Kilgore College Rangerettes: Difference between revisions
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*Deana Bolton Covin - Assistant Director, 1972-1979; Director 1979-1993<ref>{{cite web |title=Deana Bolton Covin |url=https://www.rangerette.com/meet-rangerettes/directors/deana-bolton-covin |website=Rangerette.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019}}</ref> |
*Deana Bolton Covin - Assistant Director, 1972-1979; Director 1979-1993<ref>{{cite web |title=Deana Bolton Covin |url=https://www.rangerette.com/meet-rangerettes/directors/deana-bolton-covin |website=Rangerette.com |accessdate=January 1, 2019}}</ref> |
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*Ruth Flynn – Choreographer, 1980-1984<ref>{{cite web |title=Tyler Junior College Apache Belle Directors |url=https://www.tjc.edu/info/20199/apache_belles/200/directors/1 |date= |work= |publisher=Tyler Junior College |accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref> |
*Ruth Flynn – Choreographer, 1980-1984<ref>{{cite web |title=Tyler Junior College Apache Belle Directors |url=https://www.tjc.edu/info/20199/apache_belles/200/directors/1 |date= |work= |publisher=Tyler Junior College |accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref> |
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*Laura Davis |
*Laura Davis – Choreographer, 1983-1984; Assistant Director and Choreographer, 1983-1986<ref name="'soa1'">{{Cite web |url=http://www.spiritofamericaproductions.com/MessageCenterDetail.aspx?ContentID=1 |title=Spirit of America Productions, About Us |website=spiritofameficaproductions.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602081622/http://www.spiritofamericaproductions.com/MessageCenterDetail.aspx?ContentID=1 |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |dead-url=yes |access-date=February 13, 2019}}</ref> |
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*Dana Blair |
*Dana Blair – Assistant Director and Choreographer, 1986-1993; Director, 1993 to present<ref name='blair1'/> |
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*Shelley Wayne |
*Shelley Wayne - Assistant Director and Choreographer, 1993 to present<ref name='wayne1'/> |
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*Angela Aulds |
*Angela Aulds - Assistant Choreograper and Dance Technician.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kilgore College Faculty |url=https://www.kilgore.edu/academics/college-catalogs/college-catalog-2018-19 |last= |first= |date= |website=Kilgore.edu |publisher=Kilgore College 2018-19 Catalog |accessdate=January 1, 2019}}</ref> |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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Image:Rangerette Director - Dana Blair.jpg|Dana Blair<br/>Rangerette Director |
Image:Rangerette Director - Dana Blair.jpg|Dana Blair<br/>Rangerette Director |
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Revision as of 00:28, 5 March 2019
 "Beauty Knows No Pain" [1] | |
| Formation | 19 September 1940[2] |
|---|---|
| Type | Precision Dance Team |
| Location | |
Membership | 72 |
Founder | Gussie Nell Davis[1] |
Director | Dana Blair[3] |
Assistant Director | Shelley Wayne[3] |
Parent organization | Kilgore College |
Staff | 3 |
Volunteers | Many |
| Website | http://www.rangerette.com |
The Kilgore College Rangerettes, also known simply as the Rangerettes, are an American precision dance team from Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. The team was created by Gussie Nell Davis in 1939[4] and debuted on September 12, 1940.[5] The Rangerettes have performed on four continents, in twelve foreign countries, twenty-three states, and Washington D.C.[6] They have performed in 69 Cotton Bowl game halftimes in a row (1951-2019).[4] They make regular appearances at NFL pre-game and half-time shows for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, and have performed in several national event parades and presidential inaugurations.[7]
Brief history
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. In 1939, Davis was hired away from Greenville High School by the Kilgore College Dean, Dr. B.E. Masters. Masters wanted something different than the traditional women's drum and bugle corps. He wanted something that would increase female enrollment at the college but would also keep fans in their seats during football half time shows[6] instead of drinking alcohol under the stands.[8] Opting early to forgo the use of musical instruments, Davis focused her new team on dance and choreography, later naming the group the Rangerettes. 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. Davis served as the group's director for forty years, until June 1979.[6]
Directors and choreographers
- Denard Haden – Choreographer, 1947-1978[9][10]
- Peggy Crowder - Assistant Director[11]
- Barbara "Pill" Harmon - Assistant Director[12]
- Deana Bolton Covin - Assistant Director, 1972-1979; Director 1979-1993[13]
- Ruth Flynn – Choreographer, 1980-1984[14]
- Laura Davis – Choreographer, 1983-1984; Assistant Director and Choreographer, 1983-1986[15]
- Dana Blair – Assistant Director and Choreographer, 1986-1993; Director, 1993 to present[3]
- Shelley Wayne - Assistant Director and Choreographer, 1993 to present[16]
- Angela Aulds - Assistant Choreograper and Dance Technician.[17]
-
Dana Blair
Rangerette Director -
Shelley Wayne
Assistant Director
and Choreographer
Performances and appearances
 |
Partial List of Major Performances
| Date | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2018 | New York City | Invited guest performers of the 92nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| Jul 2018 | Basel, Switzerland | Invited guest performers of the annual Basel Tattoo |
| Mar 2018 | Orlando, Florida | Invited guest performers for the Contest of Champions final awards ceremony |
| Jan 2017 | Washington, D.C. | Invited guests of the Texas State Society for the inauguration of Donald Trump |
| Dec 2016 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Invited guests of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Society for the 75th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony |
| Nov 2016 | New York City | Feature performers in the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| Mar 2015 | Ireland and Scotland | Feature performers in the annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade and in a European Football League game halftime |
| Jan 2013 | Washington, D.C. | Invited guests of the Texas State Society for the inauguration celebration of President Barack Obama |
| Dec 2011 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Invited guests of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Society for the 70th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony |
| Jan 2009 | Washington, D.C. | Invited guests of the Texas State Society for the inauguration celebration of President Barack Obama |
| Jan 2005 | Washington, D.C. | Invited guests of the Texas State Society for the inauguration celebration of President George W. Bush |
| Nov 2003 | New York City | Invited feature performers in the 77th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| May 2003 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Invited guests and feature performers for Indianapolis 500 Race Week |
| Nov 2002 | Chicago, Illinois | Invited guests in the Marshall Field's Jingle Elf Parade |
| Jan 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Invited guests of the Texas State Society for the inauguration celebration of President George W. Bush |
| Mar 2000 | Dublin, Ireland | Honored guests of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade and Lord Mayor's Ball |
| Nov 1998 | New York City | Invited feature performers in the 72nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| Feb 1997 | Singapore | Chinese New Year Celebration |
| Jan 1996 | Phoenix, Arizona | Invited performers in the Fiesta Bowl Parade |
| Feb 1995 | Nice, Paris, and Cannes, France | Performers in the Carnival Celebration |
| Aug 1992 | Tokyo and Chiba City, Japan | Performances |
| Feb 1985 | Nice, Paris, and Cannes, France | Performers in the Carnival Celebration |
| 1977 | Romania | Fifteen days of performances behind the Iron Curtain |
| 1975 | Hong Kong, Macao, and South Korea | Star attraction at the American Fortnight |
| 1972 | Venezuela | Five days of performances |
| Nov 1967 | New York City | Invited feature performers in the 41st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |
Rangerette Revels
|
Rangerette Revels is an annual variety show centered around a theme and performed at Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore College campus. Revels features performances by Rangerettes and invited guest performers, with several dances choreographed by nationally known choreographers such as J.T. Horenstein and Tracie Stanfield. There are five showings within the week of the program, and it is the last major performance of the year for the group. It is universally considered by the Rangerettes themselves to be their most important performance of the year, and the revenue generated by the shows make it one of Kilgore College's highest grossing events. The last segment of the show is always an extended production kick routine, featuring all of the Rangerettes in the traditional uniform. Revels started in 1948 as an in-school talent show and fund-raiser called Ranger Roundup which took place in the school gymnasium. Davis compiled all the football halftime routines and added the Kilgore College band and twirlers to create a spring time show. As popularity grew, the event migrated to a local football stadium and was called the Rangerette Revue, then later was moved to Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore College campus where it was given its current name.
Rangerette Revels Themes
| 2020 | 2010 -Backstage Pass | 2000 - Yesterday, Today, and Forever | 1990 - 50 Years & the Dream Goes On |
| 2019 - More Than Meets The Eye | 2009 - Revels on the Runway | 1999 - The Spirit of Texas | 1989 - The Greatest Shows on Earth |
| 2018 - Live Your Best Life | 2008 - Lost in the Library | 1998 - Forever a Lady | 1988 - Strike Up the Band |
| 2017 - The Sky's The Limit | 2007 - Games People Play | 1997 - The Times of Your Life | 1987 - 5-6-7-8 Dance! |
| 2016 - The Show Must Go On | 2006 - Out of the Box | 1996 - Celebrate America | 1986 - Carnival |
| 2015 - Celebrating 75 | 2005 - We Are America | 1995 - Lights, Camera, Action | 1985 - Golden Moments |
| 2014 - Get Your Move On | 2004 - Let's Get Real | 1994 - The Start of Something Great | 1984 - The Stars of Texas |
| 2013 - The Rangerette Express | 2003 - Glitz, Glamor, & A Touch of Class | 1993 - Let Me Entertain You | 1983 - Once Upon a Time |
| 2012 - Revels for Men | 2002 - Live from New York | 1992 - A Time for Heroes | 1982 - My Favorite Things |
| 2011 - Just for Kicks | 2001 - Make a Difference | 1991 - I Hear Music | 1981 |
Rangerette Swingsters
|
The Rangerette Swingsters are an elite specialty jazz dance group of sophomore team members. Freshmen audition and ten are accepted for the group in January of their freshmen year. They have only one performance as freshmen when they are featured at Rangerette Revels.
Officers
|
Rangerette officers are five sophomores (one captain and four lieutenants) who make up the student leadership of the organization. They are chosen by the directors and an outside panel of judges, with assistance from their classmates, and are announced at Showoffs, the week before the start of fall semester classes. The officer uniform differs from the standard team uniform in that it is solid white, accompanied by a neck scarf, blue for the captain and red for lieutenants.
Managers
|
Rangerette managers are male students from Kilgore College selected by the team to help with setting up and removing props and stage equipment for productions and half-time performances. Managers occasionally participate in performances, traditionally performing a comedic routine during Rangerette Revels. Managers who have an extensive dance background may perform in more traditional dance performances.
Rangerettes Forever
Rangerettes Forever is an alumni organization that participates in various support programs for the team. Only former Rangerettes who completed both years on the team may join.[18]
Controversy and criticism
The Rangerettes have not always escaped controversy. Until the mid-1970s, there had been no African-Americans on the Rangerette line. Miss Davis was quoted as saying that she would be receptive when a qualified candidate tried out. The Rangerettes selected their first black team member, Freddie Goolsby Evans, in 1973, and their first black officer in August 2012.[citation needed]
In response to an adaptation of Erwitt's film Beauty Knows No Pain (1972), titled after the Rangerette motto, feminists and other critics expressed dismay at the emphasis on physical attractiveness and rigorous and authoritarian training. The critics charged that the Rangerettes were a troupe of "sexist" and "mindless" "Barbie Dolls," and their activity was inappropriate for college curriculum. Miss Davis countered, "that there was nothing wrong in learning self-confidence, discipline, cooperation, and the ability to perform precision dance, along with poise, etiquette, and personal grooming".[1]
The Rangerette organization periodically faces criticism from parents of girls who are not selected for the team. The most common criticism is the perception the organization emphasizes physical appearance over dance ability. The organization insists that Rangerettes are chosen based solely on their dance and kick abilities, but team members must also have a properly proportioned appearance in the traditional uniform and other performance costumes.[citation needed]
During the week-long audition process known as pre-training, hopefuls are not allowed to wear make-up, must have their hair in a pony tail, and all wear the same plain black dance leotard while performing in front of the directors and upperclassmen. Compared by many former team members to military basic training, the organization defends its process, using pre-training to set all hopefuls on an equal footing, see who has the desired amount of showmanship and dedication necessary, and insure new members are selected solely on their abilities. While the audition process itself is harsh and intimidating, former team members and other supporters are often overheard saying "if they think pre-training is hard, wait until they make the team". [citation needed]
Team members are weighed periodically to insure they are living a healthy life style, and have neither gained, or lost, more weight than is healthy.[citation needed]
Rangerette kidnapping
In the late afternoon of December 29, 2016, there was an alleged armed home invasion and kidnapping at Rangerette Director Dana Blair's home. The assailant allegedly kidnapped Blair's daughter, who at the time was a Freshman Rangerette. Blair's daughter escaped her captor a little over an hour later. The alleged assailant, Nancy Alice Moats, was arrested on a charge of aggravated kidnapping and released on $500,000 bond on December 30, 2016.[19] On June 22, 2017, the assailant was indicted by a Gregg County Grand Jury, and faces first degree felonies in three charges encompassed in two counts for aggravated kidnapping. The first count includes two charges: aggravated kidnapping with intent to terrorize and aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon. The second count had one count of aggravated kidnapping by deadly force.[20] On December 21, 2018, Blair's attorney filed a civil lawsuit against Moats seeking monetary relief of between $200,000 and $1 million.[21]
Popular culture
In anticipation of the organization's 75th anniversary, filmmaker Chip Hale followed the Rangerettes for a year, creating the documentary Sweethearts of the Gridiron. The film examines the dynamics of the relationships between Blair and Wayne (both former Rangerettes), the returning Rangerettes, and the tryout process for the hopefuls who want to make the team. The documentary appeared in 18 film festivals during 2015, and was released on DVD and digital platforms in September 2016.[22]
The Rangerettes have been featured in articles in several media publications, including: Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, Esquire, Texas Monthly, and Texas 24/7. They were featured in the Cinerama movie Seven Wonders of the World (1956), and have appeared on several major national television programs.[citation needed]
In the King of the Hill episode "The Company Man" (Season 2, Episode 9), Hank asks Peggy to wear a Kilgore Rangerette type outfit when they go out to dinner with Mr. Holloway, a man heavily influenced by Texan stereotypes.[23]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Jeanie R. Stanley, "DAVIS, GUSSIE NELL," Handbook of Texas Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fda83, accessed November 25, 2014. Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association
- ^ Teresa Palomo Acosta. "Kilgore Rangerettes". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Kilgore College Rangerettes Director". Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ a b Kilgore Rangerettes. University of Texas Press, 2008. p. 192. ISBN 978-0-292-71673-5.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|authors=ignored (help) - ^ Mary Kaye Coachman (2006). Dance Team / Team spirit!. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 64. ISBN 978-1-4042-0731-8.
- ^ a b c "Official Rangerette Website". Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Mary Ellen Hanson (1995). Go! fight! win!: cheerleading in American culture. Popular Press. ISBN 978-0-87972-680-5.
- ^ Evans, Andrew (March 25, 2013). "The Rangerettes". www.nationalgeographic.com. National Geographic. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ "Denard Haden Obituary". The Newspaper Archive. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Rangerette History". Rangerette.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Dr. Peggy Crowder Coghlan". RaderFH.com. Rader Funeral Home. August 23, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ Forever Bios - Barbara "Pill" Harmon Malm
- ^ "Deana Bolton Covin". Rangerette.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Tyler Junior College Apache Belle Directors". Tyler Junior College. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Spirit of America Productions, About Us". spiritofameficaproductions.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Cite error: The named reference
wayne1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Kilgore College Faculty". Kilgore.edu. Kilgore College 2018-19 Catalog. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Kilgore College Rangerette Forevers". Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ Hallmark, Bob (December 30, 2016). "Kilgore College student safe after escaping accused kidnapper". KLTV. Longview, TX. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Katz, Chelsea (June 29, 2017). "Grand jury indicts woman in Rangerette kidnapping". Kilgore News Herald. Kilgore, TX. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ "Victims in Kilgore Rangerette kidnapping file lawsuit seeking up to $1 million against suspect". kltv.com. January 3, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ^ "Sweethearts of the Gridiron". Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ^ "Internet Movie Database". Retrieved July 4, 2016.
External links
