"When they are out there on the field, they are not Rangerettes - they're me. And i have to be the best. Perfection is the key word, and nothing short of it will do. If you can't kick, you can't get in." -Gussie Nell Davis, 1969
Houston Chronicle Texas Magazine
Houston Chronicle Texas Magazine
To make the Rangerette team was and i'm sure still is a challenge. There are multiple steps you have to take in order to try-out and make the team. You have to learn one field high-kick routine, one field jazz routine, and several studio type combinations. Of course you have to be able to dance, but most of all you have to show that you have the heart to be a Rangerette. You are judged on your talent, appearance (how you support yourself), and your attitude. The judges will know who is really determined to make it and who is not. There is a lot of anticipation involved before "The Sign" drops. "The Sign" drops in front of all tryout participants, it shows all the numbers of the dancers that made it.
Gussie Nell was positively strict with her Rangerettes. She had lots of harsh rules, that eventually benefitted them in the long run. They cannot miss any event unless they are horribly sick and in bed, they cannot marry, they most definitely CANNOT go to a party where alcohol is served. Gussie Nell Davis had a reason for all of the strictness. She desired for the girls to "be gracious" wherever they went. Her traditions and standards have continued throughout the years.
Deana Bolton Covin was the third assistant director of the Rangerettes. She assisted from 1972-1979. Gussie Nell Davis then retired, Covin then became the second director of the Rangerttes. Covin became well known for her precision, polish, and perfection. After serving as director of the Rangerettes for fourteen years, she retired in 1993. The Rangerette gym changed its' name to "Deana Bolton Covin Rangerette Gymnasium," in September of 2001. Since she is active in the Rangerette Forever Alumni Organization, she stayed linked with the Rangerette tradition.
Dana Blair was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After high school, she attended University of Texas at Austin for one year until she decided to try out for the Rangerettes. She was on the team from 1981-1983. After college, Dana returned to Kilgore College and the Rangerettes in 1986. She became the assistant director and choreographer to Deana Covin. She held the assistant director position until Covin retired in 1993. She then was awarded the third director of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. However, she was the first director to have been a Rangerette member. She continues to serve as director today. She is a lifetime member of the Rangerettes Forever Alumni Organization.
The Rangerettes had their first African American in 1970. Gussie Nell Davis thought that race didn't matter as long as they qualified. Freddie Delois Goosby, 18, of Oak Cliff, Texas, broke the all-white tradition. She dreamed of being a Rangerette ever since she marched with the Oak Cliff Pivoteers. Being co-captain of her high school drill team made her strong enough and prepared her to succesfully make the Miss America-like Rangerette tryouts.
The Rangerettes are the world's best-known college drill team. They travel from coast-to-coast and border-to-border in the United States. They also go on many world tours. Rangerettes are known for their amazing ability to dance and their outstanding reputation. They were the first dance team on the football field in the nation. The Rangerettes were and still are a very determined and hard working group of talented dancers.
Gussie Nell was positively strict with her Rangerettes. She had lots of harsh rules, that eventually benefitted them in the long run. They cannot miss any event unless they are horribly sick and in bed, they cannot marry, they most definitely CANNOT go to a party where alcohol is served. Gussie Nell Davis had a reason for all of the strictness. She desired for the girls to "be gracious" wherever they went. Her traditions and standards have continued throughout the years.
Deana Bolton Covin was the third assistant director of the Rangerettes. She assisted from 1972-1979. Gussie Nell Davis then retired, Covin then became the second director of the Rangerttes. Covin became well known for her precision, polish, and perfection. After serving as director of the Rangerettes for fourteen years, she retired in 1993. The Rangerette gym changed its' name to "Deana Bolton Covin Rangerette Gymnasium," in September of 2001. Since she is active in the Rangerette Forever Alumni Organization, she stayed linked with the Rangerette tradition.
Dana Blair was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After high school, she attended University of Texas at Austin for one year until she decided to try out for the Rangerettes. She was on the team from 1981-1983. After college, Dana returned to Kilgore College and the Rangerettes in 1986. She became the assistant director and choreographer to Deana Covin. She held the assistant director position until Covin retired in 1993. She then was awarded the third director of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. However, she was the first director to have been a Rangerette member. She continues to serve as director today. She is a lifetime member of the Rangerettes Forever Alumni Organization.
The Rangerettes had their first African American in 1970. Gussie Nell Davis thought that race didn't matter as long as they qualified. Freddie Delois Goosby, 18, of Oak Cliff, Texas, broke the all-white tradition. She dreamed of being a Rangerette ever since she marched with the Oak Cliff Pivoteers. Being co-captain of her high school drill team made her strong enough and prepared her to succesfully make the Miss America-like Rangerette tryouts.
The Rangerettes are the world's best-known college drill team. They travel from coast-to-coast and border-to-border in the United States. They also go on many world tours. Rangerettes are known for their amazing ability to dance and their outstanding reputation. They were the first dance team on the football field in the nation. The Rangerettes were and still are a very determined and hard working group of talented dancers.