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Revels 2012 The Flare

Special Edition

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FRIDAY APRIL 13, 2012

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Guys

& Dolls ‘

Staff Writers

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hey may not wear the red, white and blue uniform, but the men behind the Rangerettes have a huge impact on the organization’s success.

“Revels for Men,” honors the men who have contributed to the Rangerette organization and have helped make them successful through the years.

“I would like to say to all of our special men, ‘Thank you for what you have done for us and we hope this show lets you know how much you mean to the organization,’” said Rangerette Director Dana Blair.

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Revels continues 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Dodson Auditorium, with an additional 1 p.m. Saturday matinee.

Tickets are on sale in the Revels Box Office in the Rangerette Gym located in the south entrance of the Rangerette Gym with hours from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 and all seats are reserved. Students with a valid KC I.D. can obtain one free ticket from the box office.

Sponsors and producers for the events include the Zwick Foundation, Spirit of America and Rangerettes Forever.

The show highlights men who are important to the Rangerettes, including dads, managers, Kilgore businessmen, faculty and those in the drill team industry. Particular men like Archie Whitfield, Mike See REVELS on Page 6B

Bre a k in g n ews, videos an d exten ded cover age at www.thef lareonline. com

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ON THE COVER: Freshman Haleigh Wright surprises in “Gimme Some Rhythm Daddy.”

Photo by Jamie Maldonado / THE FLARE

Rangerettes:

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Dana Blair director

From left: Jacob Patterson Kilgore

Lt. Katie Canant Beaumont

Preston Fincher Kilgore

Lt. Mary Elizabeth Pennington The Woodlands

Steven Wofford White Oak

Capt. Rachel Keller Pasadena

Julian Bara Kilgore

Lauren Chapman Victoria

McKenzie Robinson Tyler

Reid Weeks White Oak

Danual Fountain Arp

Shelley Wayne assistant director

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Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

Arlin Busano, Flint freshman, demonstrates a tilt jump at the Rangerette Showcase. She began dancing at a young age and later earned a scholarship from The Pulse, a dance convention which includes members from “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Dream come true ASHTON JOHNSON Managing Editor

O

n the outside, freshman Rangerette Arlin Busano looks like any other student. But once you get past her larger than life smile and radiant personality, you will find something much more. Busano grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and began dancing at the age of 5.

“It was a birthday present for me from my mom,” Busano said. “She took me to a dance studio in our town and as I was watching how much fun the other girls in a dance class were having, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

After that, Busano began taking hula and jazz classes.

“All of the girls in my jazz class were close friends since they were all on the same competition team,” Busano said. “I told my mom that I wanted to fit in with them so she made me tryout for the team, which then I became a part of.”

As a part of the team, students were required to take at least seven dance classes a week, including a tumbling class.

“My mom wanted to push me to the best of my abilities and signed me up for unlimited classes, which included jazz, ballet, hip-hop, hula, Tahitian, tap, modern, lyrical and even musical theatre which included acting, dancing and singing.”

After several years of dancing in her hometown, Busano moved to Texas.

“I moved to Texas the summer before my freshman year of high school because of my step-dad’s job,” Busano said.

She then began taking dance at Artistic Dance Concepts under the direction of Bonnie Hotman Phel.

“After I joined drill team, I no longer did studio dance and just took dance classes at school,” Busano said. “My dance teacher was Laura Miller.”

Busano was on the Robert E. Lee Southern Belle drill team in Tyler for two years and served as an officer her senior year.

“My favorite thing about drill team in high school was getting to compete at the Westwood Dance Classic in Austin,” Busano said. “I love the

atmosphere of being in Austin. There are such amazing and talented drill teams there, and it was great getting to know them and compete along side them.”

Busano also competed in the Gussie Nell Davis Dance Classic her junior and senior year of high school, where her solos won first place two years in a row.

“I don’t necessarily care about winning at all. I just love to perform in front of a crowd,” Busano said.

“It’s a great feeling to me, as well as getting to hear such great compliments from people afterwards and knowing that it made them feel great.”

Throughout her dancing career, Busano has been awarded many scholarships for her talent.

“I love going to dance conventions to learn from the best choreographers in the dance industry today,” Busano said.

She was recently awarded The Pulse Protege Scholarship at the dance convention The Pulse, which includes faculty members from the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

This scholarship allowed Busano to travel on tour and assist these choreographers for the following year of the tour.

“My favorite person I’ve worked with was Mia Michaels. She is a very inspiring choreographer that portrays stories throughout her movements,” Busano said. “She is very unique and has an amazing personality, so being able to assist her on stage for dance conventions for a couple of years was just an honor.”

Jamie Maldonado / THE FLARE

Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

Busano decided to take her dancing career to the next level by trying out for the Rangerettes.

“This time last year is what definitely made me want to try out,” Busano said. “After seeing them with my drill team, I knew I wanted to be trained in perfection, excellence and tradition.”

Throughout her first year as a Rangerette, Busano has been influenced by several new people, including Rangerette sister, Angela Lozzi.

“She has taught me everything I needed to know and is always there for me no matter what,” Busano said. “I am so blessed and thankful for having her in my life. I couldn’t have had it any other way.”

For Busano, performing a solo in Rangerette Revels is a dream come true.

“I was nervous at first, but really excited once I found out that I was,” Busano said. “Revels was the whole reason I tried out to be a Rangerette in the first place and dancing a solo in it feels like a dream that’s actually coming to life.”

With a solo and many other dances under her belt, Busano says her first year as a Rangerette was everything she could ever imagine.

“It was filled with tons of great events, performances and surprises,” Busano said. “I just love everything about being a Rangerette.”

Busano is majoring in dance and plans to attend Chapman University in California to further her dancing career.

“I hope to see myself in California, living my way through life with dance,” Busano said. “I just love to perform and tell stories through my dancing.”

Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

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Revels for R

Men

angerette Revels continues 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Saturday in Dodson Auditorium. The show features the Rangerettes, Rangerette managers and the KC Twirlers. The show is sponsored and produced by the Zwick Foundation, Spirit of America and the Rangerette Forevers.

The Rangerettes dance

Victoria Baker / THE FLARE

The freshman Swingsters honor trainer Victor Olowo in "Battle for the Beat."

Host jon Fisher narrates the show through different skits.

Briley Boren / THE FLARE

Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

Sophomores Bethany Ford and Carson Latus touch up their makeup in the dressing room.

Kirstie Tullis and the Rangerettes thank managing assistant Derrick Oubre in "The Wiz."

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Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

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Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

Director Dana Blair instructs the Rangerettes during rehearsal.

Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

omore Amanda Nobles performs a jump in "It's a Man's World."

Kasi Dickerson, Katie Kuykendall, Jake Scarborough and Jamie Maldonado / THE FLARE

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REVELS

Revels honoring male contributors

Bethany Phelps sings a solo to honor men who have contributed to the Rangerette organization, including

Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

Revels: Men reflect on ’Rette organization FROM PAGE 1B Miller, Nick Zwick, Victor Olowo, Gary Gibbons and more are highlighted in the show.

Whitfield began working as KC’s director of college relations in 1995 and quickly became involved with the Rangerettes.

“It is certainly an honor having been with the Rangerettes with some capacity since 1995. Some of the early people I worked with were Gussie Nell Davis, the first director, and Deana Bolton Covin,” Whitfield said. “I had been there about a year and the president came to me and said we need to do something to get Rangerette scholarships and from then on that was my goal. I retired in May 2000 and had 50 endowed scholarships.”

He also worked closely with the Rangerette Forevers.

Known for their high-kicks, the Rangerettes have traveled the world performing in halftime shows, parades and various celebrations.

“I had many opportunities to do a lot of travel with them,” Whitfield said. “My first trip was to California for the Shrine Bowl.”

Revels, one of the Rangerettes’ biggest performances, however, happens on campus.

Dr. Bill Holda, KC president, said Revels was once more of a campus talent show than a sophisticated production.

“Over time, Dana (Blair) and Shelley (Wayne, assistant director) have brought the performance into the realm of a highly technical, highly sophisticated production,” Holda said.

Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student

development, is also honored at this year’s Revels.

“I feel honored to work with such an amazing organization, There’s nothing else like it,” Jenkins said. “From Rangerettes to choreographers, the dedication and talent involved in Revels is unbelievable. You won’t believe it without seeing it for yourself.”

The 2011-2012 Rangerette sophomores are also recognized.

“It is a bittersweet feeling knowing that this is my last show, but I am very excited for the show to finally be here,” said Rangerette Captain Rachel Keller.

Keller also performs a solo in Act “It is such an honor to be given the opportunity to do a solo,” Keller said. “It really means a lot to me, and I hope everyone enjoys it.”

This year’s Revels features jazz, hip-hop, tap and other genres of dance along with solo dances, videos, singing and the KC Twirlers.

“I think the show has a great deal of variety in styles of dance and music selection, and I hope everyone enjoys the show,” Blair said.

Part of the program features men selecting what they like to watch on TV. The final number honors America’s troops.

“I think honoring men this year is appropriate because a lot have contributed to the organization with time, resources, money and more. We have to remember them all because they have played a significant role in the organization and its history,” Whitfield said. “I’m amazed how they (Rangerettes) keep coming up with new ideas. It seems they get better every year.”

former director of college relations.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

Blessings in abundance “F

rom the outside looking in you can’t understand it; from the inside looking out you can’t explain it.”

This quote sums up the most incredible and biggest learning experience of my life: being a freshman WorldFamous Kilgore College Rangerette.

I was skeptical to become part of the organization because I’ve lived in East Texas my whole life.

Growing up surrounded by the red, white and blue, I thought JESSICA I had it all STOVALL figured out Staff Writer and that my future needed to be far from the simplicities of East Texas and what it had to offer.

In all reality, I had no idea what being a Rangerette was all about or how much I would come to love my roots and the countryside.

The decision to try out came from a combination of a disappointing letter I received from The University of Texas at Austin and the goose bumps I got when I attended “Backstage Pass” Rangerette Revels 2011.

I trained all summer, attended mini-camp and went to pre-training for the week-long tryout process.

The goose bumps once again filled my body when I saw my number at sign drop, and after pre-training week I thought I was completely knowledgeable about what my year would look like.

Again, I had no idea how wrong I was.

Football season came with a shock. The intensity at practice was everything I had asked for in high school. Panther Pride, my high school drill team, was relaxed and many girls didn’t have the work ethic needed to have a successful practice.

I am still in awe looking back at how strong each ’Rette is in her own right and the amount of effort put into every minute of striving for performance excellence.

It is the first few weeks that show you how much you need the ones standing with their hand raised high, saying “yes ma’am, thank you.” The support is endless, and you become more worried about the team than the “I” aspect.

Everything comes with a price, though.

Wearing a black leotard, slicking your hair back and plastering on bright red lipstick for each practice takes time to get used to, especially when trying to do it quickly because your nap was a must-have. Not

walking on grass can be tricky, and remembering whom you can and can’t talk to is confusing at first.

The rules of practice and everyday life are hard to understand in the beginning. It’s sort of like believing in Santa Claus: you never see his physical presence but you believe and it’s simple as that.

The rules aren’t always understood, but they aren’t meant to be understood, so you follow the rules. It’s as simple as that.

The experiences I’ve been exposed to and the friendships I’ve attained are forever life changing and ones that I wouldn’t give up for the world.

Being in the first-ever “Christmas Extravaganza” and going to Hawaii were indescribable, especially knowing that I was able to represent such a traditionrich and prestigious organization.

It is now Revels, and it could easily be the most bitter-sweet time of my life.

These past few weeks have been long and hard.

Practice consumed afternoons while extra practices would sometimes go until dinner time.

Meetings to correlate which props needed to be painted and who would be helping take the platforms offstage would go into the night, and somehow school still stays in a spot in your brain that

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is accustomed to a quick, efficient work ethic.

Even through the long days the memories created have fulfilled lifetimes of happiness and growth as a team and as individuals. I’ll never forget the continuous Wal-Mart trips, the dinner dates, “cosmo” parties, late night snacking and heart-tohearts or all of the surprises that the sophomores create for the freshmen to have the best year. But most of all, the breath-taking feeling of putting on the uniform and performing with an humble grace will never leave my thoughts.

The directors have instilled such beauty in each Rangerette. The best way I know to describe it is by saying they use the process that the Karate Kid goes through. He does not have the slightest idea that the teachings he’s being given all come with multiple meanings, and one day he becomes a master of his craft without realizing it.

That’s sort of what we go through, and I couldn’t be more thankful to the two amazing women who lead us through it all.

The little Staff Writer things in life have found a new place in my heart. Bonds with girls that will be in my wedding and being accountable for my own actions have been placed at the forefront of my internal priority list.

The disappointing letter

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I received from UT and the goose bumps have been the two greatest blessings in my life, and I can’t imagine having it any other way.

Jessica Stovall is a freshman mass communications major from Lufkin.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

Jamie Maldonado / THE FLARE

Randi Vinson / THE FLARE

on her character in “Man in the Mirror.”

REVELS

Sophomore Swingster Logan Roesle grooves in “Rock On.”

Act by Act

ACT I “Let’s Hear It For The Boys!”

“Let’s Hear It For The Boys” Rangerettes

“Dance With My Father” “Daddy” - Skit “Man In The Mirror” - Rangerettes “Working Day and Night” - Managers “Battle for the Beat” Freshman Swingsters

“Special Recognition” - Bethany Phelps “It’s a Man’s Man’s World” Sophomore Rangerettes

“It’s Raining Men” - KC Twirlers “A Tribute” - Ashley Cupples “Gone Too Soon” - Memoriam Video “Celebrate!” - Freshman Rangerettes

ACT II “Take It Away Boys” Glitz and Glamour - Video “Love in Three Acts” - Rangerettes “The Wiz” - Skit “The Music Master” - Video “Gimme Some Rhythm Daddy” Rangerettes

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” Rangerettes

“Faithfully” - Rachel Keller “Fast Like A Nascar” - Rangerettes “The Fights About To Begin” - Skit “Country Girl” - Rangerettes “Total Eclipse of the Heart” -

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Arlin Busano “Rock On” - Sophomore Swingsters “No Man” - Sydne Miller “Ain’t No Other Man” - Rangerettes “Extravaganza” - Rangerettes Elizabeth Wisdom / THE FLARE

Freshman Haleigh Wright (right) and sophomore Hope Boyd swing to “Gimme Some Rhythm Daddy.”

Jamie Maldonado/ THE FLARE

Raining Men.”

three batons in “It’s

Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE

Sophomores Kate Basinger (left) and Elsie Smith declare Kimberly Hookanson the knock-out winner in “The Fight’s About to Begin.”

Briley Boren / THE FLARE

Sophomore Sydne Miller claims she doesn’t need a man in her song soulful “No Man.”

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