Vol. 82, No. 15 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
April 12, 2019 www.theflareonline.com
More than meets the eye
REVELS 2019 • Special Edition
Catie Denfeld / THE FLARE
Lieutenant Ryan Wayne, Kilgore sophomore, performs a solo during Act II of Revels 2019. The annual show includes a wide variety of dance genres, concluding with the Rangerettes’ signature “high kick” production. It will run five shows through Saturday evening in Dodson Auditorium. Limited tickets were still available as of press time.
News
PAGE 2 n FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
THE FLARE
How did you become a part of KC Connection? - Georgia: “I became a member of KC Connection by auditioning as soon as I heard that the ensemble was coming back. I was very eager to be part of such a cool group.” Describe your time with KC Connection. - Alexis: “Being in KC Connection has helped me become more confident as a performer, and has helped me meet a lot of new wonderful people along the way.” - Julia: “Being in this group has allowed me to venture out of my shell and become a better team player.” What is the hardest part about singing a cappella? - Julia: “Blending! No two people have the exact same tone or vowel shapes, so it takes a lot of listening to get a good match.”
KC Connection
Destiny Baldwin / THE FLARE
From left: Alexis Chandler, Julia Fulgham, Amber Poe, Georgia Shelton, and Troy Ezell; directed by Dr. Zach Marshall Read the rest of this interview at www.theflareonline.com
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Where do you hope your singing career takes you? - Georgia: “I hope that someday I can touch many lives with my ability God has gifted me with and use it to train up my future student to become the best version of themselves.” Have any of you ever performed in a venue or show like Revels? - Amber: “I have performed in numerous venues throughout my life. Not quite like Revels but smaller versions. Also the UT choir sang with the Longview orchestra and that was an amazing experience.” What is it like to be a part of a show like this? - Alexis: “It’s really cool to see Revels behind the scenes. You can tell everyone involved worked really hard to make the show happen.” — compiled by Ryan Wayne
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What is your favorite part about being in KC Connection? - Georgia: “My favorite part of being a member of KC connection is doing what I love with others that love it just as much as I do. Also, having the opportunity to be a part of our community and to be an ambassador for Kilgore College.”
Do you intend on singing in the future? - Alexis: “I do intend on singing in the future, but more for myself. I want a career in kinesiology, so I want to focus on that.” -Amber: “I am currently working on my bachelor of music education at UT Tyler and will eventually teach or one day begin my own studio teaching voice.”
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Captain steers group
News
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 n PAGE 3
Keeping your cool and going with the flow has been my motto of the year. — Cierra Birmingham
Birmingham reflects on time on the 78th Line
Cierra Birmingham, of Leander, performs her sophomore solo during Revels 2019. Jamie Hwang / THE FLARE
CATIE DENFELD Staff Writer
T
he honor of being the captain of Rangerettes has been the biggest blessing of my life,” said Cierra Birmingham, Leander sophomore, as she looked back on the last year of her job at the helm of the world-famous dance/ drill team. Birmingham was two years old when she entered the world of ballet and tap. The years leading up to her senior year, she fell in love with dance as she continued to train. While trying to decide her path after high school, Birmingham learned about the Rangerettes from her dance instructor.
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As she eyes her next step following KC, she is certain dance will still be a part of her plan. Birmingham hopes to earn her Master’s in dance and then open her own studio or coach a college dance team. She is also considering dancing for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders or the Dallas Mavericks. “I could not imagine my life without dance,” Birmingham said. “I believe that if it is in my life, I will never work; I will just be having fun!” Almost every day since Winter Break, she and the Rangerettes have been preparing for some of the last times the team will share the stage together — the time known as “Revels Season.” “This team becomes a part
of you and you never want to leave, but unfortunately the time comes, and you have the chance to take the stage one last time as a class,” Birmingham said. “I cannot wait to lift our heads and hold them high for one last time on the stage of Dodson Auditorium.” During her time on the line, Birmingham has learned that confidence is essential to being a successful Rangerette. “Confidence is key,” she said. “What you put in will help in determining your outcome.” Rangerettes individually and as a whole are held to a higher standard because of the privilege they are given, she said. “The directors know what we are capable of, and not only
are we expected to be the best dancers on the field and stage, but also the best examples in the community,” she said. Looking back at all she has done at KC, she said being a Rangerette “is an incredible honor.” “I cannot put into words how much this organization means to me. It is what I live and breathe now and what I am,” she said. Being captain has also been one of her greatest blessings. Along with ‘captain duties’ Birmingham has worked hard to make sure the team stays on the same page. “There have been many stressful moments,” she said. “But you can never show worry to the rest of your team. Keeping
your cool and going with the flow has been my motto of the year.” She has also learned some important life lessons along the journey. “You come in one way and leave forever touched and changed, and the cherry on top is being able to do it with people who become your forever friends,” she said. She cites the magic of belonging to this nearly 80-yearold organization. “There are so many special things within the organization that separates us from the rest that we will carry on throughout our lives,” Birmingham said. “We are not just here for the dancing, but to become better people.”
FEAT
PAGE 4 n FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
Jamie Hwang / THE FLARE
Alec Reyes / THE FLARE
Sara Harris / THE FLARE
TURE
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 n PAGE 5
Sara Harris / THE FLARE
Adriana Cisneros Emerson / THE FLARE
REVELS Dazzles Clockwise from top left: 1) McKinzee Merrill, performs a “Salute to Women” with the freshman Rangerettes. 2) Bailee Scott and the sophomores open Act II with a tribute to legendary rock band, Queen, during a performance to “Don’t Stop Us Now.” 3) Backstage freshman McKinzee Merrill and Rachel Clower finish getting their costumes and makeup ready to go out and take the stage. 4) The Rangerettes wrap up Act I in a “Kaleidoscope of Color.” 5) Kyra Gaskill, sophomore, inspires the audience with a performance to “Romeo and Juliet.” Rangerette alumna, Lexi Johnston, guest choreographed the dance. 6) Host Sarah Coker, a former Rangerette on the 64th Line and intern alumna for Conan O’Brien, keeps audiences entertained as the show moves between numbers.
Jamie Hwang / THE FLARE
FEATURE
PAGE 6 n FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
THE FLARE
A decade of lessons
Dance instructor returns to teach future high-kickers NADIA HILL Staff Writer
T
Jacob Adkisson / Special to THE FLARE
Angela Falcone Aulds, is pictured here as Captain during the 2009 Cotton Bowl performance. She was a member of the 68th line.
here is more than meets the eye when it comes to KC dance instructor Angela Aulds. Aulds graduated from Friendswood High School in 2007 with her eyes set on KC and the Rangerettes. Aulds remembers seeing the Rangerettes in second grade, and from then on, said she “wanted to wear the red, white, and blue.” She attended Rangerette summer camp her eighth grade year and never missed a Revels since. Aulds took tap and ballet when she was three and was on a competitive dance team until her freshman year in high school. She was also on the high school drill team. Afterward, she pursued the Rangerettes, where she became a member of the 68th line, and then became the captain during her sophomore year. “Rangerettes, to me, is a package deal. There is not ‘one’ part that is my favorite. It is the timeless uniform, the incredible performances, the traditions, the sisterhood, and the standards that I was drawn to. I knew I wanted to be a part of this team because of
the standards and fellowship,” she said. Aulds has a unique role within the Rangerettes. She gets to work with her mentors, Dana Blair, Rangerette director, and Shelley Wayne, assistant Rangerette director, which she said is “one of the biggest blessings in her career.” She enjoys watching the dayto-day journey of each class’ Rangerette career. “I am there during the bad and hard days, but I also get to see them experience the big milestones of their time as a Rangerette,” she said. “I love the role that I have. I get to be one of the guiding lights for their dance career in both the dance department and in Rangerettes. I truly find joy in witnessing their successes regularly.” Aulds always wanted to be a dance educator at KC. “My biggest goal was to invite ‘whole body dancing’ to the program. I believe I have begun making strides in the Kilgore College Dance Department (as well as in Rangerettes). I hope to continue shifting the paradigm of ‘drill team dancing’ throughout my career,” she said. “Rangerettes has truly been the foundation for all of my goals
and aspirations. It is hard to put into words how much this organization, these people, and this town has changed my life for the better. It is because of the Rangerette organization that my husband and I call this place our home.” Aulds said what sets the Rangerettes apart from other dance/drill teams is that the standards never waver. They continue to ask of the Rangerettes somewhat seemingly impossible standards in regards to elite dancing, personal confidence and strong work ethic. To any future Rangerette she says to “Kick, kick, kick!” Take as many ballet and jazz classes as possible, and kick the Rangerette high kick every day. This will ensure stamina for the new high kick that will be taught at PreTraining. Be your best self at tryouts and have your fitness at the highest level. “The life lessons are truly immeasurable. I’m the woman I am today because of the lessons that were instilled in me as a Rangerette,” she said. “There isn’t one day that goes by that I do not live out one rule or life lesson from my time as a Rangerette.”
KHS instructor, ‘Rette officer recalls first year of Revels CATIE DENFELD Staff Writer
B
eing a part of the Rangerettes means making sacrifices. Nina Mata, speech instructor at Kilgore High School, learned how to make sacrifices from Rangerette founder Gussie Nell Davis during 19631965. When the Rangerette program started in 1940, Miss Davis had a vision that she put her all into, so much so that she turned down a marriage proposal from Mata’s uncle. This vision has led to sacrifices made by almost everyone in the program at some point. “You’re going to have to
sacrifice your life for two years and love it,” Mata said. “If you don’t love it, don’t do it. If it’s not the most important thing you want to do, then don’t do it.” Mata acknowledges the influence Miss Davis had on making professionals out of the Rangerettes. “She wasn’t going to let it be anything but the best every time you performed,” she said. “I think she started something and left a legacy that only she could’ve left.” Being a Rangerette paved the way for Mata. After finishing her two years with KC, Mata transferred to University of Houston where she
earned a master’s degree in Communication and Dance. Mata was a drill team instructor for six years before returning to Kilgore to coach the KHS High Steppers’ drill team for three years. An important part of succeeding as a Rangerette is knowing that all of your extra time will go into working on dance numbers with your line. “It’s work that you’ve never had before in your life,” she said. “I had taken dance my whole life, but nothing compared to what I did as a Rangerette.” The amount of work and perfection required has been something that’s been demanded from all lines
since the organization began. “Miss Davis was awful when it came to wanting things right. She wanted everything together and demanded perfection,” Mata recalled. Although the amount of hard work and effort put into the group was the same, it was not always showcased. There was a short amount of time that what was once known as “Ranger Roundup,” was dropped. It wasn’t until after they built Dodson Auditorium that Miss Davis decided to bring back this show, but this time it would come back as “Revels.” Mata’s freshman year was the year Revels
made its first appearance. “Our theme was ‘The Circus’ because we had a girl who could do highlines and I remember the first time we had it we had to do three nights because it was so big. Everybody wanted to see something that they were reviving,” she said. Looking back on what Rangerettes did for her, Mata believes it made her stronger. “I was able to go after things; it gave me a confidence that nobody has unless you’re a Rangerette,” said Mata. “It made my life what it is even today.”
Special to THE FLARE
Nina Miller Mata, was voted “Most Representative Female” in this photo from the 1965 Ranger yearbook. She was also an officer on the 25th line that year and went on to teach high school drill teams.
OPINION
THE FLARE
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 n PAGE 7
KC student ‘awed’ by grace, determination of first drill team ROSE NUNEZ Staff Writer
I
looked on in awe as I watched the Rangerettes perform in a YouTube video of the 2016 Revels. I desperately wanted to see them perform after doing a bit of research for this piece. So there I was, glued to my computer, watching the Rangerettes perform impossible splits and moves. I felt proud to be a KC student while viewing the display of power and grace during the Rangerettes’ signature High Kick performance. It is hard to imagine the campus without the Rangerettes. They have represented the college with
their top-notch performances for years. They have been strutting, high kicking and dancing even since before World War II. Their performances are timeless and enduring, and it all had a simple beginning. According to the Rangerette website, in 1930, Dr. B.E. Masters, the dean of KC, wanted something to not only to attract female students but also to provide an entertaining distraction to keep fans from drinking under the bleachers during half time of football games. Gussie Nell Davis, a P.E. teacher from Farmersville, was chosen — in large part because she had already had success with the group, “The Flaming Flashes.”
Masters wanted something different than an all-girl drum and bugle corps that was popular in the 1930s. Thus Miss Davis created the precision dance team, the Rangerettes. Despite some early criticism for short performance skirts and authoritarian-type training, the Rangerettes quickly became a success with a loyal following. Rangerette dorm mother, Shirley Arredondo said the Rangerettes first performed Revels, then known as the Rangerette Round Up, in 1945. Over the years, the Rangerettes’ fame has grown. Some notable Rangerette performances include the Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots Ball for several past presidents, including both
Obama inaugurations, and President Trump. The Rangerettes have performed several times in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and for numerous National Football League games. The list goes on for performances where the Rangerettes have starred, some including in other countries. In March 2015, they performed in St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin Ireland. One of the biggest honors to date occurred last July when the Rangerettes traveled to Basel, Switzerland, to perform in the Basel Tattoo. The Rangerettes have become a Texas and American feature, and in 2015 were awarded a Texas Medal of Arts Award from the
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Texas Cultural Trust. Accepting alongside Texas legends Jamie Foxx, Dan Rather and T Bone Burnett, the awards recognize lifetime achievement in several categories. During their performances their moves seem effortless, never hinting at the reality of dedication and hard work involved. This work ethic has lasted for nearly eight decades and the spirit of the Rangerettes is clear during each performance. Watching the Rangerette Revels was a magical experience for me. It is a wonder that these dedicated young women can not only have a college career but also perform like a disciplined team — combining feminine beauty and physical strength.
Vol. 82 • No. 15 Friday, April 12, 2019 Executive Editor Adriana Cisneros Emerson Managing Editor Jamie Hwang Sports Editor Alec Reyes Photo Editor Catie Denfeld Entertainment Editor Travis Noriega
Photos by Kilgore College Journalism and Photography graduates Jamie Maldonado (right), and Jonathen Ruesch (below).
Copy Editors Destiny Baldwin, Kendall Hurtt
Summer Journalism Workshop JUNE 10-14 @ KILGORE COLLEGE High School students and incoming freshmen have the opportunity to cover real stories, make real photographs and publish a real newspaper online and in print. For details, write rstallard@kilgore.edu or call Rachel Stallard at 903-983-8194.
LETTERS THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campusrelated topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_flare@ yahoo.com Copyright 2019, The Flare. All rights reserved
Staff Writers Catie Denfeld, Claire Feng, Jon Frazier, Carrie Harris, Rainy Harrison, Nadia Hill, Jennifer Ibarra, Rose Nunez, Chris Pena, Ryan Wayne, A.J. Williams Photographers Claire Feng, Jon Frazier, Jennifer Ibarra, Sara Harris, Kendall Hurtt, Jamie Hwang, Travis Noriega, Alec Reyes Adriana Cisneros Emerson Destiny Baldwin,Tiffany Johnson Cartoonist Alexandria Woolridge Adviser Rachel Stallard
DISCLAIMER THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate press Association. All people holding editorial staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, staff members, faculty members, administrative officers or the Board of Trustees.
THE FLARE
SCENES FROM THE SHOW
FEATURE
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 n PAGE 8
Top: “Tokyo 2020” Middle: “Kaleidoscope of Color” Bottom Left: “Look for the Light” Bottom Right: “Not a Dry Eye in the House”
Check out more photos at www.theflareonline.com Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Travis Noriega / THE FLARE
Kendall Hurtt / THE FLARE
Claire Feng / THE FLARE