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The Rangerettes Today
From the Kilkgore Rangerette
Audition Information Brochure
published by Kilgore College
The Kilgore College Rangerettes are a
distinctive American phenomenon. The pride of each individual in wearing
that "red, white and blue," the fresh look of 65 young freshman and
sophomore students, talented dancing ability of each individual, and the
blending of this into one precision unit make up just some of the
characteristics of the nation's best-known collegiate drill team.
The first group of its kind in the world,
the Rangerettes brought "show business" to the football gridiron. From
their first appearance in 1940, the Rangerettes have pioneered the field
of such groups now seen across the nation.In 60 years the organization has
had only three directors. Originated by Miss Gussie Nell Davis, the
Rangerettes still adhere to her hallmark perfection - in precision of
movement and in their "personalized" performance they present for each
engagement. Miss Davis retired in 1979 and Mrs. Deana Bolton Covin assumed
command without missing a step or performance opportunity. In 1993, Mrs.
Dana Blair became the third director and continues to lead the group
today.
The world-famous beauties have traveled
coast-to-coast and border-to-border in the United States and on four world
tours. In 1972 they performed five days in Venezuela, South America; in
1975, they were the star attraction at the 15-day American Fortnight in
Hong Kong, Macao and Korea in the Far East; in 1977, they toured for 15
days behind the Iron Curtain in Romania, Eastern Europe; and in 1985 and
1995, they performed in Nice, Paris and Cannes, France. In 1993, the
Rangerettes also traveled to and performed in Tokyo and Chiba City, Japan.
Traveling to Singapore in February of 1997 was the last adventure
celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Rangerettes have appeared in major
football bowls across the nation and have traditionally performed at the
New Year's Cotton Bowl classic in Dallas each year since 1951. They
provided the halftime entertainment for three East-West Shrine bowl games
in Palo Alto, California in the 1980's, the only organization ever to be
invited to a return engagement in the 60-plus year history of the all-star
game.
Cover girls on hundreds of publications
including Life, Esquire, and Saturday Evening Post, the Rangerettes have
also been the subject for articles in most of the major American
magazines. They were featured in the Cinerama movie, "Seven Wonders of the
World," and have appeared on many major national television programs.
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