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.
The announcement, made in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus, culminated “tryout week.”
The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 68.
The Rangerettes were the first of their kind when they began in 1940 as a vision of the late Gussie Nell Davis.
The organization created a unique combination of dance moves and precision drills that quickly earned them the reputation not only as the originators of dance/drill teams, but also as the best in the world.
Known for their high kicks and the jump splits, the organization has traveled around the world, entertained millions and spurred a multi-billion-dollar dance/drill team industry worldwide.
The Rangerettes are under the direction of Dana Blair, director; Shelley Wayne, assistant director; and Angela Aulds, assistant choreographer and dance technician.
For more information, visit www.rangerette.com.
New freshman members of the 2023-24 Rangerettes, listed by hometown:
- Arlington, TX: Bethany Plog
- Baytown, TX: Addison Schmidt
- Bridge City, TX: Karsyn Guillory
- Bullard, TX: Ashlynn Hines
- Carrollton, TX: Samantha Foughty
- College Station: Jordan Reynolds
- Denton, TX: Rosie Adams
- El Paso, TX: Alyssa McBain
- Fort Worth, TX: Hallayah Hayes
- Hallsville, TX: Chloe Bonner
- Jacksonville, TX: Brooklyn Hunter
- Houston, TX: Rachel Holcombe
- Kilgore, TX: Maddi Riley
- Leander, TX: Jillian Curtis
- Longview, TX: Halle Moore
- Longview, TX: Hailey Pitman
- Lumberton, TX: Brinly Lewis
- McKinney, TX: Karissa Kinnon
- McKinney, TX: Grace Stephens
- Nederland, TX: Emily Landry
- Nederland, TX: Ashlee Pham
- Plano, TX: Kailey Adams
- Pleasanton, TX: Darcy Macmanus
- Port Neches, TX: Penelope Robles
- Rockwall, TX: Laynie Taylor
- Sour Lake, TX: Molly Gajeske
- The Woodlands: Codi Keng
- The Woodlands: Emma Summers
- Tyler, TX: Ella Byers
- Tyler, TX: Mallory Craft
- Whitehouse, TX: Blair Davis
- Wimberly, TX: Lynzee Walker
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC