proliferated throughout the state, with 15,000 high school students and 1,000 college students participating annually. According to Emily Diehl, the 2014-15 captain, Blair and essentially any Rangerette -- current or former -- the rules have their reasons. It represents and chases after the ideal of an all-American girl, when that ideal may not exist in today's society. Eighty Hopefuls tried out this year for a coveted position on the 81st Rangerette line. Many say the organization was the beginning of everything from the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders to the Laker girls and college dance teams. The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry. But nothing is quite like this. Intense training, discipline and constant practice make the Rangerettes one of the best precision dance teams in the world. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) The Official Page of the Kilgore College Rangerettes Forever - Facebook Kilgores creation of the lively half-time show with synchronized dancing majorettes got the fans attention. texasmonthly.com: Why do you think the Rangerette traditions have endured for so long? They've congregated in their gym, nestled in the middle of this quiet junior college campus. Curled hair is technically a component of the Rangerettes uniform, as well as red lipstick and makeup. Kilgore Rangerettes - YouTube Their biggest annual blowout will come Thursday on the AT&T Stadium field at halftime of the Michigan State-Alabama Cotton Bowl. Imperfection is not tolerated. Within this sweltering box of toiling emotions that is the Rangerettes' gym, a sign that seems bigger than the Texas sky drops with 36 numbers written on it. Every dollar helps. Dance is a bubble, even within the Kilgore bubble -- a place where nothing matters but the movement.
