Nine East Texas women among 36 named to Rangerette drill team

The new Rangerettes will join 35 sophomores to make a line of 71.

KILGORE — Nine East Texas women among 36 named to Rangerette drill team

Surrounded by hopes, dreams and years of tradition, 36 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, culminates a week-long tryout process with 80 hopefuls vying for a coveted position on the 73rd Rangerette line.

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 as the best in the world.

Known for their high kicks and the jump splits, the organization has traveled around the world and entertained millions.

The new freshman members of the 2012-13 Rangerettes, listed by hometown: Hallsville – Heather Prince; Kilgore – K.J. Greene, Tori Boaze, Ally Honeycutt and Jennifer Jones; Marshall – Kelsey West; Tyler – Katylynn Stalcup, Angie Gonzalez and Thalia Molina.