Kilgore College Rangerettes select 32 freshmen for 81st line

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 an abbreviated version of “tryout week” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eighty “Hopefuls” tried out this year for a coveted position on the 81st Rangerette line.

The new Rangerettes will join 34 sophomores to make a team of 66.

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 2020-21 Rangerettes, listed by hometown:

• Alvin, TX: Emma Geiman
• Austin, TX: Hannah Nauert
• Beaumont, TX: Katelyn Dickerson
• Beaumont, TX: Brea Landry
• Carrollton, TX: Cella Linebarger
• Cibolo, TX: Josephine Craighead
• College Station, TX: Baylie Senkel
• College Station, TX: Lindy Weisman
• Combine, TX: Lexi Leftwich
• Deer Park, TX: Saranda Adame
• Denton, TX: Karis Toleman
• Farmers Branch, TX: Allegra Norman
• Friendswood, TX: Ivy Sepulvado
• Garland, TX: Ashley Schutte
• Justin, TX: Sydney Lowe
• Katy, TX: Mariana Vega
• Keller, TX: Hannah McLendon
• Lantana, TX: Ivy Adams
• Lufkin, TX: Nevaeh Davis
• Lufkin, TX: Grace Montes
• McKinney, TX: Kylie Dauper
• Nederland, TX: Rhyan Stoker
• Plano, TX: Samantha Hebert
• Plano, TX: Katie Rock
• Richardson, TX: Emmy Brozak
• Richardson, TX: Bella Guzman
• Rowlett, TX: Erin Killingsworth
• San Antonio, TX: Isabella Benavidez
• Tatum, TX: Kylie Benavidez
• Troup, TX: Abbi Schoolcraft
• Whitehouse, TX: Abby Stainback
• Wichita Falls, TX: Sarah Johnston