KILGORE, Texas — The Kilgore College Rangerettes are celebrating two big milestones this year -- their 85th anniversary and 75 years wowing the crowds at the Cotton Bowl.
It's going to be a performance to remember when hundreds of Rangerettes from year's past join this year's line. It's a dance lineage that little girls dream about. So what does it take to be part of the country's most prestigious dance team?
Rangerette Kailey Adams said words can't describe how it felt to put that iconic red, white and blue uniform on. And no one can forget those sky high kicks!
"It is just truly so special," Adams said. "We live off of the crowd's cheers and what they love seeing us do."
The Kilgore College Rangerettes make it look effortless, but these ladies work hard several hours a day all week long for months upon end for 85 years and counting now.
"They have to have great projection, energy, showmanship. they have to kind of have that 'it factor.' A Rangerette is a very well-rounded dancer, kicker, performer," said Shelley Wayne, assistant director and choreographer.
Dana Blair, director of the Rangerettes, said all that hard work takes a positive mindset and willingness to always give 100%.
"I think people would marvel if really they saw how positive these girls are out on that super hot football field, Blair said. "No matter what, no matter how many times we ask them to do it again and again. It's a mindset of this is what we have to do if we're going to live up to the expectations that everyone has for Rangerettes."
Blair's love for the organization dates back to 1981 when she, herself danced with the Rangerettes. Then, she came back in 1986 as the assistant director and choreographer before taking the reins in 1993 as only the third director in the organization's history.
"It's a pretty incredible job. There's nothing that would make you not want to stay here and get to work with these exceptional young ladies and all the opportunities that come along with that," Blair said.
Throughout the last eight and a half decades, these showstoppers have been invited to perform all over the world.
"I do attribute some of our more international performances. they are wanting a taste of Americana. so obviously, we fit that mold perfectly," Wayne said.
From Hawaii to Switzerland to their many moments on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and soon 75 years at the Cotton Bowl, they've kicked their way into the history books as the world's best-known collegiate drill team.
So what does keep them in demand all these years later since Miss Gussie Nell Davis created Rangerettes back in 1940?
"I think a lot of it has to do with the discipline and our standard of excellence," Wayne said. "We don't look to other people for our standard. It was established by Miss Davis from the very, very, very beginning. We are always striving for perfection in performance."
The Rangerette legacy is Wayne, who is also a former Rangerette, works everyday to uphold.
"Having that very polished, sophisticated performance quality, so watching all of that come together in a rehearsal, and then you get to see it in that final product," Wayne said. "It's pretty amazing feeling to be to know that you are a part of that."
When they're not at the Rangerette gym, the ladies can be found at the R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.
"It takes a lot of mental strength," said Alyssa McBain, Rangerettes captain of the 85th line. "You have to be able to stand at attention for long periods of time and have the work ethic to get through long practices in the heat, especially on the fields or even in the cold."
They're hitting those high kick, pom and jazz routines over and over until it's just right for their fans.
"It takes a special kind of mindset to be able to put oneself in our daily activities and everything that we do, but it is just so special," Adams said. "And it's something that we do not take for granted and that we truly try to live out each day to our fullest, because we know that our time here is short."
The Rangerettes pack a lot into those two short years at Kilgore College, including halftime appearances at the football games. That earned them the title of "Sweethearts of the Gridiron."
"I look forward to most right before I say officers ready, and just being able to stand there with my team, knowing that we're going to go on the field and do our best and just taking in all the cheers in the crowd," McBain said.
McBain came all the way from El Paso to try out for the team last year, noting that her high director was "obsessed" with Rangerettes. Adams and many of the other current Rangerettes have had connections to the Rangerette tradition.
"Throughout my high school experience, my director was a Rangerette, and her mother was a Rangerette, and then my director's sister was a Rangerette," Adams said.
Ashlynn Hines said she was on drill in high school and her beloved director, who is a Rangerette alumna, always spoke highly of the program. She added the director really encouraged her to try out and she's so thankful for that advice.
"It was just a really kind of rewarding feeling to fulfill my dreams," fellow Rangerette Maddi Grace Riley said.
The directors say anyone who wants to don those signature white hats, boots and patriotic uniform will be the epitome of hard work, determination and effort both on and off the field.
"They give 150% in nearly everything that they do, not just in performing, but with their grades, with their interaction on campus and off campus," Wayne said. "It truly is an incredible opportunity to be a part of that with these young women."
Those memories and life lessons will last well-beyond their high kicking years.
"The relationships with the friends, like living with 31 other girls is there's nothing like it," Rangerette Chloe Bonner said.
McBain added it's a lot more than just dancing. She's built great friendships and bonds that she will have forever.
"I think that Rangerettes has just really taught me grit and determination," Hines said. "Just knowing that nothing's too hard, you can always get through it."
Rangerette alumni don't just leave Kilgore College better dancers, they step away better people.
"I want them to take the life lessons -- teamwork, work ethic, being responsible, being dedicated, giving your best working to get along with all of your classmates, even though you're very different as individuals," Blair said. "I want them to take all of those lessons and take those into their life and apply them to their jobs, their marriages."
The traditions, the expectation of excellence and these polite, positive, incredibly dedicated young women are what have kept the Rangerettes relevant since 1940.
This year, the Rangerettes are also taking their talents to London for the city's New Year's Day Parade.
Plus don't forget, The Forevers (a group of Rangerettes alumni) will join this year's line for the 75th anniversary performance of the Kilgore College Rangerettes at the Cotton Bowl. That's going to be unforgettable!
Another show stopper is the Rangerette Revels in the spring. That show will be held in April 2025.
For more information about this fierce group, click here.
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