Issue 20 4-16-15

The Flare

REVELS

SPECIAL EDITION

Thursday, April 16, 2015 Vol. 78 No. 20

Sara Holmes / THE FLARE

Host Chip Hale and the Rangerettes hit their ending pose for the opener as director Dana Blair observes from the foreground.

Bright like diamonds Rangerettes jazz up 70th Revels event KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor

T

he 70th annual Rangerette Revels will take place at 7 p.m Thursday and Friday, with 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances on Saturday. The theme this year is “75” and centers around the 75th anniversary of the award-winning dance team. On Saturday, several Rangerette Forevers have been chosen to perform as 75th Anniversary All-Stars in a routine with current dancers.

Chip Hale, former Rangerette manager, is this year’s host. His documentary about the Rangerettes, “Sweethearts of the Gridiron,” is currently screening on the film festival circuit.

“These girls learn how to build friendships and build character. It’s a gift that will last a lifetime,” Hale said. “I think the Rangerettes are not only the first, but the best and the most true form of athletic artistry.”

The Rangerettes are directed by Dana Blair, and choreographer Shelley Wayne is assistant director. The dance styles at Revels include modern ballet, tap and hip-hop. All of the dance routines, skits and songs featured in the show highlight the drill team’s history, the legacy of its members and the ’Rettes’ plans for the future.

The influence of the Rangerettes since their creation in 1940 is unprecedented. For attendees who may not know the story of the creation of the team, Revels has it covered in the form of a sketch re-enacting the meeting of former KC Dean B.E. Masters and Rangerette founder Gussie Nell Davis. Inspiration for the creation of a drill team came when Masters urged Davis

to come up with an idea to keep football fans in their seats during halftime at games.

The Diamond anniversary year has been a busy and eventful one for the young women on the line, their directors and managers.

On August 22, 2014, the Rangerette Show-Offs celebration was held and a member from the first line in 1940 was recognized.

Then, on January 1, the troupe danced in their 65th appearance in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

This spring, the group was recognized with a Texas Medal of Arts Award at the Capitol in Austin. This award honors Texans who have made contributions to the arts locally and around the world.

In March, the Rangerettes took an 11-day tour of Scotland and Ireland and marched in the National St. Patrick’s Festival Parade with a performance at Croke Park in Dublin.

“The Rangerette experience is completely life-changing,” said Rangerette captain, Emily Diehl, of Allen. “You meet so many great people. It’s such a great experience,” Miss Davis used to say to her performers: “You’re a Rangerette, you’ll always be a Rangerette.” That sentiment of legacy and loyalty is a huge part of the world’s first drill team and continues to ring true with this year’s Revels performance.

Tickets can be purchased at the Rangerette Gym on the KC campus, by phone at 903-9838179 or online at www.rangerette.com. Tickets are $25 and KC students get one free ticket with their current student ID. DVD and Blu Ray copies of “75” and other past performances can be pre-ordered on the website.

E’Lexus Hodge / THE FLARE

Emily Diehl performs “Industry.”

E’Lexus Hodge / THE FLARE

Ashton Terry, playing the role of Miss Davis, shares her vision of a dancing drill team with Dr. B.E. Masters, played by Carson Craig.

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Rangerettes perform “Diamonds.”

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THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

REVELS

2014-2015

Rangerettes OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

Photo by Jon Vashey / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

(From left): Lt. Jessica Hensall, Lt. Emily Wendt, Capt. Emily Diehl, Lt. Reagan Reynolds and Lt. Noelie Barbay.

K I L G O R E

C O L L E G E

D A N C E

Denise Macon / THE FLARE

Assistant Director Shelley Wayne

D E P A R T M E N T

Director Dana Blair

P R E S E N T S

CATALYST $10 general Spring Dance Concert $5 student Friday, May 1 Cash or check only.

8 PM Van Cliburn Auditorium

The Flare EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kathryn Agee MANAGING EDITOR Victoria Whitwell FEATURES EDITOR Leah Bryce OPINION EDITOR Jordan Baird SPORTS EDITOR Devin Brooks

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Richard Nguyen DESIGN EDITOR Tory Van Blarcum ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Hunter Lohr ADVERTISING MANAGER David McCarty

VOL. 78, NO. 20

Photography: O. Rufus Lovett

www.kilgore.edu/dance

Design: Jon Vashey Choreography: Angela Falcone Dancer: Olivia Thompson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Brown, Rain Cohn, Jessica Easley, Jon Nieto, Tina Walls, Kaelie Wike and Maria Zapata

Kilgore College Dance @kilgorecollegedance Kilgore College Dance

LETTERS

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Copyright 2015, The Flare. All rights reserved.

CARTOONIST Daniel Brown STAFF WRITERS Jordan Baker, Elijah Banks, Max Cervantes, Logan Holloway, Julianna Kendall, Thao Nguyen and Nick Shelley

903.983.8633

LAB MANAGER Jamie Maldonado PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett ADVISER Rachel Stallard

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 campus-related 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

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.

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Reynolds leaps forward Sophomore bound for prestigious California academy LEAH BRYCE Features Editor

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ouse lights are off and the stage lights are beating down with all the power of a star. In the middle of the stage, poised and ready to begin, another star mentally prepares for what she is about to attempt. Then the music begins, five-sixseven-eight, the star flows with the music with breathless ease. The music ends at the same time as the star. Gathering herself, she continues toward the next step of her threepart audition.

After years of dancing, Reagan Reynolds, College Station sophomore, is advancing toward her life goal of being a professional dancer; ending her career as a Rangerette this summer and accepting a spot in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Los Angeles for the fall.

“I’ve been dancing my whole life, but being at KC, I’ve grown in my dancing ability,” Reynolds said. “I think that I’ve gained a lot more confidence in myself, which helped me in the audition process.

I got there and I had to do a one and half minute dance solo, a monologue and sing a song. I think that being a Rangerette helped with the confidence.”

This is the second time Reynolds has been accepted into AMDA, which is known for only accepting 31 percent of applicants. AMDA alumni include Bette Midler, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, who have graduated from this school in the 50 years of its existence.

“I auditioned for the school and I got in, but it just didn’t seem like the right time for me to go, so then I decided to try out for the Rangerettes,” Reynolds said. “I made it to Rangerettes and it was a great decision — probably the best decision of my life.”

Although being a Rangerette was never a dream for the studio dancer, she has enjoyed her two years being a part of KC’s drill team. Even though she did drill team in high school, it was Revels in the spring of her senior year that drew her to audition for the Rangerettes.

“I started studio dancing when I was 2, so I’ve been dancing my whole life. My mom was a dancer when she was younger and I started dancing because she put me in dance class,” Reynolds said. “Then about two years after starting dance, my mom opened up her own dance studio and so I danced there for several years.”

AMDA is a school run by performers, for performers, who also helps students find their way through the performance business. For students like Reynolds that have goals of being on Broadway or in Hollywood, this school offers a way into the business while being educated.

“You’re there taking normal classes like history but it’s more like history of the arts and finance for your career. You’re also there taking dance classes and theatre classes and vocal classes,” Reynolds said.

“At the end of the year they have this show that they put together where agents will come in. You actually have to take morning classes so in the afternoon you are supposed to go out and find jobs and audition for things. It really sets you up for this business.”

As a performance art, dance comes in many different forms with many different interpretations. From Broadway and fox trots to contemporary ballet and hip hop, dance offers an emotional outlet for people.

“My favorite thing about dancing is probably the fact that it is up to your own interpretation,” Reynolds said. “That is the best part of dancing — that you get to put yourself into it, your passion and your emotions. My favorite kind of dance style

Denise Macon / THE FLARE

Reagan Reynolds will enroll in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles in the fall. This is the second time she has been accepted

would be the contemporary kind of lyrical dance style or Broadway style jazz.”

Like most people, she isn’t without experiencing her own tragedy. But according to Reynolds, dancing helped her through it. Not only did dancing help, but her mother and brother, both dancers as well, influenced her and helped her through a difficult time in her life.

“The biggest thing that has helped mold me into the person I am today is that my brother passed away six years ago when I was in the eighth grade,” Reynolds said. “I joined drill team in high school and that pulled me out of that and helped me get to where I am today and also helped me become a Rangerette. I think that was the hardest thing for me. It was a tragedy in my

life but it helped me become the person I am today.”

Once back in the studio, Reynolds continued toward her goal of becoming a professional dancer. After joining the drill team, she also got back into competitive dance classes.

“Dancing was a great escape …; it definitely helped me through that time.”

Come Discover The Music of Kilgore College vibrant. unique. harmonious.

Kilgore College Jazz Band & Guitar Ensemble Concert Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 7:30 p.m.

Van Cliburn Auditorium let the melodious sounds wash over you. experience the magic of music.

Kilgore College Jazz Band.

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Host Chip Hale returns to the Revels stage.

Stage craft THE FLARE

Director Dana Blair looks on

Emily Shymkiw, Millie Funk, Mary Williford and Madeline Doerr,

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Kate Barton does a leg extension

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Caroline Bentley lifts her hat

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Shivani Naik performs

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THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Dancing

REVELS

Doubles

Twins share spotlight, life as Freshmen TORY VAN BLARCUM Design/Photo Editor

I

magine spending every day of your life with your best friend within arms reach. Sounds wonderful, right? Now imagine having the chance of being apart from that person for the next two years. Luckily, the Gardner twins didn’t have to experience that void.

“Being a twin is like being born with a best friend and having to lose my best friend for two years would (have) been heart-breaking,” Britney said.

Last July, twin sisters, Breanne and Britney Gardner went through the audition process for the 75th Rangerette line in hopes of making it together, but in fear that one wouldn’t make it.

“It makes me happy to look into the center of the kickline during performances and see her marking time on the right end,” Breanne said.

The women started dancing at age eight and began competing at age 11.

“My mom thought my sister and I had too much energy, so she put us in dance,” Britney said. “She never knew we’d continue with it and make it this far.”

After a week-long tryout process, they

joined the other hopefuls on stage in Dodson Auditorium for the sign drop.

The fear of being separated for the first time in their dancing career began with watching the girls’ sign drop take place.

“When I saw Breanne’s number on the sign, I started to cry and immediately hugged her. I didn’t even know I made it until she told me,” Britney said.

Prior to joining the Rangerettes, the twins always danced together and didn’t have to compete for a part or to see who was a better dancer.

“We never had an experience where one made something over the other until the very first week of football season,” Breanne said. “Britney made the field jazz and I didn’t. It was disappointing, but surprisingly we didn’t think too much of it. It was pretty cool getting to see her doing something on the football field that she had never done before, considering our high school exclusively kicked for halftime.”

Another challenge of being twins is that the two siblings are often mistaken for each other.

“It gets difficult sometimes not feeling like we’re our own person, especially when the directors and sophomores mix us up,” Britney said.

Tory Van Blarcum / THE FLARE

Twins Britney (left) and Breanne Gardner, of Fort Worth, share life as Freshmen Rangerettes.

Hurry to Ranger Café!

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Rangerettes Ashton Terry, Sam Stapper and Leslie Rowe

Presidential scholars

Trio of scholarship recipients excel on LEAH BRYCE Features Editor

B

ooks spread out with their spines cracked and pages dog-eared down, mixed among sweats, T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with the Rangerette logo litter the rooms. In these rooms the lights are the last off at night and the first on in the morning with the sounds of turning pages, as the women living in them try to keep up with their studies in between practices.

Although all Rangerettes are held to an academic standard set by their instructors, three Rangerettes go beyond and into academic excellence. The most prestigious academic scholarship KC offers, the Presidential Scholarship, was awarded to three Rangerettes; Leslie Rowe, Gladewater sophomore; Ashton Terry, Tyler sophomore; Sam Stapper, Belton freshman.

“I applied to be a Presidential scholar during the spring of my senior year in high school,” Stapper said. “The requirements are to maintain a 3.3 GPA and complete 15 hours per semester at Kilgore College.”

When the applicants first applied, the scholarship demanded that they were in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, scored at least a 25 on the ACT or a 1600 on

the SAT and have maintained a 92 percent average in all high school courses.

“To keep my grades high I have to study and try my best every day, because I am not a natural genius,” Rowe said. “Hard work will pay off if you are persistent and never give up. I attend class all morning, 4 days a week, and then go to practice at 1 in the afternoon.”

Between exercising their mind in classes and their bodies in practice they have little time to balance grades and Rangerette duties, not to mention having college fun.

Scheduling is a large part of being successful as a Presidential Scholar Rangerette.

“My daily schedule is pretty hectic,” Terry said. “I have 8 a.m. classes every day, workouts with our trainer twice a week, practice every day starting at 1, an extra three hours of cardio a week, along with extracurricular organizations at Kilgore and also school work on top of that. It can be overwhelming at times, but it is definitely possible to get it all done.”

Although none of these three are dance majors, they all hold a high regard for life as a Rangerette. According to Stapper, she will carry the work ethic and positivity that being a Rangerette instills in you, plus the life-long relationships that she has gained.

“Always try your best, and you will never be disappointed in yourself,” Rowe said. “It’s not easy balancing Rangerettes and school, but the end result is so worth it.”

With the responsibilities of being a college student and being a Rangerette also comes perks like traveling and cultural experiences.

Over Spring Break the Rangerettes traveled to Ireland to share Texas traditions — marching

with the Irish in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and high-kicking in Croke Park.

“Ireland was an amazing opportunity,” Stapper said. “Getting to meet so many wonderful people and see such beautiful sights was something I will never forget. I love the network and the relationships that come with being a Rangerette. It’s great making conversation with people and finding those connections.”

Like many other KC students, both Terry and Rowe will continue their education elsewhere next semester. Majoring in prepharmacy, Terry plans on attending the University of North Texas and Rowe will be attending Stephen F. Austin State University with a major in health education and eventually nutrition. Although these two will be transferring, Stapper will remain at KC another year before transferring to Texas A&M with a major in special education.

“It is definitely a bittersweet feeling knowing that I will be leaving the line soon,” Terry said. “I am so sad to leave Rangerettes because of all the amazing friends and memories I have made here; but it is something that I will look back on and know that it was the best decision I ever made. My two years at Kilgore College will be a part of my life that I will never forget. I also feel very prepared and excited to start a new chapter of my life.”

Balancing between the arts and academics has never been an easy task and most people are “left brain,” more creative, or “right brain,” more analytical. So as performance artists and academic scholars, the balance between the two can cause strife as to which is more important.

“It’s hard to pick between art and education because they are so complementary of each other,” Stapper said. “Each enhances the other. Art brings another level to education and the other way around. I feel that they both have influenced me greatly.”

While education allows for people to expand their knowledge and accomplish things in different fields, art is expression of knowledge and emotion. It comes in many forms from hip-hop to photography, but each form carries the presence of its creator.

“Dance is incredibly important to me. It’s the way I express myself,” Stapper said. “Dance is something personal, yet you get to share it with everyone around you. A dance can say so much without speaking a word. I think that’s why I love dance so much. It’s unique and allows me to express my uniqueness as well.”

Each year there are new applicants for this scholarship, as well as new Rangerettes and while these three are both, neither field requires the other. Time management, dedication and hard work brought Terry, Rowe and Stapper to be both scholars and performers.

“My advice to Rangerette hopefuls and Presidential Scholarship applicants is to try your hardest in everything you do and never be afraid to put yourself out there,” Terry said. “If I hadn’t taken the risk of trying out for Rangerettes and applying for the Presidential Scholarship, I would not be where I am today. I am so blessed to have received the Presidential Scholarship, and it’s been an honor to have been a member of the 75th line of the Rangerettes for Kilgore College.”

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Dancing queens number.

before the Sophomore

as the Rangerettes perform the opening number.

in “Industry.”

in “The Gift.”

the opening number.

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Rangerettes march on Ireland

Peter Seesselberg / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

Rangerettes dazzle the Irish with their unique style of dance during the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

American tourist takes in sights, sounds of Eire “T weet! Tweet!

Tweet! Tweet,” sounded the Captain’s whistle cue for us to begin our march in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland.

I couldn’t believe this day was finally here. We had been waiting patiently for this trip since the news was announced at our Freshman Showoffs a year earlier. We were told that not only we would be performing in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, but we would also be touring Scotland and Ireland to see many of the tourist sights

these two countries have to offer.

We boarded a plane and traveled more than JORDAN BAIRD 10 hours Opinion Editor to visit many cities, castles and cathedrals. My favorite tourist sight was the Cliffs of Moher, standing at 702 feet tall and running six miles across the Atlantic Ocean, I couldn’t help but fall in love with this incredible

sight. Their beauty was something that will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.

Many of the other tourist attractions and sights were so remarkable. I’ll never forget the things I saw because of the old and medieval look that most of the buildings had.

Our trip drew to an end with our final day being spent representing America in the parade that brings so much joy to the Irish citizens each year.

We began marching in unison down the streets

From one KC tradition to another, The Flare wants to congratulate the Rangerettes on their 75th year and their 70th Revels production.

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of Dublin for about 800,000 people who were crowded along the parade boundaries to get a glimpse of what kind of entertainment would be provided this year.

It was quite difficult trying to soak it all in and not lose count of the dance steps or get on the wrong foot.

The crowds cheered as they saw a familiar color scheme on our uniforms and “done up” young women strutting through the parade without breaking attention or dropping their smiles.

Our pop of red, white and blue stood out among

the hundreds of people whom were dressed in dark green, white and orange to represent not only St. Patrick’s Day, but the country of Ireland.

Our colors brought a unique and American touch to the parade, which doesn’t happen too often, since it’s been nearly 15 years since the Rangerettes have marched in this same parade.

We were introduced at three different points in the parade and thousands cheered once they knew how far we had traveled to bring our art form

across the seas to represent America on such a special day in Ireland.

Chills ran up my spine as I felt a very proud feeling in my heart when we heard the applause throughout the parade.

Not only was I proud to be a Rangerette on this day, I was also proud to be an American and get the privilege to share my country and state with Ireland by the colors on my uniform.

Jordan Baird is a sophomore journalism major for Magnolia.

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THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

REVELS

Act by Act THE FLARE

Lainey Bergen and Ryan Reinert dance together in “My Girl.”

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Sarah Higgins, Lainey Bergen and Ashley Hibbs perform in a Freshman Swingster number.

Opener – Revels Act 1 – 75 Years In The Making

Act 2 – Great Expectations

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The Rangerettes strike their ending pose in “Diamonds.”

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Shivani Niak, Hannah Marucci and Sarah Higgins dance the Freshman number.

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Taylor Walker

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Jessica Hensal leaps in the sophomore number “Begin Again.”

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Catherine Shore tap dances in “Puttin’ on Revels.”